Went by Nolans in Lakeland Today
- Thread starter plyle02
- Start date
hexedagain
New member
Nolans is a joke at best.
Customer service is something they have NEVER heard of.
I wouldn't waste my time with them, unless you want to give ich to all of your fish!
Walk in there with a 5 gallon jug wanting water, the employees look like roaches scattering when the lights come on. Nobody wants to get water for anyone, unless your their buddy, ask Justin if I'm right. You do know him, right? I know he doesn't work there anymore.
Just my two cents.
Customer service is something they have NEVER heard of.
I wouldn't waste my time with them, unless you want to give ich to all of your fish!
Walk in there with a 5 gallon jug wanting water, the employees look like roaches scattering when the lights come on. Nobody wants to get water for anyone, unless your their buddy, ask Justin if I'm right. You do know him, right? I know he doesn't work there anymore.
Just my two cents.
plyle02
Active member
I know Justin, and have heard of some of the things that go on there. I have not had any success with the fish, but have had success with the clams. As far as dry goods go, not many choices here locally. I do go to finz once per week though. My SPS have been purchased almost exclusively from Justin, some great deals, and he has some really high quality stuff. I am not looking to make any friends there, but in a pinch, they serve their purpose... I do agree about the lack of customer service, a joke at best, not bad if you don't have any questions for them, they do seem to lack knowledge of reef tanks. There is another guy there, I forget his name, but he has several SPS tanks, nice guy, and very knowledgable of SPS corals.....
hexedagain
New member
Eric. Great guy to deal with, maybe the only one that knows what he is talking about in Nolans. LOL.
But the clams you are talking about are beautiful, just a little too big for me.
I wasn't bashing you at all with my post, so I hope you didn't take it that way.
I just get frustrated when someone posts something good about that place. Just when they act like they are getting better with service, you realize it was all make believe.
plyle02
Active member
hexedagain, No offense taken here at all..... I hear you on the lack of service, and agree it gets pretty frustrating. I was there a couple of months ago on a Sunday, and watched at least 10 customers leave due to lack of help/ service. I imagine the lack of help, or not so good help, stems alot deeper than the employees, it probably has alot to do with the management/ ownership... I agree, Eric is a great guy, very knowledgable and honest. I can only imagine how great another store would do in Polk County....Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....LOL.......
hexedagain
New member
More than likely I was one of the 10 that walked out. I walk out because of lack of service more than I walk out having bought anything.
hexedagain
New member
What makes you say that?
We just got Aqua Holics in Winter Haven, nothing to brag about if you asked me.
markandkristen
Active member
yeah eric is pretty knowledgeable and i know justin as well. i have to admit i dont feel the love for the hobby like marcey and john have at sea in the city and faois. they do have descent prices if you want to quarantine them. i have gotten clams reall cheap from thier.. they had maximas a while back for 29.99 for 3" .
i think when you spread yourself out to meet freshwater fish ...ponds and other stuff it can be very demanding. people like john and marcey specialize in corals and marine seem to do better.
i think when you spread yourself out to meet freshwater fish ...ponds and other stuff it can be very demanding. people like john and marcey specialize in corals and marine seem to do better.
hexedagain
New member
Very true. Marcye is a great person to deal with, and has a staff that wants to help you. I haven't dealt with John personally, but have been to his store several times, and normally get good service.
Both of these two show a love for the hobby, while Nolan's shows a love for the money. They will sell you everything in the store, if they can. Knowing you don't need it.
I won't bash Nolan's anymore, I think they take care of that all by themselves.
mwwhite
New member
We've driven 70+ miles to Nolan's. Several times. The best place in at least a 70-mile radius of Tampa is Fish And Other Ichthy Stuff. John, Jennifer, and staff are all very knowledgeable. The tanks are immaculate and all livestock is thriving.
FAIOS carries "the good stuff" (really "the correct stuff").
For example, we just recently purchased an RO/DI unit. We'd settled on a Spectrapure MaxCap (75/90 GPD) when we asked Jennifer about their units (John builds them). Same 98% rejection Dow Filmtec RO membrane. Same .5 micron sediment filter and carbon block, same 18 megaohm-cm resistivity DI. Same HM dual in-line TDS meter. Same pressure gauge. Over $100 less than even mail-order. They know what they're doing.
If I were in Winterhaven or Lakeland, I'd drive to Oldsmar.
FAIOS carries "the good stuff" (really "the correct stuff").
For example, we just recently purchased an RO/DI unit. We'd settled on a Spectrapure MaxCap (75/90 GPD) when we asked Jennifer about their units (John builds them). Same 98% rejection Dow Filmtec RO membrane. Same .5 micron sediment filter and carbon block, same 18 megaohm-cm resistivity DI. Same HM dual in-line TDS meter. Same pressure gauge. Over $100 less than even mail-order. They know what they're doing.
If I were in Winterhaven or Lakeland, I'd drive to Oldsmar.
wardworld
Gonna Need A Bigger Tank
What Paul is talking about is two stores that are close to up and running - haven't been to Aquaholics in Winter Haven, but Matt at Elitereefs is opening a storefront in Bartow...looked and some of his setup systems (fish tanks, display tanks, frag systems) - should be first class.
hexedagain
New member
I have, and do drive to Oldsmar often.
I split my livestock purchases between ITCHY stuff, and See in the City in Orlando.
By far the best two places for quality livestock and corals.
(Just so theres no confusion, lol)chantweaver
New member
I just moved back to Lakeland after living in Orlando for awhile. I hae only been gone from Marcy for a little while and already missing her. Can't wait for a decent store around Polk. I did the drive to FAIOS in Oldsmar and was impressed with the setups and the coral but not the staff. Was not very freindly and every question I had need to be looked up.
Speaking of Lakeland area anyone have a bigger tank that would like a Persian Conch. He was my first purchase other then the normal cuc, but is getting to big for my Nano he is in. Would really like to see him go to a decent home. He never buries himself. My wife and I laugh at him as he climbs the glass and rocks all the time.
Speaking of Lakeland area anyone have a bigger tank that would like a Persian Conch. He was my first purchase other then the normal cuc, but is getting to big for my Nano he is in. Would really like to see him go to a decent home. He never buries himself. My wife and I laugh at him as he climbs the glass and rocks all the time.
macawdad2003
Premium Member
I have tried to spend money in Nolans several times and 1/2 the time I end up walking out after 30-40 min of being ignored. I purchased a tank, stand and canopy there and a little bit of livestock and food. Not a whole lot but $1,000 in a months time and continued to be ignored. That doesn't set well with me.
I liked FAOIS and is worth the trip to Oldsmar IMHO. I went there last week for a 6000 and 7095 and was impressed with the livestock. I hope to go there in the morning with the Mrs.
However, I also wanted to hit Sea in the City in Orlando and time is limited so our travels may lead us there.
Excited to hear about a store opening up in B-Town (Bartow).
I liked FAOIS and is worth the trip to Oldsmar IMHO. I went there last week for a 6000 and 7095 and was impressed with the livestock. I hope to go there in the morning with the Mrs.
However, I also wanted to hit Sea in the City in Orlando and time is limited so our travels may lead us there.Excited to hear about a store opening up in B-Town (Bartow).
