sandman450f
Premium Member
Well, as you guys know, I recently had a less than good experience with a LFS, but because of that I have now had just about the best experience ever in an O.C. LFS. (I say O.C. only because my local guy here treats me really well)
Now, I''ll tell you right off the bat, I AM BIASED, but only because of what Frank at CFC did for me. The truth is that he saw my other thread, and wanted to make an overture to me to win me over, thats practically verbatum.
I decided to get my new jbj 1/2hp Chiller from him, and also inquired about a CA reactor setup, this was just yesterday afternoon. He stocks Coralife reactors, however they worked up a recommendation for the Precision Marine (HA guys, I was trying to get some input from you this this morning, but to no avail), not an in stock item. I said cool lets do it, I think at around 5pm yesterday.
Well, I decided to come in this afternoon to pick up the chiller (of which he actually offered to bring it to me in Riverside as opposed to me going down there) and to my amazement he already had got in the complete reator setup, with addon effluent chamber, filled co2, ph controller and probes. Needless to say I was very pleasantly surprised having expected to pick it up next week.
Now I dont think it would really be appropriate to post the actual prices I paid on an open forum, however let me say this: He virtually gave away the chiller, and the reactor setup was by far the the best price Iv'e seen, including those well known online stores. Now obviously this is not an everyday type of deal, and that is no doubt why I am biased.
I took a cruise around the store and based on my experiences the prices are fair. The livestock and lps selection was very good, sps was fair, though a few in the shallow grow-out type tank were browning out. In their defense though they said they had some excessive handling/tranfers on that setup and are changing it around as well as replacing the single lamp w/ 4 pendants. He has some very nice specimens in his display tanks, though I am not sure how many are or are not for sale.
When I was in there, including Frank and his wife, he had 4 or 5 people staffed and 2 more out on service, so if any might think that the prices could be better, he truly does have a fairly large overhead. Now, his right hand man, for these purposes, Joe if I'm not mistaken, is very knowledgeable, and I have to say conversing with Frank and Joe was very pleasurable.
My impression is that the intent is to go as far as practically possible to please their customers, granted not everyone will be, and in some cases can be, satisified as there are limitations to what anyone in business can do. To back this up, frank told me that he has implemented a l/s guarantee which is, at least for me is absolutley unheard of, Either 60 or 90 days, dont remember for sure which one, but hey it's a moot issue, cause if it survives 30 and it doesnt make it to 90, face it, you had to have screwed somethin up.
Now for all you guys who make the trips out to UCSB, he carries NSW, NOT CATALINA WATER, but a mix of scripps and I think san diego public supply. Its not free, but not too bad .60/g but check him out this weekend for his sale and you can get 10g just for comming in and 50g if you purchase something, n/c. You may need to sign up for his membership, but thats free too and you get a cool card out of it that in the worse case you can use if you lock yourself out of ur house, or need somthing to remove that stubborn anemone that wont release from the glass.
Also, I have to mention he has a couple of really nice Elegance Corals that according to them have been in there for over three months. For those who are willing to try these beautiful creatures 3months acclimated and stable with excellent extension and no sign of recession or other ailment can't be beat. Sorry, though, I bought the largest one, I'd say it measures at least 5x12-14 extended. They are gonna keep it for me for maybe 2-4weeks so I can make sure I get past any spike on my current tank transfer.
Another note, I did a little research here before I decided to make any purchase from them and I saw someone mentioning prices on certain items that were double from some other LFS. If you see something that is way outa wack, just ask them. The reactor media I got was miss-priced, well heavily miss-priced, but the correct amount showed at the register, everyone makes mistakes.
In any event, if you go there take the time to look Frank (hopefully he'll be there)and Joe up and shoot the breeze, they will be more than helpful. Though as of now it has been a short experience for me I truly believe that they are putting customer service as their #1 priority
Now I know this sounds like some seriouse arse kissing, but if you get a chance to stop by there, and your are really interested in service, excellent guarantees and a more that fair return policy, then you will be just as pleased as I am.
Rick
Now, I''ll tell you right off the bat, I AM BIASED, but only because of what Frank at CFC did for me. The truth is that he saw my other thread, and wanted to make an overture to me to win me over, thats practically verbatum.
I decided to get my new jbj 1/2hp Chiller from him, and also inquired about a CA reactor setup, this was just yesterday afternoon. He stocks Coralife reactors, however they worked up a recommendation for the Precision Marine (HA guys, I was trying to get some input from you this this morning, but to no avail), not an in stock item. I said cool lets do it, I think at around 5pm yesterday.
Well, I decided to come in this afternoon to pick up the chiller (of which he actually offered to bring it to me in Riverside as opposed to me going down there) and to my amazement he already had got in the complete reator setup, with addon effluent chamber, filled co2, ph controller and probes. Needless to say I was very pleasantly surprised having expected to pick it up next week.
Now I dont think it would really be appropriate to post the actual prices I paid on an open forum, however let me say this: He virtually gave away the chiller, and the reactor setup was by far the the best price Iv'e seen, including those well known online stores. Now obviously this is not an everyday type of deal, and that is no doubt why I am biased.
I took a cruise around the store and based on my experiences the prices are fair. The livestock and lps selection was very good, sps was fair, though a few in the shallow grow-out type tank were browning out. In their defense though they said they had some excessive handling/tranfers on that setup and are changing it around as well as replacing the single lamp w/ 4 pendants. He has some very nice specimens in his display tanks, though I am not sure how many are or are not for sale.
When I was in there, including Frank and his wife, he had 4 or 5 people staffed and 2 more out on service, so if any might think that the prices could be better, he truly does have a fairly large overhead. Now, his right hand man, for these purposes, Joe if I'm not mistaken, is very knowledgeable, and I have to say conversing with Frank and Joe was very pleasurable.
My impression is that the intent is to go as far as practically possible to please their customers, granted not everyone will be, and in some cases can be, satisified as there are limitations to what anyone in business can do. To back this up, frank told me that he has implemented a l/s guarantee which is, at least for me is absolutley unheard of, Either 60 or 90 days, dont remember for sure which one, but hey it's a moot issue, cause if it survives 30 and it doesnt make it to 90, face it, you had to have screwed somethin up.
Now for all you guys who make the trips out to UCSB, he carries NSW, NOT CATALINA WATER, but a mix of scripps and I think san diego public supply. Its not free, but not too bad .60/g but check him out this weekend for his sale and you can get 10g just for comming in and 50g if you purchase something, n/c. You may need to sign up for his membership, but thats free too and you get a cool card out of it that in the worse case you can use if you lock yourself out of ur house, or need somthing to remove that stubborn anemone that wont release from the glass.
Also, I have to mention he has a couple of really nice Elegance Corals that according to them have been in there for over three months. For those who are willing to try these beautiful creatures 3months acclimated and stable with excellent extension and no sign of recession or other ailment can't be beat. Sorry, though, I bought the largest one, I'd say it measures at least 5x12-14 extended. They are gonna keep it for me for maybe 2-4weeks so I can make sure I get past any spike on my current tank transfer.
Another note, I did a little research here before I decided to make any purchase from them and I saw someone mentioning prices on certain items that were double from some other LFS. If you see something that is way outa wack, just ask them. The reactor media I got was miss-priced, well heavily miss-priced, but the correct amount showed at the register, everyone makes mistakes.
In any event, if you go there take the time to look Frank (hopefully he'll be there)and Joe up and shoot the breeze, they will be more than helpful. Though as of now it has been a short experience for me I truly believe that they are putting customer service as their #1 priority
Now I know this sounds like some seriouse arse kissing, but if you get a chance to stop by there, and your are really interested in service, excellent guarantees and a more that fair return policy, then you will be just as pleased as I am.
Rick
