West Hartford LFS?

[FroMan]

Everyone has their good days and their bad. I know many people have worked in retail before and know how much "fun" working in a customer service role can be even if you like what your doing. As far as the personality of a given employee being "arrogant" or not is an individual personality characteristic. How they deal with it is dictated in their knowledge of self and changes with age.

Unfortunately, the stores have little control on the ultimate health of the livestock they receive from their suppliers. One time the could get fish with no issues. The next shipment could be a whole different story from the exact same supplier. Everyone experience can differ based on the hour, day, week, month they visit a given store.

As a whole I think we are very lucky to have a lot of good stores across CT: greater Hartford area, Fairfield county, New London etc . I've been to the majority of the major stores across the state and most generally have nice stuff. Its also nice that CT isn't a big state, so you can easily go visit a store at one end of the state or another and it isn't that long of a drive!

I think the major down side of CT is that we are so far away from the ports that the livestock generally comes into. This increases the challenge of keeping the fish and corals healthy and drives up the costs. Especially on 'unique' fish and corals. I must admit that I'm envious of the guys on the west coast that get first pick on a lot of the LPS that comes into the country.

Just keep in mind that all the stores have had a rough few years. This isn't an inexpensive hobby to be in. With fewer and fewer individuals getting into the hobby it makes it challenging to keep your doors open regardless of their business model.

Mario

 

[muppet]

Supplier issues are one thing. General care and health of the tanks and livestock is another.

The goatee guy is always aloof when I go in there and except for that one Asian guy, they have all been rude to me. I'm not a difficult guy to sell stuff to, and I don't expect a lot. Just courtesy. I used to work in retail myself.

When I was new to the hobby (6 months ago) they charged me $10.99 for a tiny emerald crab (who has never molted or gotten any larger in 6 months) encrusted with tube worms. I bought another, healthy, large, very deep green crab from Zach a few weeks later for $5.

The fire shrimp I bought at Puppy Center died while molting 3 days later.

Granted, they may not be directly responsible for the health of the inverts once in my tank, but they did price a bit high and didn't back the high prices with courteous service.

Just my two cents. My wife has asked me not to shop there anymore. If other people have had good luck and good service from them, that's great. I figure they're still in business so they can't be all bad. I for one am turned off on them. Just my two cents.

 

[Reefir]

I bought my tank from PC and have been happy , I was at first not happy with the service from joe or ron @ PC from the begining , But after several times going especially joe has come around for me 10 fold . you have to understand peoples background , the reef hasnt been popular since about 10 yrs ago or less and joe came from a fresh water background and ron is a dog guy . They both have been forced into the demands of the reef and learned as we all do . its tough to run a buisness and be into the hobby at the same time . half of us know more than they do so be patient as they have things to learn and things to teach . they have a huge inventory and payroll that u and I cant fathom , products and technology keeps changing rapidly and it is tough to keep stock in all the things we want as it comes out . be gratefull you can walk in the door and build a reef tank from scratch in one day at one place , I dont know what other place can do that , they have the backbone to try to keep up with changes . I bought a inline dual tds meter for my ro today in stock .(yay) I like the fact that they have frag tanks setup for budget $10 $ 20 $ 30 tanks etc for the poor and up , they have tried to make things fool proof and resonable for us . The reef stuff is there for us more than it is there for them , they can lose thousands in coral and outdated stock in any given moment , its a big gamble for them to be ready for us so give them a few chances before you right them off .
I will continue to support my lfs and you should too ! Zach at realm as well has come a long way since he walked in that door again and has rules and a budget to keep them stable , If we support them they only get better and have the things we need . If you support them and the unthinkable happens to us you best belive they will be there to help u out . I make it a point to stop in once a month just to keep a good relationship and you should too . dont forget how many people walk in and window shop and waste their time and say they have this and that and spend two dollars on a dog bone and leave . they need to know your an avid reefir and want to do buisness . blah blah blah , support your lfs and have a good holiday .

 

[Gswb90]

The fireshimp I picked up was huge and healthy and at a awesome price too A+ to PC for me. 

 

[SueAndHerZoo]

I bought my tank from PC and have been happy , I was at first not happy with the service from joe or ron @ PC from the begining , But after several times going especially joe has come around for me 10 fold . you have to understand peoples background , the reef hasnt been popular since about 10 yrs ago or less and joe came from a fresh water background and ron is a dog guy . They both have been forced into the demands of the reef and learned as we all do . its tough to run a buisness and be into the hobby at the same time . half of us know more than they do so be patient as they have things to learn and things to teach . they have a huge inventory and payroll that u and I cant fathom , products and technology keeps changing rapidly and it is tough to keep stock in all the things we want as it comes out . be gratefull you can walk in the door and build a reef tank from scratch in one day at one place , I dont know what other place can do that , they have the backbone to try to keep up with changes . I bought a inline dual tds meter for my ro today in stock .(yay) I like the fact that they have frag tanks setup for budget $10 $ 20 $ 30 tanks etc for the poor and up , they have tried to make things fool proof and resonable for us . The reef stuff is there for us more than it is there for them , they can lose thousands in coral and outdated stock in any given moment , its a big gamble for them to be ready for us so give them a few chances before you right them off .
I will continue to support my lfs and you should too ! Zach at realm as well has come a long way since he walked in that door again and has rules and a budget to keep them stable , If we support them they only get better and have the things we need . If you support them and the unthinkable happens to us you best belive they will be there to help u out . I make it a point to stop in once a month just to keep a good relationship and you should too . dont forget how many people walk in and window shop and waste their time and say they have this and that and spend two dollars on a dog bone and leave . they need to know your an avid reefir and want to do buisness . blah blah blah , support your lfs and have a good holiday .

Well said - good job! :thumbsup:

 

[muppet]

The stress of running a business is integral to running any business. That's no excuse for an attitude, sorry.

But OK, I sort of get where you're coming from.

 

[Reefir]

they mean well bottom line . you have to catch them on a day where they arent to busy with the buisness and have time to bullshit with you . you have to spark a conversation otherwise they dont but in while your windowshoping , go there with a positive attitude and grab joe and tell him your frustrations maybe you will make a long term relationship you both can laugh about . dont be shy !

 

[Gswb90]

they mean well bottom line . you have to catch them on a day where they arent to busy with the buisness and have time to bullshit with you . you have to spark a conversation otherwise they dont but in while your windowshoping , go there with a positive attitude and grab joe and tell him your frustrations maybe you will make a long term relationship you both can laugh about . dont be shy !

Agreed nobtime for window-shoppers

 

[ilikelps]

I bought my first tank from puppy center and they have always been the nicest people. I bought all my livestock and equipment from them, and could not have had a better experience. The staff are some of the best people I know and are full of great advice. I find it unfortunate that you had such an experience. JM2C

Ben

 

[erbgo]

I am hard to please and the puppy center has always been great to work with they have helped this club more than anyone could there specials/club days for club members are second to none I just want to say THANKS to the owners and the staff that help us and I hope you all have a great Christmas and happy new year

 

[mtc1966]

ditto cant wait for the next club day