Where are all the good corals

[tangers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12393035#post12393035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JUICEY
that's a valid point! But I would appreciate being able to at least buy corals of the same beauty from the tanks in the back.

I'm definitely going to come check you guys out soon! I've seen you shipment info and it looks like some good stuff on paper!

All I'm saying....is that if you have some ultra acros in the display that are not for sale, you should have some ultra acros in the back tanks that are! I don't wanna see the crazy zoas that you are hoarding if you only have greens and browns in the back......or none at all. Does that make sense? I know that you want your display tank to look nice....but so do we.....and we pay the bills!

Ditto!!!
It was my understanding that when the new doors opened everything that was visable was to be for sale. Anything that wasn't was to be in the farm. What ever happened to that? I understand a few pieces here and there that people are coming/ coming back for but the pieces "not for sale" should not be out unless they are in the display tanks. It's real annoying, and it wastes our time and the people's working!

 

[cowboyswife]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12397405#post12397405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangers
Ditto!!!
It was my understanding that when the new doors opened everything that was visable was to be for sale. Anything that wasn't was to be in the farm. What ever happened to that? I understand a few pieces here and there that people are coming/ coming back for but the pieces "not for sale" should not be out unless they are in the display tanks. It's real annoying, and it wastes our time and the people's working!

Exxxxxactly!!!!

 

[Reefworkschris]

I love to read feedback about our local stores from our customers and want to put in my opinion also. We don't typically sell out of our display tanks for a few reasons. My display tanks are to show customers what a well established reef tank can look like and constantly putting corals in and out makes it difficult to keep it looking well established. Second, everything in my display tanks, I do sell frags of and it is sometimes usefull to be able to walk a customer over and show them what the little frag of coral will look like when it grows out.
Now with that being said, I agree that everything is for sale. Davy182 is a good example, he saw a chalice in my 120 at the store and made me an offer, and I sold it too him. But as a general rule if somebody asks a price I will tell them we don't sell out of these tanks, but all offers will be considered if there is something you can't live without.
And of course we try to have just as nice of corals in the tanks for sale as the displays but you also have to remeber that when ordering corals, no distibutor will cherry pick for you every single week. Unfortunatly we have to take the good with the bad and the good seems to sell fast, and the bad seems to stack up in the tanks. But we always strive to get the best coral selctions and colors available to us as I assume all of the stores do. I sure most of you already do this, but ask you favorite stores when they get their shipments in and show up on that day or the day after. You will be surprised how many nice corals show up and leave the same day.

 

[tangers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12397533#post12397533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefworkschris
I love to read feedback about our local stores from our customers and want to put in my opinion also. We don't typically sell out of our display tanks for a few reasons. My display tanks are to show customers what a well established reef tank can look like and constantly putting corals in and out makes it difficult to keep it looking well established. Second, everything in my display tanks, I do sell frags of and it is sometimes usefull to be able to walk a customer over and show them what the little frag of coral will look like when it grows out.
Now with that being said, I agree that everything is for sale. Davy182 is a good example, he saw a chalice in my 120 at the store and made me an offer, and I sold it too him. But as a general rule if somebody asks a price I will tell them we don't sell out of these tanks, but all offers will be considered if there is something you can't live without.
And of course we try to have just as nice of corals in the tanks for sale as the displays but you also have to remeber that when ordering corals, no distibutor will cherry pick for you every single week. Unfortunatly we have to take the good with the bad and the good seems to sell fast, and the bad seems to stack up in the tanks. But we always strive to get the best coral selctions and colors available to us as I assume all of the stores do. I sure most of you already do this, but ask you favorite stores when they get their shipments in and show up on that day or the day after. You will be surprised how many nice corals show up and leave the same day.

Point proven exactly! Display tanks are a different story they are a display tank and if you are lucky enough to get something out of them then congratulations! You don't look at a display tank thinking that everything in there is for sale. But when you turn around to the sale tanks and stuff in there is "not for sale" or "for grow out" it gets real annoying. Like juicy said, either get a farm and keep it in there, or sell it! The only reason that people keep stuff like that in their tanks is to "tease" customers of what they have. Then you have to check back repeatedly and or sign up on a long list to someday dream of that coral you want. Some may call it farming and sharing but to me it just seems like some sort of high school click!

 

[chrisstie]

Just from a standpoint having worked at a LFS and needing to handle livestock shipments, customers, and everything inbetween, this is definitely a good general rule of practice. However, following store proceedure of quarantine, treatment, fragging etc even makes using a farm difficult. And dont forget SITC had their farm sabotaged so even in the best situation to be able to grow things out it isn't always a perfect world.

The only advice I could give in this situation is to do what a few have mentioned- if you really want it, make an offer and it may be worth what the store (which all stores have a ton of competition nowadays) would make on growing it out and fragging it out. If you don't mind paying the premium and want it then and there without shipping, and want to support the local guy this is a great idea.

For waiting lists, there are super ultra rare omg L@@K coral websites that also have waiting lists, I think for some things it is definitely acceptable so long as the store is diligent about keeping on its list. Granted no one is perfect and every store may need a reminder now and again.

Technically this is just retail, but it really for the hobbyist is far, far more. I think store owners really appreciate candid constructive feedback as well so taking it up with them instead of walking out angry and not coming back could help - the customer's situation and the owners.

And really, if you haven't worked in a store before and have had to handle all of the pressures that come with, please try to give ALL LFS an ounce of respect. It is not an easy balance keeping the customer happy while keeping so many animals alive and well. Customer migh want something fragged on the spot when if not done properly or just with bad timing of shipping, it may kill the entire colony. Then the store is out what they paid without chance of recovery.

Its not an easy situation for sure.

 

[OceansDirect]

Sorry to go against the grain here, but are a retail store, and as many of you know the only things I will not sell are (1) 30" rose bubble anemone that just will not split (2) ANY fish in our display tank (3) George

Maybe George if rent is due soon.

 

[onano]

Wow!!!! Not sure where my post got off track. When I wrote this, it was not to bash any stores way of doing business or open up the door for others to do this. I posted because I was shocked that with the great stores I listed I could not find something that I had to have that day. There is some differing opinion flying around this post on how a business should be run. Both stores I listed operate differently and it apparently works for them. SITC is all about conservation, education and dedication to our hobby. People go there (me included) not just to buy but to learn and to have confidence in caring for the purchases they make. WWC is all about assortment and rare/LE type items. They both serve a purpose to our hobby. If its not for sale then there is a reason. Accept it and move on. This is no different than most retailers that have displays for items they sell but are out of stock. The display is not for sale but it remains on the sales floor while new stock is waiting to arrive. Target, IKEA & WalMart all operate in this manner. Some retailers will sell you their display. Either way it is how each chooses to do business. Marcye, Victor and any LFS owner affected please accept my apology for creating a forum for others to misjudge the way you do business. For those that jumped on bashing our local owners philosophies on running their business remember there are many ways to run a business and many different business types can serve a purpose.

 

[MIKE ALERS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12397775#post12397775 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OceansDirect
Sorry to go against the grain here, but are a retail store, and as many of you know the only things I will not sell are (1) 30" rose bubble anemone that just will not split (2) ANY fish in our display tank (3) George

Maybe George if rent is due soon.

hey Greg i'll buy George if he cooks,cleans and does tank maintainance....

 

[pdkinsel]

Anyone ever walk into a store and look at the display tank and see some really nice corals that "aren't for sale"?

A week or two later, they were sold.
Frustrating.

I would guess that if I offered such a high price for those "not for sale" items, then I could walk out the door with them.

I am not bashing, only trying to understand the business models.

 

[Pacific Reefs]

Its just like modifying cars. You don't go up to the owner of the shop race car and say sell me those wheels. Those are the demo parts and for display only. What's so hard to understand about that? It gets annoying to shops when people nag them to sell out of the display tank etc. I think its nice to come up to a display tank and see corals that have been there for years and have grown huge, not a tank full of tiny little frags everywhere.

Each salt water store is different. The best thing to do is come on shipment days. That's probably why most people here are not loyal to one store and shop around....to find a certain fish, coral, or something rare in stock now. Oh well just had to go against the flow on this one.

 

[MIKE ALERS]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12398654#post12398654 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pacific Reefs
Its just like modifying cars. You don't go up to the owner of the shop race car and say sell me those wheels. Those are the demo parts and for display only. What's so hard to understand about that? It gets annoying to shops when people nag them to sell out of the display tank etc. I think its nice to come up to a display tank and see corals that have been there for years and have grown huge, not a tank full of tiny little frags everywhere.

Each salt water store is different. The best thing to do is come on shipment days. That's probably why most people here are not loyal to one store and shop around....to find a certain fish, coral, or something rare in stock now. Oh well just had to go against the flow on this one.

agreed.i shop at different shop's looking to see whot got what i like.

 

[JUICE!]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12397775#post12397775 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OceansDirect
Sorry to go against the grain here, but are a retail store, and as many of you know the only things I will not sell are (1) 30" rose bubble anemone that just will not split (2) ANY fish in our display tank (3) George

Maybe George if rent is due soon.

hallelujah! did someone forget to tell some owners that the name of the game is selling product? It's real nice to have stores that care for their animals and look out for customers and want to show what a seasoned tank looks like.....but don't forget the bottom line! If I want to go look at tanks, I can go to an aquarium or something. If I come to your store....I'm probably looking to BUY something.

and no offense to anyone, but I'll likely go to a place that doesn't tell me that stock isn't for sale when I want to buy something.

Most stores are pretty good.....I can understand not wanting to try to net a fish in your reef display......and if you have frags in the back of the stuff in your display, then you have no need to say "not for sale"....you can walk me back to the tank and show me a frag that is.

If I had a store, I would look at all my inventory as Replaceable. Unless it would cause some kind of damage to the coral or tank...or fish or whatever.....I would sell whatever......and just put something else in it's place! Or at least be willing to snap frags of the back side of the colony!

...oh....and the nice MODs here on RC were kind enough to change my screenname! I hear lots of folks grumble about RC MODS, but they have been super nice to me!

 

[JUICE!]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12398654#post12398654 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pacific Reefs
Its just like modifying cars. You don't go up to the owner of the shop race car and say sell me those wheels. Those are the demo parts and for display only. What's so hard to understand about that? It gets annoying to shops when people nag them to sell out of the display tank etc. I think its nice to come up to a display tank and see corals that have been there for years and have grown huge, not a tank full of tiny little frags everywhere.

Each salt water store is different. The best thing to do is come on shipment days. That's probably why most people here are not loyal to one store and shop around....to find a certain fish, coral, or something rare in stock now. Oh well just had to go against the flow on this one.

Maybe I'm just a bastard consumer! What with the internet like it is now.....I can pretty much get anything shipped to my door the next day. I do frequent local stores, and have a couple that treat me real nice. They'll match internet prices and sell to me out of the display tanks. If it were something that they could order...and said to me....I want to keep that piece in the display. I can order one just like it that will be here next week if that is OK.......I would go for that! Or heck........maybe I'll say....sell me that one....and order a new one for the tank......unless it required breaking out saws, a chisel...you know power tools......I think they SHOULD sell it to me.

What ****es me off......is walking into a store and saying "sell me a piece of that sunset monti" and they say......that isn't for sale.......we are going to farm that piece. The ask....how about that frag right next to it? and they say.....Oh that's not for sale either......well how bout that yuma, or the lokani........not for sale.....how bout the duncans......we have a wait list


1/2 this stuff was in the regular "for sale" tanks.....all were on their own little piece of LR or a plug.....if it's part of a personal collection, take it home......if you are going to farm it...then farm it! don't have the stuff scattered about your tanks and tell me how you are looking out for me.........just friggin say.....I don't want to sell that piece! I wanna let it get bigger so I can sell 5 pieces.....you know....cause I'm looking out for you!

OK..... think it's all out of my system now......I need some coffee!

 

[JUICE!]

oh.....and for what it's worth.....I'm not singling any store out.....just some frustration with many stores I've been to over the years.


I don't want anyone thinking that I'm pointing my finger at someone in particular!

 

[WWC]

my 2 cents........... my corals on my display ARE NOT FOR SALE unless you have very thick pockets and I'm not kidding

 

[Pacific Reefs]

Juice I hear you on that and I can see how that frustrates you. I think you are going to have to get used to it because the stores aren't going to change. It's not always about money. There are reasons for why they won't sell such as the supplier is out or they just want to keep it to grow it out etc. Many of the stores do not have a coral farm in the back and don't want to invest in one with the economy the way it is.

Anyway most of the customers I see going into the stores are not rare coral collectors like yourself. I think the only way you will be satisfied is if you open your own shop right? If you lived in Cali I don't think you'd have the problems with buying rare stuff as we do in FL. Cali takes all the good corals and fish.

 

[jessie]

I can see both sides of this issue, and on this one no one will win, cause everyone has valid points.... and views

 

[JUICE!]

I try to go around California if at all possible. The hustle they have out there is what drives our prices up.....you can get much much better deals from canada, and skip the whole 104th street thing!

and you are right Pacific Reefs.......I got turned on to real bright colors while in the military and got to visit a bunch of real nice stores.....then when I came back home, it was something of a shock.

I do have to say, that over the last two years, I have been buying more in the LFS and much less online......so it would seem that the quality is improving!

 

[Me No Nemo]

Well, since it's pretty obvious a lot of this is pointed at me, I'll go ahead and throw my $.02 in.

My store has always been pointed towards conservation. I came into this motivated to bring as much aquacultured and tank raised items into the hobby as possible and will continue to do so.

On that note I'll add that if my farm hadn't been tampered with, the corals I have set aside for grow out would certainly be there. But, there was thousands of dollars worth of loss in equipment and numerous problems to overcome in order to get back to where I was. A special thanks to Chris who has worked tirelessly to get everything back under control and to Anthony Calfo for his insight into the mystery algae that overtook the tanks due to the massive dieoff. His suggestions finally brought an end to the nightmare and we are very close to being 100% again.

Regarding the "not for sale" items. There are many differing opinions, obviously stated in the above posts. There are also many different reasons for being in the hobby.

Many of the items that I have set aside, I've purchased at often ridiculous prices, to grow out and frag. Once that happens, I can offer them at reasonable prices to lots of people. If I offer them for sale before I can produce enough to offer them at a reasonable markup, then I get posters complaining that my corals are "too expensive." It seems it's often a no win situation.

Believe it or not, there are lots of folks in this hobby who want to purchase coral for the purpose of having a beautiful reef tank as a centerpiece to their home or office. They are more than willing to wait a bit for a special piece to be fragged so they, too, can have some of the rare corals that are often priced so high that it makes them out of reach. I guess it's just whatever your spin is on the hobby.

I'm sorry if my losses at the farm have inconvenienced some and caused frustration. We are doing our best to get back to where we were and should arrive there soon.

Oh, and Greg, if you do decide to sell George, do note that in addition to water changes, he does a wicked Macarena! Long live the Royal show! Marcye

 

[OceansDirect]

Yes he does Marcye. I wish I could dance half as good as George. I have been watching Dancing With The Stars this year trying to get tips!

Glad to hear your farm is close to back to where it was. It's always scary thinking how that could happen to any of us.

Greg