Would you like an opportunity?

[dynamitedj]

I have been looking for a way to get peoples fist-hand experiences with the local stores so I can make an educated decision about who I want to deal with and who I don't. This way these stores can't hide behind the notion that we aren't smart enough to catch them in their lies. I figure who better to ask than you.

 

[MayoBoy]

Stores I've had good experiences with:
CPE, Beldts, TWP, Reefstop.com, Premium Aquatics.com, thefilterguys.biz


Bad:
Andy's

Educate yourself so you can make informed opinions.

This way these stores can't hide behind the notion that we aren't smart enough to catch them in their lies

That's a bad attitude to go in with. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Listen to how they treat other customers and go from there.

 

[dynamitedj]

Bring it! Lots of you have made various statements about this or that store in threads that have nothing to do with giving you a chance to speak your piece. Don't be shy here's your chance.

 

[dynamitedj]

sorry, should be "peace".

 

[zt444a]

Chad at Gateway seems pretty honest and I like dealing with them.

Beldts has given me good fish, although depending on who you talk to about corals will determine the price you will pay. All my fishies from them have been disease free and good eaters so far.

Andy's Animals seems extremely hit and miss. One day it looks great in his tanks, and 24 hours later it looks like crap. That is no exaggeration either. He gives decent advice though, recommending that I actually wait and not buy something for my tank, as it needed a more mature tank! Sort of unusual for an LFS...

I'd stick with where you are comfortable and the people treat you nicely, give good advice and not make you feel stupid! There are many ways to accomplish the same thing.

 

[stlouisguy]

Go to each store, intereact with them, and form your own opinions. I truly feel someone may have a bad experience in a store, yet the next person has a great experience in the same store, with the same person. You need to remember that sometimes the person is part of the reason they had a bad experience

Very inflammatory thread BTW. Should be deleted or locked.

 

[jwalters103]

ive had good and bad experiences with all of the stores in the area. right now, beldts, cpe and gwa are my favs. andys does get a lot of good and unusual stuff in, thoguh it is pretty much hit or miss

 

[dynamitedj]

Where else do you go for this type of much needed info? The store? And by the way it seems as though this is essential because this topic comes up in all types of unrelated threads. What would you suggest "stlouisguy".

 

[zt444a]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6917996#post6917996 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stlouisguy

Very inflammatory thread BTW. Should be deleted or locked.

I disagree. Maybe the way he phrased his thread could have been different. There is value in seeking others opinions. You use this information as a basis to form your own. I don't believe anyone here is looking to unduly influence anybody, and so far no one has bagged on a specific store.

Take these opinions and map out your route to the LFS you want to visit and see things for yourself. In fact, I would highly recommend you visit each store at different times on different days to see how they look, function, etc.

Good luck in your journey.

 

[stlouisguy]

Re: Would you like an opportunity?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6917843#post6917843 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dynamitedj
This way these stores can't hide behind the notion that we aren't smart enough to catch them in their lies. I figure who better to ask than you.

Thats not inflammatory? Lets all jump on the LFS bashing wagon. Or is this just a way to promote one LFS over another? If you truly want to know about them, why not post

"Please share your experiences, good or bad, with the local fish stores"

Much better forum to share ideas and info that asking for people to list where in their opinion(which isnt always the whole story) they were ripped off.

 

[dynamitedj]

I agree that people should give their praises as well. The stores are doing just fine singing their own praises. But where is the balance? Although, I do want to hear the good as well as the bad because both are equally as important. I should have mentioined that earlier. I was just getting the thread started.

 

[mhurley]

Re: Would you like an opportunity?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6917843#post6917843 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dynamitedj
This way these stores can't hide behind the notion that we aren't smart enough to catch them in their lies.

That is the unnecessary and inflammatory part of your post.

I'm going to leave this open for now, but if this heads in any similar direction as the other one I just closed, this will have the same fate.

 

[dynamitedj]

I should have worded more assertively. I understand Mike.

 

[dphins]

I like MS the best. Large selection of corals and fish. Do your homework, you can't rely on just one store or person for all your knowledge.

 

[jeffo65]

I like Beldt's the best for livestock.

I like MS for salt.

I will not buy livestock from MS.

I enjoy CPE.

There are a number of stores that I have not been to and probably won't go to, only for the reasons that I can get what I need from the LFSs near my house.

These are my own opinions.

Do your homework, you can't rely on just one store or person for all your knowledge.

 

[zt444a]

Re: Re: Would you like an opportunity?

Re: Re: Would you like an opportunity?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6918056#post6918056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stlouisguy
Thats not inflammatory? Lets all jump on the LFS bashing wagon. Or is this just a way to promote one LFS over another? If you truly want to know about them, why not post

"Please share your experiences, good or bad, with the local fish stores"

Much better forum to share ideas and info that asking for people to list where in their opinion(which isnt always the whole story) they were ripped off.

I don't think it was inflamatory, just poorly worded.

Not a ploy to promote one LFS over another either, as that statement was directed at all LFS in general. And again, it was just one person's impression. It hardly constitutes an inflamatory attack. Just seemed a bit angry at what is probably unscrupulous treatment from people who will in some cases just try and sell you anything.

Being a newbie at this stuff, I am very careful to try and listen to people's opinions, seperate fact from fiction, etc. By it's very nature, a forum of this sort invites the sharing of opinions. Just be kind to your fellow reefers...

 

[sirreal63]

Each has their benefits and drawbacks. What has worked for me was to find one person at each store and stick with them. Brad at MS, Andy at Andy's, John at TWP, John at Aqua-World, Velco at AT, Chris at Beldts, etc. You will also notice all of them are owners or part owners. At GWA you will find excellent help with both Chad and Steve.

I don't shop Clayton very much because it is just inconvenient to get there and play the parking hassle.

Beldts is the farthest away from me, yet I never mind making the drive there because he consistently has the best selection.

 

[hagfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6917970#post6917970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zt444a


Beldts has given me good fish, although depending on who you talk to about corals will determine the price you will pay. All my fishies from them have been disease free and good eaters so far.

I don't know why you would get quoted different prices on corals at Beldt's. They are usually all marked already. MS, is where most are unmarked and prices are all over the place.

BTW, I love Beldt's frag tanks.

I haven't had a truly bad experience in any of the major fish stores locally. But I tend to like Beldt's the most for quality, quantity, and prices (and the ability to see the prices). I like MS mostly because there is so much to choose from you are bound to find something worth buying. There is little chance I will ever buy another fish from them though. There are so many that are sick it's just unbelievable. And the few I've bought from them didn't make it either.

Tropical World Pets seems to have great prices on their tanks. And I bought my 72 at last years consignment sale dirt cheap. But they need a better coral selection IMO. Although I could stare at their show tank for hours.

Since I'm from IL, I'll have to say Nemo's Pets is my favorite on this side of the river. Aquatic Treasures in Fairview is 2nd since they are more expensive mostly. I don't really bother with any of the other stores in IL usually.

 

[dynamitedj]

Thanks for the support!

 

[Reefer Wannabe]

I too have been enjoying Beldt's lately. Fish seem healthy, and they do have some decent frags in the frag tank.

I love to look at Marine Solutions, and they sometimes have some good sales. I've never had a problem with their fish, except when I didn't know what I was doing. I'd love to see some more prices on their livestock.

Only been to CPE once. Seemed to be nice, but it's just not convenient enough for me to go there very often.

Gateway Aquatics is my favorite. Everything is priced, and from what I've seen, most of it is less expensive than anywhere else. He has an awesome selection of zoas and rics, + lots of other cool stuff. Haven't been there this week, but I think he had a shipment coming in this week.

I've been meaning to check Andy's out, but I haven't yet.