Wow! LFS store

[bilybong76]

I normally don't post a lot on RC. I mostly like to just read, but check this out. I was driving today on Dale Mabry and came across this store near Kennedy, Creative Oceans. I haven't heard about it a lot. But I did read a few weeks back about someone else that had a great experience, so when I saw it I decided to stop in. I went inside and they were unpacking a shipment and I could not believe all the weird and amazing stuff they were unpacking. Stuff I have never seen and some stuff I had never heard of. Here are some of the highlights. A 900 polyp acan lordhow, a trio of triggers, palu green sinularia (which is extinct in the wild), some pairs of huge clown fish, I think they were melardis, some weird purple and green anemone I have never seen, and some kind of coral called a jewel of the sea, rizotrochus, is what they called it. They had to get out Veron's book to show me a picture. I know from the people who post here many of you seem to be partial to one store, which is cool, but you really got to at least go and check this stuff out tomorrow. They said most of the cherry stuff goes in the first day or two and some of the stuff was sold already, but I didn't care because it was just really cool to see stuff I have never seen before.

 

[robthorn]

I have recommended them more than once. they are alot farther than the other store from me. I still stop in one in a while they have always treated me very well. there store has improved tremendously

 

[Jfoster33702]

Yeah, the owner gave me a pack of phyto to try out the last time I was in there. Seems nice. I know that Deborah used them exclusively a couple of years back - don't know if she still does or not.


Planning on stopping there next week during my lunch break.

Jeff

Edit - changed the to them

 

[robthorn]

huh? think you missed a word or 2 there?

 

[cgries]

Hey, guys thanks for the compliments. It is nice to know we are appreciated. Hopefully in the future we can continue to cultivate positive relationships with more members of the and the Tampa Reef Club, RC members and the Tampa Bay community at large. Like you we are reefers first.

 

[AJ69]

Address?

 

[robthorn]

should be in the yellow pages on dale mabry. it's about 1 mile off 275 the opposite direction of the bucs stadium. if you come from 275 it will be in a small strip plaza on your left

 

[Aquatic Hamster]

A reef store and a crispy cream all in the same area. That's an afternoon for me!

 

[tangwang]

Re: Wow! LFS store

Sorry BillyBong, but I have to call you out on this. IMo, they are overpriced, and you seemed to think so as well judging by the quote below... Sure it was a year ago, but if you ask me, their prices aren't any lower now than they were back then...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=3893578#post3893578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bilybong76
Petmart is awesome. Yes it could be cleaned up but I would raher see prices low and gey reat fish that do not die on me. It is not like I am trying to eat off their floor. I have been to a certain shop in South Dale Mabry and all they wanted was your money and would sell you anything to anybody and tell you that you will have no problems or that it is easy to keep. Petmart you get good advice, good products at a good price.

 

[michindi]

I have had both a good experince and a bod one there. But the last time I was there was my good experince and I think I will continue to shop there for the rare fish. They really know what they are talking about.

 

[oceana]

i also like the store. i would say i buy something about one out of every 3 times i go in. one guy dont know the name i really like dealing with. then another newer guy i avoid at all cost. drives me nuts with a very strong salesmenship attidude "everything is KILLER" no mater what it is its KILLER lol. I dont normaly buy fish from LFS i perfer other reefers but its a good place to go to find fish you dont see every day. i dont recall the name but they had some of those super nice firefish. they were not the standard ones

the only negative i would say is pricing on some stuff is just nuts. but i guess you could say that about some stuff at most LFS.
worth the visit if your in the area.

 

[oceana]

Re: Re: Wow! LFS store

Re: Re: Wow! LFS store

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6663364#post6663364 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangwang
Sorry BillyBong, but I have to call you out on this. IMo, they are overpriced, and you seemed to think so as well judging by the quote below... Sure it was a year ago, but if you ask me, their prices aren't any lower now than they were back then...

the amount of trouble and research a few people on the board go to just to start trouble just blows me away lol

 

[BlitzK]

Re: Re: Re: Wow! LFS store

Re: Re: Re: Wow! LFS store

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6663628#post6663628 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oceana
the amount of trouble and research a few people on the board go to just to start trouble just blows me away lol

What? You click the search button. The guy only has 2 posts... takes maybe what, 4 seconds?

 

[oceana]

my point was WHY?? what does that possibly accomplish?in this particular case with such a huge time span ALOT could have changed in his opinions and views. I see this kind of stuff in no other board but this one. well except for when i let my son play in the nick kids chat room

 

[tangwang]

:lol: :lol:

 

[DaddyJax]

There are three Chris's that work there. Chris Pirhala, Chris Gries and I cant remember the other Chris's last name. Its kinda funny but they are all very good and knowledgeable. I have known the first two Chris's for quite awhile and come to trust them. The third Chris I met a few months ago and know that he is VERY passionate about the hobby and loves his job. I believe that even more changes are to come very soon to the store and for the better!!

 

[zukihara]

I have been twice in the past month and noone has really ever said a word to me. I wasn't overly impressed with the corals so eventually I left. Maybe I was there on bad days.

There was a salmon colored coral I was going to ask about but they seemed so busy talking amongst themselves I hated to interrupt.

 

[tangwang]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6676848#post6676848 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DaddyJax
There are three Chris's that work there. Chris Pirhala, Chris Gries and I cant remember the other Chris's last name.

Which Chris is supposedly buying The store?





Matt

 

[DaddyJax]

I dont know what your talking about?!!

 

[mcegelsk]

tangwang and others-

I'll share my experience. Unfortunately I was an idiot that walked into Creative Oceans money trap. I didn't do my homework and it cost me quite a bit. I let my GF talk me into getting on of their 12G Aquapods. Well their price is $199 for a 12 GALLON!!! I'll refer you to most all other stores that I called after I learned on the net that I got screwed (Most others are at $129). I called and offered them a chance to keep my business by giving me at least a little store credit in return. Since then I have spent greater than $1000 dollars at other stores in the area, working on my 180G setup and planning. I did meet Chris and another guy who were very friendly and helpful (One was the TB club president and the other the treasurer or something). Those guys couldn't have been more helpful! However, I will not spend another CENT at Creative Oceans. I feel that a great combination of customer service and price value are the key to successful business, but to succeed you can't just get half right! ~Matt