Why won't you shop there?

[nigel]

I thought it would be interesting to hear some stories of why you won't shop or avoid shopping at a certain LFS anymore; without telling the name of the store. Just what happen will do. No hints to what store it is either. Just the story.

[Administrator]

Moved to correct forum.

Please keep this thread 'clean' ~ rude, slanderous or any deviation from 'clean' will result in thread being closed; and whatever other actions needed.

Actual Reviews would belong in the AP Reviews (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/reviews/index.php) section.


Thank you,

[satbatman]

Well it went something like this, about 6 years ago... and as a result I try to stay as far away from this store as possible:

Me: "can I please have 4 large african cichlids"
Fish room guy: "sure,, (while fishing for the fish),,, what kinda tank do you have"
Me: "I just bought a 20 gallon tank form you guys yesterday"

:angry: And that was it.:angry: The fact that he didn't tell me that four cichlids would kill each other in a twenty gallon tank (which they did - only one survived the initial conflicts and died from an infection later) shows how some stores are only interested in profits, while others actually care about the hobby. Unfortunatley I was stupid enough to start my SW experience with them too and that was far more costly - It turns out I don't need a hang on filter with a large biowheel and the concept of bio-load has apperently no meaning to them.... and it goes on like that.

And as a post script the strangest thing I observed about this LFS is that some of their prices are amazing and others are an extreme rip off. WeIrD!

[NanoReefaholic]

There are a few stores that I'll only buy dry goods or won't ask for help because I may be better off not asking but the biggest turnoff would be when a store was (and may still be) selling manajo anemone's as "green MET anemone" (and selling out a few weeks back to back) even though they were given the information and a proper ID. Their reasoning was "but it says this on our shipping papers so it can't be that pest"... riiight.

[Monti]

Me: "I'm starting a salt water reef tank. have you got some suitable substrate?"
Them: "Sure, we have crushed coral, I'll get you a 50 pound bag."

When my nitrates went out of control after 6 months, I had to rip down the tank and do it right the second time.

This guy has also sold me sick fish which I guess is my fault for not knowing how to look for good livestock.

Anyway, I visit him from time to time to remind myself of all the things I learned from him. I learned the hard way, but I learned.

Monti

[LovelyStarFish]

Okay, I have a 210g display and needed some MH bulbs, I phoned a particular store, knowing in advance that they had the MH bulb.

Girl/boy: How can I help you?
ME: Do you have XM 10k MH bulbs in stock
Girl/boy: Some what?
ME: XM 10k MH bulbs, they are in the back of the store with all the SW accessories.
Girl/boy: Hold on, I'll go check... (2 mins) well I've looked around and asked our store manager and he says you should go to Home Depot for that.
ME: OKAY? Thanks....

Since I truly needed the item, I drove to the store, to find that they had about 20 - XM 10k MH Bulbs in stock.

Didn't buy it from them... just went to look and bought it at the neighbooring store.

[bru65]

Me: How long has that red Millepora been in the tank?
Him: We got the shipment a week ago.
Me: It looks bleached and the polyps haven't come out yet. Can you hold it for me for a week. It looks like it might not make it. I can put a deposit if you like.
Him: Well if I put it on hold and it dies then we've just lost $50 for that piece.
Me: Walking out of the store and never going back!!

Moral of the story. The marine business is all about repeat customers. Stores that try to knowingly sell me unhealthy livestock will not get my business.

[satbatman]

Girl/boy: Hold on, I'll go check... (2 mins) well I've looked around and asked our store manager and he says you should go to Home Depot for that.
:wtf: thats crazy, okay I get it that the cashier knows nothing about lighting a marine system (at some crappy LFS) but the manager, how can you manage a store when you have no idea what you are selling!?!? HOME DEPOT! WTF!!!

I think this thread is pretty cool, not for bashing a particular store but of just hearing all these horror stories --- just think of all the bad things that happen to newbies on a daily basis!

[nigel]

Sometimes its would be wrong to judge the store by an individual incident, i was not interested in what store it was. Just interested in the stories that tick hobbyist off enough to place the store low on their list .
My last incident
Went to this store one weekend and so they had a new shipment of corals, i talk to the salesperson for a while. The sales person tells me he can give a particular coral for $10 off, he said thats all he is authorized to take off.
Wanting to take the deal but lacking in hand cash ,i drove there the next day. There was a different sales person and i told him what the other sales person told me and he said yes but he would have to ask the person in charge of the corals.
Off to the front of the store to get this person, he ask which coral and i pointed to it . He said "no" full price. Then he said he is the only one authorized to give deals. I then left the store very irritated. As much as i like the coral i would only buy for the discounted price ;on principal.