spoggy
Active Member
Standard disclaimer: I don't work for CC or it's affiliates and received no compensation for this. As a matter of fact, this would be the first time I had dealt with, or met the people at CC.
I had the opportunity to purchase a dozen or so frags during the recent Polyppalooza sale at the end of December. I've never done any business with this shop, so it was a first for all of us. As anyone who bought around that time knows, Cherry has been at the epicenter of a "polar vortex". Translation...nothing's shipping because it's too darn cold. Todd and Brett are adamant about hitting the right window to ship that has the best chance of getting everything to you alive and heathy.
I live about 2 1/2 hours from their shop, so I figured I'd ask if I could just drive up and get my order. They welcomed me to "come on up", so I did. Not the smartest decision I've ever made, semi's off the road every couple of miles, and about a 15 mile stretch of highway just south of Yipsi was a solid sheet of ice. First time I've had my F-350 diesel dually sideways on the highway, but that's another story. Finished white-knuckling it into their shop and WOW, I was impressed. Clean facility, lots of capacity, various lighting options for the different species, it was just beautiful.
My order wasn't picked yet, as there was some debate as to whether or not I'd actually make it. (I'm sure I saw some cash change hands between Brett and Todd, and then Brett hid in the office) Todd got on it immediately. He let me watch him work, answered all my inane questions, listened to my reminiscing and war stories about my time in the business in the early 80's and all while acting like I was his best friend and he's known me forever. I was flabbergasted by his extensive knowledge of his stock, the 1000 or so pieces that were in the sale plus additional frags. He and Brett just grabbed what they knew was mine out of the 4'x8' frag tanks with no apparent identification method other than to occasionally match a purchase with a photo from the sale. All 100% correct, I might add. Packaging was superb, each coral tucked into a modified deli cup and then double bagged. Even though I drove, they were nice enough to box up my order with heat packs, "just in case".
After a few late additions, and a freebie or two, I was on my way home. The ride south of Yipsi was just as bad, culminating with a 20 mile parking lot to Monroe on I75. Seems that many of the thousands of semi's heading south that day couldn't get over the bridge that spans the River Raisin, the grade was too steep and the ice too thick. I made it home with a minimum of cursing, and had everything into the tank by 10pm that night.
Todd and Brett are some of the best folks in the trade at this time, and I cannot say enough nice things about them, or endorse them highly enough. They took what was a crummy situation, over which they have absolutely no control, and turned it into something pleasant. Cherry Corals strives to improve their process continually. Even now, on their thread, they're experimenting with packaging to find the best solutions to this weather.
Thank you Todd and Brett for the great day, the amazing corals and the opportunity to meet a new vendor. I whole-heartedly recommend Cherry Corals.
I had the opportunity to purchase a dozen or so frags during the recent Polyppalooza sale at the end of December. I've never done any business with this shop, so it was a first for all of us. As anyone who bought around that time knows, Cherry has been at the epicenter of a "polar vortex". Translation...nothing's shipping because it's too darn cold. Todd and Brett are adamant about hitting the right window to ship that has the best chance of getting everything to you alive and heathy.
I live about 2 1/2 hours from their shop, so I figured I'd ask if I could just drive up and get my order. They welcomed me to "come on up", so I did. Not the smartest decision I've ever made, semi's off the road every couple of miles, and about a 15 mile stretch of highway just south of Yipsi was a solid sheet of ice. First time I've had my F-350 diesel dually sideways on the highway, but that's another story. Finished white-knuckling it into their shop and WOW, I was impressed. Clean facility, lots of capacity, various lighting options for the different species, it was just beautiful.
My order wasn't picked yet, as there was some debate as to whether or not I'd actually make it. (I'm sure I saw some cash change hands between Brett and Todd, and then Brett hid in the office) Todd got on it immediately. He let me watch him work, answered all my inane questions, listened to my reminiscing and war stories about my time in the business in the early 80's and all while acting like I was his best friend and he's known me forever. I was flabbergasted by his extensive knowledge of his stock, the 1000 or so pieces that were in the sale plus additional frags. He and Brett just grabbed what they knew was mine out of the 4'x8' frag tanks with no apparent identification method other than to occasionally match a purchase with a photo from the sale. All 100% correct, I might add. Packaging was superb, each coral tucked into a modified deli cup and then double bagged. Even though I drove, they were nice enough to box up my order with heat packs, "just in case".
After a few late additions, and a freebie or two, I was on my way home. The ride south of Yipsi was just as bad, culminating with a 20 mile parking lot to Monroe on I75. Seems that many of the thousands of semi's heading south that day couldn't get over the bridge that spans the River Raisin, the grade was too steep and the ice too thick. I made it home with a minimum of cursing, and had everything into the tank by 10pm that night.
Todd and Brett are some of the best folks in the trade at this time, and I cannot say enough nice things about them, or endorse them highly enough. They took what was a crummy situation, over which they have absolutely no control, and turned it into something pleasant. Cherry Corals strives to improve their process continually. Even now, on their thread, they're experimenting with packaging to find the best solutions to this weather.
Thank you Todd and Brett for the great day, the amazing corals and the opportunity to meet a new vendor. I whole-heartedly recommend Cherry Corals.
