Paintguru
In need of tank
Kinda like how frag swaps are going now. Everything is pre-sold and you basically just meet up to pick up your purchases.
How much would these be worth?
- Thread starter sf_ramsden
- Start date
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Kinda like how frag swaps are going now. Everything is pre-sold and you basically just meet up to pick up your purchases.
Disappointing!
Hello All, First, I want to apologize to Rev for posting in this thread without being an "official" sponsor of this site. Jeff and I (The Fish Guys) were recently told about this site. So we've been checking it out lately as we were considering a sponsorship. But I gotta say we are now reconsidering our decision!
I really feel like we need to chime in here! As a LFS owner these days trying to make a living and bring our fellow hobbists premium corals, to read this whole thread is disheartening, especially from some of our regular customers.
There are a few things that I want to say "for the record."
No one was let in early, period. Mucho Reef waited outside of our door, in line. The line started at 10:55AM. He was the first in line! There were approximately 8 others out there with him. We had 2 customers try to walk in early and we politely asked them to wait outside. We wanted to be sure everyone had a "fair chance." We opened the doors at 12 noon. That's what the clock on our computer in the office said. MANY folks strolled in between 12:01 and 12:05. AND we heard that 2 or 3 people that were in line outside were complaining that we wouldn't let them in early. A guy can't win!!!
Maybe we should just consider not posting when we are receiving a shipments???
And Scott, if you wanted the items in the pic that badly, you should have been there a bit earlier. In a Michigan Reefer Private Message that you sent to Jeff, you indicated that you would be there early, especailly since it was your last day of work!. You honestly did not come in until well after 12 noon. And for you to say "the good stuff" was gone is simply amazing, since you started some great threads on Michigan Reefers about the stuff you did get from us on Sunday. Great pictures by the way
And lastly, Jeff does not have any special arrangements with Mucho or any other customers.
It's amazing how a customer wants to be your buddy one day but then you read stuff like this about your business....as I said it's quite disheartening.
All the best, Jeff and Jennifer
Hello All, First, I want to apologize to Rev for posting in this thread without being an "official" sponsor of this site. Jeff and I (The Fish Guys) were recently told about this site. So we've been checking it out lately as we were considering a sponsorship. But I gotta say we are now reconsidering our decision!
I really feel like we need to chime in here! As a LFS owner these days trying to make a living and bring our fellow hobbists premium corals, to read this whole thread is disheartening, especially from some of our regular customers.
There are a few things that I want to say "for the record."
No one was let in early, period. Mucho Reef waited outside of our door, in line. The line started at 10:55AM. He was the first in line! There were approximately 8 others out there with him. We had 2 customers try to walk in early and we politely asked them to wait outside. We wanted to be sure everyone had a "fair chance." We opened the doors at 12 noon. That's what the clock on our computer in the office said. MANY folks strolled in between 12:01 and 12:05. AND we heard that 2 or 3 people that were in line outside were complaining that we wouldn't let them in early. A guy can't win!!!
Maybe we should just consider not posting when we are receiving a shipments???
And Scott, if you wanted the items in the pic that badly, you should have been there a bit earlier. In a Michigan Reefer Private Message that you sent to Jeff, you indicated that you would be there early, especailly since it was your last day of work!. You honestly did not come in until well after 12 noon. And for you to say "the good stuff" was gone is simply amazing, since you started some great threads on Michigan Reefers about the stuff you did get from us on Sunday. Great pictures by the way
And lastly, Jeff does not have any special arrangements with Mucho or any other customers.
It's amazing how a customer wants to be your buddy one day but then you read stuff like this about your business....as I said it's quite disheartening.
All the best, Jeff and Jennifer
reefermadness
Active Member
The early bird gets the worm. You guys have always treated me fair, I just spoke with Dave and I purchased a nice digi using paypal. All the good stuff isn't gone. I like seeing your new partnerships with the guys up north, should make the swaps and corals available much more exciting. You can't please everyone all the time. Don't sweat the negatives I like your store and its "either we have it or we will order it mentality."
Besides even if you did, there are guys who single handedly pay the rent in corals they purchase. Heck...I would bring them in Saturday night for the pick of the litter.
Besides even if you did, there are guys who single handedly pay the rent in corals they purchase. Heck...I would bring them in Saturday night for the pick of the litter.
tommyb
Community Member
I hope I didn't offend you guys at all. You are the only LFS I go to. I was just saying you guys usually have a relaxed approach to business which I like and have in the past let people in early. If the policy has changed then that is good to know. I don't buy that much so if I happen to be early it is just because I am in the area at the time and like to see what you guys have and don't want to sit in my car for a half hour or so.
I won't even call you guys out on your other allegations but please don't post stuff that isn't honest here.
I won't even call you guys out on your other allegations but please don't post stuff that isn't honest here.
Patwa
Zig-Zag pro since '96
Grade 'AAA' is also known as 'Ultra-grade'
Those pics aren't PS'd ...trust me.....the corals were just unpacked, so their colours and vibrance is a bit exaggerated due to the corals being closed/stressed....this happens to a lot of corals as a result of shipping stress, especially softies and LPS, not so much with zoas and palys.
Zach.
I hope you don't take this thread as the indication of what this site is about, it is much more then that and we allow our members and guest to post just about what ever they want within reason. Becoming a sponsor or not based on a single thread as opposed to the entirety of the site is not fair to Club-zoa as a whole. I have heard many, many good things about your shop and eventually I will make the rip to the east-side to check it out for myself.
If this thread with local members was posted on MR would you consider pulling your sponsorship there? Most likely not, so please continue to consider it as I think you and club-zoa could benefit each other as well by you offering you great customer service and corals and club-zoa offering you a membership that is looking for them same corals and customer service......
As far as posting please continue that as well, the only requirement for people that are commercial is they don't post pictures of stuff that they are selling in their establishments... So you can post all you want and be in any discussions you want so please feel free.....Thanks again for joining us and hope you make yourself welcome here.
James
If this thread with local members was posted on MR would you consider pulling your sponsorship there? Most likely not, so please continue to consider it as I think you and club-zoa could benefit each other as well by you offering you great customer service and corals and club-zoa offering you a membership that is looking for them same corals and customer service......
As far as posting please continue that as well, the only requirement for people that are commercial is they don't post pictures of stuff that they are selling in their establishments... So you can post all you want and be in any discussions you want so please feel free.....Thanks again for joining us and hope you make yourself welcome here.
James
Patwa
Zig-Zag pro since '96
That's what I love about CZ...a nice place to hang out and not really worry too much about what you just posted or what the next guy really meant..
...the anti-RC messageboard, if you will...god bless you guys.
Zach.
Points taken regarding sponsorship. Thank you. We will reconsider. This is a great forum. It just gets very frustrating when this is your livelyhood. And one bad post can do a business damage! Especially when you see the "bandwagon" of individuals that are posting. It's a real eye opener! It puts the LFS owner in a defense mode. Who should we contact regarding a possible sponsorship?
No problem Jenn I understand exactly what you are talking about and if we didn't allow you to have your say that would be inappropriate for us to sensor you from giving your view point as well.....I know Rev is on vacation this week so he will be in and out as he travels. He would be the man to talk to for that as he is the owner/admin. In the mean time please feel free to post and discuss any of the topics you wish......
tommyb
Community Member
I think you should take the "bad post" as constructive criticism and make things better. If you are already a perfect LFS then I would package your marketing plan and sell it to others. Of course I am just kiding since no one is perfect nor is any business. If you want to speak in private I can give my recommendations on what I would do from a customer service stand point. Send me a PM if interested.
Also, my daughter loves the kids corner you put in and loves the bean bags. The positives of this store are much greater than the negatives that is why this is the only place I go but you can always improve and not take such a defensive stance when something is questioned.
Two positives: The employees are awesome and you guys get the coolest stuff in by far of anyone in Michigan.
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TommyB
Had to do the kids corner just to keep our two guys busy when they are at the store (ages 6 and 3)
They enjoy greeting all the customers kids at the door. This is getting off topic so Jeff and I will send you a PM. I am interested in hearing your recommendations.
Had to do the kids corner just to keep our two guys busy when they are at the store (ages 6 and 3)
They enjoy greeting all the customers kids at the door. This is getting off topic so Jeff and I will send you a PM. I am interested in hearing your recommendations.
Paintguru
In need of tank
I don't think those of us here commenting on the sales event (which was fun to say the least), were trying to put you down or say you did things wrong...we were simply thinking out loud as to how those of us who were not in the "know" could get some of the unique pieces. It is disappointing to arrive at the posted opening time and find out that all of the really unique stuff is already gone. Clearly this is not your fault and is our "problem" to deal with. I feel that the new "TFG" is a vast improvement over the previous regime, and like I said earlier, you are the only LFS I know of in our parts that actually brings in new and unique pieces of coral. However, as I've stated a number of times, this hobby...especially when it comes to local interactions, seems to be turning into a pre-buying, rush to get the new thing, type activity. We've had this discussion on boards all over the place, trying to figure out how to socialize a bit more and commercialize a bit less. You help this by hosting frag swaps, which again, no other LFS that I know of does. Considering how many Michiganders are over here, it would be nice to see you post here regularly, even if it is just as a contributor and not a sponsor. Thanks again for working hard to get us some truly unique items.
Paintguru, Honestly, nothing was pre-sold. You can ask Dave (labman) or Brian (Skyhigh) on MR. The corals went right from the box to our tanks. We tried to get everyone "in the know" by posting when the shipment was coming. Thanks for the nice words. But there were a few comments on this thread that, as a business owner and being present on Sunday, were worth taking offense to. We are carrying these corals on a regular basis now so as I said "theres alot more- where that stuff came from." And yes, we will post here regularly. We appreciate all of the "welcomes." We are truly trying to figure out how to make everyone happy! Just trying to be the best source for exotic corals in the state. I think we are on our way!
Trying hard, Jeff and Jennifer
Trying hard, Jeff and Jennifer
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sf_ramsden
Valuable Member
Jen,
I can't believe you would think I was attacking the store at all! I am in the store once a week, no matter if there is a shipment or not. I have gotten great corals from you and Jeff and never once have complained. I was mainly talking about the palys you had posted when I said the good stuff was gone. I spent a lot of money, and you would know that since you rang me up. I will definitely be posting pics of the palys when I get home if they are fully opened up! If you searched around here I am sure you would also have seen that I posted the sweet monti digi I got from the store, and how happy I was! I would never bash the store, please don't accuse me of such... Sorry if it came off that way though!
Scott
I can't believe you would think I was attacking the store at all! I am in the store once a week, no matter if there is a shipment or not. I have gotten great corals from you and Jeff and never once have complained. I was mainly talking about the palys you had posted when I said the good stuff was gone. I spent a lot of money, and you would know that since you rang me up. I will definitely be posting pics of the palys when I get home if they are fully opened up! If you searched around here I am sure you would also have seen that I posted the sweet monti digi I got from the store, and how happy I was! I would never bash the store, please don't accuse me of such... Sorry if it came off that way though!
Scott
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sf_ramsden
Valuable Member
Oh yea... And of course, welcome to CZ! I was wondering when you both would find this great forum! I spend more time here then MR, so please post away! BTW... PM being sent in order to hopefully take care of this...
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Ok I'm here
If nothing else this post made me join CZ lol I heard about the thread this morning and left Jeff and Jenn know about it. Let me say a few things please this whole thread gets under my skin abit to because you have no idea how many hours that Jeff Jenn and I have tried to figure out how to make things fair for everybody. I would agree that thungs have not always been the fairest but that is not all our faults but the 3 of us have made a big effort to change that. I also know 3 customers that left yesterday because they thought we would open early. can't Win but Jeff and Jenn as long as I have been working with them have tried to be honest and fair. I have seen them refuse to sell corals to customers because they did not have the right lighting or conditions. I have also seen them refuse to sell fish or order them because they lacked the right tank or equipment to keep them happy. Jeff walked three customers on day that wanted us to get sharks. Just a shame how far we have come in the ladt few months so understand why we all take it personal.
Another issue is Mucho why does he get bashed He was 1st there just like Jenn said we were joking with him about making him where a number. hw waited over a hour with out a single complant listen to many others complain outside. but why does everybody hate on him I don't get it he likes to give to fellow hobbiest manly newbies and maybe this isa the problem one he is taking away some money from fellow reefers us included and not giving as much to those more experance. I guess this is the problem. bottom line he waited like everybody else paid like everybody else once somebody pays for them it is thairs to do what they like. but Mucho has gone above and beyond helping fellow reefers. perhaps even some that posted in this thread.
we are trying to be as fair as we can if we can do something better please ask one of us. rather then starting a thread or computer said nonn either it was wrong or perhaps others watchies were off. I guess we will have to call time and put it on speaker to verify from here out..
one other thing when Jeff and Jenn get these corals they loose almost two days sleep there day started early saturday cleaned the store helped open coralsa and cae streight back all the corals we posted were ones wer were told we were getting and those two acro's they were the 1st things sold and I was hoping for frags myself doesn't always happen though. we are willing to here your thoughts to make the store better. We are not closed minded. I have enjoyed the many friend I have made though this hobby. sorry I got long winded been waiting all day to be able to post.
If nothing else this post made me join CZ lol I heard about the thread this morning and left Jeff and Jenn know about it. Let me say a few things please this whole thread gets under my skin abit to because you have no idea how many hours that Jeff Jenn and I have tried to figure out how to make things fair for everybody. I would agree that thungs have not always been the fairest but that is not all our faults but the 3 of us have made a big effort to change that. I also know 3 customers that left yesterday because they thought we would open early. can't Win but Jeff and Jenn as long as I have been working with them have tried to be honest and fair. I have seen them refuse to sell corals to customers because they did not have the right lighting or conditions. I have also seen them refuse to sell fish or order them because they lacked the right tank or equipment to keep them happy. Jeff walked three customers on day that wanted us to get sharks. Just a shame how far we have come in the ladt few months so understand why we all take it personal.
Another issue is Mucho why does he get bashed He was 1st there just like Jenn said we were joking with him about making him where a number. hw waited over a hour with out a single complant listen to many others complain outside. but why does everybody hate on him I don't get it he likes to give to fellow hobbiest manly newbies and maybe this isa the problem one he is taking away some money from fellow reefers us included and not giving as much to those more experance. I guess this is the problem. bottom line he waited like everybody else paid like everybody else once somebody pays for them it is thairs to do what they like. but Mucho has gone above and beyond helping fellow reefers. perhaps even some that posted in this thread.
we are trying to be as fair as we can if we can do something better please ask one of us. rather then starting a thread or computer said nonn either it was wrong or perhaps others watchies were off. I guess we will have to call time and put it on speaker to verify from here out..
one other thing when Jeff and Jenn get these corals they loose almost two days sleep there day started early saturday cleaned the store helped open coralsa and cae streight back all the corals we posted were ones wer were told we were getting and those two acro's they were the 1st things sold and I was hoping for frags myself doesn't always happen though. we are willing to here your thoughts to make the store better. We are not closed minded. I have enjoyed the many friend I have made though this hobby. sorry I got long winded been waiting all day to be able to post.
tommyb
Community Member
No one bashed Mucho. He is by far my favorite reefer from Michigan actually in the world for that matter. I was only kidding about my comment about someone having Jeff's cell number.
I know in the past people (notice I didn't put a name here) have already bought corals before the store opened so it has happened and you still post those pics knowing darn well they are not available. I will send a PM to Jeff with my recommendations but I just want people to know this stuff isn't just made up. This should be even more interesting once you go online. That would be cool though so everyone has a fair shot at corals.
Dave- I am surprised it took you this long to find this site. I figured you were already a member, welcome (although I am new here myself) and keep up the good work.
I know in the past people (notice I didn't put a name here) have already bought corals before the store opened so it has happened and you still post those pics knowing darn well they are not available. I will send a PM to Jeff with my recommendations but I just want people to know this stuff isn't just made up. This should be even more interesting once you go online. That would be cool though so everyone has a fair shot at corals.
Dave- I am surprised it took you this long to find this site. I figured you were already a member, welcome (although I am new here myself) and keep up the good work.
