Tropic Isle aquarium - Framingham, MA [Archive] - Boston Reefers Society Online Community

amallapaty

01-18-2006, 10:54 PM

I'm a fairly new reefer and I went to this store this evening (ive been there only twice, this being my third time) and was impressed by the selection but extremely disappointed from most of the employees.

I went to return a fish (a hippo tang, of which I'm reselling now because it outgrew my tank...i was unaware that they grow very large and need very large tanks...even though I was told by employees that it would be ok in a 30 gallon at 2.5", but you can blame that on me for not researching before buying...).

Anyways, when I went into the fish room, I went to the first employee I saw there as he was scrubbing a fish tank...and asked "I wanted to trade this for store credit" and the guy said "I'm busy" without even looking up. Didn't say, I'm busy but there is another there that can help you. So whatever, I didn't mind so much even though I still considered it being rude. Anyways, I find another employee and asked If I could trade it for credit. As I ask him, he looks at me, mumbles something under his breath and starts walking away before I even finish my sentence. I finally find someone who actually listened to me and wasn't rude and he went and showed it to his manager and they offer me $35. I accept and say I want to look at what I may want to buy so he and the manager take the fish to acclimate it.

I decided that I wanted a green mandarin so I start looking for one. As I'm looking, I saw and heard one of the employees selling a scooter blenny to a customer witha 10 gallon fish tank with no live rock and claimed that the scooter blenny will eat algae. But I ignore it because I don't want to intrude on a sale. Anyways, I'm searching for a green mandarin and I couldnt find one even though I saw a few tanks that had them labeled. I went to look for another employee to see if there was one hiding behind a rock or something. I said him "Hi, I was wondering if there was a green mandarin behi..." he quickly replies, "it's in that aisle" and keeps walking by me.

By now, I'm already pissed. I ask the nice guy that actually helped me and we couldnt find one so I decided not to trade the tang. So I go back to the manager and told them that I decided not to trade the fish and he says, "Why are you telling me? I don't care. I don't have your fish." I'm already angry so once again, I find the nice guy and he gets me the fish and I say thank you to him and I left the store.

I've never been so nervous to ask for help at any store, mind a local fish store. And this wasn't the first experience with them that was bad. Most of their employees are rude and I do not recommend going there.

eSoteric

01-18-2006, 11:03 PM

Post removed. Other store's staff should not post negative comments about another vendor.

RichConley

01-18-2006, 11:05 PM

FWIW, I was also there tonight. From my experience, Tropic Isle's service has always been a little under par, but they have a ton of stuff.

There seemed to be something going on there tonight though, and it took me literally 45 minutes to get some help. Theyre usually not that bad.

eSoteric

01-18-2006, 11:07 PM

wow 45 min? whats going on over there.

theLIQUIDzoo

01-19-2006, 12:16 AM

i just feel the need to pipe in here...

i go to a ton of fish stores. most people hate them, but i get a kick out seeing how they are set up and what kind of livestock they carry, how their dry goods are priced, etc.

there are standout employees at tropic isle. i have even asked to have fish moved (yeah i'm THAT guy) who are getting picked on (recently two clowns being beaten up by their brethren). the few guys i've gotten to know there will do it, and happily. who knows how long before they were moved back, but it's nice to see that they are willing to do so.

there are pain in ass employees there as well.

you figure if you drop a few hundred bucks in a store the checkout girl would probably recognize you. nope. every time it's a new experience. everytime she needs to see my ID if i use a credit card. everytime it's the blank stare.
sure, i'm no big ticket customer, but i go in there A LOT. not looking for a new best friend, just acknowledgement, or a 'hello' and 'thanks'.

the older woman (who is there almost always) turns and walks in the other direction if she sees me. i have never asked anything of her. it's sort of weird. the one time i have had her be amicable and outgoingly friendly was when a parent was present (in their late 50s). when that happened she's all smiles and helpful.

they seem to have hired a bunch of new people, and they are spotty at best. there is always misinformation at local fish stores. half of this hobby is opinion, and i bite my tongue most of the time, because i know there are holes in my knowledge and it's none of my business. on the rare occasion i do pipe in i sort feel like a schmuck, even though i'm not trying to a know it all...and newbies i feel are more apt to believe the employee anyway.

idunno, tropic isle gets beat up a lot because they are so big.

do i want to pay $20 for anthelia frags? no. but i have bought some decent softies, a fish or two and a bunch of inverts. and i have had the employees tell me not to buy certain things due to the condition the creature is in.

it's not a bad store, but don't expect a brisk visit if you are getting livestock.
i've walked out due to the wait sometimes.

Second hand info removed here.

part of me wishes they'd just sell the business to an enthusiastic new owner. i've worked retail before and considered working there part time last summer for kicks, but...Second hand info removed here. ...the fish mortality rate would have killed me.

Information about other stores removed: this thread is about TI

Moe_K

01-19-2006, 12:36 AM

Please keep rumors and things you've heard out of posts in this forum, in accordance with the forum rules.
Thanks.

willray

01-19-2006, 05:24 AM

I have been there several times over the last 15 yrs.Always hunting and chasing for help.Dry goods pricing outragous.mag 3 was somewhere around $125.The last time I was there they were selling a lot of big fish that shouldn't be together to one young man w/ a 55 gal saltwater tank that he had just set up..I started to say something about what was going to happen and got looks from cust. and employee.After that day I said to myself this store is not for me. They always have an add in TFH for help.

smcnally

01-19-2006, 06:22 AM

My exeprience...Nice fish and livestock selection that are somewhat overpriced,Very nice selsction of drygoods and equipment that are WAYYY overpriced. I absolutely loved the store when I was a kid and just went to look. After dealing with a few of the employees and the rediculously high prices I don't go back often at all. I'm sure my sister will chime in about the price she was given for a Calcium Reactor there. I honestly think they believe they are the only game in town.

TBoisvert

01-19-2006, 06:58 AM

Okay, here I am....

hahahaha!!!!

Was there a few weeks ago and was given a price on a PM 422 $549.00 - EEEK! Then I asked what the 8lb CO2 bottle would cost and he said "Well that will run you about 3 bills". I said "THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS"?????? He said "Well, we do have a $10,000.00 electric bill". So we are talking $849.00 plus tax, plus the solenoid and regulator. THAT IS INSANE!!!!!!!!!

Oh and they wanted $35.00 for a 1 1/2" watchman goby!

APISTOBORELLI

01-19-2006, 08:39 AM

I know one of the kids that works there and she is rude outside of work as well. I can't understand how a place as popular at TropicIsle can hire employees of that nature. Comments about other stores are not permitted

bryanba11

01-19-2006, 08:50 AM

I just moved here from Texas to become appauled at the high prices here. Not sure if we get things cheaper down in Texas....but $50 for a xenia frag at Tropical Isle is absurd, especially considering they are weeds. I agree with the other people on this post about the long wait to get someone to help you at Tropical Isle. My wife and I waited forever and ever to get help and when we finally (about 45 minutes) got help we were asking some questions of the people that worked there...we received from the not very helpful employee a "mumble, mumble, I am the fish guru, but I don't have a clue what I am talking about." The employees seemed insulted that you would even ask a question.

Needless to say, I will not go back there if I can find a place around that has more friendly employees.

HKAVR45

01-19-2006, 09:30 AM

I too have had mixed experiences at Tropical Isle. No one has ever been rude to me, but I will tell you certain times of the week/day are certainly better then others to get attention there. On Saturday afternoons finding a parking spot there can be as difficult as finding someone inside to ask questions to.

When I was new to the hobby and new to the metro area I can remember going in there to buy liverock and livestock. Yes I admit I was an idiot who bought the 40 dollar xenia frag, ( A LONG TIME AGO!!!). Now, knowing what I know from reading this message board and doing research I laugh at the prices every time I go there. On top of that I would rather support a sponsor of this message board, or buy/trade frags from a member of this board.

Bottom line, I go there to look on a rainy day, but the wallet never leaves the back pocket!

MikeG

01-19-2006, 09:34 AM

I use to have very good luck in that store. In the last month, I have walked out twice after trying to get help for 30-45 minutes and not getting any. Both times the store was very slow and there were really no customers, so no excuse for this. I will not be going back if I can help it.

SMS76

01-19-2006, 09:54 AM

I also had a really bad experience with this store. It was last year and here is how the phone conversation i had before i went to store:

-> " I am interested in a juvenile Imperator, do you guys have any"
TI: " Yes, let us check it out"

15 minute hold

TI: " Yes we have two"
-> " Do you know for how long do you have this fish for"
Another 10 minute hold
TI: " We have them for last two weeks"

-> " Are they healhty and eating"
Ti: "Ohhh Yeahhhh" With attitude.

-> " R u sure because i have to drive an hour to your store so that's why i am making sure they are healthy and eating"

TI: Again attitude and rude reply.

-> " Ok i will drive and will come to your store".

So i drove for an hour in a rushhour traffic. They had two Juvenile Imperator Angel, both had ICK and look like in pretty bad shape. They weren't eating at all and i asked another employee and he mentioned that they got both of them night before....

eSoteric

01-19-2006, 10:10 AM

50 dollars for xenia! [cross-promotion removed] WOW.

Greg Hiller

01-19-2006, 11:31 AM

>I know one of the kids that works there and she is rude outside of work as well. I can't understand how a place as popular at TropicIsle can hire employees of that nature<

Not hire....own the store. Hard to fire. :D

>On top of that I would rather support a sponsor of this message board, or buy/trade frags from a member of this board.<

Not to defend TI, no question they have some problems, :rolleyes: , but....they are a sponsor of this board. Their are a tier two sponsor and therefore do not have a forum. You will note however that they DO have a banner ad on this forum.

TBoisvert

01-19-2006, 01:26 PM

Just to reiterate, I really don't have a problem with service, because I really haven't had to wait unless they were waiting on somebody else. The only problem that I have is the price. RIDICULOUS pricing.

Scuba_Dave

01-19-2006, 08:02 PM

When I started out over 3 years ago TI was the only store I knew about
We had a FO & already had fish, just went there to look for the most part
My wife (GF at the time) went to Petco for salt, hydrometer, thermometer etc

When we moved in together we were given a 60g hex w/wet/dry
I had no clue on the wet/dry sump & pump setup
One of the guys went over everything with me on how to set it up
I used to work in Wellesley, they it's an area with $$ & people who don't think 2x about the price of some of the stuff

I bought a few fish there over the years, but not any corals
If I had not found Reef Central, and then BRS, I would of been buying my tank there & everything else

I never really noticed any attitude...but that was over 3 years ago

cknapp21

01-19-2006, 08:14 PM

Being fairly new to the area I have gone there several times due to their large selection...even with a 45 min drive. The last time I went the employees actually told me to hurry up, pick my fish and leave because they had to unpack the livestock shipment they just received. Apparently, me being in the aisle and browsing was stopping their progress.

My husband was so angry he said something to the older lady at the register about it....she just responded with a "well, they do have a lot of fish to put away" Talk about customer service.

We won't go back.

Shallowwaters

01-19-2006, 08:15 PM

Not to defend TI, no question they have some problems, :rolleyes: , but....they are a sponsor of this board. Their are a tier two sponsor and therefore do not have a forum. You will note however that they DO have a banner ad on this forum.

In addition to being a sponsor, I believe TropicIsle still provides a discount to card carrying BRS members on many items.

If you rank by quality and selection of livestock, they would have to be highly rated. Both of these come at a price.

Lots of retail stores could improve the friendliness and expertise of their hired help. Walmart included. I think it's fair to use this forum to (respectfully) remind them. :)

montec24

01-19-2006, 09:50 PM

In addition to being a sponsor, I believe TropicIsle still provides a discount to card carrying BRS members on many items.

If you rank by quality and selection of livestock, they would have to be highly rated. Both of these come at a price.

Lots of retail stores could improve the friendliness and expertise of their hired help. Walmart included. I think it's fair to use this forum to (respectfully) remind them. :)

I agree. Most of my fish came from there. Definetly overpriced but I have always been happy with the fish selection and health. Corals and frags...... To expensive and not always looking great. Help.... Usually I find someone somewhat friendly and helpful in the fish aisles. The ladies behind the counter, seems liek I am bothering them.

Xenia 468

01-19-2006, 10:04 PM

That's all well and good but I work hard for my money and just got into my marine aquarium. I made a huge mistake of going to Tropical Isle and trusting anyone who works there. I bought a canister filter there which I paid at least $60 too much for. I wanted a newer looking box but the guy there said don't worry about it. Brought it home. The filter almost flooded my apartment because it was cracked and I missed it. Brought it back. Got another one (like a fool). Now I'm doing more research on the internet about it. Looks like I got ripped off big time. I feel foolish for not walking out right away and not doing my homework first. Second I feel foolish for not purchasing it on my American Express card. At least they could have issue me a refund. I basically just pissed this money out of my pocket. Sponsor or what not, people should get it through their heads that not to support a shop that blatantly is rude to its customers and charges such outrageously unfair prices.

I hope not to step on anyone's feet as I'm new to this board. If you take offense of a newbie making this post I apologize if you feel I'm out of line. The fact of the matter is that my wallet got slashed in half and now my tank is definitely not going to benefit from it either.

Greg Hiller

01-19-2006, 10:27 PM

FWIW, hang on to your canister filter. In the future, when you become experienced, there are times when a canister filter can come in handy. However, you are correct, IMO/IME for a reef tank they are essentially useless for normal day-to-day use.

Chuck Spyropulos

01-19-2006, 11:14 PM

Another great stores for fish not local for me. Many huge tanks filled with fish. I have never gotten a sick or bad fish from them. Great store.

jimmyj7090

01-19-2006, 11:36 PM

They are the closest LFS to me and I visit a lot, but I drive to CRA, AA, FB, or AG when I'm going to spend some $.

They do have Leo and the guy with the sideburns that are good to talk to on SW. Darcy at the rigister <edit: reference to other LFS removed> doesn't usually come off as friendly at first but so what.

I agree, Dry goods are way, way, way overpriced, I think it would be good buisness to lower the prices by 30% or so to make them LFS competetive but they don't (so I remain loyal to the other sponsor stores).

jimmyj7090

01-20-2006, 12:11 AM

I didn't mean to break any rules or put anyone down in my last post, sorry If I broke a rule by accident.

FWIW, I was just defending a store employee and relating them to another more respected LFS person for not making the best first impressions

(mods, if I'm breaking any rules or anything with this post, please just delette it all together, thanks JK)

NateHanson

01-20-2006, 08:02 AM

No problem Jimmy. We're still hashing out how this forum will work best. One rule that's been added (see stickies at the top of the forum) is that only the store that's the subject of the thread should be discussed in posts in that thread. We want to avoid drawing direct comparisons or pitting one store against another.

Thanks everyone for understanding and doing your best to play along as we figure this new forum out.

Nate

Richard

01-20-2006, 09:00 AM

Why don't someone inform Ellis and his staff let them defend themselfs here.

loru1588

01-22-2006, 12:04 AM

Well, for starters, I am very dissappointed at the majority of the reactions posted here about Tropic Isle. I have printed out this entire thread and will pass in on to Leo this Sunday (the next day I see Leo). I am happy to say I was the "nice guy" in amallapaty's post. I wish he had said something to me at the time, I would have been happy to take him through the entire process with the mandarin as well as any other questions he may have had.

As for some of the comments, I won't try to defend something I was not privey to directly. However, I will state that we (the collective fishroom crew) have a great undertaking to try and maintain the over 20 seperate systems at Tropic Isle. It is a constant project in order to try and maintain a healthy livestock. We get anywhere from 2 to 5 fish/plant/invert/live food shipments per week besides. We can easily be putting fish away from the time we get in 'til long after closing. Not complaining, it is part of the job, just stating facts. Besides this we have assigned tasks for inventory and maintanance that have to be completed within out work day or week. All this and I know I try to help a customer the best I can. It can be very difficult during the shipment when the lives or health of dozens and sometimes hundreds of fish and critters can be jeopodized by a customer wanting to know "why they can't keep a Nemo with their guppies if they add a little extra salt?!?!" True story !! Now, don't think for one minute I am stupid enough NOT to know that the customer must be taken care of as best as possible and as quickly and courteously as possible !! However try as I do I still have not mastered the ability to read someones mind. I've been in retail for over 35 years and it's no secret, a little courtesy from a customer will get you alot farther than a pompous attitude. Again, absolutely no finger pointing, just facts.

As for the pricing of the frags, I personally don't know what was paid for them but you can't expect them to be sold at the prices you may be used to at swap meets. A store of Tropic Isle size does have a large overhead and that cost does have to be passed on to the consumer, just like a gas stations gasoline prices. Fuel costs happen to be one the main reasons fish prices in particular have skyrocketed. The initial cost of fish has not risen so much as the frieght costs have more than tripled in recent years.

Sometimes a shipment just comes in bad and the animals die or breakdown and unfortuntely can take down some animals that were there long before them. It's the nature of the business.

I would also like to state that, in my opinion, it is very unfair and un-ethical for an employee or owner of another aquarium/pet shop to post negative comments about another rival shop on this forum. There is no way it can come across as unbiased now is there?

Well, I'm getting off the soap box now. I will indeed pass this thread onto Leo and I'm sure he will address this with the crew.

Dan

~Flighty~

01-22-2006, 08:45 AM

Thank you very much for your reply, Dan. I sincerely hope that in time there will be a number of threads praising the store.

I have only been to the store once and was a bit surprised at the consistency of the negative response. I bought a breed of fish that normally has a very low survival rate and it was eating and very healthy. At checkout I was laughed at when I showed my BRS card and told that I got a better discount with the generic online coupon, but otherwise I don't remember any issues with service.

As to the responses about pricing, the members here are pretty savvy about the realities of online vs LFS pricing and the advantages of each. The fish that I bought was more than double the cost of getting it online, but with a delicate species, more than half of them die or are in bad shape, so it is worth the extra cost in the long run.

In general we are also very familiar with the realities of shipments and livestock health, so you probably won't see posts of "gasp, I saw a fish there that was dead". But you may receive more substantive comments on pests and disease and livestock care. The comments about xenia in specific stem from the fact that many of us battle it as an invasive species in our tanks and throw fistfulls of the stinky stuff in the trash every day. Many of us think it is pretty, and know it sells very well, but it still is a shock to calculate that you just threw $700 worth of the stuff in the same bag that the kitty litter is in and will do the same next week.

As for owners of other pet stores posting here:
VENDORS:
Vendors are welcomed to reply to posts made about their shop, be it in defense to a negative comment or thank you for a positive comment.

Self promotion is not an acceptable use of this forum.

Because of conflict of interest concerns, vendors and their affiliates are asked to not post negative comments in threads regarding other vendors.
You can read the entire set of guidelines for this new section of the BRS forum here
http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19839
Be aware that it is a brand new section and we are still working out minor details in the guidelines. Feedback from a store that received negative comments is very valuable to us. Please let us (the moderators) know if you feel that any specific post is breaking the guidelines.

Duds

01-22-2006, 09:15 AM

one time when I went there I saw a yellow tang that had a fish hook in him, and for the over priced part $20 for a 50 gallon bag of IO (instant ocean) ~Edited other competing prices out~, whenever I go there I get service right away never had bad service, i've had bad fish and bad prices but never bad service
Duds

smcnally

01-22-2006, 09:38 AM

...and for the over priced part $20 for a 50 gallon bag of IO (instant ocean) ~Edited pricing out~
This isn't a fair comparison at all. A 50lb bag of IO goes for ~$13.50-$17.00 online. $20 at a local store is a very fair price. I wouldn't keep your hopes up for 200gal boxes of IO for $35.

Please keep comments to the one store in the thread topic. thanks!

smcnally

01-22-2006, 09:46 AM

I feel for the stores having to fight with online pricing, but it still isn't a reason to overprice to the extent that TI does. I've seen lighting setups at their store go for easily 50% more than other local stores. I'm surprised the aquarium industry hasn't got into "Protected Lines". We have protected lines in the AV world and that is the only thing that keeps us in business. The key to protected lines, though is that they have to be the "Best of the Best" and worth the extra money. We still sell other brands of plasmas, DVD players, etc. But the extra cost in the price (which ins't a whole lot more than Best Buy) is justified by our delivery, professionalism, and service. If you don't offer a VERY professional staff, some sort of service contract or very good return policy, then you can't justify the high prices. Customers don't care how high your electricity bill is. I really like the store, and have never had anyone be rude to me. I have had a long wait, but have had that at other stores. But, I will only go to browse or by a fish. I feel that the cost of most of their gear and corals are a little bit rediculous.

Zedx6

01-22-2006, 10:31 AM

Well I have only been there once, was suggested by another LFS as I was looking for a certain substrate to set up my tank. Overall experience was good thought that they had a good selection of goods and live stock although I did pay a hefty price for substrate, but they had what I wanted. When checking out I asked if they had any more bags and they went upstairs and brought down a couple more for me.

steevareno

01-22-2006, 01:33 PM

i think it's worth the drive if your looking to buy a fish. They have the biggest selection of healthy saltwater fish of anywhere i know. I would never buy drygoods because of the super high prices but most retail stores are pretty high. If you need equipment buy online or used here on the forums. If you want a sweet selection of fish shop at TI. I've mostly had good experiences there except for 1 young kid that always gives me an attitude and is grouchy, so i avoid him. I've got good advice from a couple of the older gentleman there and that's who i look for when buying a fish.

sw300galma

01-22-2006, 02:35 PM

I was just in there last night....The young girl gave me attitude again...everytime.....

Ya i'm there till 9pm sometimes....but an "Are you done yet, we are closing" is not the nicest way...Ya i've been in retail alot and get aggrivated at customers who are there at closing... But there are nicer ways to say it...

It wounldn't have bothered me so much if this were the first time...or the second time...or the third she's giving me attitude...

I have over $5,000 in recepits from there in the past year...

Last night I brought my friend there as I started him with a tank and even he was like "man whats her problem?"

He owns 3 dealerships and a high performance shop, he could be a REALLY good customer....But not with dealings like that...

Like i've said before the fish guys are awsome...and that's why i'll keep comming back...I respect thier knowledge and love thier great attitudes and awsome customer service...

You guys deserve a raise....as for the cash register girl...I would like to see her removed...

jimmyj7090

01-22-2006, 08:28 PM

Loru;

After seeing your reply I wanted to add,
I don't think I've ever talked to you before, so any negative implication in my pervious post was in no way directed to you. (Am I right that you started not too too long ago?).

I've been a regular looker and occasionaly buyer at TI for at least 10 yrs. Over that time I probablly average 1.5-2 visits per week, but I haven't been in much in the last couple of months.

Any effort to address negative feedback IMO is very much appreciated, but it may not be up to Leo, Mr.L makes the decisions. (Pass along the feedback, but don't blame Leo if nothing happens).

TI has a lot of good stuff when something is not working when I get home from work and I need to fix it right away - they're close to me. They also have a LOT of tanks and fish, IME/IMO this makes for certain inherent risks along with a better than average selection of fish. I will get fish there from time to time, (but I use a QT protocol).

Everybody, give "register girl" a break, she puts off a bland vibe but is she really all that rude?

TI has it's ups and downs.

Again, Mr.L if you ever read this, cut the dry goods prices a good bit and you may get a better retrun overall. Nobody gets into saltwater without finding internet vendors before long. The mark up is aileniating people a lot. Customer service wise I'm not complaining personally.

sw300galma

01-22-2006, 09:31 PM

Loru;

Everybody, give "register girl" a break, she puts off a bland vibe but is she really all that rude?

The high prices i can deal with...attitude after driving an hour each way to spend $500+ I cannot....

One time I had bought close to $1000 worth of Live stock and other assorted goodies....It was taking them a while to get all my stuff and it was near closing time...and I was bringing up a ton of bags and I was like "I got more stuff coming" and she was like "we are closing" I'm like duhh what do you want me to do...?? then she was huffing and puffing for the whole extra 2 mins it took...

I don't think i've ever seen her smile....I have nothing against her personally, professionally on the other hand...she treats me like a pea on...

Now I know why.......owners daughter..... :rolleyes:

I'm going back there Wednesday....what can I say I love the place!!

newfish

01-22-2006, 09:42 PM

they where rude the day i was there last weekend but had to get the zoas for 29.99 they were green

sw300galma

01-22-2006, 09:48 PM

they where rude the day i was there last weekend but had to get the zoas for 29.99 they were green

When you say "they" who is "they" and how exaclty were "they" rude?

Generally speaking you can't please everyone all the time.
And some people are just impossible...

But there is what is defined as a "Normal" person (if they in fact do exist lol) that I go by when complaining....Meaning that most other people would agree.

That is why I asked the circumstances, so that people reading this can make thier own judgements on to whether or not the customer is being unreasonable or there was in fact a case of bad customer service...

*takes off managers hat*

jimmyj7090

01-22-2006, 10:37 PM

I say notihing more, I know nothing more............

newfish

01-23-2006, 11:00 AM

When you say "they" who is "they" and how exaclty were "they" rude?

Generally speaking you can't please everyone all the time.
And some people are just impossible...

But there is what is defined as a "Normal" person (if they in fact do exist lol) that I go by when complaining....Meaning that most other people would agree.

That is why I asked the circumstances, so that people reading this can make thier own judgements on to whether or not the customer is being unreasonable or there was in fact a case of bad customer service...

*takes off managers hat*i tried asking some questions only to be ignored one person told me he was to busy to help me. I asked second person to help me he walk right past me didn't even say one word i went up front of the store and ask for help waited 20min. for some one to come help then was told zoa rock i want was 49.99. Then someone else was looking at them and the guy said they were 29.99 so i had that guy give me the zoas and i'll never go back there again

stevenp

01-23-2006, 11:19 AM

RichConley

01-23-2006, 11:23 AM

In TI's defense, they are wicked busy on the weekends and some weeknights... especially the guys in the fish room. A lot of the times they're already with a customer and are running back and forth for them. You just have to wait your turn sometimes.

I try and go there during weird hours when they're not busy and I'm offered help repeatedly.

For a store of this size, maybe they should have a 'take a number' like at the deli. Just a thought.

Steve

Strange, I've had the opposite experience. When i show up on a weekend, or whne theres lots of customers in the store, they take a bit, but they get to you. THeres too many people. When you go on a weeknight when theres like 10 people working, and 2 customers in there, they all ignore you. Its like they have the "Someone else will get you, I'm busy" attitude.

sw300galma

01-23-2006, 11:38 AM

I think they should increase thier SW section 1 more row....They are just so busy and I think the demand is there for more fish. I can only get up there on the weekends....But by then it's slim pickings....

newfish

01-23-2006, 12:12 PM

i just didn't like how 1 guy tried to sell me the zoas for on price. Then other guy tells me different price.

Andy O

01-23-2006, 12:38 PM

Unfortunately, pricing mistakes happen in every industry. Items in stores are mislabled all the time.

I agree that I may have been a little bit ubset about the wait and the conflicting prices but ultimately, if the correct price was the more expensive price that is what they should have been sold for and since the person that sold it you for 29.99 bagged it and wrote that on the bag then I guess you got a pretty good deal. If the correct price was 49.99 he apparently made a mistake in your favor. I'm not trying to defend TI, but just trying to look at this from an uninvolved outsiders view point.

clamm

01-23-2006, 12:51 PM

I would have to cut them some slack here, simple color variation on zoos can mean a difference in a 20.00 frag and a 120.00 frag..

Unfortunately, pricing mistakes happen in every industry. Items in stores are mislabled all the time.

I agree that I may have been a little bit ubset about the wait and the conflicting prices but ultimately, if the correct price was the more expensive price that is what they should have been sold for and since the person that sold it you for 29.99 bagged it and wrote that on the bag then I guess you got a pretty good deal. If the correct price was 49.99 he apparently made a mistake in your favor. I'm not trying to defend TI, but just trying to look at this from an uninvolved outsiders view point.

dz6t

01-23-2006, 12:55 PM

For one thing, their online coupons on fish are good.

Andy O

01-23-2006, 12:58 PM

I agree about the coupons. I used to go in there in spend $$$ just so I got the $$$ discounts on future purchases.

sw300galma

01-29-2006, 08:22 PM

Just went there again Wed, great service as usual.. tons-o-stuff

Triggerfish

01-30-2006, 11:04 AM

Post deleted. Please read the rules of posting in this forum. Firsthand experiences are okay. Discussion of other folks' experiences is not the purpose of these forums. Insulting the staff is also out of line.
Thank you for your cooperation.

Fitzy

01-31-2006, 06:35 PM

I am a frequent visitor of TI. I like there selection, and there fish are, for the most part, healthy when you get them. I usually go from anywere 1-3x a week, and a few of the guys in the fish room have come to know me. If i go durring the week, its fine. When/If i go on the weekend, i do expext to wait for an hour or so. Theyre packed. Theres at most 4-5 people working the fishroom.

TI is one of the better LFS in the area. Ive been around, in i always come back

sw300galma

02-09-2006, 10:52 AM

Back there again...My friend and I spend over $200 again!

J.D. is awsome! (guy with the long beard) Everytime I go there he helps me out even though I am a demanding customer. Like in a school of 40 Yellow Tangs I pick the ONE I want...He actually caught THAT one...Same for a Blue Hippo. My friend wanted only CERTAIN Hermits....So JD without any question grabs the ones he wants.. He also spends as much time with you as needed. I had to wait my turn (about 20mins), but it was well worth it. Even as closing time was fast approaching..he didn't even try to rush us as all. (other people did :mad:)

I bought 3 Butterly Henichous that were PERFECT, I've never seen such an awsome Trio! Perfect Fins and all on all 3...They look awsome in my tank.

J.D If you read this...Thanks again for the AWSOME outstanding Service!

shawn

02-11-2006, 09:00 PM

I've been to TI more times than all the other LFS I've visited together. They aren't the closest, but they are the closest with a very good selection. Don't go if you are inpatient and in a hurry. I don't like that I often spot dead animals in the tanks - but with that many and being that busy, maybe I expect too much. As far as the longevity of the animals after I get them home - about average. They don't seem to know when the animals come in or if they are healthy - there are too many animals and too many employees for them to keep track, I guess. I've had good luck with the corals I've gotten there, and if you are careful, you can pick some good fish. Make sure that you print out the "special coupon" from the web site - $20 off saltwater fish for $100 purchase - much better than the 5% BRS discount.

GaryP1007

02-12-2006, 07:37 AM

I know the posts have been mostly negative for this vendor, but I must say that my recent experience with TI has been a good one. I ordered my 120 Oceanic from them, they arranged for local delivery for me (no charge) and also spent considerable time talking to me about lighting even though I was not ready to buy.

stang8s

02-12-2006, 08:37 AM

I have been going to this store since before I could walk. When I got my first tank (10 gallon freshwater about 30 years ago), I got all my fish there. They have a great selection of fish and prices on fish are not too bad usually especially if using the coupons. They have the best selection of FW plants I have seen anyplace local. The drygoods as others have said are priced way too high, not 2x the price of others but often as high as 4x!

I have never bought any corals or inverts there either, prices seem high as well.

Andy O

02-13-2006, 09:39 AM

whatevva

02-27-2006, 07:44 AM

I've spent close to $8000 there this year. The only reason is because I met Leo first. He's a great guy, and once he's with you, he'll help you until your done. However, I chose to purchase my entire system from a single LFS to build a repor with someone. My card was charged about $750 more than what I was quoted for the system. When I brought it to Ellis's attention, he revised the bill to match the quote, and I told him that he could apply the money to store credit if I could get decent prices when it came time for fish and corals. Ellis told me that they don't discount these things but he'd make an exception. It never happened. I've had to pay full price for everything except dry goods, and I'd have to beg to get the 10%. When I went back to purchase items to hook up a chiller that I purchased online, I was given the cold shoulder, and when I asked questions, twice the answer was " why don't you ask the guy that you bought the chiller from". Maybe he was joking, maybe he wasn't, but I don't feel that I have any more clout in that store than if i was walking in there for the first time. Because of this, I feel that I paid an outrageous price for a system for nothing. Again, I have nothing bad to say about Leo. He has to deal with where he works, and Roger is a SUPER guy and has gone out of his way to help me out. The cash register women just tick me off! I feel like I'm in their way. I'm not sure if I'll ever go back there again. I'm certainly looking for a better place, and they're out there!

CaseyH

03-04-2006, 08:02 PM

I went in there twice to look at seahorses. The first time, I was in awe at the size of the store and I asked the older woman at the counter where they were. She was so rude. Without looking at me, she pointed off somewhere and said "in the saltwater section." I said "I've never been here before. Where exactly in the saltwater section?" She told me to "find one of the guys in the blue shirts."

So I did, and he was nice, but there were only two horses and he said there would be more in a week. I was surprised to see them crammed in a shallow tank with many other creatures, they usually like some height. The guy told me it would be fine to put them in a 10 gallon tank (which I know is not the case) and he had no idea what species they were.

I asked the woman at the counter another question on my way out the door, only to be ignored, and nearly fainted when I saw a frag of zoas for $90.

So between the wild prices, misinformed staff, and rude cashiers...I have never purchased anything at Tropic Isle, and I never will :)

loru1588

03-05-2006, 11:24 AM

I can't be responsable for the women at the counter or their attitudes. Speak to the owner. If you question someone in the fish rooms info, ask someone else. Maybe clarify exactly what you are looking to accomplish. We are a very busy bunch.

As for the salt section, the entire rear end of the store is the fish section for those who are not familiar with the set-up.

I have successfully kept a pair of Orange seahorses( Latin name escapes me at the moment) in a 10 gallon tank for over 3 years in the past. As for "cramming them in a shallow tank", it's a 30 gallon breeder and the fish they are kept with are non-aggressive eaters such as PJ cardinals, scooter blennies and mandarins. In my experience seahorse feed off the bottom so a tall tank is not essential for their well being. Folks have no problem sticking a pair of clown fish in a 3 gallon Nano though!! I wish people would stop playing games when they come in to the store!! I've been working there nearly 6 months now and I have my share of satisfied repeat customers. I am more than happy to share my 35 plus years experience with SUCCESSFUL marine aquarium keeping with anyone who asks. I also have my share of complete idiots!! (One couple out & out lied about having a marine tank just so they could buy a pair of "Nemos" !! So, if someone insists they "must have" that clown trigger to put in with their fire shrimp and that red hairy hermit in with their corals or "...it would be so cute to have a seahorse and mandarin in my 180 fish only tank" what am I supposed to do other than inform them of their follie and cruelty and bag the fish??? I have a family to support.

I was taken back with some of the comments on how it was frustarting to have to wait for help. We aren't mind readers!! Yet some commented on another vendors thread that were ".....happy to wait while the owner spent over an hour talking to a couple on setting up a marine tank", but can't wait 15 minutes while we are waiting on 3 customers at the same time. It is very frustrating for me!!!

I tell everyone I speak with the best way ( in my mind and through personal experience) on how to keep a successful marine tank ( Tank 50 gallons or larger and filtration, filtration, filtration!!!). People will do what they want and have a tendancy to hear what they want.

Example: Couple came in and said they had an "established" 90 gallon reef tank ( 100 lbs plus of live rock and about a dozen mixed corals. They started picking out fish. I made my recommendations and began to question them when fish 4 was bagged and they wanted 3 more. Asked them how long the tank was established and what type of filtration they had. Turns out the tank was only 3 weeks old and their fiI can't be responsable for the women at the counter or their attitudes. Speak to the owner. If you question someone in the fish rooms info, ask someone else. Maybe clarify exactly what you are looking to accomplish. We are a very busy bunch. ltration was a Back-Pak skimmer and the live rock. I gave them my best "You folks are really underfiltered and don't have enough circulation in the tank and I would suggest spending money on filtration rather than fish at this point" speach when I was told to bag the fish they wanted and that I didn't know what I was talking about. The store where they bought the set-up from (who shall remain nameless) told them their set-up was just fine. So I bagged the fish and told them I would not guarantee the fish due to their insistance on overstocking such a new and underfiltered tank. Lo and behold 4 days later they called to inform me that their tank had wiped out completely. They asked what I suggest they should do. I informed them AGAIN about they're lack of filtration/circulation and not to overstock, but maybe they should call the guy who set them up (after all I don't know what I'm talking about!!)

Next time anyone is in Tropic Isle and has a quaetion about their tank or fish see me!! If I can't answer the question I will find someone who will. Just don't play games please !! I'm the older guy with the mustache, earings, and braid. I'll be as honest as possible with you if you are the same with me.

Dan

maxfischer

03-05-2006, 01:04 PM

i have no complaints other than the price of dry goods, i have always been helped right away. I guess i go in at a good time. They always have tons of livestock and the store is clean. I asked the woman behind the counter about a stand for my 70 gallon half cilynder and she told me she can call and aks someone, I made it to westboro on rt 9 and she already called back with a price. I think the one guy(sorry i dont know your name) with the long pony tail thing is great. I ask questions when i go. I dont try to trick them into giving me a wrong anwser. Me i would rather go give my money to some one local(i live in worcester). I cant not go to natick or framingham without stoping in and picking up something.

CaseyH

03-05-2006, 02:14 PM

Don't worry about explaining the set-up of the store, I won't be back. Post edited. Please read the rules again. I know it's tempting to keep going on a rant, but please keep your posts limited to describing your personal experience with the vendor.

JayM

03-05-2006, 02:58 PM

Disclaimer: Brand new member here. Small reef tank (72G)

Returned to the hobby after a 10 year hiatus. TI has been an excellent resource in getting me up to speed on technology for keeping the tank healthy.

Recent experiences:

Bought a skimmer....had a problem, and it was immediately dealt with...professionally, and without any attitude.

Purchased a fish that DID NOT acclimate well in my tank: returned it, was issued a credit, and purchased a different fish.

Got ICH on a fish....Leo took the time to explain the process of getting my tank healthy again. Part of this was purchasing a UV sterilizer. Was it cheaper on eBay? Yup. Guess what? eBay wouldn't take the time to explain the process, assemble it, and give pretty detailed instructions on using it in concert with the medicine and a hot dip to wipe out the critters.

Are the prices high? Possibly. It's RETAIL. Have I waited a long time to be waited on occasionally? Yes. Can the cashier be a little vacant or crabby? Yes, again. All this being said, I have been pleased overall with my experiences there, and believe that my tank is healthier overall for my purchases there. I'll be going back.

JM

stevertr

03-05-2006, 04:37 PM

i don't think I have any new insight here...but what the heck.

I've shopped at TI many times over the years....mostly, as others have said, because it's the closest large LFS to my house. Great selection of live and dry stock, but thanks to BRS I've learned to buy nothing there that I don't absolutely need to. Everything I can do on line I do, and I'd certainly never by a coral of any kind.

One of the guys in the fish department (don't know his name) is always really nice and extremely knowledgable. The rest act as though it's a bother to have me there...and really don't seem to care about who needs help.

Post edited. Not an experience, but instead insults to the staff. That's not welcome. Please keep your posts limited to your experiences.

Moe_K

03-05-2006, 04:44 PM

People, go back and read the rules. :mad:

Keep your posts limited to your experience with the vendor. Don't insult the employees. Don't belabor the point. Keep the posts factual.

It really shouldn't be this hard, folks. :rolleyes:

RichConley

03-09-2006, 08:17 PM

Stopped by tonight. Hung around for about an hour, ended up walking out with an exquisite wrasse. Hes floating in the sump now, and looks really alert.

I had a couple minute conversation with someone who worked there, seemed like a nice guy, and seemed to know his stuff. Forgot to ask his name though :-/

loru1588

03-09-2006, 11:38 PM

Hi Rich,

That was me !! Got your PM thanks for the vote of confidence!!! Yeah, the little wrasse is a healthy bugger. Came in with a bunch of "asst. fairy wrasse". It'll grow up to be a beauty I'm sure.

Thanks again, Dan

paulmark80

03-14-2006, 08:26 PM

ti is pricey but i think there fish look great.every time i go i spend at least 200 on some kind of fish.the best thing is they have a ton of stuff to choose from and if you need it they always have it. you don't have to run to like 5 stores to find out they don't carry it or there out. even on the days where they may not have alot of fish due to a busy weekend the still have more stuff on there bad days than most of these other stores on there good days. just my 2 cents

sw300galma

03-14-2006, 09:06 PM

The best thing for me is that they are open till 9 unlike just about every other place...

I can't make it to any LFS before 8pm and that's about what time they all close..

RichConley

03-15-2006, 09:31 AM

The best thing for me is that they are open till 9 unlike just about every other place...

I can't make it to any LFS before 8pm and that's about what time they all close..

Totally agree, I hate how SOME of the stores close at like 6:30. I get out of work at 6, theres no way I can get anywhere at 6:30.

Fitzy

03-15-2006, 09:37 PM

ME and my roomate made our weekly visit to TI today. Waled out with a fish and a bucket of salt. Great service as always.

redpaulhus

03-21-2006, 01:28 PM

Stopped in on Sat.
Store looked good, livestock looked good.

However, I was rather dismayed/annoyed to see the one handicap parking spot is overgrown and useless (its very narrow and a tree has been allowed to grow into the spot from the driver side).
I can't see any disabled person being able to use that spot.

My wife has mobility issues and a disabled placard for parking. Had she been with me on Sat she would not have been able to enter the store.

I'm especially disappointed since this is a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act - It looks to me like TI has more than the minimum # of spaces to be required to conform to the ADA standards, and since much of the spots are "downhill" from the entrance, its truly an access issue. It also looks like they know they are required to have a handicap spot - its marked (although I don't think that sign meets legal muster anymore) as such - so why don't they maintain the parking spot and a manner that shows more respect to disabled customers ???

do they realize that they are opening themselves up for a discrimination lawsuit ? How hard is it to spend 15 minutes and trim the tree ?

I walked in with money to spend, but couldn't bring myself to spend it after seeing that on my way in.

naturebatslast

03-21-2006, 07:24 PM

Have you called them and addressed your concern. I'd also mention the legality of it, they may just be way out of touch. Call 'em up! NBL

OceanGuy

03-21-2006, 10:31 PM

I had a good experience there after the meeting. I asked a kid on a ladder if he knew where the epoxy was and he got down off the ladder and walked me over several isles to find it. He then explained the differences between the kinds that they had. Another employee came right over and got some livestock out for me and another one showed me where the food was kept.

I used the 20% discount coupon at the register and went on my way. They do have some great corals there and nice fish. It is a little more expensive than I'm used to paying, but the discount helped.

loru1588

03-21-2006, 11:57 PM

We have several customers (regulars) that are wheelchair bound . They visit several times a month. They have not mentioned any problem to us. I will, however , talk to management tommorow ( Wednesday) about this matter. Unless we are told there is a problem, we don't know!!! I'm sure this will be looked into.

Dan

Moe_K

03-22-2006, 12:02 AM

Edited my own post. Not a vendor experience.

stang8s

03-22-2006, 02:02 AM

One of my best friends is in a wheelchair. TI has been there since the 70s at least. The ADA only applies to businesses that have been built since 1993. There are plenty of small businesses with no space and that the entrance would be impossible to get into. We went to chinatown last weekend, I dont think there is a one that would have been easy for him to get into, we got him in anyway.

Stopped in on Sat.
Store looked good, livestock looked good.

However, I was rather dismayed/annoyed to see the one handicap parking spot is overgrown and useless (its very narrow and a tree has been allowed to grow into the spot from the driver side).
I can't see any disabled person being able to use that spot.

My wife has mobility issues and a disabled placard for parking. Had she been with me on Sat she would not have been able to enter the store.

I'm especially disappointed since this is a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act - It looks to me like TI has more than the minimum # of spaces to be required to conform to the ADA standards, and since much of the spots are "downhill" from the entrance, its truly an access issue. It also looks like they know they are required to have a handicap spot - its marked (although I don't think that sign meets legal muster anymore) as such - so why don't they maintain the parking spot and a manner that shows more respect to disabled customers ???

do they realize that they are opening themselves up for a discrimination lawsuit ? How hard is it to spend 15 minutes and trim the tree ?

I walked in with money to spend, but couldn't bring myself to spend it after seeing that on my way in.

redpaulhus

03-22-2006, 09:59 AM

Actually - when a lot is repainted it needs to meet ADA specs, it has nothing to do with how long a company has been there.

If the lot contains from 1 to 25 spaces, there must be at least one "Accessible" space, it must be Van Accessible and have a 96" wide access lane:
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/restribr.htm

I wasn't going to even touch the fact that they don't meet the required specs (van access and lane size) - I was just shocked that they let a tree grow into the handicap spot (this is next to the front door, every employee who walks in that door has to see it, how can they not know about it ? ).

stang8s

03-22-2006, 10:56 AM

Myk

03-29-2006, 02:20 AM

Pretty sure it was paved last September, I think I remember having to move my car, yeah I used to work there.

RichConley

03-29-2006, 08:17 AM

I doubt that lot has been repainted/paved since before 93 either. That is the most screwed up parking lot I think I have ever been in anyway. Its barely suitable for non-handicap people!

I will agree with you on the tree thing though, thats not right!

You guys do realize you dont have to park in those front 4 spots, right? That whole lot on the left is theirs. As to the ADA, that spot is kind of a mess, tree hanging over it. I dont get the point that red brought up though about it being downhill from the place and that being an issue... you either have to go uphill going in, or going out.

stevenp

03-29-2006, 08:47 AM

I think their parking lot is better than a lot of other LFS's.

Red,
Did you take the opportunity to bring this to their attention during your visit?

Steve

redpaulhus

03-29-2006, 09:10 AM

Steve - it wasn't something that immediately occured to me, more something that really started to bug me on the drive home.

Rich - my point was that the designated spot was useless, and my wife wouldn't have been able to access the building from the second lot where I parked - not only was it too far, but it was up/downhill (unlike the designated spot)

Also - this wasn't something I was going to get confrontational about on Saturday, and give the BRS a bad rep. (and when people start discriminating against my wife, I sometimes get very confrontational) - I just decided it's a reason to take my business elsewhere.

loru1588

03-29-2006, 09:59 AM

"I walked in with money to spend, but couldn't bring myself to spend it after seeing that on my way in." From your first post.

Evidently, it WAS something that immediately occured to you!

This issue has been brought to management/owners attention and I will personnally persue it.

As I stated before, we have several wheelchair bound regular customers who have not had a problem entering/exiting the store or had a problem parking. I take this matter seriously and I again will follow up on it.

Dan

redpaulhus

03-29-2006, 11:11 AM

Sorry Dan - my last post was unclear (no coffee yet).

Talking to somebody about the issue - being confrontational - wasn't something I was willing to do on that day. It wasn't till I was on the way home that I considered posting it here, etc.

I've made a stink and (for example) gotten a delivery driver fired for using the handicap spot at a gas station as his personal loading dock - but I've been trying to keep my temper in. Avoid spending money, yes - make a scene, no.

On my way home, I was kicking myself because I was wishing I HAD made a scene - which I'm now glad I didn't, but at the time, I was wishing I had.

I was trying to answer Steve's question, but did so poorly.

loru1588

03-29-2006, 10:23 PM

Spoke with management today about this. Both spots to the right of the door are designated as Handicap Parking and DO need to be repainted to make that clearer. In the meantime or until the spots get repainted, if you EVER have a problem (someone parking in those 2 spots and NOT having a placard or plate) feel free to come in and we will make sure the person/persons ,move their vehicle for you/your wife.

I'll talk with Mr. London tomorrow and try to get the trees trimmed and the painting scheduled ASAP. With the good weather FINALLY arriving now would be the time to get it done.

And yeah, confrontation of any sort generally doesn't accomplish much for anyone involved. Hope this helps for the time being.

Dan

fwcarmody

03-31-2006, 02:37 PM

Just wanted TI to know how much I look forward to my trips out there from Cambridge. I have both FW and reef tank. TI is the only place that I have found German Rams and all my fish/plants have continued to grow wonderfully. I try to do most of my pre-purchase research online and only rely minimally on the sales folks, though their personal experiences are often helpful. I find that the greatest selection, cleanliness and yes, friendliness are all reasons to keep my biz with TI as opposed to more local LFS. Thanks folks...:)

-Fran

fanaglethebagle

04-01-2006, 12:57 PM

I kind of like TI's freshwater selection, though people will refuse to sell me stuff because im under 18...
You have to find the right people there to help you out. And its overpriced (I bought a seaclone100 for 130$, at others its like 70$)

ReeferDude

04-19-2006, 03:37 PM

i have gotten alot of stuff their and there service isnt that great and all the stuff ive bought hasnt lasted for more than a week i purchase most of my stuff from another store and all the livestock from there has lasted me a long while just recently i purchased a yellow mimic tang and its doing very well. second hand info edited out they do have a great selection of fish but they always try to discourage you from buying there stuff

Mod note: Please read the rules for posting in the VE forum.

sw300galma

04-19-2006, 08:43 PM

I was there again. Like others have said, service and prices are not the best, but selection is top notch. And I guess we are willing to pay the price for it.

The dry goods need to come down..It's always the last resort, but if the prices were better they would do 10x the volume and end up in the end making more money.

Andy O

04-19-2006, 11:22 PM

Although the prices may be a bit high if you use one of their $$ off coupons when you spend a certain amount it can work out to a good deal.

sw300galma

04-20-2006, 10:13 AM

Although the prices may be a bit high if you use one of their $$ off coupons when you spend a certain amount it can work out to a good deal.

I wouldn't say "good Deal" i'd say acceptable.

I spend $300+ everytime I go there.

Andy O

04-20-2006, 10:31 AM

I wouldn't say "good Deal" i'd say acceptable.

I spend $300+ everytime I go there.

I would consider $20 off your next salt water livestock purchase if you have spent $100 a pretty good deal. I find their prices can be high on livestock but it all depends what you are looking for (i.e. a lot of vendors sell neon gobies for $20 each where as I believe that they sell them for $15 each or 2 for $25. Thus 2 neon gobies would cost you $5). If you spend the $300 on one receipt it is still the $20 but if you were to have purchased $100 over three separate visits you would be entitled to $20 for each receipt which would have to be used over 3 separate visits.

RichConley

04-20-2006, 12:45 PM

I would consider $20 off your next salt water livestock purchase if you have spent $100 a pretty good deal.

It sounds like a good deal, until you realized you just payed $100+ for a $40 pump. That $20 in livestock doesnt come close to making up for it.

That being said, they DO have the biggest livestock selection I've ever seen.

Andy O

04-20-2006, 12:49 PM

It sounds like a good deal, until you realized you just payed $100+ for a $40 pump. That $20 in livestock doesnt come close to making up for it.

That being said, they DO have the biggest livestock selection I've ever seen.

I probably should have clarified that I don't buy dry goods there, only livestock and yes I agree that if you are looking at this from the standpoint of purchasing dry goods it is definitely a lot more $$.

sw300galma

04-20-2006, 07:59 PM

Fitzy

04-20-2006, 10:30 PM

Went to TI again this week. Great looking fish.

The discount you get (10%) for being a member has borabailly saved me close to a coupple hundred. Only LFS that i visit on a frequent occations. Always helpful and willing to take time out to show me what new stuff just came in.

stang8s

04-21-2006, 07:10 AM

You should use the coupons rather then the 10% discount. The small coupon is $15 of free saltwater fish when you purchase $50 So that is a 30% discount.

RichConley

04-21-2006, 10:14 AM

I will and do however pay more for the selection...There fish cost way more than any other place i've been, but the fact that they have them there makes it worth it...I defintely pay more for instant gratification rather than waiting for a fedex truck.
I found some of the stuff is really expensive, and some of it is just fine. Fairy wrasses for 29-59? Thats pretty decent. $35 TR bangais? Not so much.

owenz

05-17-2006, 02:26 PM

Good: selection of fish. They really do have a lot of healthy looking fish on hand at all times -- and if you want something exotic like an octopus, they are the best.

Bad:

1. Dry Good Recommendations - I went to the store for fresh water goods for years. So I know the employees. When I went to set up my 46G SW tank, several senior employees gather around to tell me I absolutely needed a protein skimmer, mechanical filter, and a wet/dry sump filter to run a reef tank. Having done a decent amount of research, I asked about people who used only protein skimmers and power jets for their reef tanks. The employees (a group of about three of them) all insisted that nitrates would be out of control without the mechanical filtration and sump. I rejected their advice, as it would have costs at least $500. Having now spent a year running a SW tank (with a skimmer and power heads), I know their advice could only be the product of two things: (1) seriously outdated reef knowledge or (2) an attempt to gouge me as a customer. Either way, it was ugly.

2. Live Stock Recommendations - After cycling my tank, I went back to Tropic Isle to look for some fish last year. This time I met with the owner, Ellis London. Mr. London asked me about the tank. I told him that it was a 46G and there was some algae in there. Upon hearing there was algae in the tank, he encouraged me to buy a blue tang and an algae blenny, at a total cost of about $130. There were no other fish in the tank. I later kicked myself for buying fish without first researching them -- but at the time, I trusted Mr. London's advice. Needless to say, there is not room for an algae blenny and a tang in a 46G tank. On my only other occation in the store since then, I was told put a Mandarin in the tank -- despite having told the employee it was a new tank (and only 46G). Having done some research, I discarded the Mandarin advice -- which was even worse than Mr. London's advice.

All and all, I would say my experience with Tropic Isle has been quite negative. The advice I've received from there has been, in a word, terrible.

richardong

06-07-2006, 11:51 PM

I went there several times since started the hobby few months ago. I had done some searching about pricing online, although never been to other local fish store beside Tropic Isle, I knew their price a bit high. Because of sometime just need to buy one or two items in urgent and not bother to order online, I didn't mind to be stupid sometime for paying the higher price. Everytime the items i bought from that store, i checked online store, their price almost double regardless of livestock or dry goods. Its radiculous for what their charge compare to other retails. Beside, i believe they get the supply with wholesale price or bulk discount, wonder how many percents of profit they want to markup in order to kill your wallet. I don't think i would be going back as best as possible.

loru1588

06-08-2006, 01:08 AM

To Owenz; Are you trying to say that your 46 gallon tank was too small for a blue tang , algae blenny and mandarin due to too many fish or that each of these fish would not do well in a 46 gallon tank? The algae blenny would be fine in a 46. The mandarin would be also as long the tank were mature with live rock for a decent colony of copepods and such. The blue tang would eventually outgrow a 46, true, but how big was it at the time and do you plan to upgrade to a larger aquarium at some time?

To richardong; Dry good prices are higher due to the high overhead and the amount of different and available in stock items not found in most LFS. No LFS can compete with online prices and stay in business. You are paying for the service as well as the convenience of having the item in hand. Mr. London does not get any special discount due to the volume ordered any longer. Wholesalers/distibuters don't care any more. AGA aquarium prices have gone up almost 40% in just the last 2 months. 2 price increases in less than 30 days. As for the fish prices being higher than online, you have to take into account the frieght we pay on our shipments and you have to take in to account the postage you will pay when you order from a livestock website. You also have the opportunity to be present to pick out an individual fish and not have to rely on someone else choosing for you. We also have coupons available on the website to help offset the cost of your purchases.

Again, as I have said many times before I cannot speak for anyone else, but the information I try to relay to all my customers is from my own personnal experence of over 35 years in the marine hobby as well as a lifetime of aquarium keeping.

Things are relative. We gave out coupons for the Boston Reefers 2 meetings ago. With the coupon a 5 gallon bucket of IO salt normally $65 would cost $53. I had one guy tell me that he could drive down to NYC and get the same salt for $60 any day. So he wasn't going to buy it from us. I'm no math genius but gas cost for a round trip to NYC even if you get 30 mpg is going to be more than $7. Also had someone tell me $6.98, 2/12.98, or 3/18.98 at the time for peppermint shrimp was too high. He could order them on line at $6 each. There was a $30 minimum and shipping would be $15. Again I'm no math genius but that comes out to $7.50 a shrimp in my book.

Just like you pay an extra 70 cents or more for a gallon of milk at the convenience store because you know they have it and you can take it with you now.

Sorry for any bad advice you guys got, evereyone has an off day. Come see me personally if you want and I'll do my best to help you along with your tanks.

Dan

fanaglethebagle

06-11-2006, 07:38 PM

I was actually there today, I actually got pretty miffed (yes I just said miffed)

I was looking at the corals, some looked pretty cool (If my mom would win the lottery)
I start looking through all the tanks on the wall, and havent seen one withought aptasia, not bad because Im not buying rocks, but on the snails?!?!

I see a school of coral catfish about inch longers 10$ each (cool, they usually give discount prices if you buy quantities.) not in this case. Not only does the guy tell me how huge they get (like they will live that long :rolleyes: ) and that they will kill everything in the tank, what a salesman :o
Not only did he explain how awful fish they were, but I could only get the full price on them. Eventually we left with 10 gallons of RO (1$ a gallon) and a slab of mysis, I was pretty bugged.Please do not include names of other stores in the TI thread.

fanaglethebagle

06-11-2006, 07:40 PM

P.S. they wont sell me fish cause im under 18, and this includes a betta I was trying to get my dad for christmas

loru1588

06-11-2006, 11:55 PM

Dear Fanagle,

As the Assistant Manager of Tropic Isle I'd like to reply to help answer your statements/questions below, first let me say if you are going to comment on anything or anybody, please have your facts straight.

"I was looking at the corals, some looked pretty cool (If my mom would win the lottery)"

Our corals are not that far out of line with several shops I visit on a fairly regular basis. Not many LFS can compete with on line shops as far as price goes for corals as well as dry goods. Is Tropic Isle higher priced on some items, yes, we are. We have to be in order to keep the place running and be able to carry in stock the selection of items we have. That's the simplest explaination I can give.

"I start looking through all the tanks on the wall, and havent seen one withought aptasia, not bad because Im not buying rocks, but on the snails?!?!

The invert system does have some aptasia. A simple fact of keeping the invert system drug free. I do my best to bounce around a couple of dozen peppermint shrimp to help keep them in check. I also INTENTINALLY keep one of the upper tanks with a colony of aptasia to show new hobbyists what to look for. It's far from being an epidemic and I doubt a snail was crawling around with one on its back. We do have a hermit crab that recently upgraded to an old turbo snail shell the had a glass anemone on it. Maybe that's what you saw. The rock tanks are actually six seperate systems independant of the invert system.

"I see a school of coral catfish about inch longers 10$ each"

We have 2 coral catfish at present about 2 inches long each.

"(cool, they usually give discount prices if you buy quantities.) not in this case."

True, we sometimes give quantity discounts on certain fish. The discounted price is listed on the price card(s). Coral catish aren't one of the chosen.

" Not only does the guy tell me how huge they get (like they will live that long ) and that they will kill everything in the tank, what a salesman"

I was doing a water test behind the cube system at this point and what the salesman said was" ...they get huge and could EAT most of what you have in your tank."
Would you prefer he lied to you ?? As for " (like they will live that long ) ", is this because you believe we carry inferior livestock or that you aren't capable of keeping them? I don't quite understand.

" Not only did he explain how awful fish they were, but I could only get the full price on them."

Again, would you prefer he lied? See explaination above about pricing. He probably wouldn't have sold them to you any way because store policy is to not sell poisonous or potentially environmentally damaging fish to minors. Better safe than sorry, as they say.

" Eventually we left with 10 gallons of RO (1$ a gallon) and a slab of mysis, I was pretty bugged."

Bugged because the RO was $1 a gallon or that the salesman answered your questions truthfully?? I'm not sure what you mean here.

" I actually found the service at Edit Another store name ("uh, I dont know" is usually how they help me )"

So , in closing it seems you would rather deal with a clueless salesperson that would sell you anything you asked for:confused: than someone who would actually try and stear you in a safe and responsible direction then? Is that your point?
__________________+

sw300galma

06-12-2006, 12:13 PM

Dear Fanagle,

As the Assistant Manager of Tropic Isle I'd like to reply to help answer your statements/questions below.

Glad you are here.

Fisrt off, You can't please everyone all the time, I understand that. Bacially if you see the same issue cropping up from many different people..Then that's a real Issue.

As I weekly buyer i enjoy coming in every wednesday and looking through the fish. As stated in many many posts, your fish selection is outstanding along with quality and quantity...Prices are on the high side of the curve...but inline with other places...I know it's not cheap to run that place...

On the other hand the dry goods and equiptment in some cases are bit on the astronomical side. We are ok with the fact that you can't compete with the online places...Very few instances where a store can compete with an online place... But you need to be in the same ballpark. 100% or more over the online or petco's and petsmarts out there is bit out of whack.

Also the register help (I wont name names) are about as friendly as a bunch of triggers lol I know everyone has bad days...but everyday can't have a bad day.

I think if you keep watching people concerns you will be able to help us out alot and we would all appreciate it, as it's such a great store...

fanaglethebagle

06-12-2006, 03:05 PM

I was going to say alot of that stuff, but I was still kind of biased at that point. The fish selection is great! And usually so is the coral. And there is alot of really good dry goods, however I didnt research once and got a seaclone 100 there for I believe 140$ and it was around 70 at multiple other places.

besl

06-12-2006, 04:12 PM

I've been holding back on my tale of woe with TI, but I feel compelled to provide my experience, particularly for those starting out and new to the hobby. I read this thread with complaints of staff and drygood prices, and even some good praise about TI livestock - well my experience has been dramatically different. I purchased many (many) fish at Tropic Isle and many (many) perished. The TI staff always convinced me it was my tank parameters, husbandry tactics, whatever. Sad to say, I bought this nonsense and wrote it off to my tank parameters not being up to par despite what my water tests were telling me, saltwater fish being so sensitive, that I am not good at this hobby, etc, etc. My most recent experience was a few months ago when I purchased 2 false percs. Both died 2 days after I brought them home from TI. When I called TI, they immediately started implicating my water quality as usual, reminded me that I am past the window to return the fish, and that if I did return to the store I needed to bring a water sample with me. This was on a Monday evening about 1 hour before store closing that I returned. The salesperson who took the sample must have evaluated every known test to mankind including DNA sampling as he was gone for quite some time. This provided me ample time to roam the saltwater tanks - with absolutely no exageration I saw many dead fish in the tanks as well as fish with abnormal behaviors (swimming upside down and such). I was at the false perc tanks (they had quite a few clownfish tanks as they received 250 false percs the previous week), and were now down to 1 partial tank. The salesperson returned finally and advised he could find nothing wrong with my water (I could see the shear dissapointment on his face that he could no longer implicate my water). Now the both of us standing by the perc tanks, I asked where all the percs went since 2 days earlier and he acknowledged that "well we obviosuly didn't sell them all". Since this episode, I have stocked my tank from another lfs in Boston - I won't mention the name - and I have not lost 1 fish yet (I am now up to 9 fish and all are doing well). Was it my water quality? husbandry? It appears not! I now know it had to be the (horrible) quality of Tropic Isle livestock. For those that like TI, I would suggest stopping by during off peak hours as I did and see for yourself what really goes on in their tanks. For those that have done well with their TI livestock, I am very happy for you. As for my experience, it is a shame of all the disease and deaths that I had to experience (not to mention the tremendous financial impact by shopping at TI) before I ventured elsewhere and learned that fish can stay alive and be very healthy if they start out that way!

Puffer

06-12-2006, 05:52 PM

you figure if you drop a few hundred bucks in a store the checkout girl would probably recognize you. nope. every time it's a new experience. everytime she needs to see my ID if i use a credit card. everytime it's the blank stare.
sure, i'm no big ticket customer, but i go in there A LOT. not looking for a new best friend, just acknowledgement, or a 'hello' and 'thanks'.

the older woman (who is there almost always) turns and walks in the other direction if she sees me. i have never asked anything of her. it's sort of weird. the one time i have had her be amicable and outgoingly friendly was when a parent was present (in their late 50s). when that happened she's all smiles and helpful.

Hi, since this thread has been going on strong and hot, I thought that I might as well shime in on the topic.

I have similar experience as theLIQUIDzoo, I always find the store owner's wife, that old lady, rude and brush-offish. Unlike theLIQUIDzoo, I have never seen her smile nor laugh. I often tried to peek at her a couple of times and see if I can cought a glimpse of smile from her ever-so-uptight expression. And I also find the check out girl to be aloof, and borderline rude.

As for the employees, I actually have OK and good experience. Maybe this is because I only deal with 2 persons only. Jason and, later, Leo. They were always very honest and upfront with me. Very knowledgable. I have known Leo ever since he was with Skipton, and Jason, he happened to be the first sales person I dealt with during my first visit. And maybe that is why I have good interaction with them.

I think corporate culture, be it a fortune 500 company, or a fish store, in this case, always started from the top. I think many of the negative experience/interaction that you guys had with the employees stemed from the top. Lack of example from the owner (female), and specific instruction will result in a everybody for himself kind of situation, be it employees or customers. It would falls onto the employees mood and discretion to be helpful and friendly, and, the customers to be charming and courteous (as mentioned by one of the TI employee in this threads). Falling short in any of the prerequisites will eventually leads to a negative interactions.

It doesn't have to be so. All it need is just a little bit of "lead by example" from the top down. Lets face it, TI still has an awesome collections of livestock for reefers. As for the price...well, we need another thread for this.

Cheers! :D

loru1588

06-12-2006, 08:55 PM

To besl,

Store policy states full replacement within 24 hours and 1/2 replacement within 7 days IF a the dead or troublesom fish is returned with as seperate sample of tank water and the origianal sales reciept. The water sample is to simply confirm whether it is a water condition problem. No sense of replacing a fish if the reason for the death is the water. If the water tests out bad a credit would be issued. As long as you don't lose the credit slip it's good until you use it (up to 7 years !!) I remember the problem we had with the tanks around the time you mention. Someone overdosed the systems with Formalin and the rest is history. You should have been issued a credit to use at your convenience. For this I appologize. See me when you have the opportunity and I will issue a 1/2 price credit for the clowns.

Good, bad or indifferent we can't control other peoples personalities. I won't go any further with this subject.

As for Leo, I couldn't ask to have a better and more knowledable manager. Jason is the fish room manager and he has and desires a very faithful following.

To all:
We in the fish room all try to do our best to give the customer the best and most honest information possible. We are currently going through a little employee adjustment period and we hope in the near future to have a more knowedgable and possibly more cheerful;) staff.

Thanks for your time,

Dan

billm

06-12-2006, 09:06 PM

so you won't offer a full credit even though you just admitted ti screwed up?nice.

besl

06-12-2006, 09:29 PM

Tropic Isle replies: "...I remember the problem we had with the tanks around the time you mention. Someone overdosed the systems with Formalin and the rest is history. You should have been issued a credit to use at your convenience. For this I appologize. See me when you have the opportunity and I will issue a 1/2 price credit for the clowns."

loru1588, let me get this straight... you're offering me 1/2 price credit for acknowledging you sold me sick fish that TI mistreated - thank you for reinforcing what I all ready know to be true about TI - not only won't you ever see me back to collect on this pitiful offer, but you can stop sending me the discount coupons for your overpriced and sick livestock. What about all the other similar occasions I experienced at TI. All I know is the situation I experienced was not an isolated occurrence and each time the TI staff made me feel completely incompetent implicating my tanks water quality or my husbandry skills.

Since this last occurrence I described with the clown fish, I have taken my business elsewhere and I have not had a single loss or diseased fish. I learned the hard way from Tropic Isle and I am getting so much more satisfaction and enjoyment from this hobby with a lot less stress since using the other lfs in Boston.

"1/2 price credit" - no thanks - I've already lost enough money from inferior Tropic Isle livestock.

loru1588

06-12-2006, 09:34 PM

To besl,

The incident with the formalin happened AFTER you purchased the fish. I am offering you a credit without any proof of purchase or sales reciept as a goodwill gesture. I am sure the staff here was doing a free test your water to eliminate the possibility of a problem and not to implicate you as a "bad aquarist". We test ammonia, nirtite , nitrate, ph, alkalinity, phosphate, dissolved oxygen, and calcium. Some of these tests require specific time parameters for an accurate reading. The offer still stands despite your reluctance.

To billm,

Frankly, isn't it up to besl to decide whether my offer is fair or not??

sw300galma

06-12-2006, 10:47 PM

loru1588,

If you want to make offers, that's great. But a word of advice, is do not get caught up in the bantering back and forth with people as this thread will go way off topic into a pissing match.

Best way to approach it is to PM the person directly.

I'm not a mod, but people please try to keep on track.
It's nice to have someone listen to our complaints and possibly help.

besl

06-12-2006, 10:49 PM

Tropic Isle replies: "...I remember the problem we had with the tanks around the time you mention. Someone overdosed the systems with Formalin and the rest is history."

On this response you "remember the problem we had with the tanks... Someone overdosed the systems..." - I actually appreciated the fess up at this point - coming clean is a very noble thing to do.

Tropic Isle replies in a later post: "The incident with the formalin happened AFTER you purchased the fish."

Now I'm confused! At first you remember the situation and explain what happened as TI overdosed the tank as to why my percs died within 2 days. Now in this response you know for a fact that the overdose happened "AFTER" I purchased the fish. You don't know who I am, when I purchased the fish, but you emphatically state that Tropic Isle overdosed the tank "AFTER" my purchase. You are too funny!

Tropic Isle replies: "I am sure the staff here was doing a free test your water to eliminate the possibility of a problem and not to implicate you as a "bad aquarist"."

Now that I understand, please thank your staff for helping me out with a free test of my water - was that special treatment for selling me overdosed, sick fish or do you do this for all your customers? And please don't explain or rationalize how your staff made me feel - my post is sincere when I say they made me feel incompetent each and every time one of your fish got diseased or died within an unusually short duration of time after purchase.

This forum is intended to post personal experiences with vendors which I objectively presented. Readers of this post will clearly formulate their own opinions. I have moved on since my unfortunate experience at TI. There is no gain to banter this and I will only re-post if I feel I need to defend my experience or my feelings as I am the only one who can properly present either and I truly hope there is no need for either of us to post on the my particular situation again - as I mentioned I believe it is best to move on.

loru1588

06-12-2006, 11:13 PM

To sw300galma,

Sage advice. Subject closed in my book.

PM sent

Thanks,

Dan

Myk

06-13-2006, 12:00 AM

To Loru1588,

You seem to be a decent guy with good intention, but don't stress yourself for The Isle. I worked there for almost 3 years and I know the big guy isn't going to appreciate your extra efforts to try to help his store. Keep up the good work though, I know it's not easy trying to keep good relations with the customers while dealing with the pressures from the non-blue shirt wearing members of the staff.

I haven't been to the store in awhile and I don't know the current staff if there have been changes in the past year, but I do know Leo, Jason, and Kevin. They've got integrity and are honest and will do the best that they can to provide a quality service for TI customers. I worked with those guys for a long time. TI is a great resource for hobbyists looking for a good selection and for hard to find items, just have to be prepared ahead of time and know what you're looking for as the employees are under pressure from the top to move quickly and do alot in a short amount of time. Probably not the best place to go if you are a begginer and definately not cheap! Do your research before you shop there and my advice to anyone who goes to The Isle, avoid any employees that are not wearing a blue shirt and you should be in pretty good shape:)

fanaglethebagle

06-13-2006, 08:44 AM

I must say it was a good job about a year ago dealing with some lady. She put 18 chromis in her week old tank, and one guy just yelled at her for trying to get a refund, I found it very funny :D

billm

06-13-2006, 09:35 PM

redpaulhus

06-13-2006, 09:57 PM

I haven't been up to Framingham since the BRS meeting was up there - has the handicap spot been brought up to code yet ?

sw300galma

06-14-2006, 08:50 AM

I haven't been up to Framingham since the BRS meeting was up there - has the handicap spot been brought up to code yet ?

Good point...It did seam trimmed back last time I went...I didn't look at it in detail (I parked the next spot over) I just remeber not having to duck to get out of my car. I usually go every wednesday so i'll most likely be heading up thier tonight.

TheUltimateNoob

06-14-2006, 11:14 AM

you guys overdosed with formalin? that's pretty bad. actually, it's a bit concerning that formalin is even dosed at all. that stuff is pretty harsh. i haven't been back to TI since mr. london tried to sell me a whole bunch of over-priced equipment that i didn't need and then gave me a bit of passive-aggressive, pompous, arrogant attitude when i said i didn't really need that stuff. and don't even get me started on the front-counter ladies. i sure hope that "employee adjustment period" you're talking about involves them. but i do have to say the guys working the fish room are all very nice and helpful.

jimmyj7090

06-14-2006, 01:55 PM

I just noticed the handicapped space the other day, that is pretty bad. Freshly painted handicapped symbol, but it's a narrow space on a pretty good incline and at least part of the bush is still in the way. To me it looks like a person in a wheel chair would be lucky to use that space and not end up stuck or hurt?

Worse yet, out of the 4 spaces in front of the store, that is the only one on an incline, and the only one that is that narrow? Why? It would be a simple task to make the handicapped space the one just to the left of the front door (looking at the store), at least that space is more or less level and looks wider.

I second what whoever said, loru1588, don't take all of this on yourself. You seem to have the best intentions and a positive attitude but TI has been taking flack forever for all the same stuff and it never changes. Dry goods prices are way high compared to other LFS's that cater to reefkeepers, but there is a lot of good stuff in stock. Fish selection good. Staff often over-busy (and thus sometimes not seeming as friendly as they could).

Good luck loru, just don't let this give you an ulcer, it's not your fault.

loru1588

06-16-2006, 10:45 AM

Both spots, I repeat BOTH spots to the right of the door are the handicapped spots. OUR parking lot is the large lot to the left of the front door, NOT I repeat NOT the lot across the street. That belongs to the bike place and the Dive shop.

sw300galma

06-16-2006, 11:54 AM

I was there on Wednesday.... definaltey better than before. Still I think acceptable because there are 2 spots. Although I can't speak 100% for the people that use them...But the effort was made.

Maybe some feedback from someone who uses them?? Recently..

Oh and I need to mention since I'm a avid BASHER....

The counter lady was very pleasant with me for the first time!! My friend and I got into the truck and both said "wow she was really nice today"

So we did notice and appreciate it!!!

Puffer

06-16-2006, 04:20 PM

I think loru1588 might have informed his colleague of her bad rap....hehehe. Great for everyone though!

jimmyj7090

06-17-2006, 09:52 AM

My wrong on the space thing, I never noticed that there was a second.

02f350psd

06-27-2006, 10:43 PM

I was in TI this past saturday with a VERY good experience. Was helped within 2 minutes of walking in the door. My gf spent a good deal of $ on fish and all are healthy and doing well. Will be shopping there again.

SaltCreep

06-28-2006, 01:55 AM

Very Cool Forum !
First post here....

Yes the owner and counter relatives have a really creepy hostile vibe.
Why this is...I don't know. Maybe there are issues we are unaware of.
Some days it seems to travel over to the staff as well.

I worked in a store in South Philly for a while where there was a really rough clientel and brazen shoplifting, yet the owners relatives who worked there still managed to be relativly pleasant most of the time.

Bottom line is they have the selection, they are close to Boston, you will see something interesting there, and it will be REALLY expensive.

As for knowledge of the staff, I take everything I am told with a grain of salt (pun?) because I have been jaded by the industry.

sw300galma

06-28-2006, 09:27 AM

Definaltey can't beat TI's Selection. They have achillies Tangs that i've been looking for...Online places don't even have them!!

scubby

07-18-2006, 10:20 PM

I haven't been on this forum as I moved out of state a few years ago but on a recent vacation to MA I stopped in at TI and absolutely nothing has changed.

I started going to TI when I was in college in the mid 80's. At that time most LFS's had little to no SW and TI's tanks looked better than the New England Aquarium's. I met Mr London and the angry register lady and they have not changed one bit. One of my first puchases (with their advice) was a false perc and a lionfish. Well, as expected the perc lasted all of 2 days.

Dan, unfortunately you are in a no win situation as you must tow the company line. You may deny it but I'm sure the second you leave we will hear a different story.

The drygoods are way overpriced, most of the staff could care less about the customer and will recommend and sell just about anything.

speculation removed

FWIW, the tree and sand in the handicap spot have been their for 20 years so "redpaulhus" it's time to bring your chainsaw.

FooManChoo

07-24-2006, 05:55 AM

They make money because they'll sell anyone anything. I was starting up a 29g reef about a year ago, and they tried to get me to buy an Ehein Pro 2 2026, saying it was the best thing I could do for my tank. Never mentioned a fuge, lights, skimmer..... I've rarely gotten friendly service.
Second hand info removed.
The drygoods are WAY expensive, and there's no excuse for it. Second hand info removed.

Please read the rules of this forum. You can't type things you've heard from other people or try to guess other people's motivations. First hand experience only. Thanks.

fanaglethebagle

07-24-2006, 11:26 AM

It is very hard to stay away from, because they have everything. If I desprately need something ill go there and pay the extra 10$.

Fitzy

07-25-2006, 02:19 AM

Quote removed, It was 2nd hand info.

False. I know on several occations i have talked to dan for atleast an hour at a time.

fanaglethebagle

07-25-2006, 10:45 AM

False. I know on several occations i have talked to dan for atleast an hour at a time.

This happens to alot of people including me, you cannot declare another persons experience "false" because you disagree.

sw300galma

07-25-2006, 11:17 AM

This happens to alot of people including me, you cannot declare another persons experience "false" because you disagree.

I don't think he was declaring his experience False...

Foomanchoo's second hand info removed.

Moe_K

07-25-2006, 11:31 AM

Please read the rules of this forum.
What you've heard people tell you about a vendor is not a first hand experience - so it's not allowed.
Thanks for your cooperation.

Andy O

07-25-2006, 11:35 AM

I have been helped by Leo and Jason in the past and have to say that I have never felt rushed. On numerous occassions Jason has spent a considerable amount of time with me and on one occassion probably close to an hour. It can get pretty hectic in there so it is possible that they have to try and keep everyone happy and speed things up a bit. I'm sure a lot of it depends on how many customers are in the store at any given time.

Paul K

07-25-2006, 07:57 PM

I've gone to Tropic Isle on and off for 20+ years. I can honestly say I have never had a truly good customer service experience there. At best I've gotten disinterested employees that I had to practically drag into the fish aisle to help me (even when it was me and 2-3 other customers in the store) and at worst they have been downright rude.

I've pretty much given up on them, I'll sometimes trade off shopping experience satisfaction in exchange for bargains, but Tropic isn't the place one finds bargains either.

sleepy

07-25-2006, 08:10 PM

Ok, so ive been to Ti many a time. I really enjoyed TI when i came as a novice FW hobbyist. The selection was explosive and as a beginner i never thought twice before paying their high prices. There was one really nice fish person working there that took care of me, the rest never aproched to help me. Now that i think of it, ive always had to go looking for someone to help me, spending at least 5 minutes waiting around for an available fish person.
About the lady at the cash register- why is she so evil? I signed up for the membership 3 times and never got my card in the mail!!! roar. but seriously, anyway there is one fish person there that i really don't like. I must resort to having him help me when no one else is available. For the sake of animosity, i will call him "Bull". Bull always looks angry when i ask him for help, he is open to giving advice but will not explain his reasoning , even when specifically asked to do so, and has in the past been wrong about his advice. I'm not a hater, but i wont be going back to TI. The corals they carry are way too expensive, even the smaller frags (a small xenia costs like $40!) and the one good fish person is not enough to bring me back, especially because the prices are not very good.

jimmyj7090

07-25-2006, 08:58 PM

IME jason and leo have been quite helpful and polite, both have taken time to talk with me as long as I waited my turn. I haven't talked with Dan because I'm not sure who he is, but from this thread he sounds like he would be helpful also.

All other criticisms aside, IME if you find the right people at TI you can get good customer service.

Edit; my comment here applies to reccent experiences only, in the past it hasn't felt so friendly.

APISTOBORELLI

07-25-2006, 09:01 PM

Edited. As an LFS employee, the rules say you cannot post in another store's thread - even if you are just quoting someone to make a point, you're still making a point about another store. Sorry.

Paul K

07-26-2006, 09:25 PM

All other criticisms aside, IME if you find the right people at TI you can get good customer service.

IMHO you shouldn't have to cherry pick through the staff at a place like TI to seek out the "right" people to get treated with courtesy and appreciation for your business. Maybe that's just me. :confused:

I understand seeking out the more knowledgable employees if you have a question (though I'm many years past asking LFS store employees for opinions) but EVERY employee at a retail business should have basic personal skills in dealing with customers.

Andy O

07-26-2006, 11:03 PM

I think it is like anywhere you shop. You can find good people and those that are not so helpful. As has been mentioned previously, it doesn't appear to seem like that big of a deal to management. They appear to be a high volume dealer and have not been around this long for lack of sales. You have to remember that people in this forum are a very, very small percentage of their customer base. I guess if they don't think the wheel is broken why fix it.

By no means am i saying that TI is a bad store, you just need to be prepared for what you may or may not be in for when you go there.

Jeepman3sk

07-26-2006, 11:20 PM

I personally do not like TI however...I went there the other day for help with my ich and they were very helpful with everything. Showed me everything that I needed adn even said good luck let me know how it goes. Their price on the meds were good too compair to another LFS that I will not name. I went to the other place too to get as much info as I could plus the forums. Over all both LFS showed me great service ad information for treatments. Thanks TI.

APISTOBORELLI

07-26-2006, 11:24 PM

Oops, sorry Moe. I didn't think about that.

deadhermitwalkin

07-26-2006, 11:32 PM

I never been there... Edited.

Edited, and attachment removed. First hand experiences only, and no bashing please. Check out the rules to this forum. Thanks.

snick1734

07-27-2006, 09:36 AM

we went in there the other day just to look around. We have been in their several other times when it was busy but we were only browsing so it was not a big deal as far as getting help. But we decided to buy some livestock and had some questions about ro/di systems. No one will ask if you if you need help you need to approch them. I like it this way anyways. Overall staff memeber was pleasant, new their stuff and check out was half bad either. our purschases are doing great as well. :D

reeffan

07-27-2006, 02:37 PM

I have been to TI too many times ... Usually if I want to see something first hand before ordering from somewhere else! the reason she is so evil is because she has total job security ... That is Ellis's wife! please refrain from hearsay. Thanks, Nate LOL. yes she can be a little on the "evil" but go and talk to her about buying a custom acrylic 3,500.00 and she becomes a very sweet lady. I think I saw her smile a few times!

But all kidding aside, they have a great store the help maybe lacking in personality at times, but for the market and location they are right on target with their pricing. I know where they are ordering Most of theie dry goods and live stock from and I have to tell its a tough business to be in. its those guys there that work they're are not making 60k a yr with pension. so I would really just take it as a store doing what it must to do to stay afloat!

I am not shilling for them ... I just understand because I have been there. also sometimes ppl do not realize they are rude and its hard to believe but yes its true.

Ok, so ive been to Ti many a time. I really enjoyed TI when i came as a novice FW hobbyist. The selection was explosive and as a beginner i never thought twice before paying their high prices. There was one really nice fish person working there that took care of me, the rest never aproched to help me. Now that i think of it, ive always had to go looking for someone to help me, spending at least 5 minutes waiting around for an available fish person.
About the lady at the cash register- why is she so evil? I signed up for the membership 3 times and never got my card in the mail!!! roar. but seriously, anyway there is one fish person there that i really don't like. I must resort to having him help me when no one else is available. For the sake of animosity, i will call him "Bull". Bull always looks angry when i ask him for help, he is open to giving advice but will not explain his reasoning , even when specifically asked to do so, and has in the past been wrong about his advice. I'm not a hater, but i wont be going back to TI. The corals they carry are way too expensive, even the smaller frags (a small xenia costs like $40!) and the one good fish person is not enough to bring me back, especially because the prices are not very good.

dz6t

07-30-2006, 12:51 AM

TI had the 20% off coupon for BRS members attending the meeting today. It is very nice for them to support the club. I just want to give them a thumbs up.

seahorse1

08-01-2006, 11:02 AM

i went in there after the meeting on the 29th and two guys walked by me and asked if I needed help. The place was very busy and it was nice to be acknowledged. I also had the 20% off coupon and bought a few pieces of dry rock and saved $8.00. I think they also have a very good selection of corals, a bit pricey but a good selection.

FooManChoo

08-01-2006, 04:47 PM

I'll apologize about that secondhand info.... it was told to me by a former employee, and I did mention that I thought that policy had ended <though I can't mention which policy that is, since it's secondhand....> Trust me, I'm thrilled that Dan talked to you for at least an hour. That's how it should be.

- j
p.s. I have gotten good service from Jason, the young guy <about my age>. I suggest anybody seek him or Leo out for advice.

FooManChoo

08-01-2006, 04:49 PM

loru1588

08-02-2006, 12:10 AM

Oh, and first-hand, it was Dan who recommended the Pro 2 for my 29g reef. Nitrate factory... again, this is all opinion, but is that really the best thing for a person trying to get started with a reef? Recommend something that stockpiles nitrates? Why?
- j

Trueth be told, any filter can become a Nitrate factory if not properly maintained. Even live rock if stacked too tightly can accumulate detritis and uneaten food if not allowed to have a good flow through it.

I don't remember the circumstances behind my suggestion, but a 29 is a small tank so maybe I was aiming to give you the most flow as well as biological reserve/additional water reserve. I honestly don'y remember. I do know I have several service clients who maintain low (less than 15 ppm) nitrate levels using a canister filter as their main filtration source.

Go figure!?

sw300galma

08-02-2006, 06:23 PM

Trueth be told, any filter can become a Nitrate factory if not properly maintained. Even live rock if stacked too tightly can accumulate detritis and uneaten food if not allowed to have a good flow through it.

I don't remember the circumstances behind my suggestion, but a 29 is a small tank so maybe I was aiming to give you the most flow as well as biological reserve/additional water reserve. I honestly don'y remember. I do know I have several service clients who maintain low (less than 15 ppm) nitrate levels using a canister filter as their main filtration source.

Go figure!?

Without getting into a debate over canister filters...I would have to agree with Dan, I don't think that's "BAD" advice....I run canister filters on all my tanks and recommend them to everyone as well, for the above reason stated by Dan, Ease of use compared to a sump, extra biological filtration, no chance of over flowing and more flow. As long as it's stated that you must maintain it...like everything else...

Especially for a 29G and a beginner.

dave601m

08-03-2006, 12:41 PM

Just thought i'd throw this out there, when I was at TI after the meeting, I got offered help from about 3 or 4 different people in a time of about 10 minutes. That impressed me. All of the fish were very healthy looking, and there was some neat stuff I don't usually see every day. Even the weird sizes of tanks I was looking for were in stock. On the whole, I thought this was a nice place.

saltnut

08-03-2006, 12:52 PM

I got a CBS good price and some frozen cyclopeeze and then with my 20% off coupon walked out pretty happy. They had alot of corals as said already some seemed a little pricey but very nice looking stock. Helpful and nice staff

RichConley

08-03-2006, 03:14 PM

They had alot of corals as said already some seemed a little pricey but very nice looking stock. Helpful and nice staff

Just wanted to put in that TI generally has a much larger coral stock than they've had the last few weeks. They had some tank heat issues (I think they lost an AC or Chiller) and lost a lot of coral.

Dan, I'm sure you can give a clearer picture than I can.

Fitzy

08-03-2006, 05:09 PM

Ill second what rich said...

Went there yesterday, and was supprised at the lack of coral. Usually a lot better. Caint wait till it comes back

loru1588

08-04-2006, 01:02 AM

Yeah, the compressor on the main a/c unit blew 2 Thursdays ago and AGAIN last Friday. Some tanks went up to 92F !!! 2 van loads of ice, massive water changes, and about 12 portable fans later we got things under reasonable control. Aquacultured corals slowly died off after a few days. Fish faired better for the most part. We didn't order for 2 weeks waiting for things to balance out. So far so good. HUGE shipments of fish, corals, and inverts due to come in next week. I'll try and post a list in the vender section if possible.

Thanks,

Dan

asyrianphoenix

08-12-2006, 09:21 PM

I went to Tropic Isle tonight with a coupon that I printed off the web at 7:00pm. I received the coupon in an email and the deal was buy 1 Marine Fish get one FREE. I thought....It must be too good to be true, but I drove out there anyway.

I pick out two fish and my friend does the same. The coupon said limit 4 sets of 2. So we arrive at the counter with 4 fish all priced at 39.95. The lady at the counter says, "That coupon is a misprint by our publishing company and we are not doing that deal. Instead we are doing buy one get one 1/2 off". At this point I am still very calm. I say, "You have to honor an advertised price because: 1.) I am a loyal customer (It said so on the top of my coupon) and I spend $100 bucks a week here. 2.) Its the law, false advertisement?

So she goes and gets the manager. Same story. We are not going to honor that coupon it?s not our fault the print house messed it up. Me, "Well call the print house and tell them they are liable for the difference". Lady, "we are not going to honor the coupon.

Last straw. If you are not willing to budge on a $40 difference I am going to walk out of this store and I will not come back. Evil Lady, "that?s fine". Me, "My friend and I spend hundreds here every month this is stupid. You are loosing good customers at the price of $20 each. She takes the fish from me and says, "Fine don't come back"

Bottom line:
If a store is so unwilling to keep you as a customer then why would you shop there? They do have a few people there who really know their stuff, but they shouldn't be able to run a business so poorly. Personally, I'd like to see them go out of business over $40 but I'm sure that won't happen. Just be warned...Oh they also dosed all their tanks with Malachite Green just as I left so you can bet that if you don't quarantine the fish you get from there you will be guaranteed to get ICK (I saw it on dozens of fish, check out the butterflies).

I'm not big on holding grudges. So Tropic Isle...Offer the deal that you passed me up on, 2 for the price of 1, to everyone on Boston reefers and I will return as a customer.

Andy O

08-12-2006, 09:35 PM

Since they are aware of the misprint they probably should have had something posted at the register. Furthermore, they should also have sent a follow up email to the email list informing of the misprint and that they would be unable to honor but in lieu you can get 1/2 off. Is there any type of disclaimer on the email or coupon about misprints? As far as I am concerned they probably should have honored it for people that made a fuss. Good will can go a long way and as we know from reading 9 pages worth of TI posts there seem to be a lot more members negatively posting here than are praising TI.

Brid96

08-12-2006, 11:52 PM

I had a very similar expirience as Pheonix. I got the coupon last night and had to read it twice. Tropical Isle with an actual good deal. I was talking to Leo about the coupon and said that I couldn't believe it. He said that it was a misprint but that they would probably honor since I am in there all the time (3 times since last sunday, its on my way home from work.) I had picked out a two fish that I was i brought them to the front and showed the woman (from my expirience with her has never been in a good mood) my coupon. She told me taht it was a misprint and that they would not honor it. I also told her that I got it yesterday and that they should really take it out on the advertising company and not their loyal customers. She refused to budge on the topic and I did not buy the fish. The guys working in the with the fish are great hardworkers and always have good information for me if I need it but their management continues to disapoint and frustrate me. It is a shame that they do not treat their customers better especially the ones that drive by thier store everyday after work. I am not sure how many more times I can bite my lip with the management there.

I will reiterate what pheonix said I'm not big on holding grudges. So Tropic Isle...Offer the deal that you passed me up on, 2 for the price of 1, to everyone on Boston reefers and I will return as a customer.

Hoping that they do the right thing. Is a couple hundred bucks really worth loosing customers, maybe they are still hard up after the airconditioner incident.

stevenp

08-13-2006, 09:13 AM

I have that coupon printed and sitting in my printer tray as I type this. I was going to take a trip down there today but won't waste my time now. Thanks for the heads up.

Steve

StBear6409

08-13-2006, 01:22 PM

sw300galma

08-15-2006, 05:40 AM

I enjoy the selection at Tropic Isle and there are some employees who I seek out to work with, because they are just star employees. As per the other ones, they work there. Dry goods and such are over priced.

Green Manderains are hard to keep, I'd love to own one but I've never been able to get the nesisary live food for them. I even hired a painter to make a custom painting of that fish because I've never been able to keep one...what system have you set up for that beautiful dragon?

I would recommend Tropic Isle as a local free aquarium. . .kind of a "This is what's out there" type of place.

As per the cupon thing...that's nuts. They should have been willing to give in, based upon false advertisment(which the BBB will not enjoy hearing about), loyal customer, and who you are associated with. They've not only lost your patronage, but StevenP's aswell.

It really stinks have such and awsome store with one or 2 people to mess up a Team of really awsome people...

I can see both sides of the stories to this...Putting myself in the owners shoes and potentially loosing $10,000's in fish to this coupon. I'm not sure what i'd do...Imagine going in ab buying a $300 fish and getting one free?

What they should have done is instead of just flatly denying everyone is offer Something else...

So it could have went like this

Customer "I'd like to use this coupon?"
Clerk "Oh I'm sorry that was a mistake on the publishers behalf, we are truly sorry for this mishap...Instead we are Offering X offer in hopes that you can forgive us for this awful mistake, we would love to honor this coupon, but with our selection it would be impossible and with enough use could severely impact our business"

Now if the customer didn't understand then give it too them...But they should be ass kissing at this point...Yes it's not thier fault...but it IS there responsibity for damage control.

AND post it on the Door, Signs on the Store, Next to all the fish.

So that a customer isn't buying fish thinking they are going to use it and get to the counter and get embarrassed.

Also too the Fish guys should be alerted and let each and every customer...(like if they are picking 2 of everything) know before hand..

When it comes down it it people are understanding...but you have to look like you've gone out of your way to make up for it..

stang8s

08-15-2006, 07:08 AM

Publisher for an email??? Sounds ummm fishy..

rjdudek

08-15-2006, 09:06 AM

Although I did not receive a retraction by e-mail I would think by now the store has sent out a correction to everyone in the database that was sent the original. It must have been filtered out on my e-mails.

You can look at this as a learning experience. Review marketing material before it goes to the global. A moment to proof advertising prevents people from the perception of bait and switch.

Andy O

08-15-2006, 09:16 AM

I got a retraction email yesterday alerting people to the mistake.

hullreef

08-15-2006, 12:21 PM

Very mixed feelings about Tropical Isle also. Never really had problems with the sales staff, but management/owner. Just to share, I was there 6-7years ago and an older lady along with an older man (assuming manager/owner because the lady was telling the clerks what to do) was very rude. I got a store credit $100 from a friend and wanted to transfer in my name so I can use it in the future. I went into the store to ask and the lady said all I need was for my friend to sign the back of the slip and it would be fine. I drove to my friends house, came back in one hour with his signature. She VERY rudely said... anyone could have signed that slip and give me the evil eye & rolling her eyes. So she had to call my friend to confirm before issuing me the store credit. I bought something with that store credit and never been there since.

sw300galma

08-15-2006, 03:28 PM

Publisher for an email??? Sounds ummm fishy..

I'm in the computer field...they do have services that provide this...especially for the computer illiterate, or just in general who dont have time to send emails to 1000 people.

So I believe it 100%

fanaglethebagle

08-15-2006, 09:30 PM

AND post it on the Door, Signs on the Store, Next to all the fish.

10 cents on paper :eek:
What do you think? The double-standard prices get them enough money for those 5 sheets, possibly laminated?

sw300galma

08-16-2006, 01:55 AM

10 cents on paper :eek:
What do you think? The double-standard prices get them enough money for those 5 sheets, possibly laminated?

Good point I didn't think of that..

Laminated!! now you are just getting out of control!!, that could be an extra 10 cents!! on top of the 10 cents...that'd be $1 for 5 sheets...

Comeon now be reasonable! :p

MichaelFreedman

08-16-2006, 06:39 AM

Brid96

08-16-2006, 08:21 AM

Its good to see tha they have posted some more signs. When i was there on saturday they had one at the register. It was a little latea since we had all the fish in the bags. I have a feeling that I may have been the first person to try and use this coupon. I asked one of the fish guys and he had not seen it before. While I was there picking out my fish someone came back and told them all there was a misprint. I asked on of the guys about the coupon and he said that it was a misprint but since I come there alot they should be fine, especially since the free fish I had was $40. Their management needs to use their heads every once in a while and stop thinking that just because they are the only saltwater fish store in the area they can treat their customers like crap. Use some judgement, you can honor your coupon and loose $40 today but 3 days later I may be back to buy the corals I was Eying. I will be going to skiptons or sea creatures from now on.

Matt L.

08-16-2006, 12:07 PM

Edited. First hand experience only, please, in accordance with the forum rules.
Now I have never made the trip to Tropic Isle, so I cannot address the complaints.

Moe_K

08-16-2006, 02:37 PM

Matt's post was edited, and three responses to his post were removed.
First hand experience only, please, folks.
If any of you guys who responded want to re-phrase and reply again with your experiences, that'd be dandy.
I didn't want to edit and put words in your mouths.

randomrambler

08-16-2006, 05:14 PM

Wow, I just read through this post and I'm suprised that most of the posts are negative. I definately have mixed experiences at tropic isle, but the good ones make up for the fact that there are bad ones. I have fairly bad experiences when there are busy nights often (for instance, one time I waited 45 minutes just to get a false perc bagged). I haven't had a problem with the ladies who work there, they seem to be fairly friendly, although much of the time they don't talk much, that doesn't imply rudeness. I even get a little smile some of the time. I don't know the names of any of the employees really (do they have nametags?) but I got help from either the manager or the assistant manager (think it was the ass. manager) choosing my first coral (I decided on xenia) and he spent about 15 minutes or so going over care, feeding, advice, etc. That was a really good experience. Much of the time, the prices ARE overpriced, but so are most lfs' I have personally been to. I have only had to return one fish dead (a false perc who had some fin rot), and although I got some crap for it (I didn't remember I was supposed to bring a clean sample of water from my tank, stupid me, but also the fact that he said "none of these fish have fin rot, it must be your fault"), the salesperson finally let me get my fish in return, and the fish has been doing great since (this was a few months ago). I have personally never bought dry goods there, as often petco and petsmart sell the same or similar things cheaper, but I normally see very healthy fish there. One suggestion is I wish they would post prices and incoming stock online, otherwise I have to travel 30-40 minutes to check to see if there's anything I want (and that involves getting either a ride from my dad or his gf).

fanaglethebagle

08-18-2006, 10:20 PM

Wow, can you say reform?

I go in tonight, much more staff, different *nice* lady at the counter.
They have these nanos set up that are pretty cool. Everything besides the prices seem better (almost great :) )
If only they got rid of that darn aiptasia :(

Andy O

08-18-2006, 10:21 PM

There is actually one woman there who always seems pleasent. I don't think that she is there on the weekend. I have only seen her on some weeknights.

ahmer1781

08-21-2006, 05:46 PM

I have read these posts so many times but for some reason I thought I should go see myself. I called a few times because I could not find the store, the lady on the phone was rude, did not help me, and kept hanging up. I get there to see the lady talking on the phone to her friend for at least 25 minutes!! She was in a rush on the phone to me because she was on a personal call...anger starts to build up.

I then take a walk around the fish sections. Of course, everyone was correct, they have a billion fish and some good selection. I did get real sad at those tiny fish tanks that had really large fish in them. I got sad at the anemone tanks, they were so disgusting. What killed me was a dead cinnamon clown...

Then the guy comes over and I asked him about lighting. So far, with my full setup and fish I've spent maybe $700, not bad, I'm not counting maintenance materials (salt, calcium, etc..) This guy tries to convince me to spend $1250, when I say that's too much he switches to different light for $1000....overall I was disappointed. Then to add insult to injury, as I go to checkout to buy my bristleworm trap, the girl at the counter does not say a word to me, does not say thank you, just gives me my change and I walk out.

sleepy

08-21-2006, 09:29 PM

warned ya man...

sw300galma

09-05-2006, 10:48 PM

Was just there a few days ago again...And I must say it was a very pleasant experience...I was helped immediatly and was not rushed while I was looking.

The register lady was very pleasant as well..

Thanks TI, I hope it stays like this!

besl

09-06-2006, 08:44 AM

sw300galma

09-06-2006, 09:04 AM

sw300galma, out of curiosity do you have any affiliation with TI. It just strikes me odd, that periodically throughout this thread you post a positive comment after a series of people post their negative experiences. In fact I had a string of posts within this thread that wasn't at all favorable to TI and you posted a message that we should take the conversation off line through PMs. Please don't take any offense to this - it just strikes me odd and I wanted to know if you have any personal stake in TI.

Actually it's funny you say that....I really do not... I live in brockton, and I am at TI almost weekly. I also post alot in the Skiptons threads as well and they are competetiors.

If you have noticed I do post ALL my gripes...on the other hand, it woudln't be fair to any place if you didn't post your Good experiences.

I think alot of people forget and only take the time to post thier gripes which isn't fair to the people reading the thread who are thinking of going to these places.

The most important thing to me is that I'm taken seriously..If a person just complains all the time then when they have a complaint, it get ignored because all they do it piss and moan. If you are positive most of the time and when you have a gripe they are more apapt to listen.

Many people on this board have been to my house and know the Sheer amount of $$$ I have to spend to maintain what I have, I expect to be taken care of.

besl

09-06-2006, 12:37 PM

sw300galma, fair enough... I appreciate your clarification and it appears your experience is far different with TI than mine. I stated my personal experience previously on this thread and won't repeat it here, but needless to say I no longer shop at TI.

jimmyj7090

09-06-2006, 02:07 PM

I've had positive things to say before too, it just gets buried in complaints.

Leo and Jason seem to be good sales people (I leave loru out only because I haven't talked with him).

Dry goods are super expensive, but they have a lot of stuff on hand when you need it right away. Anybody who buys a $1000 light fixture or something like that there, really should have done some homework before hand anyway.

They have a lot of fish in stock at any given time. Like any store - you need to QT or diseases could come with the fish - like any store.

People complain a lot about the people at the counter, I find them to be ok but not butt kissing.

IMO the consensus is they have a lot of inventory, but as informed consumers we need to; know what we are buying, know they have a big retail mark up, know that any LFS fish can be sick, and not blame them if we overpay for stuff. Also don't go in there expecting to get pampered, know what you want and ask someone to bag it if your going to buy it. Don't expect them to explain how to keep a reef tank in 10 minutes.