Terrible experience at Aquarium Gallery - Hudson, NH

[Sherri]

My fish was not beaten up so I think it will sell easily. We know you are in a difficult position. The retail business is very tough especially when you are talking about living creatures. And changing policies is difficult as not everyone reads signs!

I simply haven't been into the store much at all -- probably once since the 1st of Jan -- but I did not notice any signs! Been trying to stave off coral disasters frankly and don't want to add anything.

You all have been dealing with a lot and I understand your frustration and the difficulty of saving the business. I have several businesses and it is a lot of headaches. I always say that running a business would be great if you did not have to deal with customers or employees!

Just take care of us regulars who have spent money with you -- I think that is the request -- and I look forward to seeing your new policy!

 

[Myk]

Thank you Sherry, and your kind words mean more than you know right now.
Thank you for understanding.

Myk

My fish was not beaten up so I think it will sell easily. We know you are in a difficult position. The retail business is very tough especially when you are talking about living creatures. And changing policies is difficult as not everyone reads signs!

I simply haven't been into the store much at all -- probably once since the 1st of Jan -- but I did not notice any signs! Been trying to stave off coral disasters frankly and don't want to add anything.

You all have been dealing with a lot and I understand your frustration and the difficulty of saving the business. I have several businesses and it is a lot of headaches. I always say that running a business would be great if you did not have to deal with customers or employees!

Just take care of us regulars who have spent money with you -- I think that is the request -- and I look forward to seeing your new policy!

 

[rjdudek]

I have been in the store a number of times since January 4th. I never noticed a change in signs, nor was told about a change. Since so many things are changing so fast for you all maybe you could print the policy on a piece of colored paper and change the color each time you change the policy. I just bought few things in Salem and was given a business card with the policy on it, works well for that store.

Offered with some reservation, As this thread shows, and my personal experience bears out offering feedback generally is not taken well by this group unless it is warm and fuzzy.

 

[Sherri]

A suggestion for future policy changes -- have a transition period -- keep your regulars informed -- announce it online - bright pieces of paper as Rob says -- neon signs in the shape of a fish ... anything to get our eyes off of the fish and corals and paying attention!

And you are welcome Myk. I will still be a customer I promise.

 

[okuma2977]

-Removed info about other stores- Keep info to the store listed in the title-

Updated edit - Per forum rules just post your first hand experiences, not your opinion on what others are posting.

 

[reefer90]

Opinion on discussion removed.

 

[Moe_K]

Once again, folks:

1) Only post first hand experiences with Aquarium Gallery in this thread.
2) Do not comment on other posts - that's discussion that should go in a new thread that you create in some other forum!!!

 

[MarkO]

OK, Moe.

I went to the AG about 2 or 3 weeks ago. Nice guy at the register. Very good with questions. Had the kids, so couldn't stay for long (wish I could). Seemed to be a better experience than my first (right after they first opened). Kind enough to give me my BRS discount without my card (Thanks Pete who vouched for me. .

 

[Snidgetless]

I wasn't aware there was a BRS discount at AG...

 

[MarkO]

I wasn't aware there was a BRS discount at AG...

I wasn't either. But sure enough I wasn't charged the full price. I believe the discount was 10%, if not, maybe someone from AG can pipe in?

 

[RayD]

Yeah, i am pretty sick of going back and forth on the subject too. It is clear to me you guys are just not getting what we are talking about. Honestly, Mental1 and myself are not even talking about bringing back a dead fish, or even something that is sick. You can research a fish a thousand times over and he may be a perfect fit for your tank and its inhabitants. But if you bring the fish home and it just flat out does not get along with the other guys, how is that anybodies fault? It is not ours, it is certainly not yours. Why not take the fish back pending health and in some way compensate. You get to sell it twice at a marked up price, how about a 10% store credit, couple gal of water, a frag? Anything to make us feel like you care more about the people and less about the profit...

You tell me what other store allows you to do that. Buy a fish and a week or 2 or 3 weeks later allows you to bring it back just because it fights, or you don't like it anymore, or whatever the flavor of the day is.

I can't think of not a single one and I've been to them all. That just isn't how it's done. Wouldn't be long before people will be "leasing" fishes and returning them for "compensation" when they get sick of it. 99.9% of LFS that sell marine animals have a no return or warranty policy. Period.

We care plenty about the people (just check my track record) but we also have to care about the business and the best interest of keeping the lights on.

Think it's easy? You try it.

Any other vendors care to chime in on that?


RayD OUT ...

 

[Sherri]

I think you are confusing returning a fish with consignment. Many other stores do consignment. He never asked for a full refund - neither did I. You guys just need to tell everyone you won't do consignment but for some reason that seems to be an impossible thing to a) understand that that is what both Snidgetless and I are talking about or b) communicate your unwillingness to do.

 

[pvh]

OK, Moe.

I went to the AG about 2 or 3 weeks ago. Nice guy at the register. Very good with questions. Had the kids, so couldn't stay for long (wish I could). Seemed to be a better experience than my first (right after they first opened). Kind enough to give me my BRS discount without my card (Thanks Pete who vouched for me. .

Anytime Mark. The guy you spoke to was Marc. Great guy to do business with. I always get great service from Marc whenever I'm there. Sometime the store is busy but be patience and they'll give you the same service as the guy before you.

 

[ExarKun]

Post removed. If it's not about peronal exp with the store being discussed it is not allowed in the VE forum.

 

[Myk]

I think you are confusing returning a fish with consignment. Many other stores do consignment. He never asked for a full refund - neither did I. You guys just need to tell everyone you won't do consignment but for some reason that seems to be an impossible thing to a) understand that that is what both Snidgetless and I are talking about or b) communicate your unwillingness to do.

As of Monday we have agreed to refund the full $60 to the customer.


Myk

 

[HalfLung]

I have had nothing but good experiences with AG both past and present. I have brought in frags for consignment only to have traded for something, that caught my eye while I was in the store. Very satisified customer.

 

[Sherri]

What is the current consignment policy?

 

[Myk]

What is the current consignment policy?

No Consignments due to Liabilty. You can see me in the store Tuesday thru Sunday if you have any more policy issues you may need handled. Always happy to help Sherry.

Myk

 

[Myk]

I have had nothing but good experiences with AG both past and present. I have brought in frags for consignment only to have traded for something, that caught my eye while I was in the store. Very satisified customer.

Thank you very much for the kind words, and hope to see you soon sir.


Myk

 

[Myk]

I wasn't either. But sure enough I wasn't charged the full price. I believe the discount was 10%, if not, maybe someone from AG can pipe in?

Not to sound Rude, but I am sure it will look that way. The BRS is less than 5% of our business, and at times can go several days before we even see a Forum member of any kind. some Saturdays we see a 100 customers not 1 from the board. I know that sounds odd, but it is true I hope Ray039 chimes in on this.
We have also learned that most folks on the forum buy from one another, or from the internet stores offering large drygood discounts. Some support the store, and we are grateful for that. So, we don't know who is a BRS member or not unless they say something. The Brs discount has long been in effect way before I got here with no signs of the policy to be seen. I also know it changed a few times over the year to: No discount, to discount, To we have somethig better on the way. All of which once again happened far before my time.
I'd like to thank everyone for the questions, and policy ideas please remember this is a Job for most of us, and not a hobby. It's always easy to take shots at us from 60 miles away on a post, but please remember we work hard to please you folks. We here at AG also understand that this is your hard earned dollars that you are spending, and need a reliable soure for good Livestock.

Please take care, and hope we all get back to reefing soon


Myk