Tropic Isle aquarium - Framingham, MA

[amallapaty]

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]

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

 

[RichConley]

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]

wow 45 min? whats going on over there.

 

[theLIQUIDzoo]

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 a** 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]

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

 

[willray]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Tropical Isle is the pits as far as service

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Greg Hiller]

>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.

>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, , 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]

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]

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]

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]

Not to defend TI, no question they have some problems, , 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.