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Tropic Isle aquarium - Framingham, MA
- Thread starter amallapaty
- Start date
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.
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.
sw300galma
Sgt. Tang Police
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!
The register lady was very pleasant as well..
Thanks TI, I hope it stays like this!
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.
sw300galma
Sgt. Tang Police
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.
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.
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.
Fitzy
Non-member
I agree with Jimmy and sw300galma..
I go to TI weekly (Well, when im around). Thy have a huge selection, and just about every part you could possiblt need. Dan, JD and Leo to name a few, are always a great help in the fish room.
Prices, yes they are high, but they've been in business for atleast 30 years, so they must be doing something right. Plus, with a livestock like that, think of the overhead that teh store must carry. And your not even seeing what is located out back.
All in all, i have had neg and pos at TI, but def more pos then neg. Its a store that i always go back to.
I go to TI weekly (Well, when im around). Thy have a huge selection, and just about every part you could possiblt need. Dan, JD and Leo to name a few, are always a great help in the fish room.
Prices, yes they are high, but they've been in business for atleast 30 years, so they must be doing something right. Plus, with a livestock like that, think of the overhead that teh store must carry. And your not even seeing what is located out back.
All in all, i have had neg and pos at TI, but def more pos then neg. Its a store that i always go back to.
