Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You forgot about this one...

Store has good customer service: important.

One thing I noticed about Trigger's post, he only stated the things that he's actually seen at the store. He's not flaming or accusing anybody of anything.

I'm not trying to steer everybody away from J&L, or trying to talk sh*t just because I want to. I just wanted to say that J&L has some of the worst customer service that I've ever encountered...with the exception of a particular restauarant that I used be a regular at...but that's a different story [img]smile.gif[/img]

I'll still go back there to get all I need to get, they do have the best stuff, some of the best prices, and selection is great. I just won't spend any more time in there than I need to.

Maybe they just like to pick and choose who they wnat to be friendly to. They definitely didn't choose me.

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Mason, you {and anyone else) are entitled to your opinions. I have no problem with any of you stating that you don't feel you've been treated the way you'd like at a particular store. That is not my experience at the said store buy your mileage may vary.

Triggers expose on behind the scenes dealings is cheese. True or not, it is not neccessary. I just don't get it. He's not saying he is treated poorly, he's saying, (and I paraphrase) "these guys treat me fine but laugh and gesture at some of you guys behind your back". What is this a school yard?

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

the first two times I went to J&L, I was not impressed with the attatude at all, but then I went back with Brad and they remembered who I was (after only two visits in 3 months) and they were much more friendly and helpfull. off first impression if there was another place as good and as cheep I would probably have never gone back bu after being there 3 times and seeing the change I have no problems with them at all. when you think about it there is only what.. 3 people who actualy work there and they are busy as heck every time I have been there so I can understand if they don't sit and take to everyone who walks in the store.. if they did that they would never get anything done.

Steve

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Although I have had similar experiences with J&L's customer service (or seemingly lack thereof), the fact remains I will continue to shop there for the quality, prices and knowledge.

But something of particular interest, did anybody notice on the website that they are now (again) carrying Red Sea Prizm and Prizm Pro protein skimmers? Next time I'm in there I'd like to ask John about that as I know they stopped selling them last year based on John's opinion that "they are crap" when I asked about them (I was already using one, and solicited his opinion as an experienced reefkeeper and retailer of the product)

Just made me laugh when I saw them advertising them again last week. :rolleyes:

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Ya know, I was gonna stay out of this but after the email I got today I have to say that the customer service at J&L is second to none. After ordering and receiving 50lbs of live rock from J&L (which is excellent by the way. It totally rocks :D )) three weeks ago I noticed this week on their website that they had reduced the prices on their live rock. I'll say I was a bit irked that I missed out on that but no biggie, it wasn't major dollars. However, today, THREE weeks after ordering and receiving it, I got an email from Allen telling me that he had credited my account for the difference reflecting the new price. I must say that is probably the best dang customer service I have ever heard of. Hey maybe they don't greet me with a marching band or hang on every word I have to say when I go into their store, but they have excellent advice (on both their products and used items I have purchased from others) as well as all other sorts of little tidbits of information that I can glean from them.
Hey maybe I'm biased. We don't exactly have a plethora of reef stores on this side of the water. And for some, their customer service is practically nonexistent (no, Brad I'm not talking about Hillside here [img]tongue.gif[/img] ).

Christy [img]smile.gif[/img]

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Christy, just to let you know, my opinion of Hillside since Mike left has degraded somewhat!

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Andrew, the Prizm/low-end skimmer thing came up in a conversation and they carry them because despite their efforts people insisted on them. Not everyone is buying Bullets and Aerofoamers.

PS: I've been busy lately but I promise I'll make it over with the refractometer one of these days soon.

Hey maybe they don't greet me with a marching band or hang on every word I have to say when I go into their store, but they have excellent advice (on both their products and used items I have purchased from others) as well as all other sorts of little tidbits of information that I can glean from them.

Egg-Zactly Christy, perfectly said.

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Ditto on what Christy said. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

I was not terribly impressed with King Ed.I once bought a feather duster from them, I watched in horror as the old guy[don't know his name],spent a good 5 minutes trying to pull it off a rock.I felt sick watching knowing full well it could never survive what he was doing to it.When I placed it in my tank it never opened and after about 3 weeks I threw it in the garbage.On another visit I wanted to buy an Anenome for my Clown, I noticed they had a very tiny bubbletip for sale.I asked the old guy[don't know his name],if it would grow larger as my clown would never fit into it,He said in a very rude manner"No,they don't grow at all",he then stormed off and I never saw him after that.The guy was some sort of Fish Nazi,I won't be buying and more livestock from them,or should I say deadstock.And yes I'm a newbie to the hobby.

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

well...what can we say...some people just wont hit it off with others...hey thats human nature.

i'm not using that as an excuse for poor customer service, but that's life.

plus, JL is pretty much an owner/operator shop...if they dont want to be nice to you, it's their loss if they lose you as a paying customer.

hey achilles,
when did you work at big al's..and which one?
sometimes you just gotta take initiative, when i worked there, i fed the fish real well...specially the predators...its just so much fun to watch fish go hunting!!

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Well I pulled the feather duster out after I noticed a greenish grey liquid oozing from the tube,it smelled very bad so I'm quite sure it was dead.Your probably right though,after watching him kill it my gut instinct was to run away and not buy it,but being a newbie I assumed this guy new what he was about.

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Christy, thanks for alerting me to the rock price. I've been wanting to order a box for a while now. I placed my order after reading this message today, and had a reply from Allen in short order. I do not deal there personally, I know they set up retail in the recent past, and know nothing about their day to day operations in-store.

However, if I visit there, I will be carrying a large electric eel.... :D

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

I enjoy all the local fish stores. I spend many of Saturday’s or Sunday’s down at some LFS just to browse and see what people have. I see an interesting coral and I take a mental note of the type and go home and read up on it.

I like J&L because they do have some good stuff. Sometimes I get instant service and other times I could be waving a $100.00 bill and I can’t get any satisfaction. The same holds true at any LFS or any other non-fish store. We shouldn’t base our opinion on 1 or 2 visits.

I do know that you should not bring your kids into J&L when some staff is working (won’t mention names as I don’t want to be flamed). Not cheesing just telling my experience.

But over all, J&L is my number 1 with everyone else #2.

Cheers,
Patrick

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Troy seems to be the only Flamer [img]tongue.gif[/img] .

J&L is still #1 on my list, I just go there last, so my livestock doesn't have to wait in the car :D .

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Nope, I'm definitely heterosexual and I resent the implication, not that there is anything wrong with that.

Look, you're slinging hash at a couple of businessmen that did nothing worse than let you in on a joke with one of their employees. This is their lively hood. Throwing around the kind of stuff you did can ruin a business.

Now if you want to get real personal you can send me an e-mail or PM or even meet me for a coffee [img]smile.gif[/img] (because I generally believe people are a hell of a lot more polite and don't throw around insults in person).

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

LOL, Troy that is not what I meant.

Troy, obviously you did not read my other post, they have done plenty to my face and behind my back as well (I caught them).

I ain't out to take away from there business. They are still #1 on my list as i've already stated many times. If you look through my other posts, you will find nothing but good about them,
I post once on just one of several bad experiences, and you jump all over me, calling me "A backstabber", " A cheese spreader",and "A child". And yes you were the only Flamer. I'm not alone out here.

Yes, coffee one day would be good. To clear this issue up [img]smile.gif[/img] .

[ 26 May 2002, 20:04: Message edited by: TRIGGER_HAPPY ]

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Post has been deleted. If you or anybody even thinks i'm out to get them and ruin their business, then, @$@$ that !%#@. It's gone.

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

What, did you think your comments would be good for business?

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Lets everyone relax and understand that we all don’t have the same views.

This was/is a good forum on peoples opinions on what LFS that they like. No one should totally destroy a store nor should anyone be flamed for their opinion.

Lets all remember we are in this hobby to enjoy it not tog et in a ****ing contest.

Cheers,
Patrick

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

I've had my poor moments at King Ed with some of the staff too. I noticed though that a couple of the staff members there remembered all the pets I have and my tank specs after just one conversation. Now when I go there I always get a friendly hello and a quick report on their new stock that they thought might be good in my tank. That kind of stuff I appreciate.

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Trigger I'm getting a little tired of this. Where was I on the Tonga rock issue? Darren and Titus were handling that and I can't say any more than that. However if someone has a problem with product and it is substantiated; that is what the board is for.

The stuff you brought up, in my opinion had nothing to do with the operation or quality of the store or product provided. I expressed my opinion just as you did. You expressed a negative opinion about J&Ls and I expressed mine about your decision to voice it on a public board. Call it a flame, call it whatever you want but I'm not changing my opinion because you don't like it.

I'll mention one more time just for clarification, the point you brought up originally was a misunderstanding on your part. How many other misunderstandings are there? Which brings up the point that when you start making accusations about a business you'd better be sure that you know what you are talking about.

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

double post

[ 27 May 2002, 07:28: Message edited by: Troy F ]

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Trigger,

I think the usefulness of this thread is nearing an end. If you don't let it drop I will close the thread.

I closed that thread on the LR as the person did not substantiate it and did not have reason to say that other than to start a flame war. End of story.

Troy has asked you to take it OFF the board and you have refused to. Heed his call.

I don't like you calling people at stores Fish Nazi's or bringing up things a store owner does to one of it's own staff as if he was going after a customer. This is a public board but you are using it as some forum to go after and call names of anyone you chose. This is NOT a Jr high where it is cool to insult and berate. If you wish to share on a discussion about stores so be it. You have said J&L is your number one store. Calling store staff, fish Nazi's is not allowed. I let it slide but since you keep bringing this up I will let you know this thread is one mouse click from closure. End of story.

[ 27 May 2002, 18:21: Message edited by: DJ88 ]

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Well, from a consumer point of view, I say Wal-Mart has good customer service. But Canadian Tire doesn't. Anyone that disagrees can meet me at the bike rack after school!!
Darren, do us all a favour and click that mouse..k?

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

C'mon Brad I'll take you on! My mom says I have to be home by dinnertime though [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Darren,
I haven't said a thing about this post? I think you must have meant Trigger. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Steve

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

My apologies Steve. lol

Good LFS in Vancouver??
 

Which post did troy ask me to talk of the board? I never refused to take anything off the board. Please explain. Yes, this post should have closed days ago. Thanks for all your help everyone, I have learned an awfull lot from this board ;) .Including one very valuable lesson.

PS: My tank thanks you the most :D :D :D .