my last comments weren't directed at you in all honesty! it was intended more towards Dave & as of a general reminder that this thread isn't just about Riverfront's "animal abuse/neglect charges" problems!

I am finding this thread amusing :)

At first, it was all about honest reviews. Then it went to bashing few particular stores. Then it became "who smokes in the shop" thread. And now it is all about speculation. With some animal abuse and inhumane news here and there. Man Naeso would have so loved this thread! Anyone knows where he is? Brad????

No kidding. Oops. And for the record I went back to Wai's a few days ago and he was great. 🙂

OK, Denny is not with Concept anymore? WTH? Someone please PM me the details.

I am planning to try to find Ocean Creations this weekend! anyone want to come hold my hand to make sure I don't get lost again between Wais & there? :biggrin:

Lol Ocean Creation

Right, ya that store LOL sorry hubby made me a hot chocolate tonight and he spiked it good. I'd say it's 90% liquor to 10% hot chocolate!

You do search on google to find Ocean Creation. Then go to Streetview. Assuming that you now know where Wai's is, you can do a mockup drive from Wai's to Ocean Creation.

A couple other people gave me turn by turn directions a couple weeks ago as they made fun of me for getting lost!

Went to Oceans for the first time today and will NEVER be back.
I was in the store for almost 10 minutes before the owner walks out from the back, says Hi, grabs his chequebook and walks into the back again.

Admired the corals for maybe another 5 minutes and he comes out and goes to the front counter again. I point at a coral and ask what kind it is....he replies and continues walking to the back. Didn't even slow down to answer or help me.

I browsed around for a few more minutes to see if he'll come out and help me. I left empty handed....

I've been going to Wai's for the last month to have him help me setup my first reef tank. He has always greeted me with a smile from the first meeting.
He is extremely honest to the point where he refused to sell me something I was interested in because it would not work in my tank.

Danny has my business for years to come.

Danny is that you?? Just signed up to the forum, and setting up your first tank and already bad talking one of the good stores in Calgary. Take it easy

I get crappy service of course I'm going to say something.
No different than going to a new restaurant and getting crappy service and never wanting to return.

I understand that. I've had crappy service at every single saltwater store, but to say NEVER going back after your first visit is extreme.

I agree 100% I made that call with Reef Wonderland, Golds I gave a 2nd chance to & regretted. I didn't get into the stores last week due to not feeling well. May go today. oceans is on my still to check out but Wai's is still leading the competition for Best Overall

I'm slowly changing my mind about wai's(Danny). I like his new tanks, his livestock will surprise me sometimes, like I said he has the best chemicals selection and SPS. Also he does seem more approachable the last few visits

At the end of the day I will go wherever has the healthiest specimens. I can live with below average service, since that's not what I'm paying for.

Each store has its benefits and downsides.

That being said I feel its rather silly to downright say you won't visit a shop off one or two 15 minute "experiences" with them.

At the end of the day does the 15 minute in shop experience not get trumped by the fact that you have a wicked coral/ fish which will be in your care for (hopefully) years to come? The hobby isn't that large, keep your options open and you might be surprised at what you will find hiding in these locations.

Also as far as not shopping at Concept due to "animal cruelty charges" goes, if your in this hobby you really don't have any moral ground to stand on.

Do you own a single marine fish?

If so to get that SINGLE fish to your door between 10-100 others were killed through collection, transshipping and disease.

While I don't advocate the actions of Riverfront, their cruelty is exposed due to our first world status while our cruelty is hidden due to collection point...

:pop2:

Too late Kien. I ate all the popcorn :mrgreen:

Custom experience
 

These are my experiences over the last 15 months of shopping regularly at the regular shops

Wais - over priced, terrible customer service bad advice

- eg. sold a kid I'm helping an led fixture that he said would grow anything... Barely lights his tank up

Concept - don't give a @&*% unless your a buddy of the owner or staff and really don't care if your there or not

Golds - the best price, experience and knowledge. They really have their stuff together and they actually care your in their store, lacks pricing on the tanks. Always have to ask

Oceans - great store, ok pricing, great help

Just some background. I own several companies of which the majority are service based. Knowledge and customer support is the key.

I would pay more for product and livestock if the owner and staff cared. I pay my staff the highest in each and every industry. Otherwise they don't give a %@$&

None of these judgements are based on livestock lifespan or health. These are based on store experience and staff.

The more I read this thread, the more I love living 15 mins from J&L.

Yah... But GVRD has 30% of the livestock selection that Calgary has...

That's what shopping on the Internet in my underwear is for.

You do it wearing underwear? Weirdo.

Pics or it didn't happen.

Sometimes.

Rich has them ATM.

This explains everything..

I've been up to pisces a couple times this last week. I have to say I'm really impressed with the staff that are very helpful. You feel like you can ask questions there without feeling like an idiot for not knowing the answer.

I remember being there two years ago and all the fish looked sick with ich etc. Today all their fish look totally healthy and they have a huge variety.

What a turn around from a couple years ago.

lfs in calgary
 

First of all I don't work at any lfs. I have shopped at them all before and i can safely say that the crew at Concepts is the best. Just want to give a shout out Dave and his crew for the most crazy selection of corals/fish out there and prices that you can't beat. By far the most chill place.

I am getting back into the hobby and Concepts was my first stop. The store is looking fantastic with all their changes and The staff are always helpful.
Thanks Dave for helping me fix my plumbing problem with my 74 gal tank! Once its up and running, Ill be going back for a sump build for my 50 gal cube I finally picked up that Concept built for me.

ive made the rounds in the past and i will again tomorrow.
been to wias before once and it was ok yes higher prices and he was busy landing fish so didnt expect much attention.

concept was great a few years ago but since then for me has been in a state of change and reno so i will pass judgement again tomorrow

golds been to once the last time i was in town good selection on fish and helpful staff.

riverfront i went to years ago and knew i would never go back after walking in the door the smell of death when you walked in the door turned me around and walked out didnt need to see anything to pass that judgement.

big als i gave several chances and the decline of stock and fish selection and health of the fish has removed them from my list now.

pisces i will return to as there has always been a good selection.

for prices does it really matter? you will pay wnat you want for the fish of course you will look for a better price but if you want that fish in that tank the you see right now your going to pull out the card and pay for it leaving happy because you got that fish.

being form a city with a much smaller market and only 1 lfs which i would stack up to any of the best in alberta for service knowledge and pricing.

if i remember i will post again tomorrow or sat with updates to my experiences.

It's great to see civil discussion around Calgary fish stores.
I wish there were similar threads about Toronto and Vancouver stores.

Threads like these will help bring business to our favorite LFS.

Where's that "like" button that Titus promised us so many years ago?...:rolleyes: