Ocean Aquatics - my first impression
 

My first visit to Ocean Aquatics was very disappointing.
I expected to see many more shelves filled with hardware I might like to take home.
The store was a mess, both the shelf and tank area.
Their frag tanks are, IMHO, the only are worth looking at.
They have some nice specimens to view, but I think they would do a much better job selling product if they were to clean up the store, create some displays to showcase the products they sell, get rid of the mess, and build some displays.
They are wasting rented space.
I'll say it once again for posture ....
They have nice frag tanks to look at, but that is all.
I would like to see them utilize their space to it's full potential.

It's too bad that you got that impression. You might not be aware that they are in the midst of a renovation and just took down the SPS show tank on Saturday, so yes the shop was a mess

Did you say anything to the staff before ranting on a public forum? Maybe they have a valid reason if you cared to ask. I have found OA to be one of the most helpful shops in the area.

What's with all the whiners lately?

That mess you saw was the result of Wendel doing a secret project in the rear half of the store. This area was was previously under used so I am excited as to what he may be cooking up.

I am glad that this owner appears to be upgrading where other stores are closing.

+1.... ask questions first... rant later!

no kidding lol:P

Didn't anyone tell ya's... it is TERRIBLE TUESDAY! Duh!

Good store. Great people. 'Nuff said.

Nothing but good things to say about the store or the people that work there.

IMO, I don't believe he was whining at all. Just giving his impression of the store on the day he visited. I think he did a good job not actually criticizing the store, but recommending possible improvements. And as you all pointed out there was an explanation for the current store disaray.

I agree, OA is one of my favourites. They're my coral shop.

I would have to agree a bit about the hard goods side; it's always been a little lacking. But then again, I never go there for hard goods, so I've never cared.

Too funny.... One rant about a store, many more rants about the initial rant.

Just too funny!!! :biggrin:

ranting is just fun.... I want to rant about hard boiled eggs....like really.... they are gross.....and smell really bad!

come on have you even tried them with salt or pepper or done a different way. explore your options before complaining. :razz:

How dare you say that about boiled eggs! I love them

How would she know her options if she didn't rant about it and have us tell her about the salt and pepper option. :)

i am a SHE... and stop flaming me... i'm going to run and tell a mod on you all :( :violin:

Its not his responsibility to ask why, its theirs to inform customers they're in the middle of a renovation, a sign when you first walk in or when they come ask you if you need any help.

Ooops Sorry. Fixed!

I do agree.... they should have a sign up or something.. but also it's a stores job to keep the area clean and safe for customers! I know in my old store if the floor was wet, we'd let them know to be careful, or excuse the mess if we were re-organizing things! who knows what the circumstances were though...

ps... still hate hard boiled eggs... bleh

This is Jim from OA the guy you were speaking with yesterday. I'm not on here too often ( young kids at home take up a lot of ones time lol ) but Wendell told me about the comments you made about the store so felt I should address. At the moment yes parts of the store are in a bit of disarray because of renovations with large tanks being moved and taken down and soon a new frag tank to be put up. While by no means a disaster the shops not as tidy because of that fact. Lots of big displays, hardware and all types of products would be great but require funding to do so and funding we don't have. It's not that easy or simple in a hobby that's slow right now with a lot of people that have gotten out and not many getting in. You can't order and do all these things if your funding doesn't allow it though it is something were working on and will hopefully be changes upcoming. We used to have 3 people on during the week now except for one day there's just one. Most of the time during the week it's just me here so hard to keep on top of it all and make all the improvements we would like to see done. It's unfortunate to hear a store on the island seems to be closing as I'm a hobbyist first and love to see all the stores stay a float but such a tight market right now. While were not where we'd like to be just yet we're working on some of those goals which will hopefully be a benefit to our customers. If you come into the store to talk to me you will always get an honest answer and will always do my best to help you out. If I don't know the answer will tell you and will not make one up. If I show you a product and seem excited about it it will be because I am and likely want the same for my tank ( new LED lighting for my 300 lol Also something I'm working on lol ). First and foremost we believe in running the store honestly so is why I'm being upfront and telling you how things are. We have some great customers ones I love to chat and joke around with whether there buying something or not there always great to see. If you feel our store is very disappointing then there's plenty of other stores to shop at but I have to disagree and know our good customers will still come in. I feel making such a judgement call on one visit seems quite hasty but everyone is entitled to there thoughts.Funds maybe tight at the moment as they are for so many stores but things are slowly being addressed and I still take pride in OA. That's my rant for the day and thanks to all our customers posted the nice words and hope to see and chat with you soon!

Stores free and clear to walk around just too many things on the go lol. Don't eat them often but gotta say hard boiled eggs ain't bad lol

are you open sundays? or even on May 21st?? i'll be in town and want to check it out!

In all seriousness as a business owner I want to know when my customers aren't happy. Its a way to make changes and get better. I'm sure its a great store but Greg has said wat he saw and its up to them to make it better. For every Greg there are 10 others that just left to never return. Its never up to customers to ask why the store is in its contition or any other reason, its up to the staff to make sure they know what's going on.

Take the feedback and use it to improve.

FINE... Jason.... You need to make sure that your M&M store in millwoods has more then peach juice to sample when I am there.....

just kidding... i only drink the peach juice! lol!

NO JUICE FOR YOU!


(We dont have a juice machine any more lol)

Yep open 12 to 5pm on Sundays. We only close for stat holidays. For sure come down and say Hi always great to meet new people

I want as much feedback from our customers as I can so can improve there visits when they come in. Feedback is always welcome but felt I should address the issues and concerns he had as being very disappointed is something we never want anyone to feel. Better to have them leave happy and hopefully having a laugh or two at all the antics that seem to go on here lol

WHHHHAAAAATTTTTTTT???? Where did it go???!!! I would have paid top $$ for that!!! now I have even less of a reason to go there.... :(

and it will be good to see another store. I went to J and L's last time I was there. I'll be staying at my parents place out in south delta so i'll stop by!! i'll have a hard time not buying anything as it will die!

Absolutely! I was typing as your replies came up, slow thumbs today.

I love the passion this hobby envokes. One person has a so so experience and we jump to the stores defence asap. It must be a great store and I will have to make a trip out that way one day as well.

Ummm its been gone for 2 years
:rofl2:

You need to come by more often lol

poop.... i really don't get there often.... i went to the one on ellerslie and 111th! lol! oh well!

As a business owner you know it's hard to please everyone but we care about our store and our customers so always want there visits to be great. I love this hobby being able to have part of the ocean in your living room still amazes me and I've been keeping animals as long as I can remember yet never tire of it. Think the wife does as now starting to set up tanks in the kids rooms too lol

just throw a sign up saying your in renovation.




M&M storeÉ(question mark) there a m&M storeÉ(question mark) 2 things where and dont tell my wife!

As a business owner myself... I do appreciate any comments from a customer. It doesn't really matter who is wrong, who is right, rant this or that... But a customers impression does matter, and what they take away from their interaction with your business.

I give KUDO's to the LFS for coming on to explain. Very honeslty in fact, and I would tend to respect that, and give them another try.

Rant was meant in a very laughing way but do take all concerns seriously and will do our best to improve on as many issues as we can. Right now lots of changes are going on and will be much restocking upcoming just at the moment it's keeping up with it all lol . Thank you I pride myself in running our store with honesty to me that's first and foremost the most important thing.

Well said! And don't forget to add that you guys are the friendliest, most helpful store around too. Oh, and damn funny! You and Janet are like your own stand-up act.:razz:

Well think all the renos and changes would have been done already but takes time keeping Janet in check and out of trouble ( worse than my kids lol) . Yes we seem to always be joking around and love to give everyone a hard time but that's what makes it so fun to work here and met lots of great people because of it. What fun would work be without the laughs lol

Thanks for the input Jim
I don't see anything in my post that told people not to shop with you. I also said nothing about not returning. I had a good experience dealing with you personally

And ya, a sign explaining the status of the store would have taken all the disappointment out of my visit and I would not have posted anything

Greg never said you were saying for people not to come to the store. Though in saying you only liked the frags and found everything else very disappointing after a short visit than I felt I should explain as to why things may have appeared that way. Maybe I should have informed you as to all that is going on at the moment but it didn't appear like you were wanting to know. We had a great chat about plumbing and the one weird fitting check valve and few laughs about it so had no idea you felt this way . If you had shown any concern or had any questions I would have gladly answered them and will try and let more people know all that is upcoming for the store. Lots of people know that were doing a bit of reno's but will try to get the word out so everyone is informed. Though I'm sure this thread is now helping lol. Hopefully you'll be back in when everything's back on track and have a better experience.