Buyer Beware: Big Al's Calgary

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by kien

well, the thread title says, Beware of Big Al's in Calgary!! We all know Big Al's doesn't have the best reputation, but I'm not sure if this is a good example in that regard. I don't see that they did anything wrong to warrant this, but that's just my opinion and if you are going to post something on public forum then you are going to get opinions, the good the bad and the ugly

So True and I respect your comments.

What I am kinda fed up with are the lurkers, and some individuals that leave comments while being just plain disrespectful. Why?

Maybe I just shouldn't of posted, but too late now... Oh Well, just wanted to tell others in order to save them possible hassles or cost. In my case, $100 overage won't break me, and I really don't care about the money. But as a successful business owner that cares, is the reason I posted. I guess it is too bad many business' don't have the same business practices and care for the customer. I can say I do!

[kien]

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

So True and I respect your comments.

What I am kinda fed up with are the lurkers, and some individuals that leave comments while being just plain disrespectful. Why?

That's because they are poo poo heads, and that's not just an opinion. I know this for a fact!!

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by kien

That's because they are poo poo heads, and that's not just an opinion. I know this for a fact!!

HEHE, I agree... At least this thread is giving me alot more posts. Hmmm, maybe I should find that other thread about post padding, to get some more.

[BlueTang<3]

Originally Posted by zoaElite

Ryan @ Big Al's has been great to me every time I walk in there.

+1 you guys are lucky you don't have to deal with big als edmonton. The edmonton branch makes the calgary one look outstanding. Some of my nicest fish and coral in my tank came from the calgary location. The last few times i have made the trip down it has been the store that i picked the most up at and Ryan was awesome to deal with.

[globaldesigns]

Hey, how do you change the thread title, I changed it on advanced options on my first post, but the thread title doesn't reflect it. Just wanted to change it to something people wouldn't take and bastardize it.

Any ideas, why it didn't change?

+1, I can say Ryan and Kent are great guys at the Calgary Store, it is just too bad they work for a company that in my opinion doesn't care about long term customer business.

Here is my plug for Kevin @ Red Coral, who in my opinion does care and offers truely fair pricing. Sorry Kevin, this was a impulse buy, and I should of supported you as I always try to. Live and learn. Lesson here folks is to support the ones that support you back!

[jorjef]

Holy Moly, that was quite the stoning you got there. I respect that you are anhonest guy but for the amount on time it was in the water would have been best to rinse her off, wipe here, wipe there and return saying it wouldn't suit your needs, only fibbing by omission.

There are lots of examples of drastic price differences in Regina....500ML of Prime conditioner $29.95 vs. $19.95....Plain ole pail of IO salt $79.00 vs. $39.00....

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by jorjef

Holy Moly, that was quite the stoning you got there. I respect that you are anhonest guy but for the amount on time it was in the water would have been best to rinse her off, wipe here, wipe there and return saying it wouldn't suit your needs, only fibbing by omission.

There are lots of examples of drastic price differences in Regina....500ML of Prime conditioner $29.95 vs. $19.95....Plain ole pail of IO salt $79.00 vs. $39.00....

HEHE, I know... got a steak on my black eyes from all of this. Head is still spinning.

I know I should of just wiped it down and returned. But again, I would think a business would respect an honest customer. That is what I am... I didn't lie, but again live and learn. Next time, maybe I won't be so honest.

I think what business' fail to remember is that without us, they are nothing. I myself have customers going back 20 years, this is because I try... Just 20 minutes ago, I got an email from a customer that I lost, but the email stated for me to call them in the morning as they want to come back. It feels good when customers realize that as a business owner I do care. Too bad many business', not just LFS's don't think this way.

[intarsiabox]

I rarely get anything from the retail stores but I don't mind shopping Big Al's online. I always refer them to JL's website and they beat the prices by 5% without question. Of coarse this only works for items that both locations carry.

[e46er]

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

Wow, what an attack on me!!!

I guess that you haven't ever worked retail, or owned a business that provides good or services. I can say I have and still do.

Anyways, they do advertise price matching, even after purchase, but try to get them to honor it. They don't!!!! Especially for anything online.

Also, how can any business, sell a product for $100 more than what everyone else does, even the manufacturer... That is just bad business, and thus the reason I am telling you. If you don't care to listen to my comments, then please go to Big Al's and get ripped off. I REALLY DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK, AND FIND YOUR COMMENTS IGNORANT!!! So P I S S OFF!!

your right it does sound harsh and i didnt mean it like that

i do work in services im a gas fitter and constantly go to peoples houses
but because a company chooses to put a higher sticker price on something and you paid it does not really justify a bashing of the company online.
now if they offer price match but dont garentee it then i wouldnt have set foot in the place to start with
thats just me
atleast the manager told you what to do to get your money back most people wouldnt

[TheMikey]

If Big Al's advertises in the store that they do match prices after the fact of purchase, I believe they are obligated to honour that promise. It sounds to me like it's a bilateral contract: you agree to pay their advertised price on the assumption it is at (or below) a competetor's price. Their guarantee to you, then, is that if you find a lower price they are obligated to match it.

However, it becomes a problem with the internet. If you can, find a store that advertises the price you say your product is worth: a brick and mortar store in Calgary. Nextly, look on Big Al's website to see if there's a disclaimer that says they do not have to respect their online prices in their retail outlets.

Like you said, the problem is that online stores don't have to worry about paying employees, shipping, lease on property, etc. so they can do it cheaper than a brick and mortar store. With this in mind, I would never honour a price brought in from the internet if I were working in retail (and I did, for nine years). It's like printing off a price from eBay and trying to get Futureshop to match it.