Vic Trip

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by reeferaddict

VENI, VIDI, VISA!

Stupid question #2...
What?

Cheers,

[Johnny Reefer]

Ohhh, I get it now. (Did a Google search). Hahaha

Cheers,

[BCWolfen]

Aight guys, I'll be in Vic around 1pm, have a short business meeting to go to and then gonna shop some stores. Anyone have any frags they are looking to sell? I'm also looking for some more macro algae for my fuge.

LMK

Thanks

[Kabong]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

I agree. They have an attitude there. Kinda like they think there *&$@%#^ doesn't smell.

Cheers,

Ill third that,

But they do have a good selection of things ive never seen on the island.
If you feel confident with your own knowledge. i wouldnt worry about there lame staff.

[BCWolfen]

So the trip went great. I stopped at Hillside first and had a pleasent chat with Cora. She was very friendly and helpful. I liked the big tub of live rock in the back that you could rummage through. LOL Pricing was as I expected, not Vancouver prices but very decent. I bought some liquid reactor, calcium, a new calcium test kit and another cleaner shrimp. I did like that Cora put a small piece of macro algae in the bag with the cleaner so he would stress less. That was a nice touch.

My next stop was Safari. Unfortunately this was very disappointing. When we first walked through the door, two male staff members were at the front counter. Neither said hi or acknowledged us so I said hi to them. I got a hi back and that was it. No "can I help" "anthing we can do for you" Owning a retail store myself this immediately set my hackles up. So I proceeded to walk amongst the dry goods. Shelves were bare (understandable after a lond weekend) and there was little selection. I was glad I had picked up my additives at Hillside. I looked through the Saltwater section, but it was also pretty empty, which was a shame as I was really looking for some fish or corals. I did see a little mandarin that I wanted but still no one had come to offer assistance. One gentleman started to siphon a tank right beside me and still said nothing. We took another quick tour around and checked out some of the doggy and kitty stuff and then left. 3 staff members, we were the only 2 customers for 15-20minutes and no one said a word. I will go back again to give them another chance but I was quite disappointed considering what I had read about them.

I had considered not going to creatures at all(again due to what I had read), but having some extra time we thought we'd go. Since I had not decided I didn't have their info. Luckily I had Islandreefers # with me so wifey gave him a call and he gave us their number (THANKS JOHN!!) We called and a very pleasent yound lady told us we about 2 buildings away. LOL The same (I assume) friendly young lady greeted us as we walked through the door, even though she was serving 3 people at the till. Immediate 2 thumbs up. We browsed around the dry goods (plenty of stock, looked good) and then headed into the fish room. One fellow was cleaning a large empty tank near the back. (I found out later this was his coral tank that had cracked a few days ago) We got about half way around the 1st wall when he climbed out of his job and asked if we needed any help. After about 20 minutes of answering questions and pointing things out I ended up with my mandarin goby, a pink/purple tube worm, and a nice blue sea squirt (I really liked the color lol) He was quite friendly and offered lots of suggestions and advice. I will definately be returning here. Their stock was good (also a bit low but still plenty there) and looked very healthy.

So there ya have it. Hopefulyl tomorrow I will get some pics of the new critters and post em up.

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by BCWolfen

My next stop was Safari. Unfortunately this was very disappointing. When we first walked through the door, two male staff members were at the front counter. Neither said hi or acknowledged us so I said hi to them. I got a hi back and that was it. No "can I help" "anthing we can do for you" Owning a retail store myself this immediately set my hackles up.

Egad! You didn't like Safari Pets? That's a first.
That's one of the nice things about Safari Pets. Low pressure. Personally, I hate it when sales people jump all over me the minute I walk in a store. But that's just me.
Also...they are usually soooo busy in there, (with customers), that any time they get a slow spell is the only time they have a chance to tend to maintenance and shelf stocking. This could also be another reason for their reluctance to offer assistance. They have lots to do! (They are understaffed).

Originally Posted by BCWolfen

Shelves were bare (understandable after a lond weekend) and there was little selection.

Really? Bare?

Originally Posted by BCWolfen

I looked through the Saltwater section, but it was also pretty empty, which was a shame as I was really looking for some fish or corals.

Really? Empty? Are you sure? Everytime I go in there they have adequate livestock. Victoria may be bigger than Nanaimo, but it's no Vancouver.

Originally Posted by BCWolfen

I did see a little mandarin that I wanted but still no one had come to offer assistance. One gentleman started to siphon a tank right beside me and still said nothing.

Did you bother to ask? You say they didn't talk to you, but it sounds like you didn't talk to them either.

I'm sorry you were dissappointed. I still stand by Safari Pets as the best LFS in Victoria.
I happen to be going there today. I will discuss your concerns with the manager on your behalf. Happy to do it.
Hopefully, you will have a better experience next time.
Did I mention they are understaffed?
It's crazy in there when they are busy.

Cheers,

[Johnny Reefer]

After thinking on it some more.....

Re: the dry goods selection. They have alot of dry goods behind the front counter and also inside the front counter display cases. There are also filter parts; light bulbs; heaters; books etc. along a wall to the right of, and perpendicular to, the front counter. Look up, too. They have alot of stuff stored up to the ceiling.

For the benefit of anyone that hasn't been to the store yet....staff are easily identified. They all wear black Safari Pets "golf" shirts.

Re: The greeting, or lack thereof....Ya. If the two behind the counter were not engaged in anything else at the time, then ya, I agree that at least a hello would have been nice.

Also....I guess one downside to expressing how good, (IMO), Safari Pets is, is that people's expectations can be inflated before they go there and see for themselves. Just to repeat again...Victoria is no Vancouver.

And finally, the advice, IMO, cant' be beat.
If it weren't for Japarto, I have no doubt that I would be strugglin', big time, with my 7 month old reef set up. As it is, things have run so smoothly that I have to frequently remind myself that I am still a reef newbie and still have alot to learn.

Cheers,

[Kabong]

Japarto aside I'd have to agree with Gerald.
Safari's staff does lack in the coustmer service department.
I can probably even guess the exact two guys who were standing around.

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by Kabong

Japarto aside I'd have to agree with Gerald.
Safari's staff does lack in the coustmer service department.
I can probably even guess the exact two guys who were standing around.

I can think of one.
Anyway. Goin' there now. See ya!

[Johnny Reefer]

The owner, the shopkeeper, Jaws (nice to meet you), and I talked at length for over an hour.
All I can say is... not only am I convinced that Safari is the best LFS in Victoria, and probably the whole Island, but I am confident that they will begin to pull away from the field in the months to come.
The people in charge there are very much interested in providing for the Vancouver Island reefing community and wish to be the place for Vancouver Island reefers to go to.
They're workin' on it.

Cheers,