Ocean Aquatics - my first impression

[ScubaSteve]

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.

[globaldesigns]

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

Just too funny!!!

[troni]

Originally Posted by NU-2reef

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?

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.

[Flash]

Originally Posted by troni

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.

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

[reptile guy]

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

Originally Posted by Flash

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

[subman]

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.

[reptile guy]

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!

Originally Posted by gregzz4

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.

[ScubaSteve]

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.

Originally Posted by reptile guy

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!

[reptile guy]

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

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

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.

[gregzz4]

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