Buyer Beware: Big Al's Calgary

[sphelps]

If your LFS is so great why didn't you purchase the skimmer from them??

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by sphelps

If your LFS is so great why didn't you purchase the skimmer from them??

K, why you asking this... didn't I already state, shame on me... You just trying to get another post added, or you really trying to be this way. Sorry if I am coming on strong here, but REALLY!!!

It is like I stated prior, it is too easy to pick and choose what you want to read and reply to, in order to fit your needs.

Mods, I think it is time to lock this thread, I myself am very tired and beat up here. Thanks all, really appreciate it!!!

[sphelps]

I'm just curious, I think that perhaps you purchased it from there because it was convenient or perhaps other stores don't stock it. In either case a store in a more convenient location with more stock will clearly have more overhead and therefore higher prices. So yes shame on you, not for buying the skimmer, for raising this ridiculous complaint and attack on one of our local businesses.

[Sean]

One thing I do like about Big Al's is that they have a point system, its kind of neat to have a membership and I like that one day I might get something back. I also like how if you know what you are looking for you can just pick it up and head to the cash. Its nice that they have lots of staff on hand rather than having to wait. I find Big Al's is like the best buy of aquarium stores everyone has had good and bad expreiences.

I'm more of a fan of Calgary's smaller stores, I love that they remember me and will ask things like "Did you ever get that R/O unit working?" When the smaller guys build that customer relationship its hard not to come back. They look after me and in return i keep coming back. Its nice when someone will actually not sell you a product because its not right for you. I'm sure the fish and coral are also happier beause of it.

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by sphelps

I'm just curious, I think that perhaps you purchased it from there because it was convenient or perhaps other stores don't stock it. In either case a store in a more convenient location with more stock will clearly have more overhead and therefore higher prices. So yes shame on you, not for buying the skimmer, for raising this ridiculous complaint and attack on one of our local businesses.

Actually if you want to whole story, I went in to get the Hydor 1000 they had. I have one already and wanted a second unit. But what they had wasn't complete. The price on that was what I paid before, and is inline with the market. So I took a trip to get one skimmer, but couldn't get it. In the past the Big Al's online website has had reasonable, and I would say in-line pricing with most other online or LFS pricing. And I knew the price of the SWC unit on the website. And when I couldn't get the Hydor, I asked if the SWC on the shelf was the same price as online. In the past the store was usually 30-40% higher than their website and others. So because it was the same price, and they told me it would out perform my hyder... Kent even called edmonton, and that is what they said from experience, I bought it.

It wasn't until that evening I found out that that product was inflated. So I tested their price protections and it doesn't work. In finding out this, I researched and found legitamite retailers that have product and will sell to me. So I tried to present everything to Big Als, but they denied the price protection. Again, I am not worried about the money, just want others to make sure they don't get ripped. Money may not be a big deal for me, but it may be to you and others, just trying to help.

Oh well, life goes on.

[jorjef]

SWEET JESUS!!! To all involved lets call this an agreement to disagree, a draw, someone blink and lets go on to something else....

Have s good day :^)

[sphelps]

Wow that all sounds like pretty good service to me. Did you know that good staff costs money? I'm not sure if you're aware of this but when a business has extra expenses like staff it adds to their overhead.

I'm pretty sure it is about the money, there really isn't anything else to complain about.

You know what we should do? Open a business with the best location, most stock, best service and lowest prices. Man what a break through, we're going to be rich!

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Wow that all sounds like pretty good service to me. Did you know that good staff costs money? I'm not sure if you're aware of this but when a business has extra expenses like staff it adds to their overhead.

I'm pretty sure it is about the money, there really isn't anything else to complain about.

You know what we should do? Open a business with the best location, most stock, best service and lowest prices. Man what a break through, we're going to be rich!

Actually, I run a business, and have done so for many years. Before running my own business, I ran other multi-million dollar companies with 30-40 staff, millions of dollars in stock (electronics). So yes, I know what it takes.

I can tell you this, at no time have I ever over charged for a product based on my overhead... I will always base pricing on current market rates, or what other retailers are selling for. If you can't sell it and make money on it, without gouging, then don't sell it and find other products. And if you offer price protection, then stand by it, or don't offer it at all.

Plain and simple.

[Aquattro]

Well, I think this has played out enough, and we're not going to get everyone on board to one way of thinking.
Lots of good and bad brought up about this store, so with a "buyer beware" warning for any and all retail purchases, we'll call it a day.