Newbies be Carefull!!

[Parker]

We've all had a bad experience at one time or another, I guarantee you'll find someone that has something bad to say about every LFS in town, my self-included. I try to take it all in stride and monitor the noise level around a particular shop.

There is one shop in town I won't buy from simply because the place is kind of dirty. IMO if you don't have enough pride to keep your store and equipment a little cleaner then what kind of attitude do you have to towards the much more important things?

[howdy20012002]

IMO, stores are taking a huge risk saying they will warranty saltwater fish.
Kudos to those that do.
I just feel that there are too many what-ifs in this hobby to expect the store to give money back.
I am truly surprised that the store bashing has been allowed to this point.
everyone has there favourite stores or not so favourite.
In this case, the cost of the membership is minimal and plus they quarantine their fish.
so really, if a fish has made it thru a week or two of quarantine, then gets sold and dies, IMO, the fish probably died due to something the purchaser has done or the quality of the tank, and I don't feel the store should be held accountable.
marine fish are finicky and often die for no apparent reason. I would not expect a store to replace the fish or give me my money back, but just accept as a part of the cost of this amazing hobby.
just my two cents
Neal

[MarkoD]

This store that offers warranty also sells fish for (sometimes) double what any other store sells it for.

So even if they did honor a warranty, you already paid for that second fish

[doch]

As mentioned before, the store in question does have a full bank of tanks that they put the fish in for 2 weeks prior to being put up for sale. I could be wrong, but I believe that they will sell you the fish in quarantine, but at your own risk (no warranty). Yes, sometimes the prices are high, BUT, you are paying for the quarantine process, the lost fish in quarantine, and a stronger chance of that fish surviving when you get it home. In my opinion, all 4 of the stores in Edmonton have high quality fish... but this quarantine does give peace of mind. Is it worth it? Your call. I shop at all 4 of the stores. They all have their advantages and disadvantages.

As for the membership fee at AI, I'm pretty sure that they give you a discount on stuff if you are a memeber, so if you're like me and spend lots of money on this hobby, it can easily for itself... AND you get the waranty.

[Mechaninano]

Yeah they do give a discount, I've paid for my membership with the savings from my led's that I bought. I think it's worth it, but I still shop at the other stores too. I've gotten great service at all the stores in Edmonton, but I still do my own research before making a purchase just to be safe.

[Felix]

Too be brutally honest I have been to the "Membership" LFS a few times but they have one guy there who is so obnoxious that its not worth the trip from the Park. too be honest i think thinks its great customer service but he just annoying and if your just looking its like your breathing my air and I'd like you to leave!!

IMHO Red coral and blue world are friendlier I have been to both a number of times and not bought but everything in my aquarium comes from these two stores. They have good fish and more importantly will not sell a newbie fish that will not do well in your set up. I know this from personal experiance, I wanted a yellow tang in a RSM130 and both said NO it won't do well long term its too small an aquarium.

As to the warranty of fish, i would have thought that every LFS had an elaborate quarrantine process to ensure the quality of their stock, but they are delicate fish and anything can kill them, its why certain species should not be in the home aquarium.

Sorry to read about your loss but on the bright side there is a Reefer meeting on 25th Sept please come I cordially invite you.

Felix

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by howdy20012002

I am truly surprised that the store bashing has been allowed to this point.

Neal

Neal, I hope this thread doesn't come across as store bashing, I haven't interpreted it as such. I think the OP had an unreal expectation being new to the hobby, and that's been conveyed by many responses.

We've all heard good and bad about every LFS in existence, it goes with the territory.
In this case, I don't think that the store discussed has done anything questionable or under handed, and if they want to offer a membership with additional benefits, I see that as a value-added feature. Good on them.

Sometimes stores charge more than other stores for the same fish, but keep in mind, each fish is individual, as is the treatment they get once received.
I've bought 4 PB Tangs in my time of reef keeping. The last one was 50% more than I've ever paid. It's also the only one that's survived and is thriving in my tank. Partially a coincidence, I'm sure, but the store held it in QT for me close to 2 months. That costs money, and I can't expect them to eat that cost.
Overall, I think this thread is of a civil tone, and the store in question should be happy with the exposure.