Gimpy":1p19xetz said:
Don't you think this is a bit more like bashing then giving an opinion? That "rotund fellow" happens to be a very helpful contributor to this board. It's not your opinion that's the problem...
...it's your approach :roll:
Don't you think this is a bit more like bashing then giving an opinion? That "rotund fellow" happens to be a very helpful contributor to this board. It's not your opinion that's the problem...
...it's your approach :roll:
Gimpy":rwy17fum said:
If it was more than a day or two between your call and coming in, it is entirely possible that we did sell them.
If you came in right after calling then the most likely explaination is that our inventory was not up to date and the person you spoke to on the phone did not physically check the tanks to make sure.
In any case, I can honestly and confidently state that no one at my store has ever intentionally "baited" a customer into coming in. Our business is quite brisk without resorting to dishonesty.
The focus at Inland seems to be on quality, not quantity. They are not a large store. As far as livestock goes, my impression has also been that they sell out of stuff rather quickly. If you go visit other shops in the area, you'll understand why 
If you compare Inland's prices on comparable products I think you'll realize that their prices are competitive. Like any business, they'll be able to do better on some things than others, but to suggest that they are overpricing their stock is not an accurate statement. As to the notion that Inland is "baiting" people - to me that's just laughable. Anyone who has done business in that shop regularly knows that this is a crock.
FWIW, Matt is a sponsor of this board. I for one feel that I've benefitted greatly from a lot of the free information that Matt/Tom have provided to reefs.org members. I'm sure others here feel that way too. Although I no longer live near Matt's shop, I still make an effort to buy things from them when I'm in the area because this is the sort of business I feel benefits us all as hobbyists and I'd like to see them stick around.
If you compare Inland's prices on comparable products I think you'll realize that their prices are competitive. Like any business, they'll be able to do better on some things than others, but to suggest that they are overpricing their stock is not an accurate statement. As to the notion that Inland is "baiting" people - to me that's just laughable. Anyone who has done business in that shop regularly knows that this is a crock.
FWIW, Matt is a sponsor of this board. I for one feel that I've benefitted greatly from a lot of the free information that Matt/Tom have provided to reefs.org members. I'm sure others here feel that way too. Although I no longer live near Matt's shop, I still make an effort to buy things from them when I'm in the area because this is the sort of business I feel benefits us all as hobbyists and I'd like to see them stick around.
Gimpy: I have to add something here. You mentioned their prices being high. If you made this statement to me this time last year I would have probably agreed 100%, and I consider myself a smart shopper in one sense when it comes to price. I had this same gripe on a few particular items a long time ago. But Inlandreef has made an honest effort to bring some of their pricing down. Most notably the liverock, and certain large ticket item drygoods, to the point where its actually very competitive with online MO companies. If its been awhile since you have been to Inlandreef or visited their website, you may want to check it out one more time.
I do have to say that being from the D.C. area originally, and just returning from a trip from the area, the LFS scene around the N.E. area does suck in comparison big time, but I think that Inlandreef would be very competitive anywhere with the store they currently have in any region.
I do have to say that being from the D.C. area originally, and just returning from a trip from the area, the LFS scene around the N.E. area does suck in comparison big time, but I think that Inlandreef would be very competitive anywhere with the store they currently have in any region.
Gimpy could you name some examples? IME it seems the furthur north you go the harder it is to find LFS devoted to reefkeeping. The two LFS in my area that I talk to have a hard time getting the quality livestock because of the extra trip from the wholesalers downstate. I know one LFS that occasionally will get stuff shipped directly from California to Vermont, he usually gets better stuff this way. He lives near the airport so travel time is quick. Another store in Vermont has to drive all the way to Albany for airport deliverys or get it shipped FedEx from suppliers in Ma.
My though is the closer to civilization you are(hopefully) the quality and success of your reef business should be easier to maintain.
MattM,
I called and then drove over immediately, a 70minute drive. I don't think it was baiting, I did not say that, I think the person never actually looked! To take a 70minute drive to find out the guy on the phone never looked is a bit annoying.
Wolfman,
I admit that I was harsh, but the service I have received has been poor. They have nice stuff but it is pricey. Last time I was there they had tank raised BTA's for $100 or $120, something I think is excessive, MattM may have the exact price now, it may be different.
Ritteri&Bubbles,
I have not been there in a while, the prices may be more competitive, although there isn't much competition in the area.
Fishfarmer,
Some nice places were in Va Beach, Fish Safari, Animal Jungle, Scales&Tails all had nice stuff at very reasonable prices. Animal Jungle and Fish Safari were pretty amazing, Animal Jungle had a huge live rock pond probably 30X30' to pick from and in general was impressive. Fish Safari had a huge collection of frags at great prices. If anywhere near Virginia Beach they are worth taking a look at, and they are practically across the street from each other.
I called and then drove over immediately, a 70minute drive. I don't think it was baiting, I did not say that, I think the person never actually looked! To take a 70minute drive to find out the guy on the phone never looked is a bit annoying.
Wolfman,
I admit that I was harsh, but the service I have received has been poor. They have nice stuff but it is pricey. Last time I was there they had tank raised BTA's for $100 or $120, something I think is excessive, MattM may have the exact price now, it may be different.
Ritteri&Bubbles,
I have not been there in a while, the prices may be more competitive, although there isn't much competition in the area.
Fishfarmer,
Some nice places were in Va Beach, Fish Safari, Animal Jungle, Scales&Tails all had nice stuff at very reasonable prices. Animal Jungle and Fish Safari were pretty amazing, Animal Jungle had a huge live rock pond probably 30X30' to pick from and in general was impressive. Fish Safari had a huge collection of frags at great prices. If anywhere near Virginia Beach they are worth taking a look at, and they are practically across the street from each other.
Gimpy":13zoajc3 said:
As far as the Watchman Goby goes - it's tough to say what happened there as the incident isn't remembered by anyone here - 6 in computer inventory would be a good bet for having some in the back unless for whatever reason they all perished - something thats rare but has happened especially before we started the 5-14 day quarentine process that we have been using since the beginiing of 2001.
Quick database query shows ONE tank raised Bubble-Tip that sold for $120 in July 2000 (2 YEARS AGO) with immediate sales prior and after of TR BTA's in the $60-75 dollar range. Since we have a standard target markup based upon what we pay for the animal I'd say that particular one was probably one hell of a BTA. I think that was the exception to the rule as it's RARE for any animal in our store to exceed $100.
Aquarists always claim they are willing to pay more for animals that live yet one of the most popular questions on the message boards is "who has the cheapest livestock?" I set our prices based upon what the animal cost us and our animals are by far the healthiest in the region, captive bred whenever possible, ecologically sound (we refuse to stock goniopora, sharks or other unsuitable species) and reasonably priced.
Show me an LFS that hasn't had flatworm problems and I'll show you one that doesn't deal with corals period, or hasn't had much volume moved through their tanks yet. For whats it's worth currently ours are quite under control if not mostly eradicated.
Finally Gimpy, no your little gibe wasn't appreciated, nor IMO well thought out considering it's pretty obvious that it would be read - I'm often amused by the comments said on the 'net that most wouldn't have the balls to say in person. FWIW I'm sorry if you have been inconveinienced but I don't think it warrants the personal commentary.
i feel better now that someone has made an even bigger ass out of themselves then i did earlier. gimpy, got news for you pal, if your attitude when you went into the store was anything like what it seems to be on this board i can see why Tom didn't let you interupt him. as far as their pricing, yup you have to bring money. i know everytime i go there i spend as much as i can and leave wishing i spent more. anyone else know what i mean? You just WANT to spend money there(boy i bet matt's loving this) I have never EVER thought this beutiful fish is $6 more then that half dead thing in salem, lets not get it. Have you ever been to inland at feeding time? they do not mess around, they treat their fish better then you probably do your own. i could flame you for your ignorance, but instead suggest you go back to inland with your mouth shut, ears open and wallet out. on a side note wow is inland's new show tank nice, i can't wait to see it once it matures. [/b]
My store, Crever's Creatures in Rome, New York...will be up there in terms of selection, quality, and education within the next three or four months.
Currently we have only four 30-gallon tanks (3 fish one coral), one 65 gallon tank (coral) and one 125 gallon tank (four large fish) to sell from. However, on Monday we'll be picking up our new 50 tank setup, all pre-drilled with overflows, valves, etc., along with two rock/sand tanks (one 18-feet and one12-feet) that the system will be filtered through.
I've been on reefs.org for well over a year, and am adopting all the principles and methods that people have success with here to educate my customer and guide how I run my business. The salt section is my baby, and I have complete control over it.
We'll get there, and hopefully attract some of y'all to stop by and check us out.
Pics will be forthcoming once the rack is built and the tanks are up, so I can display my progress.
Peace,
Chip
Currently we have only four 30-gallon tanks (3 fish one coral), one 65 gallon tank (coral) and one 125 gallon tank (four large fish) to sell from. However, on Monday we'll be picking up our new 50 tank setup, all pre-drilled with overflows, valves, etc., along with two rock/sand tanks (one 18-feet and one12-feet) that the system will be filtered through.
I've been on reefs.org for well over a year, and am adopting all the principles and methods that people have success with here to educate my customer and guide how I run my business. The salt section is my baby, and I have complete control over it.
We'll get there, and hopefully attract some of y'all to stop by and check us out.
Pics will be forthcoming once the rack is built and the tanks are up, so I can display my progress.
Peace,
Chip
Amen! People tell me this all the time. Then when it comes down to the line, they only want the wild stuff cause it's "cheaper". I said on another board recently the same thing. Most times an aquarist says one thing with their mouth, but then an entirely different thing with their wallet.
Ritteri&Bubbles":1uohf1vk said:
John -
We've been closely watching the one we put in the new tank. I personally watched him crawl right over several Acroporas and Mushrooms and pay no attemtion to them.
They seem to be eating organic films off the glass and rock. It's possible that they eat similar films off of corals, and that's how they were intially labelled as coral predators.
For everyone else, there is a photo of one here: http://www.inlandreef.com/i_echin.html
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