Are there any saltwater fish store lists with reviews?

I am so sick trying each LFS I find only to find out they REALLY suck!

Is there a list or a site I am missing where these stores get reviews?

 

I can't help you with local fish stores, Jdameli1, but we have great sponsors here on 3reef. if you want good products, take a look in our sponsors section(just below banner at top of page).

 

I have ordered from most of them and they are all great but sometimes the shipping really gets you

I used to have a review website for freshwater fish stores and it was great, it's not online anymore though :-( I thought maybe there was one I was missing for sw fish

 

Out here in Oregon I went to a LFS yesterday to get a few things and at the counter was asked if I needed any lights for my aquarium? I told the owner, no, I just got Aqua Illumination LED's on-line and he proceeded to lecture me on supporting my LFS.

I quickly asked him if he wanted my money or not. He shut up really quick. As I was leaving I told never to do that again or I would stop coming to his shop.

Just a really bizarre experience all in all.

 

probably the best place for you to get that information is on your local fish club forum. I know reef central has a section for local reef clubs......go on there and see if your area has a club. Both our clubs in St. Louis has a LFS thread (there is a no LFS trashing rule on our sites so may not be completely accurate but might help!)

 

as a brick in mortar business owner I can relate to the retail stores. the internet especially sites such as ebay has killed the mom and pops stores. People say we need to adapt..and sell online..however everone cant do it. and its quite discouraging when products are found cheaper online than than my buying costs. its to the point now where only the large companies that buy mass amounts can compete. Small business is the backbone of the U.S. economy.

Im not knocking you because I buy online to save a buck too...but I do make sure I give business to mom and pops as well. (lol...last thing you wanted..I know another lecture) Im just saying I can relate.

 

try yelp.com

 

you are in palm beach? checkout oceans below (just north of northlake on us1), then sometimes it will be worth the drive to aquatic life in stuart fl, the store is well stocked but wait until after they have a shipment or call first as they are also very busy. Barrier reef just south of you is good too. You probably have a 30min to 1 hour drive but there are tons of good stores in your area.


also if you make it all the way to aquatic life in stuart might as well head to fintastic aquariums in jensen. not well stocked, kind of a haphazard store, but healthy stock, some coral gems that sell for hundreds online every so often and a pretty cool owner who is always there and will give you sound advice. Also a busy store, you may want to see if you can come after a shipment.

some online stores are mom and pops too.

 

I've been involved in family businesses all my life. I sympathize and I remember when our retail stores lost their shine thanks to bigger retailers outcompeting ours. We were lucky, my father had other businesses that worked out for him. It still sucks trying to fight a losing battle though.

That said, I think there is a lot local businesses can do to compete with bigger competitors. You can't beat the internet for price in some cases, but the hell with the internet when I want a frag to stare at as a weekend treat or when I need a poly-filter in an emergency.

I love my LFS, but I think where it and most of them fall down is in not appreciating a) what a visual hobby this is and b) that it is a hobby.

Better husbandry, more aquaculture, and healthier livestock combined with more of an eye for visual appeal will make a world of difference. Most customers pay more if the store looks good. We don't do it consciously most of the time, but we do do it. We take your advice and recommendations more seriously when things look good. We all know the risks of buying online. Show me tanks that I want to keep and I'll trust you when you tell me to spend the extra money.

Too many LFS suffer from small business syndrome. I know its hard and the most difficult resource is money, but fight undercapitalization. Spend what it takes to put on the show and to give us drama. Its what brings us to your store instead of the internet.

Second, frankly, too many stores aren't any fun to shop in. I can't tell you how often I feel like I'm an annoyance to the people working in the store. We all hate the sycophants at fashion retail, but a good attitude and friendly sales staff matter. I'd much rather get good advice from friendly, honest, helpful people than wait a week for my stuff. Too often though, waiting a week is preferable to standing there waiting for someone to finally "help" you so hey can get back to their conversation.

This thread is about a customer looking for a way to find a business. Use the internet in innovative ways to bring people to you. Support a ratings website, encourage people to start one. Show off what makes you better than the online guys. You can even do it online.

I love local businesses. Its really tough for them to compete and we should all support them. I think they can help themselves too.

 

Very well put. You hit the nail on the head with up keeping the store. There is a place called Kee's aquarium in Shelby township Michigan and they are the only LFS within a 50 mile radius that has median of decent pricing, knowledgable staff, and a nice up kept store. There tanks are clean. The glass is not covered in algae, no inferior lights with browned out corals to expect you to buy. you don't see colonies of aiptasia growing in there tanks, there not a store that is "always out of somthing" or your typical.."no I don't have it in stock but where making another order in 2 weeks" type store. There not even the cheapest place to buy livstock in my neighborhood but the environment always keeps me coming back.