The Aquarium
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Main
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Description: Posts that don't fit in any of the other categories.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=38280
Printed Date: June 10 2026 at 2:13am
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Topic: The Aquarium
Posted By: laynframe
Subject: The Aquarium
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 6:37pm
I just left the aquarium ticked off! This is no joke I got a bonus from work and went in there with my brother to burn $500 bucks, and the guys in there wouldnt give me the time of day. I waited patiently for 20 min while a salesman talked to some guy in a suit that had no intention of buying anything. After he was done helping this guy, that didnt buy anything, he looked right at us and walked right by us, and didnt say a word. I was so ticked I left. I'll definitely never do business there again! Anybody else have this problem with them?  ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |
Replies:
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 6:48pm
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I've never had a problem there. Always been great.
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 6:55pm
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wait so did you ever ask for help or... just look at them? they probably had a lot going on... that and a lot of people just go in their to look.... sometimes you just have to say "Hey I need help with this" but once you get their attention they give you 100%.... to be honest I got some of the best deals ever down at the aquarium this week... I've never felt so hooked up by a pet store to date.... I definitely will keep going back! ------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: Bluespotjawfish
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 7:23pm
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I really miss this store! Nothin' like in my part of the woods these days. Fortunately Brad was willing to ship my goodies to Texas the last time I was in town and saw some awesome stuff. Again, wish I was so lucky to have them in Texas. ------------- Home of the baby Picasso! |
Posted By: kody72
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 7:23pm
| there like that evertime I've been in there they would just blow me off even if i asked for help and who in the right mind would wanna pay their prices |
Posted By: DLindquist
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 7:43pm
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I love doing business at the "Aquarium". I must say though- I will only work with Brandon or Brad, just my personal preference. They have been working with me since I got involved in SW almost 13 years ago (and 1,000.00's of dollars earlier). They have the cleanest store and the nicest corals I have found. Yes- sometimes you have to just ask, not only for help, but for the really nice stuff (which can be pricey but cheaper than I have found any where else, if even available at other places.)
I have to say that it is possible that being recognized as a returning & loyal customer may initiate quicker service. But again, just ask- I'm sure they will be happy to help. ------------- A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have. |
Posted By: jcoulter17
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 7:44pm
| I was there one time and it's a nice place. Love that tank in the back,but I have never been back because of that service. If you are ever in the area try Aquatic Dreams. Not as big as the Aquarium, but real good customer service. |
Posted By: BHYDE
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 7:51pm
| I haven't been to The Aquarium for a couple of years now. Same reason, terrible service. |
Posted By: kody72
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 8:08pm
| I was wanting to buy some zoas there and I watched the guy frag them up and put the in there bins I asked for a piece out of the $14.95 he told me it was 45 so I asked to talked to manager because he was an a$$ not only to me but to my wife too. he asked me to leave it's pretty sad he was acting like a child. |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 8:52pm
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Just deal with Brad. I won't talk to anyone else there, let alone pay his prices! I know what he is getting the corals for. Heck, the one guy comes into Reef Runners and buys stuff from John then turns around and sells it in his shop for double! I am not complaining because a sale is a sale. It is just funny that they do it. But in the end, I really like Brad and he is way cool to deal with. Just avoid the teenagers and mid 20 year olds that work there.
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Posted By: sanddune600
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 9:10pm
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you could go look at Daves stuff at http://www.reefkingdom.com - http://www.reefkingdom.com he is in your area and he has super great costumer service
------------- Andy Jorgensen My number is four three 5 7 six four 8 0 three four |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 9:11pm
| I've always liked The Aquarium. I can't always afford it, but it's a beautiful store. Help can be hit or miss but I've never seen much better at any other store. |
Posted By: fishoutawater
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 9:23pm
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I just started at the aquarium this week, I was there from about 2:30- 5. I go out of my way to say hi and greet every customer I see on the floor. What time were you in the store today? Sorry you had a bad experience, I have been a customer there for years, and every once in a while I had a bad visit too. Which is why I try and at least acknowledge everyone who walks in. Hope you give us another chance. ------------- Some day, when I grow up,... |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 10:34pm
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Question-
After having your bad experience did you tell the owner?
Did you write a letter and address it to the owner?
Did you call and ask the employees for an explanation?
Did you write a note/suggestion and leave it up front?
I'm just wondering if you did anything to let them know about the problem. Or, did you just decide the best thing to do was to go online and just start bashing a store on an open forum...
 Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: chk4tix
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 10:45pm
------------- Original Crappy Reef Club Member #2 |
Adam Blundell wrote:Posted By: The Aquarium
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 10:54pm
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Good evening all, Brad here from The Aquarium...Im sorry about the lack of service this evening, and/or any other time for that matter. I will not however deny, that occasionally we do have an off night, or even an off day, and we are not able to satisfy our VERY valued customer needs. (especially if we're under staffed). My personal email address is [email protected] and any complaint, compliments, suggestions etc. I would appreciate them sent directly to me vs. publicly, and I will personally try to correct or improve the issue. Negative criticism is actually a motivator for me. Sorry again, and thanks to all the existing customers for your continued support, we are always trying hard to improve. |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 11:31pm
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I have always found Brad to be an awesome guy. Here is just one more example!!!!! ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: January 29 2010 at 11:32pm
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No worries Brad, we all know you try as hard as you can and will never be able to satisfy everyone, although I know you would want to.
Your store is one of, if not, the nicest stores in the west.  ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: sabeypets
Date Posted: January 30 2010 at 1:00am
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Brad is always great to deal with. One of my favorite stores to shop at. ------------- Shaun American Fork "Would you leave a dead cat in your kitchen till tommorow?" Builderofdreams |
Posted By: pgravis
Date Posted: January 30 2010 at 8:41am
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A little off topic here, but I'll post anyway. While I don't necessarily agree that an open forum is a good place to trash a store, I think venting is good for the costumer and the store. As a whole, we seem afraid of feedback and only want to prop people up, and I run into this at work all the time. However, Brad probably learned more in that one post that will make his store a better place to shop than he did from everyone offering their support. We can only get better with critical feedback. I work with troubled youth, and I think one of the most impactful things I can do is ask them for feedback on what I can do better. I learn nothing by hearing positive things (other than a good feeling inside!). I don't think anyone will stop shopping at the aquarium because of this thread, but it may keep someone shopping there in the future if employee problems are resolved because of it. off soapbox! by the way, only been to the aquarium a couple of times, and its been mostly good. PJ ------------- See my house: www.eclecticvictorian.com |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 30 2010 at 12:50pm
| I also think that we shouldn't be afraid of any feedback. Take it for what it's worth and that is that. It's not like I'm going to stop going to the store because someone else had one bad experience. In the long run you would probably see much more positive, unless a store was in very poor shape. Either way it's good for the consumer and the owners of LFS. It is what the free market system is all about. |
Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: January 30 2010 at 2:57pm
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Day after day, same question over and over, never buying anything, kids running crazy, Im amazed the service is good no matter where you go. However, it all boils down to this:
$$ = Great service regardless of what store you shop at. If you go over & over and spend nothing or little each time, dont be suprised if they dont rush over to help you. You spend money and you get great service... It is really quit simple....
Brad & the boys are my favorite by far. Look at it this way, the dollar store v/s Nordstroms. You get what you pay for. ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Posted By: EagleEyez5
Date Posted: January 30 2010 at 5:02pm
I personally would much rather pay more for something out of a clean well maintained store any day. I may not spend money there everytime, but when I do it's usually large amounts or for equipment. |
Posted By: thefu
Date Posted: January 30 2010 at 5:22pm
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I love Brad's response and I love pgravis point. There are always going to be anomalies with the customer service at any place and no matter how great, certain stores in any business will have their supporters and detractors. Regardless if this person had contacted the store owner, I think that is a benefit to all to hear everyones experiences. This helps the store owner in two ways...first, he gets more feedback...always good...and second, he gets to do exactly what Brad did here...turn a negative into a HUGE positive. Now, if there is a continuing stream of negative feedback, maybe it was an empty gesture (which I doubt) but more than anything he has now shown multiple people HIS commitment to great customer service. For the record, this report on customer service surprises me. Last year I created a review of LFS and in that category I found The Aquarium to be one of the best out there. I have been in there twice in the last month or so and I always have people greet me and ask me if I need help (and trust me, I never would wear a suit into a fish store). Feedback is good, Openness is good. So long as it is a simple account of an experience, I personally do not believe it is bashing.
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Posted By: laynframe
Date Posted: January 30 2010 at 7:26pm
This wasnt my first time in there. I travel along the wasatch front all week and make trips to all the local fish stores. lucky me lol. Everytime I go in there its this way. I beleive its because I have a shaved head, do to my job, and i have a uniform i wear, and I feel like I'm labeled. The funny thing is I'm pretty fortunate and have a well paying job, and a wife that understands my coral habit lol. I know dave at reef kingdom well, Ryan at aquatic dreams, and doug at bird world. But I have to say I'm not going to the aquarium again. Your business is only as good as your customer service, weak links can ruin a company. I know I work in the field. This wasn't ment to be a bash on the aquarium! I wanted to know if maybe I was being too sensitive and I have found out I wasn't alone. You shouldn't have to wait for a certain person to do business with, that comment says it all doesn't it?I was in there Friday at 3:30 when you guys were not busy 2 customers were in there and I was one of them. Sorry aquarium if you feel attacked, but learn from it! ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |
Posted By: thefu
Date Posted: January 30 2010 at 7:45pm
| Customer profiling is common and unwise...I too see it many times...a good point and one easily fixed by proper staff training...if you know about it...and that is why your feedback is the perfect way. |
Posted By: GUNDLR
Date Posted: February 01 2010 at 2:05pm
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I think theve done pretty great job. there super helpful to me. LOVE THE STORE, VERY NICE. ------------- I LUV GUNS..... DEFENSEARMS.COM RECONARMS.COM ASK ME ABOUT BUILDING UR DREAM AR-15 LOADED FOR $300.00 START RECONGLOBALGROUP.COM MARINE RECON.... FOREIGN WAR VETERAN |
Posted By: DanhNgo
Date Posted: February 01 2010 at 2:47pm
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Brad and I go back many years. I really like his service and will support his store. I haven't had a problem there. Their items are marked, unlike some stores nothing is marked and you have to ask them on everything. I'm not cheap and I'm not stupid. Brad does a good job in getting me a good deal. I will suppot them any time I can. If I have a problem I'm not afraid to tell him.
------------- 200 Gal Reef 25 Gal Nano Reef |
Posted By: larhalli
Date Posted: February 01 2010 at 2:57pm
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I will say my 2 cents worth then shut up. I think the Aquarium is one of the cleanest, well stocked fish and fish equipment and supplies stores I have ever been in. However like a few others, I also have been in there and have found it hard to be waited on or helped. My thoughts that even if there is only one or two employees in the store, at least one of them should be a proactive salesperson. I think a proactive salesperson though for some people might not be the most fun, it would mean more money for the business. When I have asked for help I usually get it but on occasion even upon asking have gotten a run around, or the person helping is not helpful or seems too busy to answer my questions. Regardless I still enjoy going in to that store and looking for that special something I need or a possible good deal. I am sure it is not easy to find good help that are willing to stick around and be great employees.
------------- Larry Halliday West Jordan |
Posted By: idahreefer
Date Posted: February 09 2010 at 12:32am
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I have had great service at the Aquarium, I live in Idaho & they know me by name & are always friendly & helpful, Brad, Mike & Brandon amongst others have been great! Marty
------------- martin |
Posted By: Chevmaro
Date Posted: February 09 2010 at 3:58pm
| I go there a lot. They get real busy some times but are mostly very helpful. I never mind waiting for assistance in Fish store because there is so much to look at. |
Posted By: Chevmaro
Date Posted: February 09 2010 at 4:05pm
I have to comment on this. Most pet people including reef geeks are really laid back. I wouldnt say homely but I know when I go out of the house im not wearing a suit. And after meeting alot of others in this club I dont think they would be either. |