Guest PowderBrown February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 Wally's received a very nice shipment from our new livestock distributor this week. Of interest to the reefers: beautiful gold, purple and green aquacultured Acroporas neon grean horn corals (hydnophora) a large piece of purple Montipora a large Starburst branch rock (star polyps with very delicate polyps) several nicely colored Open Brains, two orange Fungia plates, bright yellow and subtle green Sarcophytons yellow Diadogorgia sea fingers Sebae anemones, multicolor and striped Long Tentacle anemones, and an absolutely stunning purple and green Bubble Tip anemone, Tonga Bullseye mushrooms, neon blue and neon green mushrooms, large green button polyps (these rocks are just covered on polyps), and many more...it was a large order. As for the fish folks, we have: Copperband butterflies Singapore angel Green chromis several Mandarins including a somewhat rare Red Mandarin an absolutely beautiful, adult Coral Beauty, Bicolored angel Sargassum anglerfish (if you've never seen one...you have to see this!!), a large variety of dottybacks, cute little yellow clown gobies, Black and Yellow seahorses Bumblebee snails and nassarius snails (great for stirring your substrate)... ...and the list goes on. We look forward to seeing you this weekend. Take care, Greg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norboo February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 I started shopping at Wally's back in the early 80's. I still stop in from time to time...I've been to every pet shop around the area and Wally's has decent but not the best prices on tanks. Besides tanks, prices seem really high especially when compared to online shops. Some high as 70%. PetSmart matches their online store prices, so I print out what I need and purchase it locally. I will say, Wally's is step above Annandale Super Pets. Now there is a owner that has no clue. I wouldn't spend a penny in that place. Tom on the other hand is a nice guy and has fair amount of knowledge, but can use a little brushing up when it comes to reef setup. Wally's staffs are less than friendly, give very poor advice and need product knowledge. About 6 months ago, I asked, how long will it take to set up a reef tank? One of the staff member said, with all these modern technology and advance chemistry, few days. Went on pointing out what I would need...I lost him at "few days". Needless to say, I ended up in Herndon and dealt with a small pet shop owner and ordered $2000 worth of stuff including Oceanic tank and stand. He wasn't that knowledgeable, but he was honest and very helpful. I would still stop in from time to time, but I seriously doubt I would purchase much. Online shops offer great prices and fast shipping. There are many pet stores around the area that I don't mind purchasing from. I've been around so much and so often, I know who has what and know their prices. Example, Tropic Marine "Pro" Sea Salt is about $15 lower than Wally's Tropic Marine Sea Salt...and they are much more knowledgeable and friendly. Smile goes a long way. This is just my experience and honest opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 So Norboo, I see the post above was your second (2) post on the Wamas forum. Was your first as honest, informative and encouraging? Welcome to your forum, honestly. If a shop is making an effort to turn itself around, why not encourage the transition? This doesn't mean to go in and tell them how to do everything because the guy right after you is going to tell them something different and to the contrary. Not only will we the hobbiest win, but more importantly so will the creatures we're trying to keep. Everything involved wins, and you can vote with your dollars. Encouragement my friend, encouragement. Good luck Wallys and thanks for helping make a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gioNVA February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 Norboo, Which shop in Herndon are you talking about? I live nearby and would like to check it out. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 I would agree that Wally's had a down time for Marine stock, but Tom saw the need and hired a salt water person and is changing things around. My interest is that the live stock is well cared for, and people are given decent advice on how to keep them healthy. Without LFS it would be difficult to look at animals and equipment in person, a major loss for the hobby. I try to support them by buying there when possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarosh February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 Where exactly is Wally's, If in the area I may try and stop by to check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 I too agree about the well being of the live stock. I find I won't sell mounted frags to those I don't think can care for them. The only "problem" with "advise" is that it's opinion that always comes along with it. :D Look at any thread on our site and it usually amounts to a difference of opinion. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norboo February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 So Norboo, I see the post above was your second (2) post on the Wamas forum. Was your first as honest, informative and encouraging? Welcome to your forum, honestly. If a shop is making an effort to turn itself around, why not encourage the transition? This doesn't mean to go in and tell them how to do everything because the guy right after you is going to tell them something different and to the contrary. Not only will we the hobbiest win, but more importantly so will the creatures we're trying to keep. Everything involved wins, and you can vote with your dollars. Encouragement my friend, encouragement. Good luck Wallys and thanks for helping make a difference. 52024[/snapback] Thank you for such warm welcome. honestly. My first post was my opinion of Wally's and my second was to answer/help how to drill glass. I will support any LFS if warranted and do. Within the last 6 months, I spend over 5K and of that, only 1K via online. Did I mention I did spend 2K at a LFS in Herndon? Isn't that supporting LFS? That leaves 2K I also spent on LFS. Which means, there are bargains around the area. I like to do business with people I trust and don't like paying higher prices if I don't have to. This is such an expensive hobby as is. I did business with Wally's for over 20 years and I would continue to do so if they lower prices and give better advice. Would you buy a house from a realtor that gives you bad advice? Would you buy a car from an over priced dealer with a dishonest salesperson? It's up to the owner to decide how he wants to conduct business. If the staff is missed informed or need more training, I think he should know about it. If I can buy goods little cheaper down the street, I'm sure I will run into you there. If Wally's has a better staff and prices are competitive, They would earn my business. But I don't see the need to pay $74.99 for AcquaClear 500/110 that I can buy for $39.99 down the street. This is just one example. If over paying is your idea of supporting LFS, more power to you. But in my "honest opinion", you are encouraging bad business. If I buy down the street, isn't that supporting LFS, supporting our hobby and promoting good business? I am a business owner myself and try to soak in all the complaints/opinions with an open mind. I train my sales staff contiguously. Information and knowledge is power and a great tool to better business. If you don't voice your complaints and opinions, how else will any business achieve greatness? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveller7 February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 If you don't voice your complaints and opinions, how else will any business achieve greatness? 52061[/snapback] As a business owner would you prefer to receive your Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norboo February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 As a business owner would you prefer to receive your Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 Ok, My mistake for continuing the thread hyjack. See this and let this go back to the items they have offered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin February 4, 2006 Share February 4, 2006 Today I brought the copperband butterfly, it was super healthy looking and active in the display tank. I have not bought these in the past due to health and level of care. I have plenty of natural food for it in my tanks-thanks to a trigger fish. The other fish looked good as well, I was looking at the bi-colored angle and the adult coral angel. I'll see if I am up to the task of keeping a copperband. Lots of natural food and quarentin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott711 February 5, 2006 Share February 5, 2006 I recently bought a very nice pagoda cup coral and it is doing very well in my tank. The price I paid for it was pretty good. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norboo February 5, 2006 Share February 5, 2006 I recently bought a very nice pagoda cup coral and it is doing very well in my tank. The price I paid for it was pretty good. Scott 52093[/snapback] Good to know they are getting better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discordja February 5, 2006 Share February 5, 2006 It's about a mile off of 395 on the Little River Turnpike going toward Annandale. If your version of 'In the area' is 60 miles NE of you then make sure to check it out. The marine tanks are looking a lot better, everything alive and most everything looking healthy. Had I not just moved to Manassas, I'd frequent it more often! Where exactly is Wally's, If in the area I may try and stop by to check it out. 52030[/snapback] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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