emissary June 10, 2006 June 10, 2006 So I went to Wallys a couple of weeks ago. Hadn't been there for a few years. The store was cleaner, the livestock was okay though I thought a bit high in price. Drygoods seemed also a bit on the expensive side, but aquarium prices were really good. I was a bit disappointed that the livestock ... well much of it seemed diseased and unhappy. So I was back there today and the livestock I had looked at 2 weeks ago was in much better shape! They had managed to rid some fish of ick and everything was generally happier looking. Also learned that they're working on setting up a quarantine system in the back (excellent!). No WAMAS discount, but the guys I talked to (esp. powderbrown on this board) were really helpful, knowledgable, and friendly. Wally's is definitely back on my list of stores that I'll invariably frequent... as I drive past SuperPetz.
dschflier June 11, 2006 June 11, 2006 I agree with you. I hadn't been to Wallys since I stopped going to Super pets about a year ago. Coincidentally I was at Walleys yesterday and today. I still think the prices are crazy for much of the livestock but the people at least are nice and I don't mind looking around. I was looking to buy a couple of Frontosa's for my fresh tank. I was willing to spend up to $100 figuring maybe I could get 2 or 3. They were selling them for $150 a piece. and they weren't large. I asked if the price was for a single fish and he said yes because they were of a certain type. He also mentioned that they have had them for a long time. All I could think of was, of course you have.
dschflier June 12, 2006 June 12, 2006 Generally I agree with you Caribean, but since I was a little kid when I pass a fish store I stop. I think I was born with that as a natural reflex. Although I still stubbornly fight the reflex when passing superpets.
vrroom June 12, 2006 June 12, 2006 NO WAMAS Discount.... no reason to stop. Even if they give you 10% discount, their price is still high up in the sky. I will consider to go to wally if BRK is out of business
emissary June 12, 2006 Author June 12, 2006 Support comes in many ways. The owner may not be willing to give discounts, but at least one of his employees will talk to customers about WAMAS. That moves them in a positive direction, I think. Change doesn't happen overnight.
Guest kwrustin July 29, 2006 July 29, 2006 Support comes in many ways. The owner may not be willing to give discounts, but at least one of his employees will talk to customers about WAMAS. That moves them in a positive direction, I think. Change doesn't happen overnight. As long as nobody goes to Superpetz. Nobody!!
HowardofNOVA July 29, 2006 July 29, 2006 Selective shopping! I like SuperPetz, Annandale VA for their live Mysis Shrimp and Black Worms Wallys, Annandale also, has some interest for me, but just haven't bought anything when I go there lately! MarineScene, Herndon VA, LOVE the store, but my wallet fills like a ton when I go in! Roozens Ft Washington MD has nice selection and prices on LR, Phytoplankton, Salt Mixes with a bit of interest for their occasional corals or fish that catch my eye. Fin and Feathers, sorry, I've just not got a chance to visit you fine folks yet!! BRK Manassas VA, Truely appreciate what Bryon and Johnny have done with their store, selection on Plumbing supplies is second to none, nice selection of fish and corals and as everyone knows, pricing like your online!! Congressional Kensington MD, has a nice place the last time I was their, huge product selections and was generally pleased with what I saw! Petco in Tysons, Beacon Hill and Springfield, VERY Selective shopping for fish and supplies, but not much. There are other LFS, but these get the most of my business.
jamesbuf July 29, 2006 July 29, 2006 Why does everyone hate Superpets?? I've never been so I'm somewhat curious.
YBeNormal July 29, 2006 July 29, 2006 I stop there at least once per week on the way home from work to pick up crickets. Their hardware and dry goods prices are not the greatest though (BRK beats them hands down) and I'd avoid purchasing any of their fish--especially in the SW section. It's really a shame that they do not take better care of their livestock since they have a large selection to choose from.
rrubberbandman August 1, 2006 August 1, 2006 Superpetz is like the wal-mart of pet stores....."Sir ,where is youre granulated carbon...ummm its on aisle 22..i think" Bryan
martin August 1, 2006 August 1, 2006 Superpetz, a hateful kinda place. They try hard to not help, or be seen, or get caught. I have had an easier time catching crackheads in the alley than the employees of Superpetz. Fish are dead or dying (SW section that is) and so are the corals. There are better stores around, even online would be better than shopping there.
Guest alex wlazlak August 1, 2006 August 1, 2006 whenever i WOULD go, they were usually helpful when i was buying somthing aquatic... the one time i asked if they take WAMAS cards and the dude like fliped out... i bought two anemones from them, the cheapo's and they both died fairly quickly. bad store.
jamesbuf August 1, 2006 August 1, 2006 They try hard to not help, or be seen, or get caught. I have had an easier time catching crackheads in the alley than the employees of Superpetz. Reminds me of the Chappelle's Show skit "Popcopy". Poking fun at how its impossible to get help at Kinkos. Once the pet store goes to the "mass ordering" kind of store, the customer loses any kind of personal touch that is offered at the smaller stores. The crazy thing is that the more the store buys and sells, means they should be getting the inventory cheaper, which should translate into cheaper prices for the consumer. Not the case from what I've seen (Aquarium Center, House of Tropicals). Even if I spend a couple more dollars on an item, I prefer to have the "experience" of visiting the smaller stores (I learn something new everytime I visit BRK, and don't get me started on Sean). I know I'm just restating the obvious, but its better to support the smaller stores than feed the greed of those superstores. Quality over quantity!!!!
dschflier August 9, 2006 August 9, 2006 Well since I am working a mid I have some time to write. I wont say anymore then I have in the past about Super pets, other then they suck. I will say I went to Walleys the other day and had an interesting experience. First I will mention that I didn't have a chance to look at the livestock because my son was in the car with my mom. My father on the other hand did and thought the store was well stocked and the prices reasonable. I think he said they had a good size queen or blue angel for $80. I think that is a fair price. From a distance I saw what looked like a store that was better stocked then I had seen in the past. The reason I am really writing though is because I had a chance to speak with the owner. I have visited Walleys over the years many times. I don't think I have ever bought fish their, but have always bought smaller items. I was going to buy my 210 from them, but at the time they were only willing to help me set my tank up if I bought a whole setup. I thought that was a bad business decision because I was willing to pay for the help. My question to the owner was actually something I had wondered for a long time. I asked him why he would not give credit for any fish people would bring in. He gave me an honest answer and I can't refute his experience, other then to say many other stores seem to do it with success. My point was more that the community is not a large one and in my opinion it is more important to make relationships and bring in customers. I asked him if he had thought about giving a WAMAS discount and the possibility of having some kind of social. He didn't give me any kind of answer on that, but I was pressed to leave because my family was waiting. Another point brought up was; he felt that when I buy items used from other individuals or trade with friends or through the internet that we are hurting the local stores. I agree with him, to a point. On the other hand if the store is not willing to reach out to the community they serve then why shouldn't we. Much of it also comes down to economics. The prices have to be within reason or the customer service has to be top of the line. Look at BRK and Marine scene. People are willing to go out of there way to these stores to buy items from them because the people are great to work with. I have only been to BRK once, because it is like an hour away, but I really had a enjoyable and memorable time. If Walleys plans on charging premium prices then they need to have premium customer service. Overall, I think he might be opened to some ideas. I mentioned he should consider joining WAMAS. For all I know he is a member now. I will go back and check stuff out. I still think some of the stuff is a bit priccy though. I will be curious if the future would have some kind of social or something. Well I hope this was informative. I don't want anyone to get the impression that I was slamming the store, because that was not my intention. This was just my observation. As I said my father was very impressed with the store and he was visiting from NY where they have some really great stores.
extreme_tooth_decay August 9, 2006 August 9, 2006 NO WAMAS Discount.... no reason to stop. Rediculous assertion Why does everyone hate Superpets?? I've never been so I'm somewhat curious. The main reasons for me are: 1) Terrible, terrible service 2) Crummy selection, often in poor shape 3) Terrible prices On the other hand, their freshwater selection is good and they (or at least used to have) good prices there. I also like buying live brine shrimp there tim
Caribbean Jake August 9, 2006 August 9, 2006 Rediculous assertion The main reasons for me are: 1) Terrible, terrible service 2) Crummy selection, often in poor shape 3) Terrible prices On the other hand, their freshwater selection is good and they (or at least used to have) good prices there. I also like buying live brine shrimp there tim Perhaps is considered ridiculous... but is my opinion There are several other reasons besides discount, price, selection, maintenance, and lack of experience and knowledge employees... but again that is just my opinion. Sorry you feel that way !
HowardofNOVA August 9, 2006 August 9, 2006 GEEZ! You guys sound like a bunch of old ladies after someone yells BINGO! I need to find Chip's picture of the Dead Horse and post it hear! Folks we all know that stores cater to different groups of people, that's not wrong, thats just BUSINESS! They need to do what they do to FEED THEIR FAMILIES and stay in the business! Good press, bad press, it all brings attention to the stores and either drives their customers away or brings them in. Some stores go above and beyond with great services, like MarineScene, but to do that COST money, ALOT of money! BRK has been one of the exceptions but talking to Johnny, his bottom line suffers mightly in the SW Section. Saying that if it weren't for his profits in the Koi Dept, he would be out of business! So his store and others would be the opposite of the spectrum. Their still supplying great service, but at a minimum profit, making any bad decisions possibly devistating to his business! Little room for error, but this comes with huge acculades from the group! We all have budget limits, some higher than others and allows us to pick and choose who we do business with. We ask for everything for nothing and expect more be thrown our way! WAMAS membership can ask for discounts and companies can pick and choose if they want to do so depending on how their clientel is setup. WE on the other hand can and SHOULD always take the HIGH road and ask for it and if we don't get it, then we thank them for their time and move on! (Down the road if you so choose to someone else who will if you so choose too.) BUT not to pile on like we do sometimes! If you want more discounts, quit throwing lemons and stomping out any chance that you will get them! Smile and have a glass of lemonade instead!
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