Ocean Aquatics - my first impression

[reptile guy]

This is Jim from OA the guy you were speaking with yesterday. I'm not on here too often ( young kids at home take up a lot of ones time lol ) but Wendell told me about the comments you made about the store so felt I should address. At the moment yes parts of the store are in a bit of disarray because of renovations with large tanks being moved and taken down and soon a new frag tank to be put up. While by no means a disaster the shops not as tidy because of that fact. Lots of big displays, hardware and all types of products would be great but require funding to do so and funding we don't have. It's not that easy or simple in a hobby that's slow right now with a lot of people that have gotten out and not many getting in. You can't order and do all these things if your funding doesn't allow it though it is something were working on and will hopefully be changes upcoming. We used to have 3 people on during the week now except for one day there's just one. Most of the time during the week it's just me here so hard to keep on top of it all and make all the improvements we would like to see done. It's unfortunate to hear a store on the island seems to be closing as I'm a hobbyist first and love to see all the stores stay a float but such a tight market right now. While were not where we'd like to be just yet we're working on some of those goals which will hopefully be a benefit to our customers. If you come into the store to talk to me you will always get an honest answer and will always do my best to help you out. If I don't know the answer will tell you and will not make one up. If I show you a product and seem excited about it it will be because I am and likely want the same for my tank ( new LED lighting for my 300 lol Also something I'm working on lol ). First and foremost we believe in running the store honestly so is why I'm being upfront and telling you how things are. We have some great customers ones I love to chat and joke around with whether there buying something or not there always great to see. If you feel our store is very disappointing then there's plenty of other stores to shop at but I have to disagree and know our good customers will still come in. I feel making such a judgement call on one visit seems quite hasty but everyone is entitled to there thoughts.Funds maybe tight at the moment as they are for so many stores but things are slowly being addressed and I still take pride in OA. That's my rant for the day and thanks to all our customers posted the nice words and hope to see and chat with you soon!

Originally Posted by gregzz4

My first visit to Ocean Aquatics was very disappointing.
I expected to see many more shelves filled with hardware I might like to take home.
The store was a mess, both the shelf and tank area.
Their frag tanks are, IMHO, the only are worth looking at.
They have some nice specimens to view, but I think they would do a much better job selling product if they were to clean up the store, create some displays to showcase the products they sell, get rid of the mess, and build some displays.
They are wasting rented space.
I'll say it once again for posture ....
They have nice frag tanks to look at, but that is all.
I would like to see them utilize their space to it's full potential.

[ScubaSteve]

Well said! And don't forget to add that you guys are the friendliest, most helpful store around too. Oh, and damn funny! You and Janet are like your own stand-up act.

Originally Posted by reptile guy

This is Jim from OA the guy you were speaking with yesterday. I'm not on here too often ( young kids at home take up a lot of ones time lol ) but Wendell told me about the comments you made about the store so felt I should address. At the moment yes parts of the store are in a bit of disarray because of renovations with large tanks being moved and taken down and soon a new frag tank to be put up. While by no means a disaster the shops not as tidy because of that fact. Lots of big displays, hardware and all types of products would be great but require funding to do so and funding we don't have. It's not that easy or simple in a hobby that's slow right now with a lot of people that have gotten out and not many getting in. You can't order and do all these things if your funding doesn't allow it though it is something were working on and will hopefully be changes upcoming. We used to have 3 people on during the week now except for one day there's just one. Most of the time during the week it's just me here so hard to keep on top of it all and make all the improvements we would like to see done. It's unfortunate to hear a store on the island seems to be closing as I'm a hobbyist first and love to see all the stores stay a float but such a tight market right now. While were not where we'd like to be just yet we're working on some of those goals which will hopefully be a benefit to our customers. If you come into the store to talk to me you will always get an honest answer and will always do my best to help you out. If I don't know the answer will tell you and will not make one up. If I show you a product and seem excited about it it will be because I am and likely want the same for my tank ( new LED lighting for my 300 lol Also something I'm working on lol ). First and foremost we believe in running the store honestly so is why I'm being upfront and telling you how things are. We have some great customers ones I love to chat and joke around with whether there buying something or not there always great to see. If you feel our store is very disappointing then there's plenty of other stores to shop at but I have to disagree and know our good customers will still come in. I feel making such a judgement call on one visit seems quite hasty but everyone is entitled to there thoughts.Funds maybe tight at the moment as they are for so many stores but things are slowly being addressed and I still take pride in OA. That's my rant for the day and thanks to all our customers posted the nice words and hope to see and chat with you soon!

[reptile guy]

Well think all the renos and changes would have been done already but takes time keeping Janet in check and out of trouble ( worse than my kids lol) . Yes we seem to always be joking around and love to give everyone a hard time but that's what makes it so fun to work here and met lots of great people because of it. What fun would work be without the laughs lol

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Well said! And don't forget to add that you guys are the friendliest, most helpful store around too. Oh, and damn funny! You and Janet are like your own stand-up act.

[gregzz4]

Thanks for the input Jim
I don't see anything in my post that told people not to shop with you. I also said nothing about not returning. I had a good experience dealing with you personally

And ya, a sign explaining the status of the store would have taken all the disappointment out of my visit and I would not have posted anything

[reptile guy]

Greg never said you were saying for people not to come to the store. Though in saying you only liked the frags and found everything else very disappointing after a short visit than I felt I should explain as to why things may have appeared that way. Maybe I should have informed you as to all that is going on at the moment but it didn't appear like you were wanting to know. We had a great chat about plumbing and the one weird fitting check valve and few laughs about it so had no idea you felt this way . If you had shown any concern or had any questions I would have gladly answered them and will try and let more people know all that is upcoming for the store. Lots of people know that were doing a bit of reno's but will try to get the word out so everyone is informed. Though I'm sure this thread is now helping lol. Hopefully you'll be back in when everything's back on track and have a better experience.

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Thanks for the input Jim
I don't see anything in my post that told people not to shop with you. I also said nothing about not returning. I had a good experience dealing with you personally

And ya, a sign explaining the status of the store would have taken all the disappointment out of my visit and I would not have posted anything

[msjboy]

Let us know when renoaare done! I have been meaning to visit the store but have not due to your outta the way location and raising 2 young kids.


Msjboy

[reptile guy]

You may find were not that far away though I know it's hard to get far with two young kids lol

Originally Posted by msjboy

Let us know when renoaare done! I have been meaning to visit the store but have not due to your outta the way location and raising 2 young kids.


Msjboy

[gregzz4]

Sorry Jim, I meant to separate this part from you;
I don't see anything in my post that told people not to shop with you. I also said nothing about not returning.
I actually wrote that part for all the ones saying I was bashing

Of course I'll be back. We had not met until yesterday only because of the distance between us.

Sure I could have asked you, or on here, what is going on with the store, but thats not me.
Imagine how many others may have gotten the same impression I did.
I was shocked because so many have talked about your store and I guess I was expecting a big outlet with all kinds of goodies

[reptile guy]

Greg no worries at all it's great to get peoples perspectives we have lots of goodies coming but they'll be in the tanks lol. At heart we tend to focus a lot on corals/fish but we will have more dry stock soon and can get anything your after. Right now with the reno's we don't have all our shelves up yet. Have a good one and good to know you'll be back so I can give you a hard time later lol

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Sorry Jim, I meant to separate this part from you;
I don't see anything in my post that told people not to shop with you. I also said nothing about not returning.
I actually wrote that part for all the ones saying I was bashing

Of course I'll be back. We had not met until yesterday only because of the distance between us.

Sure I could have asked you, or on here, what is going on with the store, but thats not me.
Imagine how many others may have gotten the same impression I did.
I was shocked because so many have talked about your store and I guess I was expecting a big outlet with all kinds of goodies