This is the 3rd time I have typed this, everytime I Click Send / Post the site locks up !!! and no all other site I visit opens up IMEADEATLY or within 5 seconds. this seems to be an inherant fault.
But back to the topic. It seems all our Sponsors are only interested in Local Trade. they must be, as quite a few havn't updated their sites for a few months. Also directions on how to get there is to sayat the least sketchy.
Travelling from down south, the Red Cow is about my limit of travel. from then on you take your life in your hands, Looking for landmarks and even worse Street signs is impossible. Oh how I long to visit Seahorse but thats as far as it gets. just a dream.
Not everyone lives in the Dublin Area!!!!! so come on answer your e/ mails . or are you all making enough Profit to omit my trade. over the years I have spent a few Grand. you obviously don't need my money. quite a few people I have spoken to seem to have the same opinion.
The good ones need't worry they will still have my trade at the others expense.

Re Posting Prices.
I don't think the sponsors would be keen on that,
For instance I have spent a few days pricing and looking at Corals
Same coral 3 differnt shops
Shop1 75 euro
Shop 2 65 "
Shop 3 45 "

If members new where shop 1 & 2 were, then 2 sponsors would loose out on sales!!!!1 they won't be happy

russell i think you've made a point, yet i say so what, in your situation shop 1 is definately ripping someone off, as is shop 2 so why shouldnt shop 3 benefit, we're in an open market, so if shop3 decides they would prefer to make less of a profit and give fishkeepers more bang for their buck i say fair dues and i'd shop there then you might see the prices in shop1&2 drop to realistic levels

Hi Russell
Did you mention your findings to either shop 1 or 2, in other words give them an opportunity to price match...? tho to be perfectly honest I do believe that if a shop is selling something be it livestock,dry goods or indeed anything else they should be aware of what the competition is charging. Do people do this much...?

Lar

Hi Russell
I'm not making excuses for anyone ... but have you tried using a satnav or google maps for your directions...your welcome to borrow mine i think i have all the major shops that I have visited in the republic saved in my garmin and some of the ones north of the border as well.

Lar

PS- I'm a dub but I live in Offaly

PPS - Maybe the sponsors could incorporate a google map link to the shop into their websites so people can get directions that way

The two threads were merged to this one as they were both on the same topic.

John.

Personally Lar, I think your suggestion is a very good one for Sponsors to (where possible) update their Forum section with GPS coordinates, many members now have SatNavs and making this information available would help would-be visitors no end.

Valerie did a great job by making every regular Sponsor's position available on Google Maps (in the 'Main Menu' on the left), but if the coordinates were available all SatNav-equipped members would be able to find the shops with no problems at all (just as long as they have the up-to-date maps installed!) - My ancient model Garmin shows me travelling across fields when driving along the new M6 to Galway...telling me every ten seconds or so that it's "recalculating"...!

John

Hi Russell etc,

I agree that GPS coordinates is an excellent idea. We are currently working on a new website as our current one is very poor and outdated, our new site will have the coordinates, google maps and all prices etc.

In one way we are sitaued in a great location as we are beside the red cow but we are in behind it and sometimes people find it hard to locate us. We recently got new signs made which has improved the problem. We are a fairly new shop so we are trying to improve week by week as we have the finances.

I have just done a search and found one mail from you which was sent last friday looking for the price and range of mushrooms. Apologies for the delay in responding to you but we are so busy at present (i am not complaining ) between the shop, seahorse breeding and instalations etc at night. Anyway in answer to your question, we currently have green, blue, red, java, speckled, marble and fire mushrooms in stock and the price ranges from €35 to €45. We have special red striped mushrooms in stock but they are €95, we also have the amazing mixed mushroom platters back in stock which are €150 but they fly out the door so you will need to be quick if interested. Please don't hesiate to call if you have any queries on the above.

Again apologies for the delay but it is purely a time and resource issue which will be rectified. Also there is deffinietely no country / Dublin bias. Having lived in Connemara for 8 of the last 10 years i know what it is like having to come to Dublin for fish etc.
As mentioned, our new website will be up in ca 6 weeks which will have weekly stocklists of freshwater and marine, along with a library database of all fish dietry requirements, compatability etc etc.

Many thanks

Kealan

well seahorse since i have u here u sell any good plant substrate/gravel for freshwater aquarium,it seems that fintastic sponser does be very active on here and as always anwser anything i ask very quick

Well that certainly got you talking. which was the main point.
Well done Seahorse at least you posted a good reply. Does that mean I turn left at the Red Cow and not go on the dreaded M50 comming up the N7 from the south ?
I have always found Aquatic Village good and also helpfiul, fair do's Drew.
I await with baited breath the response from all the remaining sponsors.
As for pricing, believe it or not I have found some small pet stores that stock limited Fish, marine & corals which are very well priced. they tend to make the profit from the other sales so the prices are better.
The comment you will get from the high street and like, is they have high overheads, well guesse what so do I, you chose the buisiness so don't pass the buck and high price onto us. there is a so called recession on.

Also thank to Valerie for the sat nav link. like John mine sends me where I don,t want to go. Ireland was supposed to have updated it's satelite positioning last year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To get to Searorse coming from N7, go over the red cow interchange, keeping to the left lane all the way down to the long-mile/nangor rd junction (just after woodies). Then follow the semi round-about (look at google maps! will make sense then), turning right all the time to essentially do a u-turn and head back to the south.Back on the N7, stick to the left lane, and as you pass the red cow hotel take the very next left turn onto turnpike road. Seahorse are opposite the red-cow hotel's exit onto turnpike, look for the baby goods sign, the lads are round the back.