Credit where due!

Hi all.

Firstly, apologies for not posting nearly as much as I should but I'd like to share an experience I had yesterday (hope this is in the right section - if not, could the mods please relocate). As yesterday was a Bank Holiday I decided to get up real early and make a day of travelling up the country (from Dungarvan) to have a scoot around the various aquatic outlets up as far as Dublin. Don't do it that often but with the new road open now it's only about a 2 hour spin.

Now before I go on it should be said that sometimes I have been known for being a bit of a synic in terms of prices in this country (not just pertaining to aquatic outlets I must say, but generally). Now I have no problem paying a little over the top for something if it means staying local, but when your talking about saving quite a considerable amount by, say, purchasing online (€100's in the case of some of my big externals which I've done in the past) then I have no problem doing that either. Money talks so to speak. Most of my plecs have been purchased outside of this country, but that's more to do with necessity rather than choice - but the same criteria applies. Even taking into account the conversion rate, and any travelling / shipping / handling fees, most plecs / equipment are, I find, much more expensive in this country. Please don't misunderstand me - I have viewed all of my fish before purchasing, and do not buy them blindly online.

So I was genuinely refreshed yesterday as to what I experienced. Take a bow Aquatic Village (Brittas). A lot of the tanks were empty but that's a sign of things going well, right? That and the fact that I might have picked a time when most fish had sold out. I took some time to wander around the shop and noticed that the fish that were there (of which there were still quite a considerable amount) were of real good quality - and the prices were really outstanding! The Scobinancistrus (L14) is truly beautiful - I have 3 myself so can vouch for them). I really believe that, and, as said previously, in 16 years keeping fish, I don't say that very often. I didn't speak with anybody but, going back and forth the shop, noticed that Ian (who I recognised from AV website) and all the crew were really engrossed in helping people out and offering very good advise (sorry for ear wigging). Their interaction with customers was first class and they even entertained some children with demonstrations on feeding the Cayman.

Sorry for the rave but I just thought that in these times of economic pressure, it was (for me anyway) genuinely refreshing to see the prices (along with the quality) that I saw. On this point, I also believe that it's a good step that has been taken here by allowing prices to be printed in the sponsor's section. People can then make up their own minds accordingly.

I have no problem travelling if I believe that I'm getting a good deal (no matter what it is), and if Aquatic Village were to continue to lead the way with this pricing initiative (even intermitantly), I would very easily make this my "go to" place for all things aquatic. Actually, I plan to return next weekend after shuffling one of my big tanks around. Well done!

Well thought out review Patrick. Fair play to you for taking the time.

Jay

cheers Patrick
it's always nice to hear some positive feedback
we where very busy yesterday
running around like lunatics trying to serve everyone...

Have a replacement clip thingie for ya Des.

Kev.

Wow....thanks man that is some compliment u have just paid us at Aquatic Village i'm really greatful for the things u have said re staff and prices.We are doing our level best to bring ourselves in line with what is going on in the current market...and believe u me we feel the pain.The shop was super stocked but we have sold out of almost everything...so keep an eye on www.aquatic-village for updated stocklists and next time if u have travelled dont be afraid to ask for a cup of coffee and have a chat....and the way we sold out of fish ud never know.....50% off retail may be the way to go for us for the immediate future....
Cheers
Ian
Ps if anybody wants to say nice things about us....i wont complain....