Shocked.....

Just wanted to say i am really disappointed to see that only 9 people have commented on Aquarium Solutions post about closing down.It really shows the complete lack of respect and indifference this forum has to regarding the future of local Fish shops especially when it was one of the good shops.Maybe if people spent less time swapping stuff on this forum there would no need for shops to close down.Everyone has double standards here to the point where i wonder do people get a kick out of not spending Irish.If you have a problem with a shops price then be upfront about it.....zooplus first quarter for this year was in the millions and millions i think it was 35 million or so......that's shocking.....then supporting chain stores that pop up everywhere that's shocking too...as far as i am concerned no one really gives a dam as long as it doesn't concern them....i think this is wrong so i will speak my mind.One of the reasons i rarely engage here anymore for this reason entirely....i check the recent discussions page and its like a swap shop..........this site has lost its way.......there are only one or two shops on the north side....and you guys are letting them down....you will be left with nothing and it will be your fault........9 replies is all you could muster .....well i am not impressed next time sponsor ship is up for renewal don't come knocking on my door!
I've said my piece!
Ian

i am one of the people genuinely disappointed to see Andy going,i bought my tank off him,ordered specific things like spray bars,particular fish and so on and have always found him excellent to deal with and very reasonable.He will be big time missed for all the impartial advice and even the friendly chat as passing by the shop so i can as a customer understand your anger about the lack of reply.



edit
just to add i know Andy had a great response in the shop itself and a lot of non forum customers went in after hearing word of mouth.

speaking as someone that regularly uses several stores (when I can afford it), trades online and also does a little (bad) DIY stuff, I don't think this is entirely fair. not posting on the site does not necessarily reflect indifference as a customer and I think you're presuming a lot. Also, to be hard nosed about this, whether it's a full marine set-up or a bottle of milk, customers are entitled to seek out the best deal for themselves. customer loyalty is great and brings benefits of it's own but no one has a moral obligation to keep stores going... and I say this as a loyal customer

LemonJelly wrote:

speaking as someone that regularly uses several stores (when I can afford it), trades online and also does a little (bad) DIY stuff, I don't think this is entirely fair. not posting on the site does not necessarily reflect indifference as a customer and I think you're presuming a lot. Also, to be hard nosed about this, whether it's a full marine set-up or a bottle of milk, customers are entitled to seek out the best deal for themselves. customer loyalty is great and brings benefits of it's own but no one has a moral obligation to keep stores going... and I say this as a loyal customer

Well said!
I seen Andy's post about closing up but never expressed my thoughts on the matter,
Which was pretty sad to hear!
Now the fact that I didn't say anything means I have a lack of respect?
I don't think so!
Compton stirring up again!

Ian wrote.

Just wanted to say i am really disappointed to see that only 9 people have commented on Aquarium Solutions post about closing down.It really shows the complete lack of respect and indifference this forum has to regarding the future of local Fish shops especially when it was one of the good shops.Maybe if people spent less time swapping stuff on this forum there would no need for shops to close down.Everyone has double standards here to the point where i wonder do people get a kick out of not spending Irish.If you have a problem with a shops price then be upfront about it.....zooplus first quarter for this year was in the millions and millions i think it was 35 million or so......that's shocking.....then supporting chain stores that pop up everywhere that's shocking too...as far as i am concerned no one really gives a dam as long as it doesn't concern them....i think this is wrong so i will speak my mind.One of the reasons i rarely engage here anymore for this reason entirely....i check the recent discussions page and its like a swap shop..........this site has lost its way.......there are only one or two shops on the north side....and you guys are letting them down....you will be left with nothing and it will be your fault........9 replies is all you could muster .....well i am not impressed next time sponsor ship is up for renewal don't come knocking on my door!
I've said my piece!
Ian

Ian,

Some people prefer to use pm or Telephone or indeed , call in person.

Kev.

As Kevin says I'm sure a lot of people have contacted them in person, phone, text, etc...

I don't think is fair blaming the users of this forum at all because we use swaping between us or giving stuff for free. This are normal things that usually happens at communities. For sure there are a lot of customers that never entered in this forum and do deals at adverts, donedeal, gumtree, etc...so let's blame them too.

I think the forum is a good tool and could have better use for sponsors if they use it more, for example as I asked at the website suggestion area.
There are people like Darren who contributes a lot in the forum, so guess where I use to go to shop when I need something and who I look for in the store.
Also a good updated and working website it's very important, because there are a lot of people that use this for knowing the stock of a place before going there and discovering such things are not in stock. For example I tried last week to visit your website from my smartphone and was impossible for me to navigate menus.

I have contacted with sponsors by email and in some cases I got an answer a week later. This for me as a customer is innaceptable mainly because I'm not native in english and sometimes phone communication is hard for me, so I rather using email.

I'm not going to tell anyone how to manage it's business, I can help giving my opinion about what as a customer I think need to be improved.

Aroshni wrote:

There are people like Darren who contributes a lot in the forum, so guess where I use to go to shop when I need something and who I look for in the store.

Lovely, a very valid reason to frequent one LFS more than another, very nicely put !

Kev.

Ian online shopping is the way forward with the price of traveling in ireland,your website is a mess,if you look at seahorse and aquaworld websites are much better to use and very easy to order stuff off,so its up to you to get your website up to date and update it everyday

Ian,

When you get a moment from your busy Lifestyle, maybe you would search the Forum and see where you have added one modicom of useful information or help to members of the forum, if you aren't regaling about Travellers attempting to steal or some such B***$h1t it is some other contentious or argumentative clap trap, give it a rest because it is getting really old.

Kev.

I have no problems adding to the topics on this forum check out our facebook and website blogs.....i update regularly.......when you comment on issues on forum you tend to get bogged down with arguements so i tend to stay away from this....remember we have 400 tanks of fish so my day is spent cleaning and scrubbing and im sure if anybody needs help they will find that i am more than glad to engage.....my first 3 phonecalls today were lengthy help line calls...also i may put up some blogs on the site if anyone is interested...and if anyone wants to talk fish stuff then post the question uo on Aquatic Villages sponsor page and i will do my best to engage....the biggest problem i find is that if i reply to posts outside the section then i just get accused of doing it for self gain which i dont....so if i can help anyone feel free to start threads on my page and i will help....remember i run the largest fish house in the country and a lot of the time i do this single handed so i must be able to help someone out there...plus we have a 100 marine tanks stuffed with fish at the moment...so maybe i can help there too....i think you guys have the wrong impression of me....you are the guys that have the time to chat not me....but i am willing to make more time....
cheers
Ian

Plus my post today is about supporting shops particularly Aquarium solutions....how come it all turns tits up and its a rant about me....?This site has some real issues in that regard......i am not doing this for my own benefit i am doing this to highlight the fact that there will be nothing left in the trade if specialist shops are neglected.....so concentrate on this ....not witch hunting.....this is a worthy topic and i have taken the time to show my point of view.

When is the last time u checked our website?Its is the busiest it has ever been......

Cant please everyone...

As it seems people are getting the wrong idea here........instead of bitching and having ago my point is and i cannot make it any clearer i know there are shops that need help out there and this should be the platform to help them on......and that's it.....if people need advice then ask the sponsor for advice...that's simple too....now how hard is this as a concept........i will give my time to help anyone that needs it and the fact that people think otherwise is shocking......remember Practical Fishkeeping said they have never met a shop owner that give so much of his time to his customers......and i have to listen to this?if any body thinks they can run my fish house and spend all day on this website answering questions then they are delusional...........check out the messages we get on fb we get hundreds and they are all answered look at the reviews from customers all thanking us for the help and time we give........as i said if people need help i will gladly do this...but i am not getting bogged down by arguements remember i am doing this professionally for nearly 17 yrs.....no one else has laste this long so i must be doing something right....and i love to banter so lets move forward.....if people need my help then they are welcome to approach me.....
cheers
Ian

Okay i have tanks to clean....

ipcompto wrote:

Plus my post today is about supporting shops....how come it all turns tits up and its a rant about me....?This site has some real issues in that regard......i am not doing this for my own benefit i am doing this to highlight the fact that there will be nothing left in the trade if specialist shops are neglected.....so concentrate on this ....not witch hunting.....this is a worthy topic and i have taken the time to show my point of view.

however, you did it with a blanket statement about the users of this site ie the people most likely to show customer loyalty and ones who in fairness only represent a small fraction of the customers needed to keep a shop afloat. While the argument for supporting good shops has merit, you're not so much preaching to the choir here as giving them a bollocking for not making everyone else sing

It IS all about you! why threaten to retract your 13.6 vent a Day sponsorship?

Kev.

see what i mean.......its all about me.....its like banging your head off the wall........this post is not about me it is about two shops in the middle of a lot of crap stores with guys that i may have had differences with but when it comes down to it i would definitely not like to see them close....because these guys have helped the hobby.....no end.....and i think this platform could do more to highlight helping stores....and if the argument has to spill over to me just ranting...then it is a very sad reflection on the bitterness out there....and you are lucky i can rise above it because it doesn't get to me......it just shows an alarming amount indifference......i am lucky we still have a lot of good customers and for one if i cant help them from now on i am gonna make sure i refer them to the guys on the northside........I happen to have a lot of time for Simon who works with Gavin and i always send people his way........and i will make sure i don't miss any opportunities to help in the future because....we need these shops to thrive....and if i get slated for highlighting what is happening...then i was correct in the first place.....
Ian

I'm not quite clear on how people disagreeing with you proves their indifference; quite the opposite I would have thought.

But it is YOU threatening to take your Money and run, it is YOU who is pissed off, not Andy !

You are,"eccentric" your words, that isn't always a good thing, you air your opinions but get pissed off when others do the same!

You get the reputation you deserve, lambasting the Members of the Forum only alienate you from same and its members, Andy is closing and this is despite him being a nice and convivial, welcoming Gentleman, those remaining are there because of their customers not despite them.

Kev.

Within a very short time, I contacted Andy personally and like you, offered my help should he need it so disagreeing with you does indicate my lack of concern or empathy.

Kev

ipcompto wrote:

....and if i get slated for highlighting what is happening...then i was correct in the first place.....
Ian

You didn't highlight anything,
Andy did when put up the first closing post,
You took it upon yourself and the opportunity to slate the forum and it's members for not giving enough support,
All the backtracking won't change anything now
You've backed yourself into a corner and I think anything you say from here on in will just make it worse!

Yo Kev im not talking about individuals...im talking as a group..a forum.....plenty of good guys on here.........anyway ive said my piece...
cheers
Ian

ipcompto wrote:

Yo Kev im not talking about individuals...im talking as a group..a forum.....plenty of good guys on here.........anyway ive said my piece...
cheers
Ian

Talking about broad brush statements! Actually very insulting Ian. One foul swoop, you condemned each and every one of us to the position of disinterest. Crap. I just didn't post. This is a community or so I thought and each and every stakeholder can contribute as they see fit...it's not about promoting you or anyone else's business - the more you contribute, the more you get back....I agree with John, for 50quid u certainly get a lot of air time...and dirt cheap at that...

How about adding something positive as opposed to bashing all of us with one big 'Ian-made' bat! You certainly don't speak for me in your commentary as I do certainly care when shops close down, but I can express this in whatever way I wish and when I feel fit to do so....

I know where I shop and it's because of support not criticism....

Have a great evening

jesus lads i just read through this thread yer like a shower of women bitching. i log on to look a pictures of peoples tanks get some ideas and advice not to be reading this immature shit.

Ian is hardly immature, that is a very harsh label to stick on him.

This is, after all, an open forum, if participants don't like the discussions they are free to go elsewhere, as Ian is free to vent his frustrations so are the members, if it offends you, by all means move on to another subject, there are no Guns to anyones Heads to suffer under the stupidity or immaturity of a particular thread, if I don't like a thread or if it doesn't interest me, I look for something that does.

This reminds me of Rubber Neckers at the scene of an accident, looks terrible but just have to keep on looking, I say move on if it offends you.

Kev.

I wasn't talking about Ian I was talking about the replies to this thread and all the bickering.

shop were ye want my local fish shop was sellin me RO water at 7. 2 lads so what did i do change shop

ck1 wrote


"I wasn't talking about Ian I was talking about the replies to this thread and all the bickering."

I know , I was being facetious.

Kev.

Pretty disappointing response to the whole idea about the original thread s usual it has gone down the crapper.....instead of being positive and constructive its turned into another bitching session.....if you guys are so passionate about your hobby then why cant you see the point i made about supporting independent shops run by guys that care and have a direct input into helping fishkeepers.Everyone complains about not being able to get help or advice and they are sick of being served by kids who know nothing......well the shops i have mentioned are those kind of shops.As are we.Whether you like us or not is your own business that is not the issue.When those shops disappear then no doubt you will all come up with the same epitaph......'Jazus lads twas a great shop i used to love going there to chat to the fella for hours after i bought all me stuff on the internet.....i wonder how he pays his bills....'

now if you cant focus on the issue then this conversation has failed......the issue is why do people spend money in superstores and garden centers and on the internet when there are shops out there that work extremely hard at what they do in the interests of the hobby in general.......i am nearly 17 years dealing with the public and i haven a massive personal fish collection that hundreds of people get to see a week...it cost me a fortune to keep this going and my accountant thinks i am crazy for wasting so much money doing it.....i do it because i love it and i enjoying showing people stuff.......and opinions and slagging wont change that for me.....anyone that comes to us and many many many do will vouch for that....you check out all the reviews have on facebook look at the thank yous and positive unedited feedback.....we get gifts and presents cakes and chocs every other day of the week.....thats more important than saving a euro....two customers came in yesterday i set their tanks up on tick cos they were skint......i do that when i can.......what other shop would do that?.........if i have to argue a simple point like this then we are all doomed.......anyway im glad i give you stuff to get your teeth into at least it adds a bit of excitement to the forum ....even though that is not the intention......right off to work i go........got a lot of cheap filters to send out from my crap website.......i noticed not too many were sold to forum members......even though they are cheaper than ebay and zooplus......strange that......

have a nice day if anyone needs any help please mail me i would be delighted to continue to be of service.....

Cheers
Ian