I just have to share this experience I had today at one of my LFS's. If not the right place to warn people in AZ or visiting to avoid this place I apologize 
Back story.......
So there used to be a fantastic mom and pop place in Tempe called "Pets Inc.".it was a great shop with fantastic specimens and prices. About a year ago they closed their doors as the owner of the building wanted to raise their lease drastically (a whole separate story). It took the folks that owned the business a while to find a new location and get up and running but mid 2012 they reopened as "The Pet Shop" more towards the outskirts of town. I had visited once prior in September but since they were newly opened and still cycling and stuff it was a very short visit, although I was assured 2 times while there that I should be really excited as they now had more freedom and would be "blowing my mind".
Fast forward to today and I decide, hey wife and daughter, lets go see how this place is shaping up. Got on Google maps and set my gps to drive out there (45 minutes or so) and saw that there were some reviews posted as well. Read thru the 9 reviews and was impressed and filled with excitement with all the fantastic words written about the store ie. their knowledge, the customer service, "best stock in town", "best prices in town" etc.
So, we walk in the door and I immediately notice the owner sitting at the front counter, she does not acknowledge us in any way. B line straight for the saltwater section and yes, they were right, I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!!! Dead fish, not just dead but decaying and slimy, tiny coral frags, faded out specimens, corals that were 1/2-3/4 dead and prices so high I would need to refi my house just to think about a purchase.
Three examples I'll give you......
Green polyp birdsnest frags 3 in in size with all but the top 1/8in dead and bleached white (19.99)
A 1/4in red Yuma priced at $50
Single eagle eye and radioactive dragons for 4.99 per polyp
As a local business owner I wanted to investigate the current condition of the store before I wrote them off so I approached the owner and asked about the conditions and was told that they are great specimens and some of the best prices in the valley. I immediately piped in that as a reef addict, I visit ALL of my LFS's to make sure I never miss a deal and that her prices were 40-60% higher than everyone else's and the stock desperately needed attention. I was then told I don't know what I'm talking about and given the info that they hand pick everything they sell and that their store was not for me.
It was clear to me that I would get nowhere with her so I found my wife and daughter and we left.
Take it for what you want and feel free to check it out yourself but if your in the area and looking for saltwater, REEF MONSTERS down the street is a much better option. Hope they figure it out someday
Back story.......
So there used to be a fantastic mom and pop place in Tempe called "Pets Inc.".it was a great shop with fantastic specimens and prices. About a year ago they closed their doors as the owner of the building wanted to raise their lease drastically (a whole separate story). It took the folks that owned the business a while to find a new location and get up and running but mid 2012 they reopened as "The Pet Shop" more towards the outskirts of town. I had visited once prior in September but since they were newly opened and still cycling and stuff it was a very short visit, although I was assured 2 times while there that I should be really excited as they now had more freedom and would be "blowing my mind".
Fast forward to today and I decide, hey wife and daughter, lets go see how this place is shaping up. Got on Google maps and set my gps to drive out there (45 minutes or so) and saw that there were some reviews posted as well. Read thru the 9 reviews and was impressed and filled with excitement with all the fantastic words written about the store ie. their knowledge, the customer service, "best stock in town", "best prices in town" etc.
So, we walk in the door and I immediately notice the owner sitting at the front counter, she does not acknowledge us in any way. B line straight for the saltwater section and yes, they were right, I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!!! Dead fish, not just dead but decaying and slimy, tiny coral frags, faded out specimens, corals that were 1/2-3/4 dead and prices so high I would need to refi my house just to think about a purchase.
Three examples I'll give you......
Green polyp birdsnest frags 3 in in size with all but the top 1/8in dead and bleached white (19.99)
A 1/4in red Yuma priced at $50
Single eagle eye and radioactive dragons for 4.99 per polyp
As a local business owner I wanted to investigate the current condition of the store before I wrote them off so I approached the owner and asked about the conditions and was told that they are great specimens and some of the best prices in the valley. I immediately piped in that as a reef addict, I visit ALL of my LFS's to make sure I never miss a deal
and that her prices were 40-60% higher than everyone else's and the stock desperately needed attention. I was then told I don't know what I'm talking about and given the info that they hand pick everything they sell and that their store was not for me.It was clear to me that I would get nowhere with her so I found my wife and daughter and we left.
Take it for what you want and feel free to check it out yourself but if your in the area and looking for saltwater, REEF MONSTERS down the street is a much better option. Hope they figure it out someday
