FosternSmith retail sucks!!

[ZMattie]

I have only ordered from F&S, but they have always been very knowedgeable when I have spoken to their customer support on the phone. Heck one time I was placing an order for a couple heaters, and flat out told them "Im not interested in buying one, but I have a few questions on RODI units" and they guy had absolutly no problem answering them for me, the what would be 5-10 min phone call turned into a 25 min one! But as far as no good reef stores around, I call bu*lshit lol, OTP has a great selection at a very fair price. It really all depends upon when you go there also, if your there the day of, or day after a shipment comes in, your in luck!! Matt usually does a great job of telling customers when a shipment is coming in, and most of the time, hes able to tell you exactly what is coming in. Which works out great for the people that live a ways away, thata way you know if it worth making a trip in or not (I say its always worth it, I always seem to find the AWESOME piece that gets looked over and not bought by other people!) Plus, if your looking for something specific, if you ask ever so nicely, Matt can more than likely get it in for you! Just my .02 on the topic..

[firsthesitation]

Originally Posted by Jbottcher

well im pretty sure he was trying to say, it would be nice to see the actual lighting on display so you can see what your getting. as far as T5 bulbs, how they look on a tank.. When you go up there to save on shipping and cant see the unit your buying for 450+ bucks its a little annoying. dont you agree? i know id want to see it, at least plugged in or better yet over some corals.


ill def try and come up with you people to see the tour

When I was up there in January I dropped $900 on my outer orbit sight unseen. I just did the research ahead of time and knew what I wanted. Its just not practical to think that because they're one of the largest retailers in the states that they're going to have them all on display, or that they're going to bring each unit out of the warehouse to show them off.

Not to mention that Fosters is more than willing to work with you and in your defense to the manufactures in the case that you have ANY problem. I had a bad ballast on mine, within a day I had BOTH ballasts new delivered to me and a number of someone to call and get specifics on how to put them in.

[Jordan55]

word

[Jordan55]

FS website says come check out our retail store, i just assumed they would have a lot more just chillin in the store... i guess assuming was the way wrong answer to that. So in that i wasnt bashing before i knew, i still love their product and their prices and yes the same as Mattie says i called the customer support before i went they knew everything i said and wanted to know, but the people working werent able to when i had questions while i was there, your maybe right it could have been a bad day for them and we clashed not everything goes perfect, but now it all said and done other people know that didnt.

Thanks for all the input you cant learn without asking and finding out yourself!