[MENTION=11341]Rakie[/MENTION]
I apologize you have not been satisfied with our services, and even what seems to be pretty upset. I normally would like to maturely talk about issues in person, or over the phone, or even text, but I feel the need to clear up a few things mentioned. (Although I will not be referring to any specific interactions with you specifically, because I do not know specifically who you are due to volume of customers, nor do I have your phone number to reference any interactions with you.)
1. You spoke of it being necessary to purchase an entire colony because getting a frag is impossible:
We do not offer frags on NEW colonies for a minimum of a few days up to even a few weeks depending on species, and condition of the piece. It is general good husbandry to not frag a piece that is brand new to a system, and even being in an aquarium vs the ocean for the first time. If a customer decides they want to purchase the colony as a whole that is acceptable. This is a policy we follow regardless of who you are, what you look like, good vs bad customer, or how many miles/minutes you traveled, and how bad you want or willing to beg for one. Basically NO frags on NEW colonies for a few days minimum for ANYONE.
2.You spoke of no response to PM or TXT:
I just glanced at Novembers totals for TXT messages (phone) and I sent 27,135 messages and received 32,331 messages (these totals do not include SCR, IG, FB, email or any other form of communication). I think these numbers speak for themselves but basically I am at almost all times in contact with 5-10 people putting together orders, giving advice, giving quotes, giving advice, trouble shooting, or giving advice, etc. If I don't respond within the first 30-60 minutes you can assume I am swamped and will get back to you ASAP. Average response time is under 30minutes, but occasionally can be as high as 24 hrs. You may think 24hrs is unacceptable but I can assure you that I will make every attempt to get back to you during REASONABLE HOURS (7a-9p), but I will not budge on the fact that no matter who you are or how much you spend I will always put my family time ahead of the business. My response time may also be slower than is acceptable to you but how many businesses out there even offer a service where you can txt the owner.
3. You state "So basically buy the $100+ colony or f**k off and stop wasting my time":
I can assure you a colony we sell for $100 probably was purchased for $75-80 wholesale, and after Uncle sam collects his cut, cost us $82.50-$88 so our $100 price tag is a steal. Also the aspect of fragging is much more profitable. We can frag that same $100 colony and make $150-$200 with as little as an hour invested into labor, so fragging a piece would not be a waste of my time.
4 "This became apparent when it took him a day to respond to my last text.":
Already responded to on number 2
5. You state "They do always have a large and disappointing array of POS green Acro's though. Those never sell, always in stock!":
As many people know who deal in SPS at all in this hobby, many SPS brown out or green out when introduced into an aquarium. This is a normal part of the process of transfer, which is usually followed by coloring up. As far as "POS green acro" we have to have an array of all price ranges and rarities for all budgets. Although the $25 green acropora colony may not interest you, someone who is getting into SPS will gladly take a colony for $25 to test it out vs a $25 booger from anywhere else. In addition 90%+ of customers buy based on the look of a piece and do not care if it is a POS acro for $25 or a Jason-Bread-ULTRA-LE-Certified-Bonafied Chimichangas' Loch ness's hairy toe jam for $500 per half inch. Simply put POS to you is like finding gold to someone else who doesn't play the name game or care about rarity.
6. you state "some nice pieces come through. But as I learned first hand, literally begging and offering to pay above retail for a frag" etc:
There is a reason we keep so busy, and get so many nice pieces and why we are so busy and slower to respond sometimes and that is because we get 3-7 shipments a week, usually at least 2-4 of those we get first/cherry pick also. The begging and paying above retail etc was explained in number one but applies here: doesn't matter who you are, how much you spend etc etc etc everyone is equal and will be directed back to our policy on fragging new pieces.
7. "TLDR: **** this shop":
Sorry you feel this way because you drove so far and I didn't frag you a piece of colonies you wanted. I still don't feel we earned that kind of response though.
TL;DR: Ellis Aquatics: the LOWEST prices, the HIGHEST quality