Shocked in Chi-Town...

[alohareptiles]

AJ...I completely understand wanting to protect your investment, but say 'no' in a smart-alec way is not a good first impression or customer service. For one to say that we don't want you messing with their breeders is pretty harsh. Just a bad first impression, not matter what and there won't be a 2nd one.

[alohareptiles]

On the flip-side I was spoiled by Prehistoric Pets in Fountain Valley, CA because the store is clean and the customer service is excellent. A friend of mine had their kids Reptile-Party there and it was a great for kids and adults. When we make a trip back to the Best-Coast we'll bring the kids by because it's clean, the people are friendly and they have great reps.

[llovelace]

and here I thought the east coast was the "best coast" darnit

[alohareptiles]

I've heard people say that I hear the surfing is good during those things called hurricanes.

[WickedBalls]

I've been going there for years,but in the past couple its really gone downhill.Customer service is hit or miss.One day you can be taken in the back and shown the breeder room with a thorough explanation of things, another day you can't even get help getting the right size feeders.Good deal on big bags of shredded aspen when in stock though.

[alohareptiles]

My public apology for the post a little earlier...Thanks dr del for making it more reader-friendly...

[AjBalls]

AJ...I completely understand wanting to protect your investment, but say 'no' in a smart-alec way is not a good first impression or customer service. For one to say that we don't want you messing with their breeders is pretty harsh. Just a bad first impression, not matter what and there won't be a 2nd one.

I haven't been there in a little under a year. So I can't comment on the current employees. When I use to go there often (when I first moved maybe 4 years ago?), the staff was helpful and she shop was pretty nice. I know they have fired a few employees since, from what I hear its a completely different staff. Last time I was there I just saw Brian and he helped me out with all I needed (directed me to the book on monitors I needed and allowed me to pay with 50% change lol).

[AjBalls]

that was their store the day they opened it

I didn't know they had Kevin Mc(not gonna butcher it)'s book the day they opened :p

[nixer]

I didn't know they had Kevin Mc(not gonna butcher it)'s book the day they opened :p

hmm i never even looked at the pics yea i guess the pics are newer. either way it doesnt excuse any of the other things noted

[BrianPotter]

ok guys.....lots to say........

1. The Ball Python breeding room is GENERALLY off limits. If you are a genuine "ball python geek" like me and the time allows it I will often take people back to check out what we have for future sales. My staff is NOT allowed to do that. We are NOT the biggest or best by any means but like to talk BP's when time allows and show off our little collection. If you were turned down on going back I may have been out of the shop or busy with other business.........tours of the back room come after all other business. NOT trying to be a tool......its just there is only so much time in the day.......and thats also a room that is a "breeder" room and may not be swept etc. I also had an unknown someone in the back room 2 years ago that unknowingly unplugged my probe cord to my incubator. That cost me over $45,000........so if Im not ALWAYS thrilled to tour the ball room you can see why maybe?????? Even with that event I still take people back when I can.

2. As for customer service..........we did fire a BUNCH of people over the past year or two. The only guys working there now besides myself and my partner Jeff are Matt (tattooed arm), Spider Dave (big bald bastard...lol), and AJ (white guy with afro hair). That crew is about as customer friendly as I have ever had. Try them out!

3.. Prehistoric Pets owned by Jay Brewer.........GREAT shop!!! Nice guy to do business with. I shopped there back in the Marines from 89 to 93. I envy the size of that store whenever Im there. I WISH we had that much space!

4. My store being "dusty"........guilty. Thats gonna happen using the beddings we use from time to time. IN GENERAL though we keep a pretty clean shop......my guys are all into reptiles and care about them. Can you find a dead frog posssibly? YES. Thats gonna happen......but if you judge the health of the animals in general in our shop I would be happy to go against any shop in the country. IF we have an unhealthy animal in stock (all store that sell imports do on occasion) we DONT sell it. We DONT sell anything WE woudnt buy ourselves. Thats been our policy for 15 years.

5. As bad as this thread flames our store I find it hard to imagine we would have stayed in business 15 years based on the picture you draw of it in this thread. If you have not already been to the store.......come by and see for yourself. And feel free to let me know! WE STRIVE TO HAVE A CLEAN STORE WITH GOOD PRICES AND GUYS THAT WORK THERE WHO CARE ABOUT YOUR SATISFACTION BEFORE AND AFTER THE SALE. WE PLAN TO STAY IN BUSINESS A LONG TIME......

6. The "dried" up frog in the window behind the damn heavy book cases.....ya got me.......I have seen that thing a million times and said "one of these days I need to move those" and get it out.

7. That picture of the store is from 2 years ago.......either that or I had Kevins Ball book 13 years before he wrote it.........good eye whoever caught that one...lol.

8. I have no hard feeling toward anyone on here.......stop by the shop anytime and give us another look. Im not saying we are perfect....not in a long shot. But Im happy with our store (MOST of the time). Like all stores, breeders and home based keepers.......we all slip up now and then. But this thread is WAY off base as far as IM concerned. Hopefully you can come by and see if you maybe were a little harsh in your "details" of the shop......

9. If you were told to come back in the summer......thats because as of today I have had ZERO ovulations........meaning I have ZERO idea what morphs I will be producing and we are sold out at the time you came in. So theres really nothing to show you. I "kind of" remember telling someone that myself actually........and would be glad to show you stuff......WHEN I HAVE IT. The back room is kind of boring outside of baby season....at least this late in the year.

10. Brian Potter runs the NARBC not Jeff.......just so that we clear up "all" the FACTS stated above....lol.....

11. As far as the "only 3/4" wall between the store and breeding room.......I know of ZERO airborne viruses that effect reptiles. WHICH one should I worry about????

Good luck this season to everyone,

Brian Potter
co-owner CRH