John...FAOIS....thanks for what you do

[Typlus5]

I showed up at FAIOS to buy some salt and retrive my frag rack (won from the TRBC Frag event) and plesantly surprised by the absolutely AWESOME chalice frag, free from John from the St Patty's Day flyer.

I hope everybody appreciates what John, Jennifer and the FAIOS staff gives to our hobby...I know I do!

FAOIS is not just another fish store. Please open a satellite in Brandon!

Ty

[gambitcobra]

i second that! BRANDON STORE PLEASE lol

[SwampyBill]

+1 Thank you John & FAOIS staff. I went in yesterday for salt, pellet food & a bipartitus wrasse & got a free awesome chalice frag too from the St. Patty's flyer. I appreciate all their help/knowledge with getting my tank back on track after recent 'mini-cycling' issues too.

[bmullikin1]

+ 2, always very helpful and knowledgeable, no other store like it, thanks for the chalice frag too.

[bmullikin1]

+2 on that, always very helpful and knowledgeable, and willing to go the extra mile for you. thanks for the chalice frag as well.

[NONNA58]

I received a beautiful chalice frag yesterday as well. I generously gave it to my husband for his new tank!.
Thank you FAOIS for all the great things you do for our community!

[TampaReefer79]

All you folks and your chalice frags...pffft. ;) I printed my ticket out but couldn't get there yesterday.

I have to also say that I love FAOIS and all of the help John has been thus far. And $35 for a 200 gal box of salt isn't bad either. lol

[scuba guy ron]

My wife and I frequent the store about once a week or two and they deffinitly have a great place going. The only issue I have (and even my wife noticed) is that IMO John does seem a little put off if you ask him any quesions. just our observations.

[xmadcowx]

He has to open a store in Lutz first, then move to North Carolina with me in 2 years.:clown:

[cabezon2469]

How could i pass up the cute red hawkfish on sale? then of course i have to buy a coral.

[jrizo1]

Well i was there yestarday and i did not get a free chalice frag, but i got a better surprise i was picking up my pair of picassos that jhon order for me (special) and i was plesantly surprised by a 20 o/o off that save me $60 on the fish that was a sorprise
Thank you Jhon the fish is just Beutifull

[jordan3548]

My wife and I frequent the store about once a week or two and they deffinitly have a great place going. The only issue I have (and even my wife noticed) is that IMO John does seem a little put off if you ask him any quesions. just our observations.

Me and my wife said the samething and last time I was there a few people called him and he told another lady tell them im not here so they did so and I was blowed away because I always hear great things about them so I was like huh? No matter how busy you are you have to find time for the people who bring in the coin. Ive been there 6 times and he has not said a single word to me not one time. I go there for salt and thats about it when I go to a store I like it to feel like family:sad2: so I go to one way out in oveido,fl owned by a chinesse man he is awesome he'll talk to you for hours about anything plus I get special deals because he knows I drive 80 miles one way to go to his store

[amheck]

Yes, thanks John and Jennifer. I'm happy I'm back in the hobby again to be able to start to visit the store more often.

I had my leprican printed up and forgot about it when i was in yesterday. Oh well. I did get a nice blood shrimp that somehow has managed to find a hiding spot in my tank that I cannot locate. :D

[ichthyman]

Thanks for the support to all who get me.

scuba guy ron
“IMO John does seem a little put off if you ask him any quesions.”
No, I just don’t have the most warm and open of personalities. I’ve been compared to base rock but I prefer abrasive algae pad. Unfortunately, I’m often over committed on my own time and stressed about getting all of the day’s jobs done. Luckily, my staff does a wonderful job at making up for my shortcomings.

jordan3548
“No matter how busy you are you have to find time for the people who bring in the coin.”
Find the time! Are you aware of how many hours a day and night I put into answering peoples questions via phone and email? That I give out my personal cell phone number and will answer it at anytime in case someone has an emergency after hours. The road trips day or night to customer’s houses to help them with a problem first hand. That time away from my family is lost in order to help someone with their fish tank!

“I was there a few people called him and he told another lady tell them im not here”
And what is the rest of my standing orders for that situation? Get the customer’s name, phone number and I’ll call them back ASAP. If it is an emergency the customer is put right through. How many times is it a vendor trying to sell me the next latest and greatest gerbil wheel? When it is a customer, most of the time all that is needed is to know if I a particular item is in stock. I know everyone wants to talk to me but this type of question can be easily handled by my staff. By them screening the phone calls it frees me up to; work on special orders of tank-skimmers-sumps, ordering fish-corals, investigating why UPS felt the need to kick the doodoo out of a shipment, arranging shipouts, answering the email of “why are all my fish dying?” or “why do I have all this green stuff covering my rocks?”, negotiating the best possible pricing on dry goods so I can pass it along to my customers, conducting group buys, getting parts covered under warranty when the warranty has expired, put together the monthly sales flyer, track down my livestock shipment that is 48 hours late, figuring why water keeps coming out of my wall, and on and on and on.

So was I playing Frogger behind the counter? Or was I doing another task to keep my business going.

“single word to me not one time.”
Have you ever tried to engage me? Communication is a two way street. Maybe I’m aware of your next statement.
“I go there for salt and thats about it when I go to a store I like it to feel like family”
So you engage your family only when its convenient to you? because ….
“plus I get special deals because he knows I drive 80 miles”
Good for you. I prefer to give everyone equal access to all my “deals”. Seems to me like the only fair way to play the game. No matter how far you drive or often you stop in everyone has equal access.

So in closing. Please excuse me for not living up to your expectations. I have a hard enough of time living up to my own. Maybe next time I’ll reframe from passing judgment until I know the full story if you promise to do the same.

Again, to those who understand I greatly appreciate all the support you’ve shown to my family, staff, and myself.

[pawlowjp]

How dare you bring my algae situation into your rebuttal!!!!

[ichthyman]

LOL

Jason for once I want to kiss you instead of strangle you. +1 brownie point use it wisely.

[Emster]

John, you are doing a great job! Love the store. People, you don't realize what he puts up with

[NONNA58]

Very well said John. I am so glad you did.

Words cannot express how much you, your family and your staff mean to Russ and I. All of you have been there for us every time we needed anything!

[plyle02]

Wow,
I don't post here often, but let me give my interpretation on FAOIS...
Superb!
I have had custom made equipment which John replied at odd hours to email, followed up with blueprints, then executed the order within 1 week, for a piece of equipment not normally fabricated. I have asked John to special order products, which he has even shipped, still below online vendors price points. I have had a tour of his equipment room, scientific breakdowns of husbandry, and many hours just chatting with him. John takes the hobby from a business and personal vantage point to another level. I think all you have to do is make a point to grab his attention. I visit once every couple of months, but John has always been there to answer my questions, I am not a specially privledged customer, so there is really no biased opinion here, just the facts.
John, your store and staff far exceed expectations, don't get caught up in the fact that not everyone in business can be pleased, you have a loyal customer in me, and I think I speak on many's behalf. Keep up the great work FAOIS!!!
Regards,

[pawlowjp]

Now you want to strangle customers!!! I may drive to Oveido!! My life wont be threatened!

[barfish]

very well said John. I commend you for confronting the issues of a few with what a day in the life of you is like. When i first met you I didnt really Get you, But after a few yrs. youve grown on me. And please keep up the good work. your store and staff are an asset to the hobby.

[barfish]

and how many hours do you think john spends setting up fundraising for all childrens hospital.

[Mrs.Ichthy]

And to think some of you wish for satellite stores with more of John:fun5:

Are you trying to send me into another box of girl scout cookies?

Seriously.............let's just all eat more girl scout cookies.

[colaman555]

Got milk!!!!!!

[Snookster]

Great store - not just fishstore - period. Any business that provides the quality service that this crew provides will be in business for a long time. Personal, quality service is what keeps us all coming back to this store.

For those of who who may of missed out, trust me it's there, they're just not always going to walk up to you and hold your hand all the time - they are afterall - busy.

Thanks for all you guys do, great service - to your entire team.

[scuba guy ron]

[QUOTE=ichthyman;16768728]Thanks for the support to all who get me.

scuba guy ron
“IMO John does seem a little put off if you ask him any quesions.”
No, I just don’t have the most warm and open of personalities. I’ve been compared to base rock but I prefer abrasive algae pad. Unfortunately, I’m often over committed on my own time and stressed about getting all of the day’s jobs done. Luckily, my staff does a wonderful job at making up for my shortcomings.

Hey John thanks for responding. I can only imagine how stressful running the shop is. I figured you were probly stressed. I dont know you personally but I appreciate your honesty.

PS. at least you havent been referred to as a bacteria like I have :hmm4:

[tipmoff]

I don't normally get involved with these praises and or offenses on people or businesses but the negative comments about John not being friendly is not founded on what a typical business would be judged on. John doesn't know me personally but I purchase and frequent the store regularly. He is typically extremely busy and has a very competent staff. I don;t expect the owner of the business to come over and thank me or talk to me specifically when I go into a business. Just my opinion. I have always had very good service from the staff and all involved and will always frequent his establishment. Thanks John and Staff!!!!

[Coral C's]

O...O... I want to jump in too.
Well you know the Apex group buy, well I have been swamped and did not have a chance to get over there to pick up and pay my balance for the order. Jennifer called me on Saturday because she had made arrangements for Tara, who doesn't live far from me, to take it home so I could pick it up from her instead of stressing myself out trying to make it to the store. What other store would do that, other's would put on the shelf, sell it and my deposit would have been gone.
Thank you so very much for working as hard as you do for this hobby we all love so much!
Laura

[cwegescheide]

Something is wrong with this dudes Medula Oblongata... :lmao:

You guys rock!

[jordan3548]

Maybe I just went there when hes been swamped with a to do list I didnt mean any harm by my post I probably could have worded it better I know hes busy I know the feeling on a much smaller scale. If I am going west I hit every shop that way including Faois if im going east I go to WWC and all the ones around Orlando. Faois does have great prices on there stuff Ill admit that I priced Koralias and they were the cheapest by far than anyone else. So its not like I boycott the store because he doesnt say Hi if I am going that way I always stop by but im off on Sundays so most times I have to go to other places anyways.

[mattliu]

He doesn't mind answering questions as long as it's not totally generic.

Most questions require only a quick google search or if you pay the fees, a RC search.

He does mind lazy people who want everything spoon-fed. (Not directed at anyone)

Tell him you bought clowns from, i.e. an online vendor, and you think they came in with Brooklynella. Ask him the concoction he uses to treat it. The nitrofurazone can be somewhat hard to come by, huh .... O, nice of him to give some out.

Bottomline, if you have a serious issue, he'll make your mess go away, even if he had nothing to do with it.

[GrouperGenius]

I guess it's an OK store.

[TampaReefer79]

I guess it's an OK store.

:lolspin:

[Mangodude]

We could use another fish store in brandon. :lol:

[scuba guy ron]

Hey john, thanks for the response and the honesty. I don't know you personally so I hope you didn't take my comment as rude. Its pretty funny that you have been referred to as a base rock and an algae scrubber since I have been referred to as a bacteria in the past. Next time I come in ill introduce myself and shake on it. I can only imagine the kind of stress you are under running a shop like yours. Thanks again for the responce.

[scuba guy ron]

Sorry for the double post. I was a little tired last night.

[brynkal]

John's just shy, everyone give him a big hug next time you see him, he'll appreciate it!

[GrouperGenius]

John's just shy, everyone give him a big hug next time you see him, he'll appreciate it!

I would rather drink skimmate from my I-Tech.:beer:

[ReefGirlSara]

John, Jennifer, and staff - I love you guys!! I don't think this hobby, or your community could have a better group of people involved. So definitely a big +1 on the "thanks for what you do" comment. No one will ever fully know exactly how far you guys go to help - because the list just goes on and on!! And Jennifer - this thin mint's for you! LOL

[ichthyman]

No problem guys. I look forward to meeting you both.

Again, thank you everyone for the support.

[LauraCline]

John's just shy, everyone give him a big hug next time you see him, he'll appreciate it!

Yes, John is just a big teddy bear, lol. Seriously though, nobody goes over and above like John, Jennifer, and the staff do. Also, you never have to worry about getting ripped off or ending up with junk. FAOIS rocks, I can't wait to get back into the hobby so I can start going there again!

[NONNA58]

Laura, Laura who, I seem to remember a Laura ......:lol2:

[xcelprintingcom]

[violation]

You have a hard time reading???

[xcelprintingcom]

nothing to read here. I already received the whole moved on threat.

[jordan3548]

Also I meant no disrespect to anyone with that statement its just sometimes I see people beating around the bush not wanting to upset him and when someone calls him out the same people are always there to support him. Its obvious theres a problem everyone that has said something here is fairly new to his store and havent been his patron for 5 years. I think over time with his knowledge and local "fame" and Ill admit hes a smart man and knows his stuff but he kinda gets the feeling hes invisable now. Now I am not stereotyping or anything its what I think from the few ive talked to on here

[jordan3548]

Dont pick on him youll be banned lol. This is a public forum and it is my right to say anything I want as long as it doesnt violate and laws or rules

[TurboGuru]

I rarely get involved in drama on the forums, that being said I couldn't hold my tounge any longer.

Faois is a fantastic store, John has gone out of his way to help me when I was designing and setting up my box of water, even though I have not been a big ticket buyer... yet.

Jon, (xcelprintingcom) I have met you and played poker with you. I think you are a great guy, but I also think you stir the pot just a little too much. I consider you a friend, and speaking as one... Let it go.

my .02,
Joe

[jordan3548]

Maybe John at Faois has been really stressed lately and its starting to show with all he does id be on several pills perhaps he needs a vacation to australia or something