Nemo 2!!!!

[Gimplar]

Nemo 2: Keeping afloat after a recession

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2011/apr/04/040744/aquarium-biz-no-match-for-ipods-but-pro-athletes-s/#comment_form_anchor

[CichlidMan@<3]

O man what a freaking moron. I'd say one reason people get out of the hobby is because an idiot takes care of their aquarium (TBA Barry). This guy knows very little about aquariums but because he runs his mouth so much and is a great used car salesmen, he still gets clients and manages to make their tanks look like crap. Barry is a criminal but gets away with it. House went into foreclosure and he took everything from that house... yes even the power outlets. He offers people work and never pays them. People have worked for him for years but he decides to pay them their final checks. All I gotta say is Karma is a female dog.

[CichlidMan@<3]

If anyone finds my previous post offensive, I am sorry but I feel people need to know what kind of person this guy is

[Gimplar]

o man what a freaking moron. I'd say one reason people get out of the hobby is because an idiot takes care of their aquarium (tba barry). This guy knows very little about aquariums but because he runs his mouth so much and is a great used car salesmen, he still gets clients and manages to make their tanks look like crap. Barry is a criminal but gets away with it. House went into foreclosure and he took everything from that house... Yes even the power outlets. He offers people work and never pays them. People have worked for him for years but he decides to pay them their final checks. All i gotta say is karma is a female dog.

ibtl

[gambitcobra]

Horrible!

[TampaSnooker]

This is just another cheap publicity stunt by Barry. I sent the reporter to John at FAOIS and Tom at Creative for much different viewpoints. I even suggested to the reporter that he Google Mr Thorne before publishing the article. It's a shame that there was such a poor representation of our industry when we are so fortunate to have so many good stores in town.
And where are all the fish in his feature aquarium? $75 an hour for a few damsels and dead rock?

[TampaSnooker]

PS - John - I hope you don't mind the referral. I meant to highlight you as one of the success stories in tough times and point out that customer service goes a LOOOONG way in this business. I made that clear to the author before he contacted you. This piece was a great example of biased journalism for sale.

[CichlidMan@<3]

And where are all the fish in his feature aquarium? $75 an hour for a few damsels and dead rock?

This is Ms. Fields tank in s. tampa. Its all fake coral that is super dirty and yet she continues to pay him unfortunately. And mr smart barry had a big agrressive clown trigger in there so thats probably why there is nothing in there

[jbax]

i think the google machine is broke on this guys computer.

[SwampyBill]

DANG! Talk about stirring up a hornets nest, Gimpy...Didn't know about this tool...Thanks for openning my eyes.

[CMcNeil]

wasnt he the guy charging customers to come into his store?if so i see why that store closed up.i did google him and he is a tool!

[jestr]

Im from orlando don't know much about this guy.. but he seems to have some people heated.. imo this hobby like many others people jump in at the hype and then try it out and spend alot of money give up fast.. who is to say the recession is the only reason.. I know many people just tired of taking care of there tanks after 4+ years..

[ichthyman]

PS - John - I hope you don't mind the referral. I meant to highlight you as one of the success stories in tough times and point out that customer service goes a LOOOONG way in this business. I made that clear to the author before he contacted you. This piece was a great example of biased journalism for sale.

No biggie.

The real problem is Barry's attitude towards the hobby is shared by many within the industry. Barry just lacks any degree of an internal edit so he is easy to spot and ridicule. Unfortunately, in all segments and levels of this industry there are those who view any item as a product to be pushed. This is especially true for livestock vendors. There is little to no concern for appropriateness, survivability, sustainability or long term growth of the hobby. The desire for a Nemo 2 is not far fetched.

A different perspective of "Finding Nemo" by our very own douglam.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1623464&highlight=nemo (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1623464&highlight=nemo)

[pugcrush]

wasnt he the guy charging customers to come into his store?if so i see why that store closed up.i did google him and he is a tool!

Wow! Please tell me more. That's crazy.

[TampaSnooker]

I think he was charging a buck a head to browse - refundable if you made a purchase. He turned that into a publicity stunt as well. I think he was on the local ABC station a few years back for that one.

[schudini]

I think he was charging a buck a head to browse - refundable if you made a purchase. He turned that into a publicity stunt as well. I think he was on the local ABC station a few years back for that one.

Yep, that was him

[Gimplar]

DANG! Talk about stirring up a hornets nest, Gimpy...Didn't know about this tool...Thanks for openning my eyes.

well i saw the article and figured i'd post it. And of course, i wanted to see everyone's reaction to the article.

[screamincamaro]

You can't fix stupid.

[Gimplar]

i think the google machine is broke on this guys computer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKkMkodo4MI

Im from orlando don't know much about this guy.. but he seems to have some people heated.. imo this hobby like many others people jump in at the hype and then try it out and spend alot of money give up fast.. who is to say the recession is the only reason.. I know many people just tired of taking care of there tanks after 4+ years..

I decided to google barry and i saw these complaints that i never knew about.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/TAMPA-BAY-AQUARIUM.aspx


sorry if im ....

http://iranpoliticsclub.net/photos/2009protests-inside4/images/Iran%20Protests%2015.jpg

[jbax]

funny gimp, no the Journalist.

here is a story i found on the link gimpy found. and you wonder why his store is shut down.


Being in the business my husband and I are in, we speak with neighborhood businesses everyday that are struggling to keep their doors open, so when it came time for us to get fish and supplies for our 7 year old son's first fish tank we purchased off of Craigs List for $20.00, we figured we would take our business to a neighborhood store for the fish, food, rocks and a new filter, we bought 4 guppies and 1 sucker fish, the store attendant suggested Freshwater R.O., for .69 cents a gallon, we bought 10 gallons, after everything, our bill came to $98.25.

When we got home, I then looked at the receipt and noticed we were charged $29.98 for the jugs they put the water in, I immediately called the store but got no answer, the following morning I called and spoke with a Barry Thorne who said he was the owner, I explained to him I was unaware of the water jugs being $30.00, and if I had known, I would have never bought reversed osmosis (bottled water), after going back and forth, he agreed to refund me on one jug, $14.98, when I arrived at the store there were to Deputies next door having lunch, I entered the store with the jugs, he was very confrontational and demanded an apology, when I told him I had no reason to apologize he left the store saying he was going to get the owner, he came back with the Deputies who were having lunch next door, he told them he had asked me to leave the store(which he had not) and I would not and he wanted them to cite me for trespassing.

The Deputies thought the whole thing was terrible and was pretty feed up with his attitude, when they asked for his id, he claim he had none, but after stressing they needed it, he then went in his pocket to produce his DL. I was issued a Tresspassing Warning, along with 2 jugs for $30.00 and a vow never to go anywhere near that NEIGHBORHOOD STORE again.

Nicole
Land o Lakes, Florida
U.S.A.

[CichlidMan@<3]

I forgot to mention that Barry purposely runs people off the road in his van. If he sees that you have a nice car, he will just veer into your lane. This guy is a criminal and I cannot believe he is still doing business, let alone not behind bars

[fcm90]

that guy poring gas looks like the host of man VS. food lol

[fcm90]

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[Gimplar]

I forgot to mention that Barry purposely runs people off the road in his van. If he sees that you have a nice car, he will just veer into your lane. This guy is a criminal and I cannot believe he is still doing business, let alone not behind bars

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/barry-thorne-c397791.html#comments

lol, did he cut you off?

[jestr]

Wow.. he sounds like a real piece of work

[CichlidMan@<3]

lol, did he cut you off?

haha no but i do have first experience

[riverviewmike]

Everyone should send an email to the author of the story and let him know your opinion.

[listen2bob]

Guy was definently a piece of work. Sadly it was also the only store within 20 miles, so I had to deal with him for water. I always walked out of the door laughing and mettering something to the effect of .......idiot......

Part that really ticked me off was when he sold my GF on a huma huma trigger for my reef tank (35hex at the time) for a birthday present. At least he is gone from the retail business now.

[wsurf4me]

The third picture in the story is the best - standing on a water jug and the edge of the customers white stand as he cleans it.

[jbax]

Guy was definently a piece of work. Sadly it was also the only store within 20 miles, so I had to deal with him for water. I always walked out of the door laughing and mettering something to the effect of .......idiot......

Part that really ticked me off was when he sold my GF on a huma huma trigger for my reef tank (35hex at the time) for a birthday present. At least he is gone from the retail business now.

he was 5 minutes south of me, when i lived near bearss and dale mabry hwy. and i still passed him to drive another 25 minutes to faois. no matter what i needed.

[Markdiego]

Read the article yesterday and ive seen what you all have to say about this guy but from a business pov, charging to go into the lfs doesnt seem like a bad idea. Everytime ive gone to an lfs its to get something and sometimes witnessed people who have nothing better to do sticking their fingers in the tanks and asking common sense questions and leaving empty handed !!!

[jbax]

Read the article yesterday and ive seen what you all have to say about this guy but from a business pov, charging to go into the lfs doesnt seem like a bad idea. Everytime ive gone to an lfs its to get something and sometimes witnessed people who have nothing better to do sticking their fingers in the tanks and asking common sense questions and leaving empty handed !!!

apparently it's not a good business idea . he has shut down, i think 3 stores he has opened. from what i have read after he rips you off and you try to confront him, he calls the cops and has you trespassed. maybe you should learn the other part of good business and it is ethics and customer service.

[jestr]

Read the article yesterday and ive seen what you all have to say about this guy but from a business pov, charging to go into the lfs doesnt seem like a bad idea. Everytime ive gone to an lfs its to get something and sometimes witnessed people who have nothing better to do sticking their fingers in the tanks and asking common sense questions and leaving empty handed !!!

But its not always about the business now.. its about the references and future customers. But I see why some stores push items for sales.. also there is no reason to dissrespect any potential customers unless they do it to you first.especially if your the owner if you personally don't like dealing with the issues you need to train some one to do it for you

[Markdiego]

apparently it's not a good business idea . he has shut down, i think 3 stores he has opened. from what i have read after he rips you off and you try to confront him, he calls the cops and has you trespassed. maybe you should learn the other part of good business and it is ethics and customer service.

Now dont get me wrong, i dont know this guy and could care less about him. He seems to be a buthole. There are alot of things that make a business survive, ethics and respect are big parts but theres alot more to it. Other stores have butholes owners too, and some of their staff only seem to want to push a sale but they are still open for business .

[TampaReefer79]

But its not always about the business now.. its about the references and future customers. But I see why some stores push items for sales.. also there is no reason to dissrespect any potential customers unless they do it to you first. especially if your the owner if you personally don't like dealing with the issues you need to train some one to do it for you

Ummm, as a store owner wanting people to actually walk into your store, and knowing that the reefing community is a small, tight knit one, I'd say leave the disrespect at home. NO MATTER WHAT. And DEFINITELY NOT 'unless they do it to you first'. The customer is always right, right? :beer:

Read the article yesterday and ive seen what you all have to say about this guy but from a business pov, charging to go into the lfs doesnt seem like a bad idea. Everytime ive gone to an lfs its to get something and sometimes witnessed people who have nothing better to do sticking their fingers in the tanks and asking common sense questions and leaving empty handed !!!

Have you ever gone into a store and left empty handed? If you did, did you have to pay to enter? I don't remember paying to go into Walmart, Home Depot, or even Radio Shack. A LFS is a specialized store and may/may not have what you went in for. You should pay because they didn't stock what you wanted? Maybe you went in to look around for ideas and to ask some questions which may lead to FUTURE sales. :thumbsup:

[erick001ace]

i agree with mark and the owner who charged ppl entrance but i never went to the store but am sure if you went talked to him found out he didnt have what you wanted or just went to ask ??'s like ive done plenty of times am sure he wouldnt charge you or would refund the 2 or 5 dollars but on the other side if a mom comes in an throws her kids in the store an says "wait here while i get my hair DID" i would charge with no second thought if not for entrance then for babysitting its the owners Decision to do what they want in their store in short i would pay the 5 bucks

[listen2bob]

I never remember him charging at the last 2 locations, but seriously, I could see it maybe, maybe at places like FAOIS, CC or WWC, since they have some crazy tanks to look at. But at bozo clownshoes? Seriously even when my tank was wrecked from a heater exploding it still looked better than that place. Good ridance to him and all clownshoes!

[Gimplar]

There are alot of things that make a business survive, ethics and respect are big parts but theres alot more to it. Other stores have butholes owners too, and some of their staff only seem to want to push a sale but they are still open for business .

Yeah. I've heard of a fish store owner throwing customers out because they wanted to put a fish in their 10g but it was too big, fight broke out, customer wanted the "product" regardless of the care that the LIVING "product" needed. Too me, this is ok to be a "butthole".


However, charging people for $40 jugs then refusing to allow the customer to return them is just bullsh.t. Also, i personally had a good friend go to his store and she came back with a dragon wrasse for her 10g tank... And she said they told her it was Reefsafe and wouldnt bother her cleaner shrimp...

edit: i dont know if it was barry to be honest though.

i agree with mark and the owner who charged ppl entrance but i never went to the store but am sure if you went talked to him found out he didnt have what you wanted or just went to ask ??'s like ive done plenty of times am sure he wouldnt charge you or would refund the 2 or 5 dollars but on the other side if a mom comes in an throws her kids in the store an says "wait here while i get my hair DID" i would charge with no second thought if not for entrance then for babysitting its the owners Decision to do what they want in their store in short i would pay the 5 bucks

IMO, Charging to go into a store is the most outrageous thing ive heard of. of course, many people, which i believe, say it was a publicity stunt. As far as "babbysitting". Simple solution. Dont let unattended kids in your store. kids = people under the age of 12 or people who stick their fingers in tanks...

[riverviewmike]

Yeah. I've heard of a fish store owner throwing customers out because they wanted to put a fish in their 10g but it was too big, fight broke out, customer wanted the "product" regardless of the care that the LIVING "product" needed. Too me, this is ok to be a "butthole".


However, charging people for $40 jugs then refusing to allow the customer to return them is just bullsh.t. Also, i personally had a good friend go to his store and she came back with a dragon wrasse for her 10g tank... And she said they told her it was Reefsafe and wouldnt bother her cleaner shrimp...

edit: i dont know if it was barry to be honest though.



IMO, Charging to go into a store is the most outrageous thing ive heard of. of course, many people, which i believe, say it was a publicity stunt. As far as "babbysitting". Simple solution. Dont let unattended kids in your store. kids = people under the age of 12 or people who stick their fingers in tanks...

I totally agree charging someone to come into the store to look around is unbelieveable. There are many times I run past a LFS while I am on my way to do something else. I just stop in to take a look at what they have out of curiosity knowing I am not going to buy anything. I drive my wife and kids crazy!

[TampaReefer79]

There's a simple solution to all of this madness...


http://www.ichthythings.com/images/CENTER.gif

[Markdiego]

Lol !!

[SwampyBill]

From a clinical viewpoint, it sounds to me like this dishonest tool may have 'roid rage, road rage, or at the very least, anger management issues. The way customers were talked to & treated, it's a wonder he wasn't decked long ago...I see why he kept deputies nearby...I doubt seriously if the recession had much to do with his stores failing...Well, as others have said, at least he's out of the business now; & his home clients get what they pay for.....

[Tampa Aquarium Service]

It was posted earlier but that photo of Barry with his foot on the edge of the white stand goes a long way to show just how much he cares about the customers that keep him off the unemployment line. What a clown:eek2:

[cwegescheide]

+1 for above. I think you hit the nail on the head. Dude has some issues.

[TampaSnooker]

To be fair... I sometimes stand on the flimsier jugs to do touch up... But never with a camera crew in tow - or a customer in sight... Or in jeans shorts in front of a tank devoid of fish... Or while praying for Nemo 2... Or after charging admission to a retail store.. Or....

[Dyraxe]

If I paid $40 for a water jug and didn't get a refund for it..... I might feel sorry for that person after I got a hold of them. Sooner or later jerks will run into bigger jerks. =)

[jestr]

Tampa customers are always right to an extent.. I was one of the managers (with store keys) in pine hills here there are times when its ok to just kick some one out of the store ( what I meant more now re reading lol) but we don't always kick people out nicely.. I totally agree that customer service is the base of any business servival in this economy. But its not always worth the hassle for repeat offenders

[jestr]

It was posted earlier but that photo of Barry with his foot on the edge of the white stand goes a long way to show just how much he cares about the customers that keep him off the unemployment line. What a clown:eek2:

Never knew there were extra pics.. but I would kill a mofo for not bringing a step ladder.. omg he is lucky that isn't my beautiful white stand

[mattliu]

I heard the water jug crumbled so he filed a lawsuit, but it was throw out by Judge Judy.

Then I heard he spilled water on the floor during a water change, slipped, broke his neck, and then sued the homeowners.

The doctor couldn't get his head on straight so he sued for malpractice.

Also heard he chewed through wires in his last location and then sued his landlord for a rat infestation.

Just kidding of course.

[Gimplar]

The way customers were talked to & treated, it's a wonder he wasn't decked long ago...

It's probably because barry is a pretty big guy. I'd def. give it a second thought about swinging on a guy thats about twice my weight lol.

If I paid $40 for a water jug and didn't get a refund for it..... I might feel sorry for that person after I got a hold of them. Sooner or later jerks will run into bigger jerks. =)

+1 lol so true.

[CMcNeil]

I heard the water jug crumbled so he filed a lawsuit, but it was throw out by Judge Judy.

Then I heard he spilled water on the floor during a water change, slipped, broke his neck, and then sued the homeowners.

The doctor couldn't get his head on straight so he sued for malpractice.

Also heard he chewed through wires in his last location and then sued his landlord for a rat infestation.

Just kidding of course.

I know we dont always agree but thats some funny stuff :thumbsup:

[Gimplar]

I know we dont always agree but thats some funny stuff :thumbsup:

One Barry to rule them all,
One Barry to find them,
One Barry to bring them all
and in the darkness bind them.

[SwampyBill]

[QUOTE=Gimplar;18606756]It's probably because barry is a pretty big guy. I'd def. give it a second thought about swinging on a guy thats about twice my weight lol.

Size means nothing...Bullies are usually, um, pussycats when stood up to...Still sounds like a big ol' wuss, hiding behind deputies...Besides, ever heard of an 'equalizer'...?

[CMcNeil]

[QUOTE=Gimplar;18606756]It's probably because barry is a pretty big guy. I'd def. give it a second thought about swinging on a guy thats about twice my weight lol.

Size means nothing...Bullies are usually, um, pussycats when stood up to...Still sounds like a big ol' wuss, hiding behind deputies...Besides, ever heard of an 'equalizer'...?

agreed.......ive seen some big guys dropped but much smaller guys.size really means nothing if you know how to defend yourself.

[mattliu]

enough with all the s&m gimpy

mcneil, under the stars there is but one family:beer:

[Gimplar]

[QUOTE=Gimplar;18606756]It's probably because barry is a pretty big guy. I'd def. give it a second thought about swinging on a guy thats about twice my weight lol.

Size means nothing...Bullies are usually, um, pussycats when stood up to...Still sounds like a big ol' wuss, hiding behind deputies...Besides, ever heard of an 'equalizer'...?

touché, i dont think he deserves to see my equalizer :eek1:

enough with all the s&m gimpy



http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lwgj5V-BHu4/TW3skxHphaI/AAAAAAAABIs/qz9q-1X4egc/s1600/bring_out_gimp_in_me_large.gif http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Sl7LC2EOyoA/SP-OlWo-xHI/AAAAAAAAALc/XOpiw-otLA8/s400/gothopotamus-fat-juggalo-icp-demotivational-poster.jpg

[cwegescheide]

[QUOTE=SwampyBill;18606810]

touché, i dont think he deserves to see my equalizer :eek1:



http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lwgj5V-BHu4/TW3skxHphaI/AAAAAAAABIs/qz9q-1X4egc/s1600/bring_out_gimp_in_me_large.gif http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Sl7LC2EOyoA/SP-OlWo-xHI/AAAAAAAAALc/XOpiw-otLA8/s400/gothopotamus-fat-juggalo-icp-demotivational-poster.jpg

FREAKS!!!!! ALL OF YA!! :)

(I couldn't be more proud)

[TampaReefer79]

I heard the water jug crumbled so he filed a lawsuit, but it was throw out by Judge Judy.

Then I heard he spilled water on the floor during a water change, slipped, broke his neck, and then sued the homeowners.

The doctor couldn't get his head on straight so he sued for malpractice.

Also heard he chewed through wires in his last location and then sued his landlord for a rat infestation.

Just kidding of course.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JUbVSV3CN-w/TTqmot_n-qI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/CoIZaW0tcF0/s1600/I_IZ_SERIUS_ADMNIM_THIZ_IZ_SERIUS_BIZNIS_lolcat.jpg