Horizon Pets [Archive] - MAAST Forums

discuspro

Fri, 29th Dec 2006, 08:19 PM

Horizon Pets is around Anderson Mill Road and 183 in Austin.

Some reason going there today put me in a bad mood. I walked in the store and it looked like he was closed because he had the lights out except for the lights coming from the aquariums. I thought, "he must be penny pinching or something because he's got the lights off." I then walked around the shop. It seems like he uses tap water to make up his salt because there is so much algae and diatoms growing in every tank.

One of the big things that annoys me when I go there is the lack of price tags on stuff. I swear its so he can ask for how much he is needing that certain day. I know it's his business but its kinda shady and sometimes suprising, (the prices).

Lastly, there are things in there he will not sell like stuff in the back tank. I think what he is doing is growing out stuff that he is planning on making a killing off of and letting people look at them and get anxious to when he's going to sell. Sure most shops have display tanks they are not selling from but usually they are beautiful and would be hard to frag or catch things in. His tank is no way near that type of tank.

I don't know, I'm just moody but it bugged me today going there and seeing something I wanted to find out after waiting 30minutes for him to help another customer to find out he wasn't selling any of it.

demodiki

Fri, 29th Dec 2006, 09:43 PM

I usually find him to be very helpful.

/shrug

Viet-Tin

Sat, 30th Dec 2006, 01:14 AM

Yea same here. Steve is a good guy. I used to help him out for awhile. Although I didnt like using the tap water while I was there he was in the process of setting up an ro/di unti. Im guessing he never really finished that. It didnt seem to harm the fish any at all just a bit unsightly. He is very knowledgable when it comes to the hobby and he is quite helpful but when your the only employee, things are quite difficult to maintain on your own. Im not bashing you or anything as everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I do know his store is a bit run down and im sure he knows as well. Just wanted to speak up for my friend. Last I checked he was also expanding his marine selection. He got rid of most of his fw and has aquired a few more holding tanks for fish. Ill have to stop by again to see how hes doing.

caferacermike

Sat, 30th Dec 2006, 01:17 AM

I avoid his place at all costs. Steve seems to me to not have any solid information on ANYTHING he sells. I let him walk into a sale one time by playing along. It would have been a huge mistake in my tank. My girl knows enough and she did not realize what I was up to. She called him out and said, this and that can't go together and this is a horrible item to try to sell someone. So then he just backed up and began agreeing with her. It's a case of "tell them whatever they want to hear". I also hate the no price tag idea. I've "felt" him eye me up a few times before giving me the price. Then I hear from someone else they were offered a price much less than what I was offered. And don't get me started about how much he loves holey rock for live rock........

I stopped in about 3 weeks back just to see if anything had changed. I agree that the place looked vacant. Then I overheard a sale. It was a good one for him. He stuffed an empty tank full of about a thousand dollars worth of predator fish and any coral this guy with his Hdepot shop light pointed at. And of course was told that every thing he pointed to was a great idea.

discuspro

Sat, 30th Dec 2006, 03:08 AM

Truthfully, he seems like a good guy to me as well but the way he runs that place scares me off every time I want to see what he's got.

I asked him how much for a piece of coral and he gave me the price, which suprised me (at how much) but it might not have been so suprising if he had it posted so atleast I could contemplate whether I wanted to buy it or not. With him just giving the price, and the fact I've got to ask him the price for almost everything makes me feel like just giving him my wallet.

I was very disappointed that he wasn't selling some corals he has in the back tank, which I'm a little more relaxed about than I was, but I did get my hopes up about buying some. I wanted to ask him if the price was right would he sell but I thought it would be too much trouble. He's got stuff and he doesn't want to sell it? I don't understand why unless that is really his display tank he's making into a future beauty.

Viet-Tin, do you know why he's not selling coral from that tank in the back? Is he trying to grow stuff out?

I feel bad starting up this thread, because I've truly tried to understand how hard it can be running a pet store, balancing costs of running the place and how much to charge. I really wanted to bring this topic up to point out what things I felt need attention. I know if he changed the things that I've brought up I would love to come by and buy stuff knowing that the price is what every one else that comes by would be charged. Also, I wouldn't get false hopes of buying something as long as he posted not for sale on the tank. I'm just one of those people that like to see it in writing.

caferacermike

Sat, 30th Dec 2006, 06:32 AM

I swear you and I know the same guy. It seems to me like anything I ever asked about, in any tank, was NFS. It was always, for the shop. Of course the next time I would be in there the piece was gone. Either dead or sold. What about that cube in the back, the invert and seahorse tank? That thick green monster. I've heard him denounce skimmers over and over....

Viet-Tin

Sat, 30th Dec 2006, 08:48 AM

Last I heard from him about that was he was trying to grow them out as he recieved them as tiny frags. He mentioned eventually when they grow large enough he would frag them out and put them up for sale. He has done so with his pink zoos and a few other zoos. I stopped helpin him out a few months ago ever since my bro opened up his shop, so I dont know the current conditions his tanks are in and im sure theyre not in tip top shape but then again what pet store really has pristine water quality? Not too many if you ask me, but it would help if he could eliminate that algae problem.

Viet-Tin

Sat, 30th Dec 2006, 08:48 AM

discuspro

Fri, 12th Jan 2007, 09:42 PM

For the record, I was in a bad mood when I went to Horizon Pets that day. Steve didn't deserve all of the garbage I've thrown. I've actually gone back since my first post and I've seen some really awesome stuff at quite decent prices for the kind and size.

Steve I'm sorry about all of this. Everyone for my sake and Steve's go by his shop and make up your own mind about Horizon Pets, don't take my word for it. I've been known to be a moody person and I can be mean when I am, I've got to work on that.

Viet-Tin

Sat, 13th Jan 2007, 12:38 AM

Thats all understandable. Everyone is going to have their different experiences with different stores, which is why they have these forums to relay those experiences. Best thing we can do is give our experiences and maybe give them suggestions on how to better their facilities or services.

josephatmbimortgage

Sat, 13th Jan 2007, 12:45 AM

Horizon selection of corals are great and I like stopping by there on a weekly bases to check out all the new corals and sales. He has tons of saltwater tanks and can special order stuff for everyone at a very reasonable price. I bought my 135 gallon , Ro/di unit, lights... and many corals from him . He give us the competition we need in order to find the " Right Price".

-Joseph

discuspro

Sat, 13th Jan 2007, 01:55 AM

Well said.

Noodle

Sun, 14th Jan 2007, 10:40 PM

Does he still have sales on saltwater goods on Fridays? I don't drive on the frontage all that often, but remembered there was a sign in front saying so a couple months back.

josephatmbimortgage

Sun, 14th Jan 2007, 10:41 PM

Yes he does, just go by there and let him know Joseph Le sent ya and he will help you out on everything and give you a good deal

caferacermike

Mon, 15th Jan 2007, 11:05 AM

I stopped by there again on Sat looking for B Ionic. He was such a ***** that my girl immediately walked out of the store. There were 4 other people in there and he wouldn't get off his perch behind the counter. When someone would ask him something he lifted his head as if it was the largest inconvience ever and would just blurt out a sharp retort. I asked him if he was out of B Ionic and his answer was so blunt that my girl was completely offended, if you knew my girl you'd understand that it is almost impossible to offend her. I had the keys to the truck and she waited outside in the cold while I inquired when he might get more in stock. He looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and made a "hhmmmfffhh" type noise. I swear you'd have thought his dog just died.

Don't worry about me beating you guys to his stuff, I won't be back. Especially not after John, the Dude, opened KingFish Aquariums just to sell me some B Ionic on a Sunday afternoon. He was out with his father and they swung by together to make sure I got what I needed. Now that's a dedicated retailer. Maybe I'm just picky.

BIGBIRD123

Mon, 15th Jan 2007, 04:07 PM

Maybe I'm just picky.

You are Mike but that's beside the point. I've heard enough not to shop there. My money spends ANYWHERE.

Steve

Jynxgirl

Sat, 3rd Feb 2007, 02:21 AM

I have about given up going anywhere but to Horizon.

I like some of the other stores better as far as looks go in water quality and other things, but he has the largest selection of just random stuff. I like to go look. Its the only place I ever seem to find stuff anymore.

aprilmayjune

Sat, 3rd Feb 2007, 02:39 AM

I've truly tried to understand how hard it can be running a pet store, balancing costs of running the place and how much to charge.

It doesn't seem that hard from the outside I think because this is our hobby and we don't consider it 'work.' But I work in a pet store now, and being one of the few employees that keep up the fish tanks, it is extremely hard. Maintenance is needed everyday, but some days it is so busy with customers, I don't get to touch one tank on a 10 hour shift. One partial might take me 6 hours if I'm helping customers and answering phones. It frustrates me when I know something needs to be done and half the customers are telling me 'Ma'am, this tank is low on water. There is water on the floor. You have a dead guppy in the feeder tank. Have you fed the fish today because I want to watch.' When we price the fish we have to consider shipping (one company charges $650 in shipping), the cost of any care to the fish like food, water, salt, and all at the same time try to keep the prices low. I know on a few occasions we have sold livestock for the same price we paid just to prevent ripping anyone off.

josephatmbimortgage

Sat, 3rd Feb 2007, 02:45 AM

Well said.!!! . We already determined that Caferacermike tell storys or blow them out of proportion. When you own your own store and can't afford to have employees, it is hard to maintain. It looks great in there with all the new reef tanks setting up. I always get great deals from him. He has ton of differnt corals you won't find so often at other places. People need to remember that bc he has a store that create competition for us to get better pricing on corals and supplies.

-Joseph

caferacermike

Sat, 3rd Feb 2007, 10:20 AM

Fargone you got it right. If you can't keep up reduce your inventory to a managable amount. Don't keep installing more tanks you cannot keep up with.

Joe you can stop sucking up to me any time. Keep your personal feelings about me to yourself for the sake of the board. I have no problems arguing with you until they shut out my ISP. But for the sake of the board, until you've actually met me, spent the kind of money I spend, make midnite runs for equipment and or fish, set up your own wholesale accounts, volunteer to help at shops during your free time to score a coral you have your eye on, make every attempt possible to meet everyone here on the board in person, just keep your personal comments to yourself. Just because you don't like what I have to say about a particular product is not a personal attack. I have yet to see you offering to drive frags to SA just to be a nice guy. So please just do like everyone else and ignore me, for the sake of not cluttering up the boards. If you are jealous that I live a more interesting life then you do, drop me aPM sometime and we'll hang so you can have your own stories. OK? Bye.

josephatmbimortgage

Sat, 3rd Feb 2007, 11:56 AM

LOL. :D

savage

Mon, 5th Feb 2007, 01:05 AM

Steve from Horizon here.Where should I start?To begin with,anyone who doesn't run their own shop by themselves should probably hold their comments.No one here walks in my shoes,so don't judge.Fargone,you come up with such a simple answer to all my problems.If it were really that easy I'd probably have done it by now.The simple fix to all this drama is that if someone doesn't like me or my shop then you don't have to come here.No one is forced to shop here.I thought this sight was about educating people on reef keeping, not making personal attacks on stores and their owners.

savage

Mon, 5th Feb 2007, 01:23 AM

This isn't something I'd normally waste time dealing with,but Caferacer,you've gone too far.Who's the *** kisser here? You are so desperate to get people in this group to like you.For anyone who doesn't know,Cafe is a habitual liar.He can't tell the truth to save his life.He doesn't just exaggerate things,he completely fabricates them,and people,and events.Anyone who thinks they can trust this guy is fooling themselves.He pretends to be nice,just like he's always done with me when he comes in my shop.Cafe you know **** well I have never disrespected you,been rude to you,or much less tried to rip you off.I just recently figured out which customer of mine you were,and was kind of shocked.Your girl has never walked out of my store with you still in there.There was never any customer that I sold a thousand dollars worth of stuff for an empty tank.There weren't even any other people asking for help the last time you came in.I can't find any truth in your comments other than that you did actually come in and that Kingfish is a good shop.Everything else is fabricated.I've also had 3 other customers that caferacer has made up lies about.I can't wait till the next time I see you.If you can actually look me in the eyes and say that things happened the way you say,I won't feel the need to punch you in the teeth so much,because I'll know that you're clearly brain damaged and not just the cowardly ***** I think you are.Anyone who likes people that smile to your face and then lie about you behind your back should hang out with cafe.Sorry about all this,but I felt I had to defend myself against such personal attacks.

watson0720

Mon, 5th Feb 2007, 02:08 AM

through all my experiences with horizon pets (and by the way i have to drive from fort hood to austin to get anything worth looking at) steve has always been more than helpful, he always takes the time to explain and never makes you feel pressured to buy anything from there. he always offers to order me anything i ask for and never sold me anything that he wouldn't put into his own tank, i don't mean to jump on the bandwagon but horizon pets is usually the last stop on my way back home and if i go home with anything it is usually from his store. it seems that most of the lfs in the austin area don't have time to talk to you or only wanna see what they can put in a bag for you, what happened to good old bs'ing and making you feel more like a person than a bank account.