Absolutley fet up with sea of marvels!!!!!!!!!!!!

He has been like that for the last 10 years that I know of.

One day I was there @ 2:00, there were 3 other cars in the lot waiting as well. I finally left at 2:30.

 

That seems odd, yesterday i stopped in and didnt leave there until just after 5 and there was still a couple other customers in there, and he was there plus a couple of his homies. who knows though, that would be annoying if you drove there just for that.  i guess thats why i really only stop if im on my way back from IC or other places.

 

I go there all the time because Im in towh to visit family anyway. But about 80% of the time his kids are there and not him and they never know what to charge for stuff. Most of the time I'm just looking so it's not that bad but when I see something I want and they don't know what to charge it is kind of annoying. But Hung is a good guy and after years of going to his shop I would say the best time to catch him there is saterday around 2:30.

 

I've been there once, we were going to CR and decided to drive the extra distance to check it out. Hung wasn't there and his daughters had no idea what to charge on anything. They called him and luckily he was available to talk real quick on the phone(hard to understand) and he priced out a couple things. I wanted to buy a rose bubble tip anemone but his daughters told me they couldn't get it off the rock for me, so I would have to buy all 3 that were on a 1lb rock if I wanted it. Needless to say, I left with nothing.

I think it's unfair that he changes the prices depending on who's buying the stuff though. All his stuff is so high, but then when it's someone he knows he will lower the price for you. It's over an hour to drive down there from Cedar Falls so I'm not a frequent customer, so I have to pay the high prices, which makes me not want to bother... Almost nothing is marked, so if I'm curious on the prices I have to have someone look it up, which is very inconvenient. He does have a lot of unusual stuff though, which is something I definitely like.

 

Every store i have ever known will alter prices based on the customer. i thinks its fair. if one person drops 500 a month there then they shoudl get a few better deals than the guy who maybe spends a few bucks... the big spenders r keeping that lfs in business, cut those people a break.

We have a store here that u HAVE to see if anyone is around so u can stop by. I guess if u wanna check it out then get Sea of Marvles phone number in ur phone and call before u stop over. its a weird habit to get into, but ive learned u sometimes have to.

 

That's true about the price altering I have goten discount's from every store I have frequented. Not just because of being a big spender but because I will leave with nothing if I don't get a deal then come back the next week and do the same over time the shop owner will get tired of you not buying something and start to give you a deal. This in how I softened up Hung a long time ago and now I get sweet deals from him.

 

How about you try calling the store before you make the trek down there? I've never had a problem with him being there on time, but I can't say I ever time my trips to be there exactly at opening. I usually end up going at 5. Right in the middle of his store hours. Maybe try that next time.

 

I don't get it, if you have gone there that many times and he hasn't been there why don't you start calling before you "waste gas again and again." Why not take you own advice?
You want a waste of time, drive up here to Waterloo and hit the LFS's, that will give you something to complain about.

 

without a doubt! i once went to aqua pets for a rose.... first week it was $30, next week it was $65, a week later it was $120. funny... sometimes it works in ur favor, other times, not so much!!

u all need to get down here in omaha and go to Ruff Waters. they have the healthiest primeium corals in the are at a respectable price.... but u must call in advance...

 

awww yes ruff is the bomb,but you only have to call if its mon-fri.....sat they are open to the public and the first sat of every month they have lunch.as for sea of marvels ive been there no one was there so i left.the only reason i stopped back is because i was headed back out of town.if you have posted hours you should stick to them its only good business.or change your hours and stick to that.

 

The thing is a big part of his business is tank maintance so he is off doing that partof the time. It would be wise of him to work out a better schedule and hire a paid employee because his kids just goof off when they are there.

 

lol... I've noticed that too. Hung is always happy to help you, but his kids never seem that motivated...