I just wanted to see some of your guy's opinions on who deal with locally. Most of the things I have bought whether it is fish, corals, livestock, or hardware, I look for it online because usually its cheaper and easier to find the rare ones. I have dealt with a couple of people locally and though they were a fairly long drive, both of the people I've dealt with have been phenomenal.
Awhile ago, I bought some zoas from suliaman. They are still doing great and sold them to me at great prices.
Just this past weekend, I went of over to fishman's house. And all I had to say to myself was wow. His display tank was drop dead gorgeous and his frag tanks made drool. He was very informative and showed a lot of knowledge of the corals he was selling me and told me all the precautions. I've had 3 different frags of african blue zoas and all melted away. He gave me a huge colony (orginally he said 25 polyps bu he gave wayyyy more). They all opened up within minutes and all look great). His deepwater zoas all are opened and doing great. He sold me a bunch of sps and gave me a lot of freebies and even Sissy allowed me to buy a couple of her prized possessions that either no one else has bought from them or a very few. Their prices were great and dealing with them was hassle free.
I have been lucky so far dealing with locals and have had no issues. Dealing with suliaman and fishman is great because the hobby comes first rather than some LFS's trying to make money before the hobby. I have very sour feelings with many of the local LFS's and that is why I look for alternatives. I just find it great to know that people like suliaman and fishman welcome me into their homes and talk about the hobby for hours with only talking through pm's and email online.
Awhile ago, I bought some zoas from suliaman. They are still doing great and sold them to me at great prices.
Just this past weekend, I went of over to fishman's house. And all I had to say to myself was wow. His display tank was drop dead gorgeous and his frag tanks made drool. He was very informative and showed a lot of knowledge of the corals he was selling me and told me all the precautions. I've had 3 different frags of african blue zoas and all melted away. He gave me a huge colony (orginally he said 25 polyps bu he gave wayyyy more). They all opened up within minutes and all look great). His deepwater zoas all are opened and doing great. He sold me a bunch of sps and gave me a lot of freebies and even Sissy allowed me to buy a couple of her prized possessions that either no one else has bought from them or a very few. Their prices were great and dealing with them was hassle free.
I have been lucky so far dealing with locals and have had no issues. Dealing with suliaman and fishman is great because the hobby comes first rather than some LFS's trying to make money before the hobby. I have very sour feelings with many of the local LFS's and that is why I look for alternatives. I just find it great to know that people like suliaman and fishman welcome me into their homes and talk about the hobby for hours with only talking through pm's and email online.