Results of 2006 LFS survey - The BEST shops - now you know

[Greg Hiller]

Total responses to the survey that could be confirmed to be members of the BRS, and not working for, or owning a shop - 88
One person did not answer the question for location, so their data was excluded from the listing broken down by geographical region.

The survey consisted of a list of questions (see below) with the option to list any of 60 local shops that carry marine fish/invertebrates within a 2 hour driving distance of Boston as measured by Mapquest. No exceptions were allowed for shops alllllmost that close.

I want to thank everyone again who took the survey. I think the results are very interesting, and will go a long way to steer folks toward quality shops in the Boston area, depending upon what they are looking for, and what they consider valuable in a shop (customer service, selection, health of critters, etc.)

The qustions and responses are below. Remember that each 1st place ranking by a participant earned the shop 5 points, each 2nd place ranking earned 3 points, and each 3rd place ranking earned 1 point. The rank order for each question is listed, as is the total points received. Obviously, a shop earning a very high ranking compared to other shops should be considered truely outstanding for whatever category is being considered. The shops are listed in order 1-3 for each category, and the shop in 4th place gets H.M. (Honorable Mention).

For the listings by geographical location the following number of people listed themselves from each region:

WITHIN 10 MILES OF CENTER OF BOSTON - 17
NORTH OF BOSTON - 29
WEST OF BOSTON RESPONSES - 25
SOUTH OF BOSTON RESPONSES - 16

for a look at the data broken down by geographical region go to the thread:

http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/...ad.php?t=27682


FIRST THE OVERALL DATA - FROM 88 RESPONDERS:


Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 134
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH -93
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 86
H.M. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 77

Which local area pet store/supplier has the WIDEST VARIETY/BEST SELECTION OF FISH? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 154
2. Tropic Isle, Framingham, MA - 121
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 100
H.M. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 80

Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST CORALS AND INVERTEBRATES? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 143
2. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 105
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 90
H.M. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 85

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SPS (small-polyped stony) CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 146
2. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 110
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 97
H.M. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 75

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SOFT CORALS AND LPS (large-polyped stony) corals? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 127
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 90
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA -84
H.M. Sea Creatures - Revere, MA - 58


Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF TANK RAISED/AQUACULTURED CORALS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 95
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 84
Tie for 3rd. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 66, Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 66

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST PRICES ON DRY GOODS? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 154
2. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 59
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 57
H.M. All Things Fishy, Marlborough, MA - 38

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST VALUE ON LIVESTOCK (considering both price AND health)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem - NH - 140
2. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 97
3. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 69
H.M. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 55

Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 128
2. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 113
3. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 82
H.M. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 54

Which local area pet store/supplier would you rank as the BEST OVERALL SHOP in the greater Boston area (within a two hour drive)? Rank 1 = Best

1. Aquarium Gallary, Hudson, NH - 145
2. Aqua Addicts, Salem, NH - 113
3. Coral Reef Aquarium, Seekonk, MA - 85
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop, Dorchester, MA - 82
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[susan2626]

GREG - I am reefkeeper in Ct. and think we may have a new sucker... my friend who lives in Cambridge is thinking of having a custom tank built in her existing wall unit cabinetry. Can you recommend a Boston-Cambridge company whos does custom install as well as maintenance? Thanks

[hans1976]

Susan,
You should go over to the Boston site BRS. They are there way more than here.

By the way, are you a member of the Connecticut club?

[susan2626]

thanks Greg - will do. Yes am member of Ct. group - here's one of my fave shots of my beloved tank....

[clowder]

Good info to have............def keeping this page bookmarked