Big Al's closing down

[charlie]

Guys big al's is out of business as of tomorrow,  if you have any credit,  points or other cash it in by tomorrow.
I'm at the store  & it's no secret.the staff is devastated

[TLe041]

Wow, yikes! This is devastating news.

[vic622]

Wow, that's real crappy 

[lucius]

Very solemn mood today indeed.    Thank you (staff) for all your help over the years. 

[JetJumper]

Sad news.


Guess I gotta go and get a refund   

Thanks for the heads up

[charlie]

I can only hope corporate Big Al`s will take over one store & keep it going.
To the staff, especially Jody  and Karen, I thank you all for your service, keeping my fingers crossed Corporate Big Al`s move in.
Errol

[ajm1961]

Holy c##p!!
Can't believe it! So many years as part of our community.
I'm really shocked...
Jody and staff... hope somehow this survives. Thank you so much for all you have done.
My thoughts are with you.

[sanny]

Its devastating... Will miss my boy Marlin.

[lucius]

Can't believe it! So many years as part of our community.

So sad indeed.  I remember when there was only one location on St. Laurent Blvd.  They use to have that 1000 gallon tank with the caiman in it right at the entrance.

[Al]

sad news indeed.
good luck to all the staff, hopefully they can find a silver lining to this and capitalize on some new opportunities that will change their lives for the better.
Thanks for your dedication.

[Jody]

Hi everyone,
Yes the news is true, tomorrow will be the last day of Big Al's in Ottawa.
It is a sad day for all of us, staff and customers alike.
I would like to say thanks for the fun over the years, it has been a pleasure serving you.
Who knows what the future will bring...
So, lastly, if you know anyone hiring,  let me know!

Jody

[Sharbuckle]

Sorry to hear of your closing Big Als crew. Big thanks to Greg in Kanata for all the help over the years. Bought my first tank there about 9 years ago. Big Als will Always have a spot in my heart.

[zenins]

Really ?

Both locations ? Kanata and Innes ?

[Shawn84]

Damm didn't know. Still have a few gift card but I cant come in tomorrow 

[Jody]

Yes, both locations are closing.


Gift cards aren't such a big deal. They will work at the Toronto stores if you make it down, or possibly online even. If they don't normally take them online, just keep complaining to them and they will capitulate.

[Papdul16]

Wow, Last month a big fish store in Montreal now Big al in Ottawa.

[JetJumper]

Someone just posted this on a facebook page I follow:


"Big als east is no longer closing. I'm in The store now there are no longer franchised!!"

[lucius]

Wow great news.    I'm very happy for the staff.

[Jody]

Both stores will be open for business as usual.

[fischkopp]

What will happen to those with vip points cards, will the still work going forward, or should I drop by t store today?

[charlie]

I can only hope corporate Big Al`s will take over one store & keep it going.
To the staff, especially Jody  and Karen, I thank you all for your service, keeping my fingers crossed Corporate Big Al`s move in.
Errol

Nice, now i can un cross my fingers it was no fun keeping them crossed

[fischkopp]

Called them and was glad to hear that the  head office is stepping in. The points cards remain valid.

[Mike L]

While it I  feel for all who might lose out on any prepaid  orders, let's  remember that their  are a large number of employee's  that might lose a job.  This franchise  has been the only viable  source of freshwater  items and advice for a long time.   To all the staff thank you.  Best of luck to all.

[TLe041]

That's great news.

Hopefully the new corporate ownership will bring about positive changes.

[Jody]

Hi Folks,

   Any outstanding orders will be filled, so we don't have to worry about that.
I am positive that there will be a lot of changes for the better coming, and I am looking forward to working with them.
Thank you everyone for your support and best wishes, I am glad it isn't our last time seeing you all!

Jody

[charlie]

https://vimeo.com/158056230

[daworldisblack]

I was just there on Saturday and was thinking things are looking empty. I'm glad that they stepped in last minute!

[vic622]

https://vimeo.com/158056230

Great News & glad to see they've jumped on this and quickly put out an announcement- Very glad the folks at both stores, are keeping their jobs!

[apuppet]

Good news indeed.



but, can i still continue to collect points from both the Big Al locations?

[George2]

https://vimeo.com/158056230

This is a big relief! 

[Mark]

Was freaked out when I started reading this thread.

I have been shopping there well over 20 years, started when they were on Belfast road.

I will make a point of visiting and supporting my local fish stores more frequently vs on line shopping, while we still have local fish stores to support.

Best of luck to Big Al's, hope to shop there another 20 years.

[exv152]

I too remember when BA's first opened in the west end on Robertson Rd next to the McDonald's, that was way back in the early 90's. I believe the Belfast location in the east was the first in the city though.

But I do have to add my two cents to this discussion. Us hobbyists can do our part in reducing the amount of online shopping we do on ebay, amazon etc, and take every opportunity we can to introduce the hobby to younger generations that are being drawn away by other interests. Also, if aquarium retailers want to survive in this new & ever changing landscape of e-commerce, they'll have to find a way to draw consumers back with lower prices. Which would mean taking a serious look at reducing overhead costs, so they can pass the savings onto the consumer, because the consumer seems to be solely driven by the lower prices. I know the willingness is there for consumers to go to the LFS and get what they need rather than buy it online and have to wait. I would rather buy my stuff in-store, especially fish, plants etc, but I too have bought a lot of stuff online only because it's cheaper.  For many the lower online prices, and free shipping, are too strong an incentive to resist.

[George2]

I too remember when BA's first opened in the west end on Robertson Rd next to the McDonald's, that was way back in the early 90's. I believe the Belfast location in the east was the first in the city though.

But I do have to add my two cents to this discussion. Us hobbyists can do our part in reducing the amount of online shopping we do on ebay, amazon etc, and take every opportunity we can to introduce the hobby to younger generations that being drawn away by other interests. Also, if aquarium retailers want to survive in this new every and changing landscape of e-commerce, they'll have to find a way to draw consumers back with lower prices. Which would mean taking a serious look at reducing overhead costs, so they can pass the savings onto the consumer, because the consumer seems to be solely driven by the lower prices. I know the willingness is there for consumers to go to the LFS and get what they need rather than buy it online and have to wait. I would rather buy my stuff in-store, especially fish, plants etc, but I too have bought a lot of stuff online only because it's cheaper.  For many the lower online prices, and free shipping, are too strong an incentive to resist.

It is not possible for retail stores to offer the same prices as online stores, since retails stores have many expense that online stores do not. If price is the only thing that matters to people, then local fish stores are doomed.

There are so many things local fish stores offer: help/advice, being able to look at something before you buy it, greater selection of live stock, less hassle to return defective products, etc. Plus, it's fun to look around and see the new and interesting livestock that they get. :)   That is why I buy only from local fish stores, unless I need something that is not available anywhere in Ottawa.

[exv152]

It is not possible for retail stores to offer the same prices as online stores, since retails stores have many expense that online stores do not. If price is the only thing that matters to people, then local fish stores are doomed.

There are so many things local fish stores offer: help/advice, being able to look at something before you buy it, greater selection of live stock, less hassle to return defective products, etc. Plus, it's fun to look around and see the new and interesting livestock that they get.   That is why I buy only from local fish stores, unless I need something that is not available anywhere in Ottawa.

I wouldn't necessarily say they're doomed. In the last fiscal year Walmart, Homedepot, Costco and a few other large retailers have been able to reclaim a large part of their lost business to amazon by doing just that – reducing their pricing and offering in-store pick up & free delivery, and investing heavily on their online services. I agree with you, visiting the fish store is a lot more rewarding for me than shopping online. But the reality is not everyone feels that way, many are driven solely by lower prices. They could care less if the retailer suffers, they're more concerned with saving a buck.

[Al]

I am glad there has been a turn-around implemented at the local BA stores and wish staff well. But the whole issue still needs plenty of attention and a solid business strategy going forward. They are far from "out of the woods" and a "wake-up call" and "call to arms" has been issued not only in Ottawa, but I am sure across their national network.

I feel it's a complicated situation, however, I don't agree that price is the only factor - there is convenience and availability and other factors. For me, it's about VALUE - the price, a fair deal and everything around the transaction.

Yeah, OK, a retail fish shop can give you advice, depending on the staff they have, their capabilities and knowledge. Tell that to the kid who just bought a RTC at his local shop - maybe an exaggeration but it happens plenty. Big fish/small tanks, etc, etc. If you're an advanced aquarist you probably don't need that "help/advice" as much, and the plethora of websites today offer lots of excellent feedback/suggestions/debates, although one had to be careful as there are lots of "arm chair" quarterbacks and poseurs.

I try and take the emotion out of my buying and financial decisions - I am not looking to save some retail business from itself. It's commodity stuff, more or less. They don't make anything - they're not craftsmen, for example -  they are middlemen - simple stuff, they buy/sell all the same stuff that every other retail and on-line competitor does.

I don't dislike BA and my comments below are in no way intended as a bash of BA -  I like the Innes store and chatting with Jody about a variety of things. And I do buy certain things there and have certainly been impressed lately with Jody's eagerness to make available unique livestock.
But at the end of the day, this issue isn't about Jody as much as it is about BA -  because tomorrow Jody could leave for a better opportunity and there would be another person in his place following the BA playbook.

Do I like to support my local retailer, yes, I do. But that depends.
Do I buy meat from my local butcher, for example - who also purchases his supplies locally - you bet I do, don't buy meat as much from the grocery store - go to the specialist. Do I pay more - yes, within reason. Do I buy my veggies from local farmers market when I can in season rather than buying imported - absolutely.

Pricing/value - I'm sorry but Big Al's - whether on-line or bricks and mortar pricing - is very high. Premium prices, it seems. A few examples - Eheim 2217 - BA on-line 269 (assume same or more at retail), other on-line competition - 218. FX6 - BA - 429, other on-line competition - 359. NLS 1mm cichlid 250G - BA-29.99, other - 18.99. Current USA Freshwater Plus 36" - BA - 229, other competitor - $155.
What advice do I need? What is the value in me paying 20+ % more for something - so I can keep a retail store in business?
That's like saying lets's write a cheque to Bombardier because they're Canadian and we need to support them! The workers there are one of us. Give them another billion.
But plenty of people seem to think BA's pricing is OK and that's their decision to make.
That's big money and savings, considering one barrier to OVAS member growth is the paltry $20 membership fee that people just don't want to part with.

Considering the buying power that the BA network must have with all their retail and on-line volume, I have a hard time believing any Canadian or US retailer has better buying power.
But they don't give anything away. It's a nice model IF it keeps working - buy low, sell high.
Ever try price matching with BA on-line - it's up there with pulling finger nails out - ugly.
Availability - in my years of buying on-line, I have very rarely had an issue with product back-orders or availability. At Big Als, under the past business model, if they didn't have something in stock and they just received an order, it would be 2 weeks before they would get it in on their next order. Sometimes that just isn't convenient.
Convenience - next day at my door or 2 days at most when ordering on line. No driving, no gas, simple transaction.

[limed]

Just heard that the store in Kanata has new stock now. Lots of it, so looks like the corp office
is moving forward.

Ed

[TLe041]

How's the livestock selection?

[George2]

How's the livestock selection?

I was at the east end location today and many of the tanks were empy. However, everyone was busy unpacking boxes and stocking shelves so I assume they will be getting more livestock shortly.  :)

[lucius]

I was at the east end location today and many of the tanks were empy. However, everyone was busy unpacking boxes and stocking shelves so I assume they will be getting more livestock shortly. 

They were still unpacking earlier tonight.

[Jody]

Hiya all,
  The stores are getting a tons of stock in this week.
the dry goods are being unloaded and there was a great marine and plant shipment at both stores today. Tomorrow is our freshwater order and another one on the way early next week.

Jody

[zenins]

Hiya all,
  The stores are getting a tons of stock in this week.
the dry goods are being unloaded and there was a great marine and plant shipment at both stores today. Tomorrow is our freshwater order and another one on the way early next week.

Jody

Glad to see things are picking up again ...

I will be in Ottawa at the end of March and was looking forward to visiting the Kanata and Innes stores again

Zenin
www.kwas.ca

[GuyFawkes]

I was there for the sale the closing day. Was hard to see the emotional employees who have helped us along our journey to tank awesomeness.

In saying this, I like BA. It that store that gets people into the hobby. They attract people. When an institution such as BA was to close its a direct reflection of the status of the hobby.

I was also standing in line when Jody announced they are corporately owned. All people were smiling. I hope all the best for the people who work there and the future of big als


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fishsticks]

they are still open corporate took over it was 36 hours that they were closed

[wolfiewill]

I was in to the Kanata location yesterday and all the shelves are full again, and plant tanks are stocked. I like what they've done to the place. The way it should have been all this time. Cheers to Corporate Big Al's.