FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
First of all, yes, this hobby can be expensive when you begin your journey as an aquarist. But please don't try and negotiate prices. This is my livelihood, and I don't go to my insurance sales representative and start haggling. Prices are set where they are after taking a good chunk of my time doing my due diligence and figuring out the average prices from my competitors and also other businesses outside my market area to set my prices so low that it could possibly hurt the survivability of my business. I'm not going to lie, I am selling myself short without any negotiations. If any big name aquarium services beats my price, show me proof and I will match it. Other than the established names in this market, competition is pretty limited. But any other new companies that come along either will not last because they didn't insure themselves or they feel this business is too much work and they slowly just disappear. Saniquarium LLC isn't going to cut corners. We are in this for the long haul. We are bonded and insured. All the products we sell come with a lifetime warranty and our services come with a Satisfaction guarantee.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Normally I set up a consultation which is for the customer to get to know me a bit and can see my work ethic and knowledge first hand. During the consultation I will ask a bunch of questions about their ideal tank setup. if they already have an established aquarium I will inspect that and see what I can do to help perfect the living conditions of the customer's fish. If it is a design consultation I will measure up and suggest the placement and size and sit down with the customer and write out an installation and maintenance estimate. That is when the customer will decide if the price is right and whether or not they want to work with me further.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
other than 5+ (successful) years in the hobby? About 10 years in carpentry and in that time I have learned how to build the most durable glass aquariums. I also have about 15 years experience in customer service.