** OLD USA ** DEPRECATED

I knew of Big Al's because of a google search of an item that they seem to carry and no one else besides Amazon. Amazon was out of the Betta Trio Aquarium. So I ordered my aquarium on Big Al's. The interface of their website is very user friendly. Its very easy to maneuver thru the website. Very descriptive and some pictures of the Betta Trio that I was purchasing. My only gripe is that I had more delivery options. It goes on a standard delivery option and it took my item 1 whole week to receive my new aquarium that was coming from Ontario Canada. So my item had a long journey. I have not received it yet and I hope it comes not cracked. Ill be very upset if it does.

Always enjoyed my visits to Big Al's brick and mortar location near me. Sadly, I've moved and must rely on the online store. That means I don't have an Al's location to purchase fish. Cue the tears! Also, enjoy most of Thomas' videos. I do, however, think it's time to get back to basics. These vids of CO2 setups leave the newcomers out. I say this as having been in the hobby for over 50 years. Thanks for the space. Terry

Michael here. I have been pal’s with Big Al’s for over thirty years. And at 70 year’s old - I am younger than water. Water was probably around since about a week after the Big Bang. So BA has the BB to thank for my business. Considering the age of our buddy movie, not a lot has gone wrong; occasional smirk from underpaid employees - and being sent broken bits and having an occasional sick fish sold to me, its been a good relationship, and longer than many marriages; I mean we get each other. I get some better prices elsewhere, and go to other outlets for ‘specialty’ items. I am talking to you Sea Sea Canister filters, and to you Amazon for great LED stuff. But we do get each other. I call that love - mercantile love.

I love pretty much everything about Big Al's. Particularly wandering around your brick and mortar locations. Since I moved, I haven't had that opportunity so I live vicariously through your website. As to the title above: if only your websites sold livestock. I understand the issues involved when doing that but I have yet to find a retailer that handles all the merchandise you land-based stores do. If only your prices where such that I could afford them. I started keeping fish when I was 10 and I'm now 75. Now that I'm retired and highly desirous of getting tanking again I'm frustrated by the cost of starting again. That's it, thanks for letting me vent. Keep on tankin'.

As a small-time infrequent customer (Primarily Newmarket & Whitby locations - But have visited several other locations during my travels) I have always been impressed with most aspects of BIG AL's products + merchandising + staff (Especially Whitby). Currently I keep but two aquariums: a 100 & a 15 gallon plus an outdoor 'pond' - all predominantly for goldfish (Mix of types) plus Whiteclouds. My time as a 'serious' aquarist are gone ( As many as a dozen or so tanks: breeding various live-bearers & egg layers over 60 years) ….. Most of my discretionary time is now applied to our 4+ acre rural horticultural pursuit Grower + plant breeding + poultry 'hobbyist') …. Recently I was attempting to track down a SPECIFIC type of goldfish for a GTA friend (Approx. 4-500 gallon garden pond) - Lemon-Yellow Goldfish - an forwarded an enquiry to your 'Contact' service. Only to receive back - after 4 days (?) a generic, general, response that did NOT address my SPECIFIC query at all. This was my first & only such e-communication - all others over the years have been face-to-face inside a retail location. It has been quite disappointing for me to be treated in such an offhand & disinterested manner - PLUS, I STILL DO NOT KNOW IF THE FISH TYPE I SEEK IS AVAILABLE FROM BIG AL's! (?) …. Pitiful customer service by whomever 'wrote' that reply. A simple 'brush-off'. Could not be bothered to do any investigation or apply any thought, to the SPECIFIC question. Will I now stop going to BIG AL's? …. No. … Will I now 'Bad-Mouth' Big Al's … No. .. But I am quite disappointed that my simple - one time only ever - question has been considered so trivial as to essentially be ignored by one of your staff. - MG Patterson Sunderland Ontario