I have known Dunn's for a long time. Their philosophies and mine have differed since day one. When Pond Boss magazine was being born, I invited owner/editor Mark McDonald to visit a number of hatcheries with me. We made appointments at three Oklahoma hatcheries a month early, then confirmed a week ahead. We made each appointment on time. When we got to Dunn's, we saw Jack Dunn through his office window, sitting at his desk, reading. We came into the reception area, announced who we were to the receptionist, and she went into Mr. Dunn's office. After a few minutes, she came out and told us he would not see us. I looked at Mark, he looked at me, and we told the lady our appointment had been set for a month, and Mark had driven more than 200 miles to make that appointment. She went back in, came back out, announced that he wouldn't see us. Needless to say, we were puzzled. Later, no phone call, no explanation. To this day, no explanation. That spoke volumes. I had been in business for 12 years at that time, and Mark was creating Pond Boss, and I had a bit of a relationship with them at the time.
I have read their propaganda, and don't agree with it.
Two years ago, Pond Boss had a booth at a trade show in Mesquite, Texas, and Dunn's salesman approached us, took a magazine, and we visited for a while. He came around several times during the show's run. Quite a friendly guy. On the last day, he suggested they may want to advertise in the magazine. I told him my policy was to make sure our advertisers meet some strong qualifications. He looked a bit puzzled. I explained that Pond Boss and Dunn's were philosophically opposed and some of their stocking and management recommendations were completely opposed to the industry standards, and our standards. I told him we weren't inclined to let them advertise, because what they represent wasn't what we want our readers to believe. He invited me to write a letter to David Dunn (after he conferred with David by cell phone) and pose the same direct questions I had posed at the show. I spent two hours writing a thoughtful letter, asking questions in a professional way. I emailed them to the salesman, David Dunn and his sister, who's involved in the business. None of them ever replied, so I emailed again. Then, again. I never got the courtesy of a reply. I take that as a stance. Therefore, Dunn's doesn't advertise, they don't come to this forum, and it suits me just fine. If they won't answer my questions one on one, then I don't care for them to be here.
There is nothing to gain with their input. They have had several chances to explain themselves, and have chosen not to. As a matter of fact, the only reason I leave their name anywhere on this site is because it comes from our educated audience, based on their knowledge and/or experience.
Meadowlark, I don't think they are crooks. They wouldn't have been in business as long as they have been if they were. It's hard to argue with the minnow shortage on that one sale, but their biggest sin, in my opinion, is not defending themselves two years ago, and before, when PB was born.
For the record, I have come in behind them many times to clean up a mess. I'll never forget one lady, a new widow who was keeping a promise to her husband to stock a pond he had built. The three acre pond sat in a gulley, between two tall hills. She had stocked 3,000 hybrid sunfish, 50 pounds of fathead minnows, 1,000 bass and 1,000 crappie. I was stunned when she called and explained what she did. A local NRCS conservationist suggested she call me and ask my advice about what she had done. I went to her house, looked at her pond, read the list of fish, and did the best I could to console her. She was sick about it. Together, we came up with a plan, but she really needed to rotenone and start over. We did some remedial stocking, and she got her sons to help her manage the pond, and the damage was minimized.
Keep in mind, they are in the business to sell fish. That's what they do. If a buyer doesn't do their homework, and know what fish to stock, they must share in the responsibility of bad advice. I know, I know, one wants to believe what they are told by a reputable company. Caveat emptor. That's a huge reason we created this site, the fair and honest exchange of information to help people.
