How much did you save

[RobboT]

I'm just curious if people would be willing to tell how much they saved over LFS prices by going in on a pooled order. Not a Group Buy a Pooled Order. In looking at the prices on the recent Marine Depot order I can't see where people saved a whole ton of cash individually, but then there are a number of items that I dont know the LFS retail for.

I'm just trying to gauge the true value of going to the internet vs. going to an LFS. Is it really worth it?

This is an honest question, Im not just trying to stir up crap. If a president wants to represent the members of the club he/she needs to know where they're coming from.

[Armando]

I think it depends on the item. There are discrepancies even within the LFSs.

For example, I needed one product that costs $16 in one LFS and $26 in another LFS. Big difference.

I needed 4 units so the total would be:

4 x $16 = $64
4 x $26 = $104

i paid online total with shipping $52.

I saved $12 (20%) if I had bought at store 1 and $52 (50%) if I had bought at store 2.

But, despite the fortune I have spent in LFSs, I might be an exception. I buy most of my stuff off the Internet, including my dog and my cat :D

[Kim]

For me the LFS prices are on most items are about the same as online if you include your shipping charge. But many stores including Marine Depot offer free shipping (example Marine Depot its $175). If you buy many items at once, get the free shipping you can save quite a bit.

If I need something NOW I go to the LFS and unless its an outrageous amount more than online, I buy it. Unfortunately most times I need it NOW and call the LFS they don't have it and need to order it for me anyway. Which I believe usually takes a week. The same as an internet order at that point but now its shipped to my door. I don't need to leave my home.

Convenience is the biggest factor to me. I have 2 young children. Bringing them to the LFS is a real pain in the ...well I think you know. It is much easier for me to purchase online when they are napping or at night and have it delivered to me. And with online I have the option of even getting it the very next day if I want it that bad.

Kim

[Richard]

I just bought 3 salifert test kits ca, no3, alk and a millwaukee regulator and solenoid plus shipping to my door for $123.06. I think thats a good amount saved.

[RobboT]

richard do you know how much those things would have cost you if you had bought local?

[SherryQ]

Tradionally I have bought most of my supplies on line because there tends to be quite a large savings. I have had up to 11 tanks running at once and so saving $ on the supplies for each of these tanks is a big deal. Typically I've noticed that LFS charge at least 150% more(usually much much more such as 300%) per item depending upon the item. I usually wait and place a large order a few times a year. That way the shipping is dispersed over a number of items. Even with the shipping though the items are usually cheaper.
However, recently I've been buying more of my saltwater supplies from a saltwater LFS. The reason - because they are pricing themselves to be competitive with mail order. I've noticed that their prices are only about 0-10% more than the catelogs. I'm willing to pay this extra money because 1. I get to support a LFS, 2. I get what I want now, 3. easy returns, 4. personal demonstrations of product, 5. same price when you factor in shipping.
I've always wanted to support the LFS over the mail order places, but with the number of tanks I have it just wasn't feasable. I've always wondered why the majority of LFS don't price themselves to be more in line with mail order.
For freshwater supplies though, I'm still mail ordering my supplies, because there are no LFS in the area that have FW supplies that are competitively priced. It is a shame, because I would really rather support LFS.

[Richard]

The test kits would cost me around 60-65 dollars if I drive up to NH or down to RI. I called a few lfs and they all said they can order the regulator except for one ,TI had it in stock but I almsot fell off my chair when she told me how much it was.

So if I had to guess it would have cost me around 200.00 dollars if I bought local and thats if I can get everything together.

BTW that 200.00 dollars would'nt even get me the regulator at TI.

[NateHanson]

In my limited experience, the key is finding an LFS whose pricing you trust. I started with one LFS in my area, and discovered after a month that I was spending over double the price of a large mail order outfit. But soon after, I discovered my new LFS, and their prices are often the same or better than most mail-order, even without shipping costs. If they stock it, I buy it there. If that store doesn't stock it I mail order.

Nate

[Ray]

I bought a pump online for 60 bucks shipped online that would have cost me 90-95 local
Now I am looking for another pump that will cost me 100 local and 85-90 shipped online so I will most likely buy it local when it comes in
It all depends on the item and the savings but if I need it ASAP I will buy it local no matter what the cost

[clamm]

agree w/ray...most of the time I buy local if I need it right away but If i can wait I usually can save a few bucks online....plus the fact that I have to travel 30miles to get to the lfs...

[Scuba_Dave]

Honest answer, I don't have the time to go to an LFS :(
So I save time, which is extremely valuable to me right now