paulthomas
Punk
Tell me about it.
That's what I hope to do. But when it comes to livestock, I'll probably spend 95% of my money at a few LFSs.
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- Thread starter reefer125g
- Start date
Tell me about it.
That's what I hope to do. But when it comes to livestock, I'll probably spend 95% of my money at a few LFSs.
Fish Ace
Non-member
When I look at LFS I see car salesmen, their in bussiness to make money and they have to be somewhat knowledgeable and it helps if they have a personality to go with the business too. In all my dealings in the last year with all LFS only one individual at Seaworld has stood out.
Joel A
Started over.
well yeah, i agree with you on that. All of our sponsors are top notch, that's why they are our sponsors...
I just meant fish stores in general.
FOXYB
reefer madness
and thats the thing not everyone is working when you need them to that is why i like going to small more dedicated lfs plus you cant see if a fish is eating or if the corals been closed for days before shipping with the online stores i support my lfs and when there isnt what i need there i come to brs to look because most likely someone has it or has an expirence with it
Kevin McG
Ni Hao!
My take on the subject is make sure you are educated on what you want to purchase and go to the place with the best price whether it's online, sponsor or non-sponsor.
But the key is to make sure you are educated on the items pricing!
Sponsor Store A has an item Z for $200
Non-Sponsor Store B has the same item for $190
Online Store - same item $175 including shipping
I'm going online for the purchase, why throw $25 away?
But the key is to make sure you are educated on the items pricing!
Sponsor Store A has an item Z for $200
Non-Sponsor Store B has the same item for $190
Online Store - same item $175 including shipping
I'm going online for the purchase, why throw $25 away?
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delta
Impatient Reefer
"Little devils advocate"
Considering everyone spends a tons ot time on this website and benefits from
what the group has to offer, isn't spending a little more at a sponsor like one hand washing the other?
I understand what you are saying and am not advising people to throw money away but it is not like the sponsors have not already given you something. So might be fair to at least give the sponsors some credit
for their contributions to the group. Instead of calling doing business with them throwing money away.
What if the sponsors all took that attititude?
If people refuse to see the long term picture you nuke all the LFS and the online shops won't be so willing to give you that good deal. Short sightedness get you no where in the long run.
Many of these online places are not LFS and some are basically distibutors
which will get what ever the market demand.
There is actually a large play to move on reefkeeping group to move on cornering the market. These are not small time guys they are
non reef businessmen looking to make a buck. It is a huge industry and they have become very aware of the money involved.
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naturebatslast
Senior Toad Licker
An educated consumer is the best customer.
fishindude
The Fish Meister
I offer my business to lfs first, and if they don't have the coral/item I want, then I will go online. If I ask them to order for me, it takes longer and costs more money.
You also have to consider the lfs that charges well more than average. There is one near me that is reliably 50-75% more than online and about 25% more than other stores that are further away. Factor in the gas money to travel to these places and online shopping becomes more realistic.
You also have to consider the lfs that charges well more than average. There is one near me that is reliably 50-75% more than online and about 25% more than other stores that are further away. Factor in the gas money to travel to these places and online shopping becomes more realistic.
While I agree with this very much, it is also the same reason we don't or can't stock all the items possible. Not without some huge ($500,000+) investment. Plus when many online vendors mark products up less than 10% it just does not make sense for a LFS to stock an item, tie up the capital, and make no money. You could make more by putting the money in a savings account, without any added stress... Plus if we do stock certain items, and our price is a little too high for the consumer, many time they will flame the shop for it. "they are trying to take advantage of the customer" "they are trying to rip us off" "they are greedy and trying to get rich" When in many cases this is the farthest thing possible from the truth. Most LFS are just trying to stay in business.
Plus you need to know that most online vendors are just "brokers" They do not stock many/most of the items on their website. When you place an order, they just place an order with a distributor, and the item gets drop shipped to you. Now the online vendor make a small profit for making a phone call or sending an email. Never even tying up any capital to make a sale. Most LFS can not do this, or we would. I know that I will gladly do this and can usually match or beat any online price when I do. But not too many think to ask most LFS about special orders, they just go online and order what they need. You don't know how many times I see people post "I just got this from XYZ and paid $$$." I think to myself sometimes, well I could have gotten that for the customer, for the same or better price.
Now don't get me wrong there are some Online vendors that are bustin their but and have a great business (stock the items, give customer support, and have great prices) unfortunately this is not the majority.
Really at the end of the day, it comes down to the overhead for any particular LFS or online vendor. This will ultimately depict what markup the store will need to survive, grow, and profit. This is going to be different for every store.
JackTheReefer
Non-member
Don't get me wrong -B-, I would never expect a LFS to carry a full prodct line for example: light fixtures, protein skimmers, calcium reactors ect. as I understand the money that would tie up would be atronomical.
I would think a LFS should carry the staples on the other hand.
I hate when I go to my LFS and they are out of food.
I hate when I go to my LFS and they are out of an additive.
I hate when I go to my LFS and they are out of salt.
I hate having to order bulbs online because my LFS does not stock them.
Most of what I described are common aquarium necessities that make up a stores bread & butter and would require myself to make a trip to the LFS and it's frustrating when it's not there.
I hate being told we just sold the last one, if I had a nickel for every time I heard that.......
I understand a lot of online vendors are brokers also, I'll even go one step further and say a lot of them are garage operations.
I, as a lot of hobbyists, am only able to make it to my LFS on the weekend and going away skunked usually requires myself to order the product online seeing I would get it quicker.
I know the aquarium industry is extremely tough and with the day and age of the internet it's not getting any easier, with that said I think a major key to a successful aquarium buisness is keeping a well stocked store be it livestock or hardgoods, as I said in my earlier post if you don't have it you can't sell it.
Overhead sucks but thats a part of doing buisness as a LFS or any reatil front for that matter.
Chuck Spyropulos
Non-member
LFS are businesses like any other and, as such, they are there to make money. I never buy fish online. I usually buy drygoods at fish stores that can and do regularly beat the online prices (PM me for a LFS that consistently does this). I will also buy drygoods at a LFS if I need it in a pinch. I usually buy coral frags from members here or on RC to save some $. But if I see something I like at a LFS I will buy it. Sometimes it is not just about the $ for me but also an impulse buy or again cheaper and prettier (like Bs Acans) than online.
buddy524
Non-member
When ever i see something on line that i need i go to my local fish store and tell him and they have always price matched or even did better with price than on line and i don’t have to worry about being home for the delivery it gets shipped to the store. When you say you order it on line you get it faster i don’t see how as its still being shipped unless your local fish store waits a weak to order it. My lfs runs out back and orders it while i am there and never had an issue. i am sure if you go to your lfs with a price nine out of ten there more than happy to work something out. i had ordered fish on line once and will never do it again i think ups kicked the box for a field goal the box was wet and when i opened it all the bags where empty with water.heres an idea to let your lfs now that youll be loocking to get new bulbs in a month or two instead of wating the last minute and they will problably have them in stock when you need them. Just my .02
Why shop at the LFS? So they are there..... plain and simple.
On Thanksgiving, my Calcium Reactor impeller spit a magnet.
Called (3) LFS. Was back in business on Friday. If I had to order one, it would have been AT LEAST Tuesday with a whopping overnight bill.
So... here's a little shout out to Seaworld in Salem.
On Thanksgiving, my Calcium Reactor impeller spit a magnet.
Called (3) LFS. Was back in business on Friday. If I had to order one, it would have been AT LEAST Tuesday with a whopping overnight bill.
So... here's a little shout out to Seaworld in Salem.
Blueflu1
The Acan Reaper!
I like to go to the LFS for smaller items and livestock. If It is a big purchase and I can save money online, I buy it there. I have bought a few smaller things online lately, only because I have been working so much and I haven't had time to go out.
BUT,,,,,you can't beat the service from some LFS. Yea, plenty have guys that have no clue, but I have been to two that are extremely helpful. One of the stores, I will tell all the clerks I am all set until the guy I like is free and go to him.
I went to B's Store and he spent plenty of time chatting to me and helping me out with a few questions. He was more then helpful. You can't get that online. If I found something online cheaper, I would ask my LFS if they can match it and I am sure they would try if they could.
So, I agree with both schools, but if we buy everything online, we won't have the LFS to go to. I personally like going there to drool.
BUT,,,,,you can't beat the service from some LFS. Yea, plenty have guys that have no clue, but I have been to two that are extremely helpful. One of the stores, I will tell all the clerks I am all set until the guy I like is free and go to him.
I went to B's Store and he spent plenty of time chatting to me and helping me out with a few questions. He was more then helpful. You can't get that online. If I found something online cheaper, I would ask my LFS if they can match it and I am sure they would try if they could.
So, I agree with both schools, but if we buy everything online, we won't have the LFS to go to. I personally like going there to drool.
Brewmaster
Non-member
I have bought all of my livestock from LFS. I'm starting another tank right now and my LFS told me he would sell me all my startup items at cost. I know what I will pay online for these items and if he is in the ballpark I will buy from the LFS.
Cheers,
Jim
Cheers,
Jim
Here's a twist in the discussion... What about all the member to member sales of frags? We all know it's a lot cheaper to get frags from members than at the LFS especially the expensive stuff.
I think everybody does what is the best bang for you're buck and that varies from individual to individual. I've done everything at each different venue. I like LFS/online for fish (mainly LFS's) drygoods at LFS/online and corals from members and a few from LFS if I think it's a good deal.
I used to feel bad when I didn't purchase something from a LFS but now I'm over that. I look for the best bang for the buck IMO. If that means paying a little more at a LFS so be it. In the end I want the best product for my tank...
Man it's to early for this in depth conversation... Hopefully what I just wrote makes sense...
I think everybody does what is the best bang for you're buck and that varies from individual to individual. I've done everything at each different venue. I like LFS/online for fish (mainly LFS's) drygoods at LFS/online and corals from members and a few from LFS if I think it's a good deal.
I used to feel bad when I didn't purchase something from a LFS but now I'm over that. I look for the best bang for the buck IMO. If that means paying a little more at a LFS so be it. In the end I want the best product for my tank...
Man it's to early for this in depth conversation... Hopefully what I just wrote makes sense...
jcallesano
Non-member
I go to Skips cuz they have a funny staff and are awesome to talk to!!
No one pressures me to buy things and they have a sense of humor back with great knowledge. Well maybe the yasha & pistol BUT they are sweeeeeet!
Ill keep buying at the LFS..
ONE---its convienent for me.
TWO---prices may be cheaper online but shipping is a B%#$@!!! Cost more than the damn fish.
THREE---I enjoy going there just to talk and learn a thing or two.
FOUR----I go there cuz I can and I enjoy going there cuz im not a rich dude who feels like I need to go into a LFS and prance arounf like I own the joint.
SKIPTONS--works for me : )
No one pressures me to buy things and they have a sense of humor back with great knowledge. Well maybe the yasha & pistol BUT they are sweeeeeet!
Ill keep buying at the LFS..
ONE---its convienent for me.
TWO---prices may be cheaper online but shipping is a B%#$@!!! Cost more than the damn fish.
THREE---I enjoy going there just to talk and learn a thing or two.
FOUR----I go there cuz I can and I enjoy going there cuz im not a rich dude who feels like I need to go into a LFS and prance arounf like I own the joint.
SKIPTONS--works for me : )
