parrthed
New member
I agree it isn't easy at all. I fiddled around in some internet sales a couple years back. I had a seperate 1500 sq ft warehouse I rented just for the business. Ordering from a wholesaler is not an exact science. You get what you get, I've ordered meduim hippo tangs and gotten anyehere from 2" to 5". Plus if you are not placing consitant order with the wholesaler ( you will be assigned a rep) you dont usually get the exceptional corals or fish that the regulars do.
Also alot of wholesalers are now even doing a WYSIWYG themselves. If you are just after regular bubble corals and hairy mushrooms you should be fine, just dont expect a LE chalice or anything. Its not a random grab from a bunch or corals, most are picked through numerous times ( where do you think think alot of the LE corals come from these days).
Sorry to get off topic of the OP. I can see how it may appear to hurt the hobby but if you look at it from an insiders point of view the initial order will most likely scare off many people because of both the complexity of ordering/shipping/distribution
and the fact that some people may not get what they orderd due to shortages or DOA. Also their ability to meet the minimums constantly may become an issue as well.
Ive done a few "group orders" before and they were nightmares. Every person had a different schedule and expected ridiculous payoffs to ordering directly from a wholesaler. I personally do not order anymore, I have found it much more satisfying to pick cherry livestock from local and online vendors.
In short, if your LFS only has "crap" then ordering from their supplier will only result in you having boxes and boxes of "crap".
There was a group of guys in my area that wanted to start selling corals out of their garage. They got a business license online and started contacting wholesalers. In turn the wholesalers started contacing the stores in the area that they sold to to check the guys out. By the end of the week everyone knew the gig and some of the LFS around here (whom the guys were really good customers) had some choice words with them.
Im not knocking these guys for trying to start a business at all, just saying that the aquarium indusrty is relatively small and everyone practically knows everyone.
Just be sure to tell the guys in your club be careful not to bite off more than they can chew.
Also alot of wholesalers are now even doing a WYSIWYG themselves. If you are just after regular bubble corals and hairy mushrooms you should be fine, just dont expect a LE chalice or anything. Its not a random grab from a bunch or corals, most are picked through numerous times ( where do you think think alot of the LE corals come from these days).
Sorry to get off topic of the OP. I can see how it may appear to hurt the hobby but if you look at it from an insiders point of view the initial order will most likely scare off many people because of both the complexity of ordering/shipping/distribution
and the fact that some people may not get what they orderd due to shortages or DOA. Also their ability to meet the minimums constantly may become an issue as well.
Ive done a few "group orders" before and they were nightmares. Every person had a different schedule and expected ridiculous payoffs to ordering directly from a wholesaler. I personally do not order anymore, I have found it much more satisfying to pick cherry livestock from local and online vendors.
In short, if your LFS only has "crap" then ordering from their supplier will only result in you having boxes and boxes of "crap".
There was a group of guys in my area that wanted to start selling corals out of their garage. They got a business license online and started contacting wholesalers. In turn the wholesalers started contacing the stores in the area that they sold to to check the guys out. By the end of the week everyone knew the gig and some of the LFS around here (whom the guys were really good customers) had some choice words with them.
Im not knocking these guys for trying to start a business at all, just saying that the aquarium indusrty is relatively small and everyone practically knows everyone.
Just be sure to tell the guys in your club be careful not to bite off more than they can chew.