lol, It's a serious question kinda. With everyone so friendly on reef central and giving out great deals on frags, corals, fish..etc...how many of ya'll actually pay retail for corals and how often? I'm guessing not many. And probably even less people buy new tanks/equipment and if they do its online huh? It's gotta be hard to keep a fish store business going strong!
Do ya'll ever buy corals from stores?
- Thread starter sinful
- Start date
ReefArtist
In Memoriam
I think most of us go to and support our LFS. I go about twice a month sometimes more often - LOL. It depends on what you're keeping and willing to put in your tank. If it's only Zoa's then yes you can get a lot from swapping. LPS and some rarer corals, fish that you are really wanting - see your LFS. I personally will not order any fish online because I'd be devastated if it arrived dead. That is me personally and after paying shipment etc it is just not a deal. Once you start getting picky about what you want, you'll be visiting your LFS. I also found out that some of the LFS have lowered their dry goods. I'd always purchase my dry goods online because I could get the same thing at half the price even after shipment. Now I check out the prices and I've been finding some of the LFS prices are the same or just a few bucks more. I'd much rather give my money locally then to some online store. JMO.
ReefArtist
In Memoriam
I'd also like to add that I don't have a problem ordering my dry goods online when the prices at the LFS's are like twice as much - taking advantage of us. I think that's the reason the online stores have done really well. I know how much the stores pay for most of the items and in the old days charging 500 to 1000% more for an item was NOT unheard of - things have changed. You do have to shop around because some stores still try. JMO
Ah64av8tor
Premium Member
You have to be an educated shopper. John (FOIS) had the dart for $20. less than MD minus S&H.
CMcNeil
New member
yeah i buy from the local stores.like AH64 said about the dart pump,i didnt take the time to call and see if john had one.i ended up ordering it online and paid more than FAIOS plus got harpooned on the shipping.i also do enjoy trading,i have gotten some real nice stuff from fellow reefers and seen some really nice tanks.
NICERICAN4YOU25
In Memoriam
i would enjoy trading but i dont have much to trade yet, i sold alot of it when i move my old 210gal tank, plus i dunno man ppl that keep reef tanks. i do support my lfs.
Gimplar
New member
John usually always have corals that im interested in and they are more of impulse buys more then anything, cuase the problem with peer to peer coral purchases are that you are normally commited to already buying the corals without the in person inspection of the actual piece. Normally we rely on pictures obviously. And another benefit of LFS are the vas variety, and the convienence of everything that you need for your tank, being at one location.
Ah64av8tor
Premium Member
John the owner of Fish and Other Icthy Stuff (FAOIS) in Oldsmar
Needless to say I spend way to much money at my favorite LFS. Not to mention that I have to drive 90 miles each way to get there. My LFS is in Shreveport and they get their coral shipments in on Wednesdays. My wife and I head out first thing in the morning and make a day trip out of it every Wednesday and have fun to boot. They get the corals in from the Los Angeles area. Nice big 4 to 5 " by 6 to 7" pieces at $40 each. Great place.......
