I am so fortunate to live 5 min. From That Fish Place. Sometimes I have found they don't know much about the fish catching and bagging is their job. Also use Live Aquaria (change has been very noticeable). And recently with WWC. They are helpful great selection and alway find a nice little surprise in ��
How many of you support your lfs
- Thread starter JTL
- Start date
WatDatThing
New member
We must be fair when comparing prices for livestock online vs. lfs as well. If LA list a fish for $50, we can't expect the lfs to match that price because we haven't factor in shipping.
Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
marinelife
Active member
I get supplies online. there are not any good store near me. We have 2 Petco stores close that are good so far. The closest Fish stores that are worth visiting are about 1 hour 30 minutes away so I only get there a few times a year. I will sometimes make a special trip to get a fish/coral or just order it online.
homer1475
New member
My closest LFS is a 2 1/2 hour drive for me, heck even a PETCO is a 2 hour drive. And yet I still support my LFS as much as I possibly can. They are a dwindling commodity, and can be a huge help when you need it most.
I remember 20 years ago when I was in this hobby, LFS's were on every street corner. Now if you have a decent one in your town, consider yourself lucky and support them as much as you can.
In my eyes, even if dry goods are a little higher(no more then a couple bucks) I will buy from my LFS just to support them. My livestock I will only buy from my LFS as I like to be able to see what I'm buying and its health before I purchase.
I remember 20 years ago when I was in this hobby, LFS's were on every street corner. Now if you have a decent one in your town, consider yourself lucky and support them as much as you can.
In my eyes, even if dry goods are a little higher(no more then a couple bucks) I will buy from my LFS just to support them. My livestock I will only buy from my LFS as I like to be able to see what I'm buying and its health before I purchase.
I try to support LFS's in my area but it's hard to pay the prices for a hobby that is already a little steep in some areas. And with the 'net it's become harder and harder for many businesses to even try to compete.
As far as answering e-mails, I've worked at 3 different pet stores and most time is spent on walk in customers and trying to maintain the livestock TBH. This doesn't include shipments arriving, pricing, and a lot of other responsibilities that go along with it.
Like homer1475 said though, they can be a huge help if you're having an issue or are in a bind. I do try but I can't justify a 40% or higher markup unless it's one or two items I need immediately. And the market for brick and mortar stores is only going to get harder IMO.
As far as answering e-mails, I've worked at 3 different pet stores and most time is spent on walk in customers and trying to maintain the livestock TBH. This doesn't include shipments arriving, pricing, and a lot of other responsibilities that go along with it.
Like homer1475 said though, they can be a huge help if you're having an issue or are in a bind. I do try but I can't justify a 40% or higher markup unless it's one or two items I need immediately. And the market for brick and mortar stores is only going to get harder IMO.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
There are a few decent LFSs nearby. One has a frag tank that they cycle frags from customers through, it almost always has a few really good deals in it. They sometimes have fish priced at or below market, and the livestock is universally healthy every time I go in. I don't expect LFSs to be able to beat pricing or availability from online stores. It's a different business model and it seems like the LFSs that have figured that out are the ones that are doing well and will continue to thrive.
I'm a little surprised at how picky and/or demanding some customers can be. Sorry if this comes across as harsh or judgmental, but I wouldn't expect a store to type out their entire stock list (which is subject to change by the minute anyways) in an email, or QT fish for me - unless maybe I had a really good relationship with them or something.
I'm a little surprised at how picky and/or demanding some customers can be. Sorry if this comes across as harsh or judgmental, but I wouldn't expect a store to type out their entire stock list (which is subject to change by the minute anyways) in an email, or QT fish for me - unless maybe I had a really good relationship with them or something.
karimwassef
Active member
I try.
If I see a beautiful live item at a reasonable price... but I've found buying established life from other local hobbyists more satisfying. I got a pair of tangs that had lived together for 7 years. I actually think they both did well because they came together.
I buy frozen food mostly.
No equipment. The markup is unreasonable.
The advice and support I get from this site is much much more valuable than any LFS I've seen. Frankly, some LFS are giving bad advice with no one to call them on it.
If I were to start a store, I'd focus on those special items where being local adds value: frozen food, nice frags and specialty livestock (where buying online is risky).
I also think that they can be good outlets for local growers. I sell my frags and they resell them for 4x... I think 2x is more reasonable. Heck- if I had enough local growers, I'd set up a virtual storefront and sell online
. And yes - keep a live inventory stock online so people can see if it's available. If the competition is doing it, then there's no excuse for being sloppy.
If I see a beautiful live item at a reasonable price... but I've found buying established life from other local hobbyists more satisfying. I got a pair of tangs that had lived together for 7 years. I actually think they both did well because they came together.
I buy frozen food mostly.
No equipment. The markup is unreasonable.
The advice and support I get from this site is much much more valuable than any LFS I've seen. Frankly, some LFS are giving bad advice with no one to call them on it.
If I were to start a store, I'd focus on those special items where being local adds value: frozen food, nice frags and specialty livestock (where buying online is risky).
I also think that they can be good outlets for local growers. I sell my frags and they resell them for 4x... I think 2x is more reasonable. Heck- if I had enough local growers, I'd set up a virtual storefront and sell online
. And yes - keep a live inventory stock online so people can see if it's available. If the competition is doing it, then there's no excuse for being sloppy.
BeachVacationer
New member
I try to support my LFS as much as I can. For freshy, which means discus I buy only from Chicago Discus and for salty, I buy mostly dry goods from Aquarium Adventure but anything over $40 is online. Most of my coral purchases are fron CL.
Stopped buying equipment and dry goods from LFS years ago; though I mostly buy my tanks locally. Livestock is a mixed bag. Better prices and selection online (particularly as my interests have moved beyond typical LFS selection), but a trip to the LFS is a fun few hours with the kids. Not going to take up LFS time and attention without buying something.
Honestly, I no longer see much purpose in the LFS and would expect them to continue to vanish. That may seem harsh, but the reality is that online selling is simply better. Even the role of LFS as 'advisor' has been largely supplanted by resources like RC.
It's true for many hobbies. My other money pit is high end audio/video and most of the niche stores (and manufacturers) have disappeared - though one could argue the entire hobby is on life support.
Honestly, I no longer see much purpose in the LFS and would expect them to continue to vanish. That may seem harsh, but the reality is that online selling is simply better. Even the role of LFS as 'advisor' has been largely supplanted by resources like RC.
It's true for many hobbies. My other money pit is high end audio/video and most of the niche stores (and manufacturers) have disappeared - though one could argue the entire hobby is on life support.
Ron Reefman
Active member
So John, how did the trip to the LFS go?
I have a really good LFS not too far from me, and I try to support them as much as I can. I buy products that never go on sale like Vortech pumps from them. I also buy the majority of my fish from them because their stock is impeccable. They are more expensive, but the survival rates are high and *knock on wood* I've never experienced disease surfacing from their stock. I also generally buy my clean up crews from them.
As for corals, it is tougher. I do buy some stuff from them, but often they are very over-priced and I get no guarantee from them. It's a hard sell at the LFS given I can order a wider variety of options from LA and get a 14 day "no questions asked" refund period. The LFS offers nothing remotely close to that on corals.
As for corals, it is tougher. I do buy some stuff from them, but often they are very over-priced and I get no guarantee from them. It's a hard sell at the LFS given I can order a wider variety of options from LA and get a 14 day "no questions asked" refund period. The LFS offers nothing remotely close to that on corals.
JTL
New member
JTL
New member
About as expected. The corals are just ok and now that his 50% off sale is over they seem overpriced. I started purchasing corals from him when he was selling them out of his house 7 years ago. He was never Mr. Personality but I think his attitude has gotten worse. Maybe he is tired of the business.
You're lucky no1bubba. I've been going there since they started in an old travel diner back in '81' or '82'. It's not local to me but ALWAYS worth the drive!
All of the staff I've ever talked to there were hobbyists of the area they worked in and were honest about the retail aspect of the business. They were also one of the smarter businesses in that they saw the potential of the Internet and the online market when many were and stayed in denial.
They've been and will always be my "go to" FS. I can't say enough good things about them.
All of the staff I've ever talked to there were hobbyists of the area they worked in and were honest about the retail aspect of the business. They were also one of the smarter businesses in that they saw the potential of the Internet and the online market when many were and stayed in denial.
They've been and will always be my "go to" FS. I can't say enough good things about them
.
Cliving1
New member
I have not purchased anything online that was live. Only dry goods the pricing is substantially better. I always support my lfs, and luckily since moving, have many choices within 20 to 30 mins. My new favorite, Whats in your tank, just opened and I even went to his grand opening and purchased a few items.
Mishri
Active member
I went to a reef store in Missoula, MT.. was a nice(small) place, owner matches online pricing. Seems like he is more in it to support reef keeping than to make a buck. I would 100% buy everything through them. too bad it's about a 3 hour drive, 6 hour round trip. the LFS here doesn't stock any dry goods I would want, and I haven't seen them order new saltwater livestock in over a year. They'll order in whatever I'd want, but they charge about 2x as much as online.. petco here has inexpensive fish, even less than online.. but... it's a good way to get about 3 different parasites and a few bacterial/fungal infections for good measure.
so I guess I don't support a LFS here... but I would if we had a decent store...
so I guess I don't support a LFS here... but I would if we had a decent store...
Last edited:
