I won some $$ at a casino on Friday so I wanted to get some new things (skimmer, lights), some fish and maybe coral. Now, I have written them off in the past but figured I' give them one last shot. I spent 30 minutes walking around the store laughing at their prices. (xenia frag for $39.99!) Where do they get off charging as much as they do? I am in need of Chaeto so I asked for some, the guy pulled out a handfull, size of your fist and said $19.99 I told him to put it back. That was the last straw. I am officially an online shopper. As for supplies, I'm also an online shopper. $60 for a bucket of IO my @$$.:mad2:
I am officially done at a certain lfs
- Thread starter Yinzer
- Start date
bmiller1234
Member
What store was it?
If you know what your looking for go to davesaquastock. He can match or beat anyone and is a great guy to deal with.
Also I personally throw away a grapefruit of chaeto every two to three weeks as I am sure lots of us do. If you need some I am sure someone will give you a bag.
If you know what your looking for go to davesaquastock. He can match or beat anyone and is a great guy to deal with.
Also I personally throw away a grapefruit of chaeto every two to three weeks as I am sure lots of us do. If you need some I am sure someone will give you a bag.
Agree with Brian. Chaeto, just ask. Been throwing xenia away because no one wanted it. I was giving it away. It's gone now, but that stuff is annoying anyway. What kind of corals do you want? I've pretty much figured between the 20 or 30 of us on here, you can get almost anything you want, and most just want to trade for something they don't have.
I don't think I got to any LFS for things like that anymore. Just for occassional foods and to see if they get any new fish in. Online just seems to be the best way to go these days. Esp on equipment!
The overpriced part should have given it away. It rhymes with Shet Bets. I wasn't lookin for anything specific coral wise. I got a great elegance coral from Live Aq. A month or so ago and it has been doing well so I'm thinking more stonys. I just got out of surgery about 2 hours ago so I'm out of commission for a month. I'm always looking for new zoas and palys. Take care guys.
Masterderrull
Member
lol, I love your desire to keep things annonmous (sp?).
cloakerpoked
New member
I can understand your feelings on this matter, but you have to understand that these places are a business and they have to make money. So lets look at things a little bit objectively.
1. A brick and mortar store is the ONLY place where you can find something if you have to replace it quickly (as in today.) If you have a pump go down and don't have a replacement, a LFS is the only place you can guarantee you could have it immediately.
2. The less we patronize these stores, the more expensive it is for them to carry certain items. Also the less we patronize these stores, the higher the profit margin they have to carry in order to turn a profit.
3. Online retailers sell to a much, much larger base of people, allowing them to buy and sell items in crazy quantities. This allows them to get things from suppliers at much lower rates, and in turn, sell them at a much lower price and still turn a profit equal to, or probably greater than the LFS.
4. If you're smart about it, the survival rate of any item purchased from a responsible local fish store will be much higher than purchasing from an online vendor. Shipping is a traumatic experience for any fish or coral, and the 45 minute drive home in a bag is much preferable to the 24 hour + time they spend in the bag being shipped from an online vendor.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's not as though local fish store owners are driving around in Ferrari's and living in mansions. There is a reason why they charge such high prices, and if it's not worth it to you, that's fine, it's your perrogative to spend your money however you want. In today's economy, and with today's HUGE online presence, many local fish stores are struggling to keep their doors open at all, because there are so many high volume dealers out there that can afford a much lower margin. There are just things like customer service that I can guarantee you that personally I have received at several of the stores in the Pittsburgh area that I would never get from an online vendor (when was the last time the online vendor asked about your system to ensure that it was a good environment for your fish..not that this always happens at the LFS either, but I've had it happen on multiple occasions), and for me, those things worth the mark-up in price.
1. A brick and mortar store is the ONLY place where you can find something if you have to replace it quickly (as in today.) If you have a pump go down and don't have a replacement, a LFS is the only place you can guarantee you could have it immediately.
2. The less we patronize these stores, the more expensive it is for them to carry certain items. Also the less we patronize these stores, the higher the profit margin they have to carry in order to turn a profit.
3. Online retailers sell to a much, much larger base of people, allowing them to buy and sell items in crazy quantities. This allows them to get things from suppliers at much lower rates, and in turn, sell them at a much lower price and still turn a profit equal to, or probably greater than the LFS.
4. If you're smart about it, the survival rate of any item purchased from a responsible local fish store will be much higher than purchasing from an online vendor. Shipping is a traumatic experience for any fish or coral, and the 45 minute drive home in a bag is much preferable to the 24 hour + time they spend in the bag being shipped from an online vendor.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's not as though local fish store owners are driving around in Ferrari's and living in mansions. There is a reason why they charge such high prices, and if it's not worth it to you, that's fine, it's your perrogative to spend your money however you want. In today's economy, and with today's HUGE online presence, many local fish stores are struggling to keep their doors open at all, because there are so many high volume dealers out there that can afford a much lower margin. There are just things like customer service that I can guarantee you that personally I have received at several of the stores in the Pittsburgh area that I would never get from an online vendor (when was the last time the online vendor asked about your system to ensure that it was a good environment for your fish..not that this always happens at the LFS either, but I've had it happen on multiple occasions), and for me, those things worth the mark-up in price.
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Everyones mileage will vary.
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Supporting local is always best, not going because the price is high is rough. I agree with the points cloakerpoked makes and a lot of the stores will work with you on the price, but then a few don't seem to..
You just have to choose wisely and you probably wont find one place that make you completely happy.
{delete rant here}
Supporting local is always best, not going because the price is high is rough. I agree with the points cloakerpoked makes and a lot of the stores will work with you on the price, but then a few don't seem to..
You just have to choose wisely and you probably wont find one place that make you completely happy.
brettnleslie
In Memoriam
I have to agree with the last two comments. Buying local helps support the local economy but the tough part is finding good customer service and knowledge staff.
I have cheto and grape algae if you need it. I also have lots of SPS and other corals. I have some monti digita and monti cap for free.
Good luck!
Brett
I have cheto and grape algae if you need it. I also have lots of SPS and other corals. I have some monti digita and monti cap for free.
Good luck!
Brett
I understand what you are saying and we've had this conversation before, but as a business owner myself, there is a big difference between a mark-up and a blatant, straight up rip off. I love supporting LFS, hell, I spend a ton of money at Elmer's because they have great customer service, ask ME questions and offer advice. I just find it rude to try to sell something for alot more than it's worth because you are the closest and ONLY place for anyone in the South Hills. I'm not writing off ALL lfs just one, also I didn't mention the fact that of all my fish that I've had, the ones purchased there have all died within a few weeks. My "online" fish have all thrived an one of them is the first marine fish I ever got over a yeAr ago. So, I am
not just basing it on price. I chose to leave the fish quality and longevity thing out out of decency. Nor did I mention the false information I was given by multiple employees when I first switched to saltwater from fresh.
Also, thanks to everyone with the offers and I will take you up on them once I get this dn sling off, it's day one of 6+ weeks.
not just basing it on price. I chose to leave the fish quality and longevity thing out out of decency. Nor did I mention the false information I was given by multiple employees when I first switched to saltwater from fresh.
Also, thanks to everyone with the offers and I will take you up on them once I get this dn sling off, it's day one of 6+ weeks.
What got me upset was the fact that I had money to spend and couldn't justify paying those prices knowing what I know. That place is very clean and has a nice variety of livestock but what I needed supply-wise they didn't have and said they had to order it for me. I can do that myself. So that just killed the whole needing things in a bind argument.
hybridazn
New member
you also have to remember that just because most of us know what this stuff goes for there are a ton of ppl out there that dont. as stated before they are a business, and you have to cover your costs and still try to turn a profit. i feel ya on the feeling of being ripped off for certain stuff. but like you said, your not happy so dont go back. thats pretty simple.
I am not going to bash anyone from the area but all i will say is that Pittsburgh area fro salt water fish, corals & equip is very weak. I drive 3.5 to 5hrs to buy my stuff. Yes its a long way but i am willing to go to where I can get excellant service & great quality stuff. I really want to support the local stores & such but how they operate. I dont want any fish or coral around here going into my systems.
NaClH2Opgh
New member
Over the past 15 years I have purchased 75% of my fish off of the same store. I had one in that time die on me. It did so the next morning and I was given a credit. I have had other fish perish but it was my fault or the fault of a tank mate or suicide by jumping. Hell i just sold a 5+ year old purple tang that I purchased from them when they had their old store down the road. They will order any fish in and then hold it to make sure it is doing well also. I actually find them way more helpful than Elmer's. I have never had anyone at Elmer's once ask me about my system or tank mates of the fish I was buying or about feeding or anything about the care of the fish. Oh, they do ask me if I want anything else. I do agree though the Wet Pets corals are way over priced.
cloakerpoked
New member
An Elmer's guy asked me about my system the last time I purchased 4 firefish from them. As far as the coral in the area, I will agree that in general, the stores are fairly weak. Both Elmer's and Seahorse have begun to carry more (Elmer's with more SPS and Seahorse has recently had a lot more impressive LPS.) That said...probably 95% of the coral in my tank has been purchased or traded from hobbyists.
bmiller1234
Member
+1 to seahorses growing lps collection. they have been ramping back up their salt area quite nicely over the last year.
Anymore any lfs is hit and miss. Depends if you get the person that needed a job or a true hobbyist that works there cause he's enjoys the hobby. Anymore its too easy to blame the guy with the net for selling a bad fish or something that's no compatible with your system. the person buying the fish should have some basic knowledge or research it before buying.
can we all just agree that burtons total pet sucks?
Anymore any lfs is hit and miss. Depends if you get the person that needed a job or a true hobbyist that works there cause he's enjoys the hobby. Anymore its too easy to blame the guy with the net for selling a bad fish or something that's no compatible with your system. the person buying the fish should have some basic knowledge or research it before buying.
can we all just agree that burtons total pet sucks?
I hate to but agree with bmiller. Elmer's usually has a line of customers, and for them to ask you your tank config is like the drive up person asking your cholesterol when you order that big mac. They are there to sell you what you want, its up to you know know what your tank can handle and what you know how to care for.
Granted we all wish that each sales person took a personal interest in our needs but we wouldn't pay the prices to get that kind of service. If you would, call me. (smile)
The problem with coral and fish also boils down to price. Sure i can carry that latest FHI / ORA / TYREE but I cannot just order one and let it sit hoping you will pick it up. Like a lot of dealers you have to order a min quantity of fish, and min box amount and meet the $$ amount (just an example not exact) so its not just getting in a few latest. I have to have room, people that know what to do with it.
Stores like elmer's and seahorse do not have the turnover to keep that up month after month and to keep us all happy, which is why online coral vendors are popping up and thriving. They have an unlimited audience and high turnover.
I do think that the locals are making improvements but I'm not sure there is enough that could be done to keep us happy
Granted we all wish that each sales person took a personal interest in our needs but we wouldn't pay the prices to get that kind of service. If you would, call me. (smile)
The problem with coral and fish also boils down to price. Sure i can carry that latest FHI / ORA / TYREE but I cannot just order one and let it sit hoping you will pick it up. Like a lot of dealers you have to order a min quantity of fish, and min box amount and meet the $$ amount (just an example not exact) so its not just getting in a few latest. I have to have room, people that know what to do with it.
Stores like elmer's and seahorse do not have the turnover to keep that up month after month and to keep us all happy, which is why online coral vendors are popping up and thriving. They have an unlimited audience and high turnover.
I do think that the locals are making improvements but I'm not sure there is enough that could be done to keep us happy
