I've had it with my LFS

[BrianH]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12335213#post12335213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drparker
Do you go to any of them enough for them to know you? Did you ask if they could sell it to you for 40 to 50?

You need to ask the owner to make a value judgment based on your business history and future potential vs. his profit margin.

I've been in sales of all kinds for years. A happy customer who feels good about a transaction is almost never the one who's gotten the biggest discount. The worst customer who's always complaining is usually the one who got the biggest discount.

I've got customers who I'm very friendly with, we'll have beer and talk about stuff. I've got customers who beat me up every chance they get. When I get the call that they have problem, screwed up and need help, guess who I go out of my way for and spend time, money and resources helping? The ones who's friendly and has a profit margin that can justify it as a good business decision.

We are are on exact oposite ends of the spectrum on this issue. Having to haggle over $30 for a light bulb is a waste of my time & energy. I'd rather make my purchase online and not have to complain & whine about prices.
On another note, is it a possibility that your losing sales by not paying attention to the "quiet" customer?

 

[downhillbiker]

i'm done with mine too. i called to see if they had a coral beauty angel, and they said yeah, asked what it cost and they said...uh.....$30. I went and bought the fish, and a week later it is $24. They marked it up tot $30 just because they knew they had a garanteed sale. Thats B.S. Should I say something to them, it was about 3 weeks ago.

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

So your upset about $6? I must be spoiled, cuz my LFS had a really nice coral beauty for $15.99!

They all come from different vendors, maybe they paid less for the 2nd? Nobody forced you to pay $30, and just cuz you called doesn't make it a 'guaranteed sale'

Side note: One time, I was at the LFS and asked "how much for this BTA?"

FS- "$20"

2 minutes later another dude came in "how much for the BTA?"

FS- "$25"

Is that wrong???

 

[Reefing102]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12335945#post12335945 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
i'm done with mine too. i called to see if they had a coral beauty angel, and they said yeah, asked what it cost and they said...uh.....$30. I went and bought the fish, and a week later it is $24. They marked it up tot $30 just because they knew they had a garanteed sale. Thats B.S. Should I say something to them, it was about 3 weeks ago.

With that it could have also been a different wholesaler. I know the lfs i work for will adjust the prices weekly with shipment changes. One week lets say a clownfish is $13 then the next they are $25. Same kind of clown, some the same fish from last shipment and some from new shipment, its all mainly price paid.

As for the heater situation, some things are going to be more expensive. We have the regular visitherms (glass ones) for $30-$35. I bet if we got the Stealths in they would range from $40-$45.

Our average drygoods is usually around 100% - more than 200% mark up from cost of wholesaler.

 

[kar93]

On a positive note, My LFS is very reliable they have price tags for the fish and dry good are good prices aswell. When my first tank had just cycled i bought 3 fish he recommended the best and hardiest ones to get and because i was just starting out he offered me some frozen brine shrimp for free! but id already bought 5packs of it

 

[drparker]

Having to haggle over $30 for a light bulb is a waste of my time & energy.

Instead of spending 10 minutes talking to the first owner you had time and energy to drive to three other stores and check the price.

complain & whine

I never said complain or whine it's business discussion over a sale.

is it a possibility that your losing sales by not paying attention to the "quiet" customer

I never talked about the quiet customer, different animal all together and if you have time you try and engage if they are not interested you leave them alone. I personally hate pushy sales people.

 

[downhillbiker]

no the problem is that all the fish came in on the same shipment. they were all marked $30 on the day i bought, then $24 a week later. with the same date for recieving, becasue they mark when the fish comes in. i have been burnt in the same way before, i just think that it isn't right. they charged me $30 for cleaner shrimp, and the next week they were $19. I am not worried about $6 it just adds up. And if the fish comes with ich, I guess I should be paying extra. I am getting 2 organisms for the price of one, yay.

 

[kar93]

They may have been selling them cheaper just to get rid if they was getting another shipment in.

 

[mhurley]

If you all want to discuss this in a calm and collected manner, then so be it. But that requires that profanity and pseudo-profanity be avoided.

ok?

 

[ReefTECK]

Sorry mike..... pseudo profanity is just so much DARN FUN!......

 

[mhurley]

ReefTECK,

I advise you to take pause before you hit Submit on any other posts. Another one like that one will be your last here.

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12336298#post12336298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
they charged me $30 for cleaner shrimp, and the next week they were $19. I am not worried about $6 it just adds up. And if the fish comes with ich, I guess I should be paying extra. I am getting 2 organisms for the price of one, yay.

:lol: ya, $30 for a (pseudo-frofanity) cleaner shrimp is a bit much.
It sounds to me like your LFS sucks. I wouldn't be happy either. We just need to remember that we can take our $ wherever we want.
and they have to make a profit to stay in business

 

[ryan115]

I agree that many LFS have a large mark up on dry goods, for all of the reasons that have been listed in this thread already. But if you take this arguement to many other industries would you say the same thing? If you go to a bar/restaurant and order a drink, what would you say the mark up is. $2-6 dollars for a beer that you can get a 6 pack or case of for ~$1 each is very common, or even how much of a mark up do you see for drinks with liquor, or a glass/bottle of wine. What do you think the mark up is for all of the groceries that you buy? Just because there is an online retail alternative for your LFS does that make things any different?

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

good point

 

[crossi92]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12333787#post12333787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chimmike
you're showing a lot of ignorance in your posts, man.

Let's start with a few things:
1) Vendors typically don't all use the same wholesaler. Wholesalers also charge different prices to dealers.
2) On-line vendors RELY on quantity to make profit. I know many online vendors have as little as 1-2% markup on items just to be the "cheapest" price on the net and obtain business.
3) LFS's have higher overhead. Location, employees, insurance, utilities, and have to make enough of a profit to live off of too. They don't do near the volume on dry goods. Most of the LFS' around me carry mostly livestock because they just can't compete on drygoods. I still buy what I can from the LFS because they're good people and the knowledge is there. I like giving business to good people.
4) Online retailers come and go. And you don't always know whether the vendor is going to be reliable every time.
5) A lot of vendors don't stock all items they sell, so you could wait a long time to get something, whereas the LFS has in stock what you see on the shelves.
6) LFS' offer convenience. Need that heater ASAP? Spend $30 on fast shipping or just go down to the LFS?


Sorry you feel ripped off, but like someone said, business is business. I'm not rich, but I support vendors who help me out, and good people. If that means a few extra bucks here and there, so be it.

Your post shows a little ignorance in not understanding the original post. He has done a lot of free work for them, the least they could do is give him a deal on a heater. I got to know some people at my LFS before I moved, being in the A/V business, they got stuff from me cheap and I got all my equipment at cost.

 

[Freed]

If someone did me some favors that would have cost me big $$$ by having someone else come in and do the same thing then you bet your behind I would be cutting that person a big deal here and there. By them not cutting a deal but being greedy as they are to everyone else seems a bit out of line.

 

[fuschia_red]

crossi92 is right. business favors should be a two-way street. It may not be noticeable at first but retailers will feel it ultimately. The same goes to all other LFSs. I agree it cost money to run a business but it will cost even more with a bad reputation of poor customer relation.

I also wanted to say that I really don't agree with a few things drparker said either. I'm sorry. I used to work in retail and no matter what, the customer is always right. The best thing you can do is offer good advice to those who are less knowledgeable. If they say, they want a mandarin; make them aware or warn them of the responsibilities and difficulties of caring for one. Make it clear to them. Make recommendations; even steer them a different direction. But favoring one over another doesn't build a good relationship w/ customers.

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12337034#post12337034 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fuschia_red
the customer is always right.

GASP! not in MY field of work!!! You would not beleive what I have been asked/told by customers. (metal industry) ahhh, makes it all worth it. I'm not arguing with you, I just STRONGLY DISAGREE with that saying!

 

[PogoMonogo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12334196#post12334196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GreshamH
Just to show you what an uneven playing ground the LFS has vs Online...

Most LFS pay (wholesale) just about what DFS SELLS their salt at retail. Of course they're going to charge double. Double in retail is the norm!!! The manufactures have really let the LFS down in this regard.

Yep. Find out how much best buy bought that TV for that you just paid over 2k for.

I work at a LFS and generally what we buy our stuff for is what it sells for online. Unfortunately, some people don't understand what buying/selling direct is. Online stores can sell it to you for that much because they haven't bought it. You order some Kent AB calcium, they call Kent and have it sent to you. All they do is charge you a few bucks for being the middle man.

Nothing is sadder or more infuriating than the people who come into my store, ask you how everything works, dosing methods, upkeep and care and then when you ask if they need anymore help they tell you they only buy online because its cheaper, they just want to be informed how to use it. I am not saying you have to buy everything from one place, usually its better for everyone for diversity, but I mean come on.

 

[crossi92]

Best Buy probably paid $1800 for that $2k TV, nobody makes any money on TV's. Anyway...

People are still missing the whole point of the original post...

He did something for free for them, they should return the favor by giving him a discount on product.