Pacificwildfire
New member
Exactly my point.
I've had it with my LFS
- Thread starter RRaider
- Start date
Exactly my point.
PogoMonogo
New member
It ALWAYS becomes about all LFS.
LPS_Blasto
New member
Not all of us.
Yep, they kinda screwed him on that deal.
I would continue to do business with them. They'll need computer work some day again. Treat them the same way they treated you. It's a business. If it's computer work, you should be charging an initial diagnostic fee and then an hourly rate to actually fix the problem + MINIMUM 40% markup on parts/hardware.
You did them a bunch of favors.
They hosed you when you needed a piece of equipment.
Take your lumps and learn the lesson from it, instead of whining.
Treat others as they treat you.
You obviously are a partner in a BUSINESS relationship. So, treat them like a customer. Charge for your services man. When ( not if--WHEN) they complain about your prices for computer and IT work-- you offer to give them a 25% discount on the entire bil for THIS TIME ONLY. And that you'd like a reasonable discount on future hardware purchases. Say 25%, or 15% what ever the LFS can live with. Work out a deal.
If they get mad at you, or won't work with you in any fashion, then you know what type of people they really are and you can decide to end the relationship or change it in some way that doesn't end up with you feeling taken advantage of.
lowendmelody
New member
You should never do anyone a favor expecting something in return. If they return the favor, sweet. However, if that wasn't the deal you made before hand (this is definatly when you should have mentioned something) then shame on you. I will also say straight up, I am one of the bigger haters on LFS's and they're typical service and knowledge, but this one falls on you for expecting something in return.
fuschia_red
In Memoriam
Well, a lot of people do; especially if you don't understand the retail business. But, it is what it is.
fuschia_red
In Memoriam
I REALLY disagree with this post. No offense. We should all consider and be considerate of each other in this hobby. He wasn't asking the LFS to give anything away to him; just a fair or generous discount for his service.
I think some bit of ettiquette should have been exercised on the part of the LFS. RRaider may not mention it online (on this forum) but I'm sure he's made it clear to others in the area of such poor business practices.
I now do ALL my business on-line. However I live 50 miles from the nearest LFS. As far as dry goods go...the LFS can't even come close to what I buy online. As far as livestock .... if it wasn't for online dealers I would probably quit the hobby. it's not very fun when you drive for hours and find a store that is full of empty tanks. As far as this particular LFS...if you didn't receive any discounts for the free work that you did....some people operate that way. ust know there are other options
pledosophy
Active member
One of my products cost me about 20 cents a piece not including equipment, rent, employees, insurance, etc. I sell it for $500.
I have another product that after all costs my cost is less then $2. I sell it for $80.
I have a hard time faulting my LFS for there mark up. :lol:
I have another product that after all costs my cost is less then $2. I sell it for $80.
I have a hard time faulting my LFS for there mark up. :lol:
goldmaniac
New member
Thank You - I was trying to think of this term, "quiet" customer...
My family had an electronics business when I was growing up. there was a quote my dad kept on the wall in the store that was to the tune of:
The Quiet Customer:
the customer that does not complain, b!tch, insult about bad prices, service, selection. He just never comes back.
that's the type of customer I prefer to be. why get angry over it?
Recently my LFS went from charging $89.00 for (3") yellow tangs to selling wholesale to the public. I think they simply saw that their insane prices were not moving inventory.
MyMonkey
Persona Non Grata
I feel for those of you who feel shafted by the LFS in your area. I have done quite a bit of work in the LFS industry. (Legal work that is) In my experience, those shops that know of the gross appearance of a massive markup will attempt to reduce their profit margin a bit. Now, there are those that will not do this. Those are the ones you see above that fail or drastically change business practices. Generally though, you receive the benefit of what bargain is available when you do pay more locally. That being the shop who stands behind the products they sell and the first hand information available there.
However, I do think it is difficult to land in the happy medium sought by most reefers.
Hope you are able to find an alternative LFS in the future.
However, I do think it is difficult to land in the happy medium sought by most reefers.
Hope you are able to find an alternative LFS in the future.
scubasteve247
New member
you guys need to get off it,
do you have any idea how these online stores work, they buy is such mass they get huge discounts on products, making it sometiems less then 50% of what it costs a store to buy that same product, then they mark it up, and even if they mark it up 100% its still cheaper then what a lfs store does if they mark it up 100%.
you guys make it like LFS are the bad guys. or there ripping you off, i will say ive seen cases where some store do have a high mark ups on corals, or they may be a dollar or two more then at other stores.
if you dont like there prices then fine, dont buy from them, but when your pump crashes and your tanks in big trouble, you'll have to pay a @#$% load extra to get that same day or next day shipping.
thank you!!! finally some one else who has some common sense!
do you have any idea how these online stores work, they buy is such mass they get huge discounts on products, making it sometiems less then 50% of what it costs a store to buy that same product, then they mark it up, and even if they mark it up 100% its still cheaper then what a lfs store does if they mark it up 100%.
you guys make it like LFS are the bad guys. or there ripping you off, i will say ive seen cases where some store do have a high mark ups on corals, or they may be a dollar or two more then at other stores.
if you dont like there prices then fine, dont buy from them, but when your pump crashes and your tanks in big trouble, you'll have to pay a @#$% load extra to get that same day or next day shipping.
thank you!!! finally some one else who has some common sense!
reefmaister
New member
My experience is to let them know what you know, wherever you go. Some owners appreciate cash flow and loyalty more than profit margins. And most of them are aware that competition in this industry is stiffening
ConcreteReefer
In Memoriam
I stopped using LFS's about a year ago-
I work hard for my $$ and would rather keep as much of it in my pocket as possible.
I work hard for my $$ and would rather keep as much of it in my pocket as possible.
Ehaze
New member
I went into my LFS today, they don't have the prices on ANYTHING, so I asked her how much they wanted for a 1" maroon clown, she said "70", then I asked her husband, he said 30$ then said "all the prices are on this sheet, Here ya go" and he passes it to me, I read all the prices, I thought to my self, hmm I am going to ask his wife, so I head on back and ask her, she pretty much told me 100-200% of what was on the price sheet, I then hit her with a curve ball, I asked her why she wanted 2-3x more then what was on the sheet, she gave me a dirty look and then said, "This one if from hawaii, that one is from the red sea, that one is from fiji" I was like DURRR no kidding, they all come from there...
Needles to say... I am staying away from that one.
Needles to say... I am staying away from that one.
fuschia_red
In Memoriam
hahahaha. Oh man...that's too funny. Had it been me, I would have had a field day with that lady. I would looked around the store for a 4" Sohal Tang and said, "Let me guess...$300?!" Or better yet, if they even had a black tang, I would've been like, "$800...right?!"
Sorry...that was wrong. You should be ashamed of yourself.
