My LFS sold me a firefish for $74
- Thread starter bigdookie
- Start date
Newsmyrna80
Active member
+1
However, I would definitely find another LFS. Any LFS that doesn't stand behind their livestock doesn't get my business. Also what type of firefish? I paid $25 for a purple one but I've seen them for much more.
eatbreakfast
New member
It definately depends on the type of firefish you bought. Helfrich firefish command a price significantly more than regular or even purple firefish and the pricing of $74 seems on par with a helfrichi firefish. However, if it is not a helfrich the lfs in question has a lot of explaining to do.
I've literally never even heard of a LFS that gives a guarantee on saltwater fish. I've seen a few that offer 2 or 3 days on freshwater, though.
ViktorVaughn
Member
I can't find Helfrichs firefish online or at local stores under $100 purples $30-40 and reds $15, do you have a picture?
Whiterabbitrage
New member
Very true!
Helfrichi at the LFS here go for $100, purples for $35. If its a helfrichi you are getting a better price than I did! :frog:
Newsmyrna80
Active member
Huh, every LFS around me has guarantees.
jimmyj7090
aka John K
Whatever the case, you really can't compare LFS prices with online. LFS prices being double what you might see online isn't unusual at all.
LFS's have brick and mortar expenses to deal with, and don't charge you shipping.
Online you have to pay substantial shipping, you don't see the fish in advance, and relatively speaking they have far less operating expense per fish than a LFS.
LFS's have brick and mortar expenses to deal with, and don't charge you shipping.
Online you have to pay substantial shipping, you don't see the fish in advance, and relatively speaking they have far less operating expense per fish than a LFS.
Reef Frog
New member
My LFS offers no guarantee on SW livestock and never considered that unusual. How can they possibly be responsible for the myriad ways that new, reckless or uninformed aquarists can kill a fish.
My lion ate the Helfrichi
I just opened the bag & pored it in
I saw a yellow tang in a 34 cube on the interweb
The guys on TANKED do it
Hydrometer & recracteters are just too expensive
Well my other fish get ich & don't die but this one did
It is awesome that some stores & most online sellers do this. Just not sure how they can do it financially. Or what they can do to keep losses low enough to make selling $15 & $40 fish worthwhile as people will make mistakes no matter how good the information given to them. Hats off to those who can offer this guarantee & survive.!
My lion ate the Helfrichi
I just opened the bag & pored it in
I saw a yellow tang in a 34 cube on the interweb
The guys on TANKED do it
Hydrometer & recracteters are just too expensive
Well my other fish get ich & don't die but this one did
It is awesome that some stores & most online sellers do this. Just not sure how they can do it financially. Or what they can do to keep losses low enough to make selling $15 & $40 fish worthwhile as people will make mistakes no matter how good the information given to them. Hats off to those who can offer this guarantee & survive.!
Tenshoa
New member
+1
It is not common for a fish store to offer a guarantee or warranty on their livestock. However, it is not uncommon, if you are a regular, for them to "work" with you when you have issues. This is typically done in an effort for good business practice. There are far too many people who are careless about their tank and parameters for them to have to replace dead livestock as a result of user error.
This isnt my image, but it looks exactly like the one i bought:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Nemateleotris_decora.jpg
Also, the same LFS tried to sell me a heater for twice the online retail price. Yes, scammed was definitely the wrong word, but it makes it hard to support local businesses when their prices are SO much higher.
The same LFS also had a plastic thermometer for $10 when another local competitor was selling it for $5. Everything at this place is overpriced. Clown fish seem moderately priced, but blue leg hermits go for like $1+ over there.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Nemateleotris_decora.jpg
Also, the same LFS tried to sell me a heater for twice the online retail price. Yes, scammed was definitely the wrong word, but it makes it hard to support local businesses when their prices are SO much higher.
The same LFS also had a plastic thermometer for $10 when another local competitor was selling it for $5. Everything at this place is overpriced. Clown fish seem moderately priced, but blue leg hermits go for like $1+ over there.
Tenshoa
New member
I bought one of those for $35 here. Do you have other LFS near you? I would look elsewhere.
jimmyj7090
aka John K
Same deal where I live (new england). Some stores will sell dry goods for more than twice what you can get online, other LFS's will nearly match or even sometimes match online prices on some dry goods. I think it depends on the buisness model, the store that's the worst about dry goods pricing has been in buisness for over 25 yrs, and the stores with competitive prices are mostly newer and more saltwater specialty stores. The old store gets lots of newbies on their way into the hobby, then they lose those customers to the specialty stores as a new wave of newbies comes in to get screwed.
In the end, shop around and be prepared to drive some distance to get the good stores. I often spend $10 in gas to save $5 on a small dry goods purchase simply because I would rather support the competitive stores.
That said, IME with livestock it's a lot closer. The expensive store is still expensive, but the difference is a lot less. It's always going to cost a lot to run a brick and mortor store, and unlike dry goods livestock brings signficant cost to hold and care for in addition to the inevitable losses they do suffer.
Reef Frog
New member
My LFS too is crazy high on dry goods. Often twice on line retail prices. As a result I've seen some things sitting on the self for years. He seems oblivious to the existence of the Internet even when you see customers scanning bar codes with their smart phones. Several years ago be told me he thought the Internet was a fad like CB radios.
But like said above he will capture the newbie. I try to support local business and will even pay a little more, but I won't be raped. But I will buy livestock, frozen food or an occasional dry good like media or a medication if I need it right away.
But like said above he will capture the newbie. I try to support local business and will even pay a little more, but I won't be raped. But I will buy livestock, frozen food or an occasional dry good like media or a medication if I need it right away.
