nice site for ricordia and other stuff

[mikeatjac]

That's funny because I don't hear that a lot.

I agree with Teach. Other than a coral that is not offered locally, you will get a better deal at a LFS every time. I have been looking for a red table top for sometime now and had to buy it on line. Suppose to be 1 to 1.5" in size. Well they missed at least an inch.

Go to Ebay and see what you would pay and then go to a LFS and compare. No risk, no shipping and WYSIWYG rings true.

 

[floridareefs]

Mike,

I have to disagree. I have purchased stuff online and no one clase could match it. Maybe Bio-reef as there are the best priced LFS in my area. I ordered from riptidesreef, elitereef, and now liverocksandmore, all florida online dealers. There are better deals at stores locally, but just like that, you develope a relationship with an online vendor that doesnt have overhead. I have never ever gotten a bad coral yet. Fish, yes I have had a bad angler, but got full credit and bought some rics. that is what makes this hobby great, there are soo many options and we all don't have to ride down the same road. Believe me, as soon as I get bad online service or bad corals, I will report that too. I would rather people know about my experience on the whole.

 

[floridareefs]

Mike,

I have to disagree. I have purchased stuff online and no one close could match it. Maybe Bio-reef as there are the best priced LFS in my area. I ordered from riptidesreef, elitereef, and now liverocksandmore, all florida online dealers. There are better deals at stores locally, but just like that, you develope a relationship with an online vendor that doesnt have overhead. I have never ever gotten a bad coral yet. Fish, yes I have had a bad angler, but got full credit and bought some rics. that is what makes this hobby great, there are soo many options and we all don't have to ride down the same road. Believe me, as soon as I get bad online service or bad corals, I will report that too. I would rather people know about my experience on the whole. ow I know some members have their favorite stores and this is not a ding on any of them, just sumply my thoughts

 

[Bennihanna]

I think you would be surprised at how you are treated at a LFS when you have a good relationship with the owners and employees. I would much rather be on a first name basis with the store up the road than the online guy.

 

[mikeatjac]

Well said Ben.

I still believe what I have said is true. In the long run, a LFS will average out to be a better deal. I know the e-venders that you are talking about and I still can get a better deal here at a LFS. I do believe that is Jacksonville is blessed when it comes to opportunities that few cities have.

 

[floridareefs]

No doubt diffrent opinions apply. As I agree with H2o as well. Theres is no need for a relationship, if you are getting the best price possible via any venue. The fact still remains, the LFS is not going to give the product away, even to a freind. There is money to be made all on sides. I can;t say that I have not gotten great deals from Mike at Ocean Reef, because I have. Its just great to have options. BTW, there are several ebay companies local that sell very reasonable. I got a blue ric rock with about 8 polyps on that no LFS can touch by a long shot. I just spotted a new one named Insanecorals that are loal and prices seem fair enough. I am looking to try them as well.

 

[sea devil]

I'd like to know how you can make a statement about one particular LFS prices are the best, when you've already said that you only go to 3 LFS. What you should have said, is out of the 3 LFS I go to, Bioreef has the best prices. As far as my pricing practices go, that's what works for me. I never get any complaints from my customers. I've tried other ways & this way simply is the best for me. As far as on-line stuff, it's hard to compete with them when they are selling for the same or lower than we can get the stuff from our suppliers & they don't have any overhead. For instance, I had a regular customer call me about a certian brand of pump. The on-line price was $10 cheaper that I could get it from my suppliers. Another on-line store had it for $10 less than my marked price. He being a good customer & not wanting to lose a sale or customer we agreed to the second choice. The one thing that does seperate us, is we are local & you can see what you get. If you have a problem with something, bring it to us for replacement/exchange with out having to ship it back & then wait for your replacement to be shipped back. On-line stores have put a hurting on all LFS that specialize in saltwater only. And if you think we're making a killing, man are you wrong.

 

[sea devil]

I do agree with Mike, our city is blessed with the amount of stores we have. But don't be surprised one day when we're not so blessed.

 

[floridareefs]

Lets see I have visited others stores than the local three. I didnt want to get utterly detailed with pricing. Lets be honest, if you have been in this hobby long enough you know how much a coral coss, or at least have a very good idea. I have purchased from just about every location, including Orlando on occassion when I go to visit. I am well aware of the cost of doing business. I would assume that if owning a LFS would garner you some serious money, more people would venture into it. There are clear areas of the city that do not show a good presence. Unfortunatley ou have new online companies like Insanecorals that are local that drive the price of corals down. Is it fair? I am not one to judge, I am just the consumer looking for the most bang for my buck. Can't we just agree to disagree on this issue? I honestly wish all the LFS the best of luck. They are lucky to have some loyal clientel. truce again

Now, I think we are beating a dead horse here, so I asked one of the mods just to close this thread.

 

[mhurley]

Thread closed at starter's request.