Am I just lucky to have a few LFS that are way cheaper than anything on line or is it pretty common? I see frags on LA website for 30 or 40 bucks not including shipping. I get them for 5 to ten bucks at my lfs. Doesn't always have as good selection. But I could walk out of my lfs with 5 or 10 corals for what I would pay for maybe 1 to 2 on line.and I'm talking apples to apples. Is this common or should I be thanking my lucky stars? Lol
On line frags are pricy?
- Thread starter brianr24
- Start date
Online corals and frags are a rip off and stay away from flebay. Yes, thank your lucky stars no matter what you hear about those prices you paid as it's rare. Sounds like an awesome LFS who doesn't believe in polyp pimpin and outright lying. Just watch the responses you're about to receive from both ends of the spectrum.
http://test.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1920486
http://s.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2556733
MUCHO
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I guess it depends on both what city/region the LFS is located in and what online sites you price/purchase frags on...
I've purchased frags from a few LFSs here in the greater Washington D.C. area and their sale prices are about the same or just a touch higher than the prices online shops.
For example, I purchase a nice, nickle-sized goniopora frag (probably ~15 heads) from the LFS for $40 on sale. A week later I found a prettier, fuller quarter-sized goni frag for $30 in weekly sale that AquaSD holds on another popular forum.
Just one example...
All in all, if they're on sale, the prices and quality of the frags at the LFSs here can be about in the ballpark with those online - sometimes a little prettier and a few dollars less, sometimes not quite as pretty and few dollars more.
When they aren't on sale, the LFS frags around here tend to be quite a bit more expensive than those I can find online.
Of course, the general cost of living in this area can be a bit higher on some consumer goods than, say, northeast PA where I grew up. So a frag in a LFS that sells for $40 around here may very well sell for $10 or $15 less up there.
I will say this though, the frags I have gotten from my preferred online vendor have always proven to be cleaner (e.g. far more pest free) then those I've purchased locally. But that's something that is naturally dependent on the practices of each individual vendor regardless of whether they're local or online.
I've purchased frags from a few LFSs here in the greater Washington D.C. area and their sale prices are about the same or just a touch higher than the prices online shops.
For example, I purchase a nice, nickle-sized goniopora frag (probably ~15 heads) from the LFS for $40 on sale. A week later I found a prettier, fuller quarter-sized goni frag for $30 in weekly sale that AquaSD holds on another popular forum.
Just one example...
All in all, if they're on sale, the prices and quality of the frags at the LFSs here can be about in the ballpark with those online - sometimes a little prettier and a few dollars less, sometimes not quite as pretty and few dollars more.
When they aren't on sale, the LFS frags around here tend to be quite a bit more expensive than those I can find online.
Of course, the general cost of living in this area can be a bit higher on some consumer goods than, say, northeast PA where I grew up. So a frag in a LFS that sells for $40 around here may very well sell for $10 or $15 less up there.
I will say this though, the frags I have gotten from my preferred online vendor have always proven to be cleaner (e.g. far more pest free) then those I've purchased locally. But that's something that is naturally dependent on the practices of each individual vendor regardless of whether they're local or online.
oseymour
Euphyllia Addict
The online prices are expensive but sometimes I do group buys if I want something exotic, rare or it's too expensive locally.
Here in NYC, in Manhattan prices are generally higher which is to be expected as everything in Manhattan is more expensive. Brooklyn prices can be better. I've never been to LFS in the Bronx or Queens.
I recently went to a couple of LFS on Long Island and I was blown away by the prices - A 3 pack of zoa rocks for $40 and I don't mean 1 or 2 polyps, there were 40 or 50 polyps of on each rock and you get 3 of them! Fish and food were cheaper, I ended up getting salt cheaper than what I would get online even after paying tax. I ended up stocking up.
Another thing about being in a large city is there are a large amount of reefers you can purchase and trade with. Sometimes they ask for outrageous prices that are comparable to LiveAquaria but other times it's cheap and you meet and trade or pay cash.
Here in NYC, in Manhattan prices are generally higher which is to be expected as everything in Manhattan is more expensive. Brooklyn prices can be better. I've never been to LFS in the Bronx or Queens.
I recently went to a couple of LFS on Long Island and I was blown away by the prices - A 3 pack of zoa rocks for $40 and I don't mean 1 or 2 polyps, there were 40 or 50 polyps of on each rock and you get 3 of them! Fish and food were cheaper, I ended up getting salt cheaper than what I would get online even after paying tax. I ended up stocking up.
Another thing about being in a large city is there are a large amount of reefers you can purchase and trade with. Sometimes they ask for outrageous prices that are comparable to LiveAquaria but other times it's cheap and you meet and trade or pay cash.
jrp1588
New member
I've bought a couple frag packs off ebay and been quite satisfied. If I had a half-decent coral selection available locally, I'd shop there, but for someone who doesn't care about rarity and just wants to fill up the tank with colorful corals, ebay frag packs are great.
Joshua00030
New member
The coral price hike has been spreading pretty hard lately. Even Petco has doubled their coral prices now(I think mine was quite late to that party). Honestly you can only hope your LFS has ok prices. Mine does not but one that is 40 minutes away still has dirt cheap prices. Dunno how he turns a profit but the deals are good enough to get me driving an hour and a half.
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