If your LFS cannot get something Cheaper than BRS they are doing something wrong and need a new Wholesaler.
Getting them to Match or come Close to BRS is a Different Story.
But don't tell me you can't buy it WHOLESALE Cheaper than BRS Sells it for.
He must be Lying to You about that.
While some of this statement is true. Im talking about stores that do a little extra markup (20-30% markup), not ones that do 40-50% markup and gauge people. I have about 5-6 distributors, and even some direct with the manufacturer.
Some distributors have this but not that, etc. So sometimes orders have to be placed from more than one source. Some distributors have min $ on order, some charge shipping.
Some manufacturers also give price breaks on $$$$ or quantity orders. So if you order over X dollars in lets say skimmers you get an additional 5% off cost, then 10% off cost. So places like brs that can order 100 skimmers or lights etc, can sell for cheaper especially when they are not MAP priced. If they sell 100 widgets at 15% markup they make more than my 10 widgets at 25% markup. Also the more you ship with UPS or FedEx, they give you better rates, so thats jow they are able to offer free shipping on more and more stuff.
And no its not a lie about buying wholesale vs brs. (At least on some products). I have experienced this first hand.
I tried to get a chiller for a customer 1/2hp from the manufacturer themselves. They gave me the wholesale price plus shipping. Marked it up accordingly to cover cost and follow MAP. Gave the customer the price and he said he could get it online for less with free shipping. So i looked it and it sure was ( it was below MAP price too). So i called the manufacturer and they said " oh well we will give you 10% of the order in free items" aka about 100 bucks. Not many of there cheaper products were worth the time or would sit on the shelf forever. When i asked them about why they were selling below MAP they claimed it was the old map price and had not been changed (i call bullsh*t). So the item itself wasnt really much cheaper than the competitors price, but shipping charges pushed the cost up.
A good store will streamline the way they work and cut costs where possible. A good maintenance service is garunteed money every month. So that could cover rent or electricity, etc.
Dont hate on a shop based on dry goods cost, consider it a convenience fee (within reason). Saw a guy complaining about his 3 week shipping on a pump from china, so he could save $30 vs buying from his local shop.
If a store doesn't carry every brand/model, thats hard to do in this hobby. So many lights, skimmers, pumps, etc. A good shop can figuire out what there customers wants or needs. 10 different skimmer models could tie up over $1,000 in capitol, now add 10 models of lights, etc.
On most big ticket items i follow MAP pricing so our price is the same, i just dont sell many of them yet.
