Young Frankenstein
New member
I personally think this industry is taking advantage of us in this hobby. Prices are over inflated. Example a skimmer that probably costs to make $ 20.00 is sold for $ 300.00. Whats your opinion ?
This industry
- Thread starter Young Frankenstein
- Start date
aquarius77
In Memoriam
I think ALOT of the stuff for reefkeeping is over priced, i do feel like we get taken advantage of sometimes, BUT on the other hand everyone is is business for a reason, To make a few bucks...
With that being said, good deals are out there to be had for alot of things if you look around and be patient you will find them.
With that being said, good deals are out there to be had for alot of things if you look around and be patient you will find them.
crhis
New member
I think prices are fair.
just like in any BUSINESS the market place decides the price. people have to make a living ....... pay employees , pay insurance , pay a rent/mortgage , keep the lights on and toilets flushing , buy equipment/livestock etc ,etc and still try to bring home a paycheck. I personaly know an owner of a lfs here in town and has been open for at least a year and has yet to bring home a paycheck. it's a tough business to be in.
it's very specific and specialized equipment we are buying ......it would be a different story if every household had a reef in it.
what other uses are there for a protien skimmer ?
there are cheaper outlets for purchasing equipment online and in catalogs .
we have gotten too used to running into walmart and finding everything we could ever want for 1/2 the price we would normally pay.
unfortunately the employees are only making a meager wage. affording them only to be able to shop at discount stores....on and on it's a vicious cycle and I could ramble on for hours .
bottom line it's simple economics.
I don't like paying $500.00 for my skimmer, but I understand
I also understand I don't need sharks swimming around in my living room........
just like in any BUSINESS the market place decides the price. people have to make a living ....... pay employees , pay insurance , pay a rent/mortgage , keep the lights on and toilets flushing , buy equipment/livestock etc ,etc and still try to bring home a paycheck. I personaly know an owner of a lfs here in town and has been open for at least a year and has yet to bring home a paycheck. it's a tough business to be in.
it's very specific and specialized equipment we are buying ......it would be a different story if every household had a reef in it.
what other uses are there for a protien skimmer ?
there are cheaper outlets for purchasing equipment online and in catalogs .
we have gotten too used to running into walmart and finding everything we could ever want for 1/2 the price we would normally pay.
unfortunately the employees are only making a meager wage. affording them only to be able to shop at discount stores....on and on it's a vicious cycle and I could ramble on for hours .
bottom line it's simple economics.
I don't like paying $500.00 for my skimmer, but I understand
I also understand I don't need sharks swimming around in my living room........
rustybucket145
New member
Basic Economics.... If they aren't selling alot of something, they have to charge more for it to stay in business. From a business standpoint sometimes I can't even see how some of these companies stay in business.
Joshua1023
New member
I think the prices are too high, however to a degree justified. You have to understand that we are playing in a highly specialized niche. The equipment we use may not cost a ton for materials, but to have people put this stuff together is alot more cost intensive than the modern mechanized methods used in mass production. Its getting better because the hobby is growing, but it still doesn't compare to most other pet type hobbies. If you are overly concerned w/ the cost of equipment, take a stroll around the diy forum and you will see that you are not the only one. If your money is more valuable to you than your time, than that is the way to go................If you have any basic plumbing and or building skills.
greenbean36191
Premium Member
I voted that the prices are unfair, but not because we are being taken advantage of. It's the collectors that really get the raw end of the deal.
After factoring in all the additional costs, (shipping, electricity, etc.) profit margin for retailers on livestock is pretty low. I don't think it's unfair of them to make up the profit on dry goods.
After factoring in all the additional costs, (shipping, electricity, etc.) profit margin for retailers on livestock is pretty low. I don't think it's unfair of them to make up the profit on dry goods.
Reef Aquaria is a hobby. All necessary hobby supplies are expensive in all hobbies, it's just how it works in specialty retail. Although I do believe that some of the local and online retailers could have an occasional sale on the items that cost so much, skimmers, lighting etc. Not once while I was shopping around for the best deals on all my various equipment did I see any of those items for sale! I looked at every online retailer I could find. However just in the way dvd players used to cost hundreds now you can buy one at walmart for $40, if you wait a little longer for that hot new product, you can save some $. I bought a 48" Sloaris for $2325 from premium aquatics one month ago and today the same model is priced @ $2208 !!!!!!!! Granted reef equipment prices won't exactly decrease the way dvd players did, but a little patience may save a few$$$.
Tehrab
New member
As has been stated already, the LFS is probably the one group *most* shafted by the existing pricing scheme in this hobby. Razor thin margins, large start-up costs and slow building of the market makes for a business that is extremely risky. If you are an existing LFS your hopes bank on either building out a profitable service business to offset the ebb & flow of the retail game or go online and shoot for volume. Ideally, both.
My personal opinion is that if this hobby is too much for you to handle financially, look for another hobby.
My personal opinion is that if this hobby is too much for you to handle financially, look for another hobby.
uscharalph
New member
Suppl and demand.
uscharalph
New member
Supply and demand.
coast2coast7390
Moved On
everyone has to make profit...so obviously the more hands the product goes through the higher the prices are
the fish industry is exactly like every other industry, driven by profit. no profit = no products. simple as that.
ya, skimmers cost a fortune, but they also paid out a fortune to designers, engineers, building prototypes, testing, etc. it takes money to make money.
i wouldn't be compaining about this industry though. a lot of the stuff we use is made in the best place in the world - USA. i'd rather pay more and support this beautiful country than spend a bit less on the crap that gets churned out overseas by 12 year old factory workers.
ya, skimmers cost a fortune, but they also paid out a fortune to designers, engineers, building prototypes, testing, etc. it takes money to make money.
i wouldn't be compaining about this industry though. a lot of the stuff we use is made in the best place in the world - USA. i'd rather pay more and support this beautiful country than spend a bit less on the crap that gets churned out overseas by 12 year old factory workers.
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