Whatsup with prices these days anyway?

[bruffin]

Supporting the LFS is great, but $60 for 8 ft. of ozone tubing? . . .!!!
I think it has more to do with the suppliers, though. I find excellent deals on products from smaller companies there. Sea Life Systems makes good quality products and the prices are very reasonable, but if you go looking for some big name brand - then you're gonna get raped . . .

 

[TJ]

I guess the answer is to just research an item before you buy it... I'm sure most everyone does here. I research my research.... I've gotten "stung" so many times w/out of the ball-park, prices at LFS that I almost always buy my drygoods on the internet. Even w/shipping (& some offer it free, over a certain amt.), I come out a lot cheaper. But... I do try my best to support my LFS- buying livestock is much more fun that way anyway- getting to see them live, instead of pictures.

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6635239#post6635239 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by unsane
Seriously though Im all for "supporting" my LFS but, in reality I could go to Premium Aquatics on a Friday wal-in day and buy stuff directly from them, .

Walk-in day is now Sat 12-3

When I first started this hobby a guy at Petco made a big mistake and told me about Premium aquatics, I have been a loyal customer ever since!!
I also buy online from Liveaquaria.com...they have good prices on salt and don't charge the weight fee
Salt at Petco and Petsmart around here is ridiculous! I only go in those places to buy small things in an emergency

 

[TJ]

Oh, and rayjay, you're right about the LFS honoring a price for you- I have had them do that a few times for me- I just took a print out of the item and they honored it- sometimes not, sometimes yes. Also another tip- if you're a member of your local reef club, find out if any of the LFS in your area honor the members w/a discount- it helps tremendously! We have several in Arkansas that do.

 

[boodwah]

My LFS was selling 6" sections of Loc-line tubing (3/4") for $16 and the nozzles for $8. Marine Depot was selling them for $5.75 and $1.90. Even with the shipping it was well worth it to order it. I asked a guy at my LFS why it had to be that way and he told me that I can order stuff at the same price or cheaper than they can get it at their wholesaler. He also said that dry goods are the same no matter where you get them so they just mainly stock what people need in a pinch. Their bread and butter is livestock that people can view before they buy, medications that people need ASAP, water, filter media, food, miscellaneous items that people forget to order, powerheads and pumps to replace ones that just went out, salt, and substrate that is expensive to ship. Otherwise, they just stock one of each of most things just in case. They really don't care to carry those items, but they know that people will eventually want them and will probably buy some of the high turnover items while there.