Why won't you....

[tcamos]

I would drive pretty far, just because it's fun and I get to meet someone and see their tank. I've also seen some very nice corals that aren't usually available in the local stores and to me, they are usually more healthy too because of the love they've gotten. I'm a huge paly and zoanthus fan so when I see some of those that are unique I really want them.

I would also be more inclined to buy if there was a delivery guy as mentioned. That's a good little side job if someone wanted to get into it. Like a messenger service for corals.

 

[zachd]

I live in Anthem (the outlet one, so up north) once I drop that bomb to a potential buyer, people change their interest pretty quickly and almost always back out, so I have had to become accustomed to meeting them in a location that is halfway or so between us, just to make a sale. Most deals I have done have been with people on the east side, for which I drive down to Desert Ridge and hopefully they actually show up. Gotta do what ya gotta do to make a sale!

 

[mndfreeze]

Really it seems pretty fair and understandable that location is such an issue here in the valley with how spread out the metro is. Everyone I have dealt with has been understanding of it and tries to work out a solution, whether its meeting halfway, or waiting until one person or the other will be sort of near the area for something else, waiting for the next FRAG meeting, etc.

It does suck to have to miss a sale, buying or selling, due to the travel though.

 

[Turbovr3six]

Really it seems pretty fair and understandable that location is such an issue here in the valley with how spread out the metro is.

Phx metro isnt bad to drive AT ALL (IMO)... its the far out locations that seem kinda tough to make it to... To me, if your(seller) location is near a major freeway, then getting there isnt an issue at all(unless its rush hour)....

Think about it... How far do you drive to go to the LFS? sure some of you live really close to these stores, but what about those who live in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Etc and still visit Aquatouch... If people will drive 45minutes for a retail price, why wont they do it for private sellers?

 

[Turbovr3six]

I would also be more inclined to buy if there was a delivery guy as mentioned. That's a good little side job if someone wanted to get into it. Like a messenger service for corals.

How much would this person get paid to do this... Example.. if someone were to pickup and deliver a frag/light/pump/ect, then whats in it for the delivery guy???

"A little cash or a frag" wouldnt cut it IMO.....

 

[tcamos]

I visit AquaTouch about twice a year because it is so far. Pets Inc. about once every other week. Aquarium Arts (which is still 18 miles drive) once or twice a week depending.

There are some locations (Deer Valley) that would take me over an hour to get to. But...for the right item...(nice frag, Sapphire Skimmer) I would drive it! Price is also a factor though.

 

[azshooz]

How much would this person get paid to do this... Example.. if someone were to pickup and deliver a frag/light/pump/ect, then whats in it for the delivery guy???

I think that depends on who the buyer is. If people are already disinclined to sacrifice a little extra time or money in order to get a frag they would like to have then adding cost to the transaction isn't going to help. Just look at other delivery services that are out there. Does anyone here get their groceries delivered?

 

[0rbital]

On the other hand lately it seems like people selling stuff are flaky. I'm trying to give you my money, allow me to! hehe.

 

[mndfreeze]

I guess we just need to define the metro, I was considering it pretty much the entire city area until you start hitting pure desert. i.e. the end of buckeye out west, edge of apache juntion and queen creek, etc.

I don't really think a 30 min drive for example is a big deal, we have nice roads here for sure. I have a friend that lives out in buckeye, on the west side of it off watson I think the street it, and its a 45 min drive for me from the 101 and 202 intersection of tempe. Dead middle of the metro valley basically, it would suck to go to his house if I still lived out in east mesa at crimson and baseline.

Everything is of couse going to be situational but I totally agree being asked to deliver something that is free or insanely cheap is a bit silly, with exceptions like medical stuff or what not. I think though it's not bad to try to work something out thats still fair. Similar to what we did when I picked up those frags. You were already going to be in the area for work, so I worked around your schedule and didn't have to burn gas, and you would have been there either way, whether I purchased stuff or not, so you technically made money on the companies gas dollar so to speak. Even still to me it was a big deal to not have to drive way up where you live and I had that extra 10 above the 40 I planned to spend, and you brought xtra freebies, so I sort of saw it as a thanks both ways kind of deal. I don't think it would be a bad thing to ask someone for a bit extra if you are having to go out of your way for them.

You can only compare to a retail scenario so much also. Being the store has stock, tons of other stuff, etc you have to beat out their total 'value' to the customer. Sometimes I see frags for sale in here and my eyes widen in shock at the insane cost, but usually frags are much cheaper here then I would find in a store and a bit more unique which is cool, but if its not a big enough of a value difference people are not as inclined to go the distance.

Man, I sort of typed a novel...

Phx metro isnt bad to drive AT ALL (IMO)... its the far out locations that seem kinda tough to make it to... To me, if your(seller) location is near a major freeway, then getting there isnt an issue at all(unless its rush hour)....

Think about it... How far do you drive to go to the LFS? sure some of you live really close to these stores, but what about those who live in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Etc and still visit Aquatouch... If people will drive 45minutes for a retail price, why wont they do it for private sellers?

 

[Frank AZ]

Its always a tough one to call - thankfully I like to think of myself as a good "buyer and seller"

I deal a bit with Craigslist (computer junk and bikes lately) so I know exactly what you mean.

If I am interested in something - one of the first questions I ask is "where are you located" since I'll go to ~15/20 miles from home for a shrimp, but, if it is in surprise - sorry - just not worth the time/effort to do so.

If it is something larger/bigger (I do not have a truck) I am upfront with the seller and let them know that I will need to make arrangements.

 

[tcamos]

I guess we just need to define the metro, I was considering it pretty much the entire city area until you start hitting pure desert. i.e. the end of buckeye out west, edge of apache juntion and queen creek, etc.

I live in East Mesa...meaning Hawes road (two miles east of Power between Sossoman and Ellsworth). So for me, a drive to AquaTouch is quite an undertaking. Because of how close it is to the freeway, Aquarium Arts and Pets Inc are doable but even they are a bit far.

Still though, I will drive it because I really enjoy the hobby. Even if I am not going to buy something I like to go and look just to see what's there.

But...the gas and time adds to the cost as far as my thinking goes. So a $15 frag might equal $30 by the time gas and time are figured in.

 

[Turbovr3six]

Does everyone drive EXTREME gas gusslers??? i have a v-8 truck and can go ~550-600 miles on a single tank of gas and it costs me ~$70 to fill it... i get an average 15.5MPG so figure a 30 mile drive would cost around $6.... 30 miles is far, and in my case it seems to be just about that to make it over to you eastsiders... $6 for a good deal on somthing + Getting to see a new tank/setup + BS'ing with the person to exchange advice or whatever + Just meeting new people that are in the hobby = Worth it... in my opinion

 

[tcamos]

Does everyone drive EXTREME gas gusslers???

Noooo, I drive a little stick shift car that gets 34 -36 MPG.

 

[Turbovr3six]

Noooo, I drive a little stick shift car that gets 34 -36 MPG.

so at ~$3 a gallon that extra $15 equals out to be 102-108miles... thats understandable if you are driving that far but where the heck are ya goin!?!:lol:


In all reality i think people just have it set in their brain that gas is costing them a fortune, when it most likely isn't.....(not directed at your comment tcamos)

 

[PHXReefGuy]

I like driving to peoples residences, 9 times out of 10 I'll get there and find out I can purchase frags of corals or other things I didn't see.
I always leave with more than I came for.

I'll drive anywhere for corals, farthest so far is scottsdale to tucson.
Gas isnt too much of a problem I drive a little vw hatchback 1.8t that gets 30mpg,
when I'm not driving it. lol.

 

[mndfreeze]

Does everyone drive EXTREME gas gusslers??? i have a v-8 truck and can go ~550-600 miles on a single tank of gas and it costs me ~$70 to fill it... i get an average 15.5MPG so figure a 30 mile drive would cost around $6.... 30 miles is far, and in my case it seems to be just about that to make it over to you eastsiders... $6 for a good deal on somthing + Getting to see a new tank/setup + BS'ing with the person to exchange advice or whatever + Just meeting new people that are in the hobby = Worth it... in my opinion

Hehe. 45 minute drive to buddy's in buckeye for me is about 15 to 20 in gas round trip as I have to buy premium for my car and I get between 15 and 20mpg between city/highway driving. So not an innnnsaannee mount of gas but when you're a poor jobless bastid like me it adds up

Soon you will see my new post "Selling body and services for coral" since no one wants techie help.

 

[jerryz]

In economics its called opportunity cost. What that cost is is different for everyone though. For the hypothetical panhandler standing on the corner it may be $0.00 versus the time lost driving across the the valley for a 'great deal.' For the hypothetical doctor or lawyer the 'great deal' needs to be much larger or the time needs to be much smaller to offset the lost opportunity of other options. ie. standing on a corner or doctoring so to speak.

 

[tcamos]

so at ~$3 a gallon that extra $15 equals out to be 102-108miles... thats understandable if you are driving that far but where the heck are ya goin!?!:lol:

Well, I was adding in time...time is money...

I do live really far from most places though...AquaTouch takes me 45 - 50 minutes to get to on the freeway...

I like the term "opportunity cost"...good term.

 

[sltyncopa]

Listen all legitimate beefs, but what it comes down to is common courtesy. What bugs me is people who try to get you down on the price after they and others who are after them have already agreed on the said Price. If I am in your area I will gladly dropoff/pickup for ANYBODY! As long as you show the same _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _! (See Above) Shoot me a frag or $5-10 if you dont think your time or mine is worth that then never Mind and get it Yourself! I know I have dealt with reefer and never had a problem and even met Alex at Chandler with a heater from Andrew to him. The way I look at it, It all comes back to you in the end. Now off the soapbox and to say free is free dont make it inconvenient for someone "GIVING" you something! In 90% of the cases I've said I would be there I was. Maybe a lil LATE :/ but called and let the person know, now the other 10% I probably didnt have a phone number or wasnt able to log on RC. So in conclusion "Do unto others, ............. Have a great Day and let me know if you need anything picked up! (Except from Garage he lives TOOOO Damn Far!

 

[tcamos]

Listen all legitimate beefs, but what it comes down to is common courtesy. What bugs me is people who try to get you down on the price after they and others who are after them have already agreed on the said Price.

If I don't like the price I will haggle over it BEFORE I show up to buy...but once I say I will pay a certain price, I do, if I end up getting screwed...my fault!