Best Websites For Equipment

[AlexDm]

Hey guys I was looking around for some equipment and find that Bulk Reef Supply and Marine Depot both have some different brands... What are some other good websites to check out that are similar to BulkReefSupply.com , MarineDepot.com, and SaltwaterAquarium.com ?

 

[GoVols]

I always price check each product between: BRS, Marine Depot, Doctor Foster & Smith, Premium Aquatics and Pet Solutions.
If you use Regular Instant Ocean or Reef Crystals, DF&S or Pet Solutions always has the price.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

I usually use the 3 you named, though I don't goto brs anymore since they pushed bayer. Ebay is also ok as long as you're careful to read reviews and ratings. Amazon is of course another main source.

 

[Orangezuk]

I always do a bit of checking around, BRS, Coralvue, Marine Depot. But I always find myself working with BRS, their support is hard to beat.
In doing that checking around I always find some lower priced "copys" of main manufacture equipment and always seams like a buyer beware situation.

 

[GoVols]

I always do a bit of checking around, BRS, Coralvue, Marine Depot. But I always find myself working with BRS, their support is hard to beat.
In doing that checking around I always find some lower priced "copys" of main manufacture equipment and always seams like a buyer beware situation.

+1
I gave SaltwaterAquarium.com a shot one time. Never again!!!!!!!!!!!
Thankfully I went through paypal and pulled back my payment.
If a company doesn't have their address on "contact info" and you call and it's a "call service" that handles their calls, There's Your Sign!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Water Dog]

I've used all of the above mentioned and one other... Aquarium Specialty. They also carry other high end products from manufacturers like GHL, Elos and Royal Exclusiv that aren't carried by the other vendors mentioned.

 

[AlexDm]

I always price check each product between: BRS, Marine Depot, Doctor Foster & Smith, Premium Aquatics and Pet Solutions.
If you use Regular Instant Ocean or Reef Crystals, DF&S or Pet Solutions always has the price.

I usually use the 3 you named, though I don't goto brs anymore since they pushed bayer. Ebay is also ok as long as you're careful to read reviews and ratings. Amazon is of course another main source.

I always do a bit of checking around, BRS, Coralvue, Marine Depot. But I always find myself working with BRS, their support is hard to beat.
In doing that checking around I always find some lower priced "copys" of main manufacture equipment and always seams like a buyer beware situation.

Great thanks for the replies/input

 

[mcarroll]

Hey guys I was looking around for some equipment and find that Bulk Reef Supply and Marine Depot both have some different brands... What are some other good websites to check out that are similar to BulkReefSupply.com , MarineDepot.com, and SaltwaterAquarium.com ?

It's fun to shop online and of course everyone loves to find a deal – I know I do.

But if you have a local fish store and don't patronize them due to price, remember that you're begging to have no local fish store at all.

So just to say it out loud: Patronize your local fish store, if you still have one.

 

[GoVols]

It's fun to shop online and of course everyone loves to find a deal – I know I do.

But if you have a local fish store and don't patronize them due to price, remember that you're begging to have no local fish store at all.

So just to say it out loud: Patronize your local fish store, if you still have one.

I agree and love my (Lfs) but I have a family budget too.

If I want 200 gal of Reef Crystals:

My (lfs) sells it for $72 and I can get online for $49 with free shipping and no sales tax.

Then I'm buying it online.

If I'm buying a whole new setup. I by from my (lfs).

 

[mcarroll]

I agree and love my (Lfs) but I have a family budget too.

If I want [insert product]:

My (lfs) sells it for $[higher price] and I can get online for $[a lower price] with...

You don't have to explain anything – most of us have a serious budget (I think, right?) and it's the same economics everywhere and it's been going on for a good long while now. (It's where all the LFS's have gone.)

The online guys have volume so they can sell at a loss or near-loss to take business away from your store and still make good money on the year. (Don't think they're doing it just to give you a deal.)

It's well worth pointing out that most items the online guys sell aren't such a great relative bargain as the one you point out – salt is about the best deal they offer. Usually online is only better "on average" if and only if you can get them to eat shipping – and not always then.

Your store also doesn't gouge like that on all items, so you've really cherry-picked your example.

If they do, you should open a store of your own as it would be very easy to outcompete them. (I have a little experience on this side of things, not just speaking blindly.)

We should also all remember that the LFS is run by our neighbors – not by some anonymous Apache webserver like the online guys.

If you think they're really doing a bad job with their pricing consider talking to them about it in a completely non-emotional tone.

$74 is not good for a box of RC, but it may be due to the price they get it at, or they may not know better, or they may not know there are other suppliers, etc.

Don't be so cut-throat against the LFS on prices.

 

[GoVols]

You don't have to explain anything – most of us have a serious budget (I think, right?) and it's the same economics everywhere and it's been going on for a good long while now. (It's where all the LFS's have gone.)

The online guys have volume so they can sell at a loss or near-loss to take business away from your store and still make good money on the year. (Don't think they're doing it just to give you a deal.)

It's well worth pointing out that most items the online guys sell aren't such a great relative bargain as the one you point out – salt is about the best deal they offer. Usually online is only better "on average" if and only if you can get them to eat shipping – and not always then.

Your store also doesn't gouge like that on all items, so you've really cherry-picked your example.

If they do, you should open a store of your own as it would be very easy to outcompete them. (I have a little experience on this side of things, not just speaking blindly.)

We should also all remember that the LFS is run by our neighbors – not by some anonymous Apache webserver like the online guys.

If you think they're really doing a bad job with their pricing consider talking to them about it in a completely non-emotional tone.

$74 is not good for a box of RC, but it may be due to the price they get it at, or they may not know better, or they may not know there are other suppliers, etc.

Don't be so cut-throat against the LFS on prices.

I agree 100% with your statement and have supported my (lfs) owner since 1989, when he first opened
Trust me, He and his employees get a ton of my yearly reef budget.
Also, I don't think anybody feels like a online store is doing YOU any favors just to be nice.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I used to buy online more because of my state and local taxes. In the dear ole state of Louisiana it's a whopping 11%! That's all changed now that our wonderful state legislature decided to pass laws were all sales online must charge state and local taxes even if there is no physical location in our state.

 

[ahiggins]

I've used dr foster and smith before I knew they are owned by petco.
I've also had really bad experiences with bulk reef supply, customer service-delayed shipments for weeks.
I like Marine Depot though lol

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I've used dr foster and smith before I knew they are owned by petco.
I've also had really bad experiences with bulk reef supply, customer service-delayed shipments for weeks.
I like Marine Depot though lol

Oh wow... I've had nothing but great experiences with BRS. Do you mind if I ask what you ordered?

 

[Acan Skywalker]

Hey guys I was looking around for some equipment and find that Bulk Reef Supply and Marine Depot both have some different brands... What are some other good websites to check out that are similar to BulkReefSupply.com , MarineDepot.com, and SaltwaterAquarium.com ?

Check out Fish-Street.com

 

[ahiggins]

Oh wow... I've had nothing but great experiences with BRS. Do you mind if I ask what you ordered?

Sure, I've ordered on two separate occasions. One was maxspect gyre. The other was a di unit. Gyre was delayed 2 weeks before shipping and charged twice. The di unit was only charged once lol but it was 3 weeks on that.

 

[GoVols]

I used to buy online more because of my state and local taxes. In the dear ole state of Louisiana it's a whopping 11%! That's all changed now that our wonderful state legislature decided to pass laws were all sales online must charge state and local taxes even if there is no physical location in our state.

Tennessee it right behind ya @ 9.9% sales tax... But we have no state income tax
Some online places I have to pay sales tax and some not.
BRS/Marine Depot/Pet Solutions = (No sales tax for me)
Amazon/Premium Aquatics/DF&S = (Sales tax for me)

 

[GoVols]

Sure, I've ordered on two separate occasions. One was maxspect gyre. The other was a di unit. Gyre was delayed 2 weeks before shipping and charged twice. The di unit was only charged once lol but it was 3 weeks on that.

How do you like the Gyre?

 

[mcarroll]

That's all changed now that our wonderful state legislature decided to pass laws were all sales online must charge state and local taxes even if there is no physical location in our state.

Kudos to LA!! Sticking up for their local businesses and your local economy.

 

[Salty1962]

Fragtastic's and Salty Supply are good vendors.