So I was thinking about getting the new Gyre x130 but I am not sure if I should just pre-order it from Marine Depot or at my LFS? Where do you usually buy your equipment from?
Buying Equipment Online or at LFS?
- Thread starter Shep
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fagundespavinp3
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well If you are pre ordering It any way just go with the LFS
My LFS does not offer it. The items they do have are 40% or higher than BRS or marine depot. I just can't afford the big ticket items from there. I picked up a Jager 300w heater from my LFS that was $50, same heater is 30.71 on amazon with free prime 2 day shipping.
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82engineer
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I always buy from the LFS. Amazon has never helped me when I'm in need or given me advice. The stores on the other hand go out of their way to help me. If they fail because we buy online because it's cheaper then you have no one to lame when you can't get that emergency part or you have to drive 20-50 miles to the next store. Shop local plain and simple.
Fantastic you have a great relationship with your store! I really don't like the blanket phrase of shop local though. A business must earn my money, I work hard for it and just because a place exists does not entitle them to my money. We have two LFS and depending on who is working some advise may be good, or be pretty far off. As stated with the heater I do give them some of my reef dollars, but they don't really want a good relationship with local reefers. Not all LFS are the same, I always wished we had one that really supported the community.
Bpb
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Neither plain nor simple. The only fish retailer within 150 miles of me is petco. They don't carry any saltwater equipment of any use to loan me, and not a single employee there even owns a tank, which I have confirmed. Even if I went in and asked to take a seaclone skimmer and a couple mj clones as an emergency loan, they wouldn't oblige per company policy. And let's just say lol to getting a water test confirmation or second opinion. If I need a pack of PE mysis, or a jar of NLS pellets I can grab on my way home from work, fine, everything else is bought through BRS or marine depot. Not everyone has a good ol' mom 'n pop LFS who would bend over backwards for them. You happen to be lucky to.
cdness
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I have to agree that shopping local and supporting the local business is very important. However, I also believe that the local stores need to be competitive in the market. if the difference was 10% on something small I would just buy it at the LFS. However if the price is 25 - 30% higher, especially with larger purchases it can add up and I would look online.
Not only do they need to be competitive in the market as for price, they need to DESERVE my business. You need to show me you are a responsible business owner, and you need to show me you are responsible in taking care of your product. If you aren't willing to take care of the animals you are selling, offer guarantees, back up those guarantees, then I'm not shopping with you. I have 2 LFS that are not that local to me, 45-60 minute drive depending on traffic. The prices for non-livestock are higher there than onlilne, animal husbandry is severely lacking, and by the time I'm back home I've wasted gas. The other stores I like to visit are 2 hours away from me. I'd much rather go there than local because of variety, care for the animals, and general politeness and knowledge of employees but I can't go on a regular basis. So my money is better spent online supporting places that do take care of their livestock, offer guarantees, and has been shown to have great customer service.
So no, it's not plain and simple.
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Gopi
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Agreed. The true 'lfs' I've encountered is hit or miss on the day. I think they are just OK. Sometimes I'll go in and be the only person in the store and completely ignored. They don't carry much in the way of equipment and what they do have is very overpriced. With the exception of my clowns, none of the other fish/corals I've purchased from them have lived more than a couple months.
I could take a longer drive out to a true 'mom and pop' and park in the driveway to a house for corals and fish. (Many days their hours are 'by appointment.') They will special order smaller equipment, fish and such. I find it's truly worth the 30-45 minute one-way trip. I often spend 2 hours there talking to the employees, learning about different corals and needs, etc. They are adding on a hobbyist trading area to their 'store' and really support the community. Every one there keeps reefs and very obviously knows there stuff. Even better, the owner actually remembers my set up! She set me up with a hobbyist to buy my lights used and when I'm looking at different things can remember what I already have, where I should put it in my tank, or if it's not a good match for me. I'm there in spurts because I can't seem to leave until I've spent $100 on frags.
SeahorseKeeper
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I do agree with trying to support LFS, but as someone else has mentioned they have to earn my business. I tried the stores near me and I was disappointed. Most of the products were severely marked up and the livestock was lackluster. I did purchase one of my tanks from a mom and pop type shop. However, I now order most of my stuff online.
