Dr. Dendrostein
Marine fish monthly
I had access to same wholesalers they do, before virus issues, I wonder if wholesalers increased prices.
Divers Den pricing
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lavoisier
Valuable Member
I had been a regular customer of LA and DD for years and years. Unsurprisingly, after Petco bought them I thought that their quality dropped, prices rose, and support became adversarial. 
mfollen
Valuable Member
@Braves Fan i wish we could get perfect fish. In a perfect world we would. But these are wild animals being shipped from the other side of the world. I wish they would be perfectly healthy, heck even all tank raised. But the reality is, unless you buy a quarantined fish, it’s very likely you do not receive a perfect fish. There’s just too many variables of possible health conditions in such a supply chain.
In theory, it's a supply/demand curve in which both supply and demand can cause prices to increase of decrease...in this instance supply has gone down i.e. less fish being imported thus less fish available for sale post covid. If the same number of people are buy fish post covid, you have a de facto increase in demand driven by a shortage in supply. None the less...their prices are getting ridiculous and I think it shows with some inventory really starting to age as the days go by
vangvace
Well-Known Member
Ours seems to use DD and the larger coral vendor sites to set their prices.
I had been a regular customer of LA and DD for years and years. Unsurprisingly, after Petco bought them I thought that their quality dropped, prices rose, and support became adversarial.
Petco bought them five years ago though.
vetteguy53081
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They are raising them in my eyes anticipating loss and reducing their monetary losses up front in case of DOA.
In a time where shipping times are uncertain and people are out of work, its NOT the time to raise prices and consumer confidence.
In a time where shipping times are uncertain and people are out of work, its NOT the time to raise prices and consumer confidence.
Southpawblues
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We just got a new LFS in Bloomington, Il - Saltwater Obsessions. Tough time for a new business for sure. Hey all you central Illinois reefers be sure to help support Luke at Saltwater Obsessions.
piranhaman00
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That’s a cool fish wow!
Indytraveler83
Well-Known Member
As much as we complain, it seems like people are paying it. And just like with coral, if someone will pay it, they'll charge it.
I've also seen where they do heavily discount specimens that have been on DD for more than a few days, so it seems like they are testing the waters for what we will pay.
Personally, I find their prices to be in line with "fully quarentined" animals from competitors, so I shy away and am trying the fully quarentined route.
I've also seen where they do heavily discount specimens that have been on DD for more than a few days, so it seems like they are testing the waters for what we will pay.
Personally, I find their prices to be in line with "fully quarentined" animals from competitors, so I shy away and am trying the fully quarentined route.
They're prices are ridiculous and unfortunately if people buy then they will continue with the status quo until something changes.
Don't you think there's a reason that LA never pipes in on these threads? They understand the market and could care less that people are complaining about it. Hitting the wallet is the only thing they care about....
Don't you think there's a reason that LA never pipes in on these threads? They understand the market and could care less that people are complaining about it. Hitting the wallet is the only thing they care about....
Indytraveler83
Well-Known Member
Well it's honestly the difference between doing business with the big boys vs the little Ma and Pa shops. This is why many of us support local lfs if possible and avoid Petco.
I don't really like what they do either, but be sure your expectations for them are in line with the high volume businesses. Expecting them to offer high end customer service and personalized care just isn't how a place like that works.
Part of what allows them to do what they do is the free shipping at $150, where most either don't offer it or want you to spend $300 to ship free. The total price you pay for 2-3 fish to be shipped may be cheaper going through them.
My biggest gripe involves the fact that free shipping went up to that point (used to be $100) and the $10 box fee.
But again, if you want small businesses service, conduct with a small business. I've been ordering more than ever lately and I've had good email/messenger conversations with every place I've ordered from.
Angelwolf21203
Active Member
Yes! They are suddenly outrageous!
Angelwolf21203
Active Member
Yeah! What's this box fee? Isn't that the cost of doing business? Why do WE have to pay it?!
Indytraveler83
Well-Known Member
I looked at them, but usually my work schedule doesn't permit me to make orders (can never be here for when the box arrives). I actually placed an order with TSM that's due to arrive Thursday. I had a great email exchange with them, and will highly recommend them if I actually get anthias that don't die within 24 hrs (local lfs can't get healthy ones in). Until I've received the fish, I will have to rely on the good reputation they've gained with others here.
