Does my LFS suck?

jerrod · Apr 19, 2020

Depending on where you are the LFS might not make that much money especially if they purchase product from a wholesaler who has there own mark up. The closest shop to me is like that where all equipment is ridiculously marked up usually by at least 25% but the guy has been good to me and never acted cocky or rude. I will purchase some things from him time to time usually livestock or some live rock and I've traded fish with him, once in an emergency I ran out of coralRX and went to his shop to buy some he didn't have any for sale so he gave me enough in a bag to get it done. it seems minor but stuff like that is the only reason I go back as some of the better places would never help someone out unless they got something in return.

monti mike · Apr 19, 2020

My LFS sells all their merch at the same price as online stores. The store is also super clean and doesn’t have a nasty fish smell when you walk in. I’m sure most of you know what I’m talking about! The corals are also very fairly priced, even the “high end” sps. So does your LFS suck? I’ll let you make that decision

Neoalchemist · Apr 19, 2020

Mario0240 said:
Also FWIW, he’s not always rude. Just when I bring up wanting to try dosing kalk, for example. It’s why would you want to do that. If it’s working don’t change it etc. he also doesn’t carry any kalk, one line of 2 part (which is fritz), and only IO salt (which is heavily marked up as well).

Skip the aquarium packaged kalk get some pickling lime. Ace Hardware or anywhere that sells canning supplies.

Mario0240 · Apr 19, 2020

monti mike said:
My LFS sells all their merch at the same price as online stores. The store is also super clean and doesn’t have a nasty fish smell when you walk in. I’m sure most of you know what I’m talking about! The corals are also very fairly priced, even the “high end” sps. So does your LFS suck? I’ll let you make that decision

In that aspect, yea!

Mario0240 · Apr 19, 2020

Neoalchemist said:
Skip the aquarium packaged kalk get some pickling lime. Ace Hardware or anywhere that sells canning supplies.

I went all over town looking for it, except wal mart cause screw that line for one item that may or may not be there.

DaR333 · Apr 19, 2020

LFS here in my area are hit and miss. 2 in particular are known for being rude but have fair pricing and you can haggle with them on better pricing but there's 1 LFS I will always go to first, even if his pricing is a bit higher. He provides a lot of knowledge and treats customers like family. I have received mail from him saying happy birthday and occasionally he has giveaways.

If I see any obvious red flags like gouging and such, then I try to stay away. But in most cases the LFS are fair pricing here.

Everyone will complain time and time but hopefully your experience is better next time

Mario0240 · Apr 19, 2020

DaR333 said:
LFS here in my area are hit and miss. 2 in particular are known for being rude but have fair pricing and you can haggle with them on better pricing but there's 1 LFS I will always go to first, even if his pricing is a bit higher. He provides a lot of knowledge and treats customers like family. I have received mail from him saying happy birthday and occasionally he has giveaways.

If I see any obvious red flags like gouging and such, then I try to stay away. But in most cases the LFS are fair pricing here.

Everyone will complain time and time but hopefully your experience is better next time

I get that. Like I mentioned, he’s good but n his livestock pricing but his equipment is high. Especially if it’s rebranded Chinese stuff. I need to ask him about ecotech stuff... hmm...