Hydros and BRS?

[GARRIGA]

The business tactic is business. These companies are built around profit and business is competitive if not ruthless. This market is small and extremely saturated and has tremendous pressure from IP theft.

Consumers take it personal and yet seeking better alternatives their option yet boycotting a business also hurts that localities economy as there are employees working there relying on sales to feed their family. I'm not opposed to seeking a better alternative but only because it's a better alternative vs sticking it to a company for being a capitalist. Doggy dog world we live in.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

It seems we hobbyists/consumers should divest in the idea that we need to defend businesses. Part of the reason for all this is that we feel the need to come to their defense based solely on our purchases. When you take a step back and look at it from that perspective, it seems silly.

We reefers are a passionate bunch and I think that bleeds over into feeling like the equipment we own obbligates us to take up certain positions. But, our sense of loyalty shouldn't compell us to get envolved by defending decisions they make.

In fact, don't you think that sort of mentality contridicts our interests? We can't allow our passion to embolden companies to use tactics that oppose our needs.

 

[javajaws]

I've spent a lot of money from BRS this year (in the thousands). Same with PA, SWA, and TSA. But I don't like BRS picking winners and losers through their parent corporate ownership (especially when the "winner" in this case is at odds with my Hydros use and is also subjectively "losing" the controller war). This industry isn't big enough for a retailer to align with manufacturers like that without harming other manufacturers. So I'm done with BRS - no more orders from me for them. I don't blame them for doing this, but I also don't agree with them or have to continue to do business with them. I think their move is very short sighted. It may get them additional revenue in the next few years but over the long haul its the hobby that will have suffered due to decreased choice and innovation.

Edit to add: For Hydros specifically I've had good luck with SaltwaterAquarium and Top Shelf....about to put another Hydros order in actually since I need some more sense ports.

 

[BeanAnimal]

It seems we hobbyists/consumers should divest in the idea that we need to defend businesses. Part of the reason for all this is that we feel the need to come to their defense based solely on our purchases. When you take a step back and look at it from that perspective, it seems silly.

We reefers are a passionate bunch and I think that bleeds over into feeling like the equipment we own obbligates us to take up certain positions. But, our sense of loyalty shouldn't compell us to get envolved by defending decisions they make.

In fact, don't you think that sort of mentality contridicts our interests? We can't allow our passion to embolden companies to use tactics that oppose our needs.

In my case, I can think of a very small (maybe 5) number of business in this hobby that I would stand behind. All of them are very small with one or a few employees and they all excel at customer service and quality. Even then, business is tough and sometimes stellar products and service just are not enough.

Anything else that appears like a "defense" as in the prior post is simply pointing out the reality of business. It should not be an emotional thing. Sure, people can patronize a business that they feel aligns with their values, but shouldn't be shocked when their alignment changes or the hedge and go a different direction.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

I've spent a lot of money from BRS this year (in the thousands). Same with PA, SWA, and TSA. But I don't like BRS picking winners and losers through their parent corporate ownership (especially when the "winner" in this case is at odds with my Hydros use and is also subjectively "losing" the controller war). This industry isn't big enough for a retailer to align with manufacturers like that without harming other manufacturers. So I'm done with BRS - no more orders from me for them. I don't blame them for doing this, but I also don't agree with them or have to continue to do business with them. I think their move is very short sighted. It may get them additional revenue in the next few years but over the long haul its the hobby that will have suffered due to decreased choice and innovation.

Edit to add: For Hydros specifically I've had good luck with SaltwaterAquarium and Top Shelf....about to put another Hydros order in actually since I need some more sense ports.

BRS is the sales and distribution hub for Aperture Pet & Life. They aren’t a separate retailer anymore, from my understanding. They also sell wholesale to retailers.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I've spent a lot of money from BRS this year (in the thousands). Same with PA, SWA, and TSA. But I don't like BRS picking winners and losers through their parent corporate ownership (especially when the "winner" in this case is at odds with my Hydros use and is also subjectively "losing" the controller war).

What would you have them do to make you feel better? Promote the competition? Divest themselves of their own controller brand? Be happy to share market with the competitor and hope the competitor feels the same?

What does the capital firm NOT rolling up the brands under it a few years ago look like now? Is there a BRS, is there an Ecotech, is there a Neptune? Did CoralVue buy them and sink them or do they sink on their own or did they prevent CV from ever getting into the controller market.

Business is business.

 

[DJF]

Doggy dog world we live in.

If Aperture didn’t know that the majority of sumps have an orange hue and “AB+” is a de facto standard then they wouldn’t have made the BRS decision. Leveraging your top rated sales channel to limit the exposure of competing products may not be misuse of a monopoly but it sure feels like it. At least now they aren’t hiding their motive behind a facade of help videos.

 

[AnomMatty]

Fairly new to reefing, but I used BRS almost exclusively to research/put together my first tank. My plumbing, powerhead, gyre, controller, rock, and sand all came through them. I used the points I had accrued to order a fuge light, and that will probably be the last real purchase I make through them. I'm a fan of ease and convenience, and that's where BRS kind of sold me for my initial purchases. I could compare different products easily within their site/app, and make decisions with the pertinent information right in front of me. Unfortunately, that led me to Hydros. I realize I'm no major spender by any means, but other sites eclipsing them (by their own decisions) in ease and convenience will more than likely keep me from being a repeat customer. I fully understand the what and why of it all, but I have a feeling there are more people than myself that will fall into a similar situation, which may or may not impact them long term.

 

[javajaws]

What would you have them do to make you feel better? Promote the competition? Divest themselves of their own controller brand? Be happy to share market with the competitor and hope the competitor feels the same?

What does the capital firm NOT rolling up the brands under it a few years ago look like now? Is there a BRS, is there an Ecotech, is there a Neptune? Did CoralVue buy them and sink them or do they sink on their own or did they prevent CV from ever getting into the controller market.

Business is business.

Why do you think they need to make me "feel better"?!?

I have no problem with BRS doing this - they made this decision (and others) because they thought it made financial sense for them. They didn't do this for me, or you, or well ANY of their customers. And that's their right - they are a for profit business. But that does not mean I have to support them in this endeavor, and I will not. It might make good sense for them as a business, but it does NO good for me as a hobbyist, or for the hobby in general.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Leveraging your top rated sales channel to limit the exposure of competing products may not be misuse of a monopoly but it sure feels like it.

There is no monopoly here. There is no restriction to entry and no shortage of competition. I have seen "monopoly" and "price gouging" thrown around in these threads without any true understanding of what the terms actually mean.

They own the products and the sales channel and are now (good or bad) to narrowing (or forced to narrow) their sales channel to focus on their own offerings.

What you don't know is if this is a strategic decision where they feel they have a big enough mass to stand on their own and compete...

Or if to make it viable to sell certain brands they had to violate MAP agreements and being forced to adhere to them made it not worth the effort...

Or they were not given the choice by certain trade partners who pulled their contracts and lines.

A whole lot of pointless speculation here, as what is done is done and things will settle where they do.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Why do you think they need to make me "feel better"?!?

But I don't like BRS picking winners and losers through their parent corporate ownership (especially when the "winner" in this case is at odds with my Hydros use and is also subjectively "losing" the controller war).

Hi - just responding to what you posted.

 

[GARRIGA]

If Aperture didn’t know that the majority of sumps have an orange hue and “AB+” is a de facto standard then they wouldn’t have made the BRS decision. Leveraging your top rated sales channel to limit the exposure of competing products may not be misuse of a monopoly but it sure feels like it. At least now they aren’t hiding their motive behind a facade of help videos.

Yet the consumer still has the freedom to shop elsewhere and this decision might be the end of BRS or not. Doubt they care what a few think and just hoping the masses buy not even knowing BRS no longer what it used to be. You might be surprised how uninformed consumers are.

 

[javajaws]

Hi - just responding to what you posted.

Which is essentially no answer. Let me be clear to you since you seem to have some problem understanding or are just looking to pick a fight: I don't "hate" BRS so there is nothing to be done to (in your words) "make me feel better". I just don't agree with their business decisions they have made (not just with Hydros but other brands as well) so I choose to no longer do business with them. Feelings have nothing to do with this.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Which is essentially no answer. Let me be clear to you since you seem to have some problem understanding or are just looking to pick a fight: I don't "hate" BRS so there is nothing to be done to (in your words) "make me feel better". I just don't agree with their business decisions they have made (not just with Hydros but other brands as well) so I choose to no longer do business with them. Feelings have nothing to do with this.

I am not looking to pick a fight at all. You posted your thoughts and I responded with my own. I have no problem "understanding" and like the poster above, I will kindly ask you to remain cordial and on topic or refrain from posting.

You say this is not about feelings, but you just posted your feelings (twice) and that is what I responded to (also part of the conversation here) so I am (honestly) baffled at your response that this is not about feelings.

You are certainly free to disagree with what you think is their motive or are their business decisions. That is what part of his conversation is about. Not everyone us going to agree.

 

[rtparty]

I think their move is very short sighted. It may get them additional revenue in the next few years but over the long haul its the hobby that will have suffered due to decreased choice and innovation.

There is no “short sighted” for Bertram, the owners of it all. There is no long game for them and never has been. They will move Aperture in the next 12 months. Likely to Chewy or another large pet retail store.

Bertram doesn’t give a rip about the hobby. They never have. None of the brass at Aperture even has a tank and most never have had a tank. They were never hobbyists. The old leadership team that were avid hobbyists are gone.

It’s all very simple. Bertram bought everyone for X amount of dollars. They will sell them for Y amount of dollars. So long as Y is greater than X, that is all they care about.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I’m not surprised given how small and seasonal the reef aquarium industry is. The market bubble appears to have burst, and many businesses are changing their strategies to survive. It is apparent by the number of sales that are going on also, imo.

As I said before and will say again, COVID was peak reefing, you'll never see that again.

 

[GARRIGA]

There is no “short sighted” for Bertram, the owners of it all. There is no long game for them and never has been. They will move Aperture in the next 12 months. Likely to Chewy or another large pet retail store.

Bertram doesn’t give a rip about the hobby. They never have. None of the brass at Aperture even has a tank and most never have had a tank. They were never hobbyists. The old leadership team that were avid hobbyists are gone.

It’s all very simple. Bertram bought everyone for X amount of dollars. They will sell them for Y amount of dollars. So long as Y is greater than X, that is all they care about.

The world of private equity and venture capitalist. Consumers think it's personal. It's just dollars.

 

[BeanAnimal]

As I said before and will say again, COVID was peak reefing, you'll never see that again.

That very well may be the case. I think that may hold true with a lot of hobby activities across the board.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

As I said before and will say again, COVID was peak reefing, you'll never see that again.

Absolutely. The industry banked on it continuing and stocked up. Now there is a glut of products/livestock to move, and few to move them to lately. Cycles have happened before, but maybe not to that extreme though.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

That very well may be the case. I think that may hold true with a lot of hobby activities across the board.

Completely agreed, but aquaria in general, it was such a flood of folks entering the hobby. One of those few hobbies you can enjoy without leaving the home (for anything). You can buy livestock, dry goods and a tank and not go farther than the end of your driveway... Folks thought it was easy, because acquiring it was easy. Once they realized it was more work than walking and picking up fido's crap, it turns to eh, keeping fish isn't for me.