LFS Etiquette

[xabo]

Is it "bad etiquette" to point out to a LFS owner that they're charging twice the price of a product? I understand they need to make a profit as they have overhead costs, shipping, rent, utilities etc. and I believe in supporting local businesses as much as I can. I'm not sure I can continue to support a business that wants to charge twice as much as the manufacturer charges. Thoughts?

 

[Nox.]

Is it "bad etiquette" to point out to a LFS owner that they're charging twice the price of a product? I understand they need to make a profit as they have overhead costs, shipping, rent, utilities etc. and I believe in supporting local businesses as much as I can. I'm not sure I can continue to support a business that wants to charge twice as much as the manufacturer charges. Thoughts?

If I knew the owner well I might mention something about that to them, otherwise I would leave it alone. This has happened to me in the past and I have just gone to another LFS with better pricing. Hope this helps.

 

[Jeffcb]

Is it "bad etiquette" to point out to a LFS owner that they're charging twice the price of a product? I understand they need to make a profit as they have overhead costs, shipping, rent, utilities etc. and I believe in supporting local businesses as much as I can. I'm not sure I can continue to support a business that wants to charge twice as much as the manufacturer charges. Thoughts?

My favorite LFS matches BRS on equipment and tanks ect. I give him all my business and he knows it.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I'm a If you don't like the price shop elsewhere type of guy. The prices will adjust themselves with lack of customer base or close down.

Again, I'm in So. Cal, most LFS stores know better than to not be somewhat competitive as they would be out of biz due to being too many stores in my area.

 

[hllb]

They know what they’re charging. I’d probably just go elsewhere if there are other options

 

[62518161]

It’s their store. They can charge what they want.

 

[Utubereefer]

Is it "bad etiquette" to point out to a LFS owner that they're charging twice the price of a product? I understand they need to make a profit as they have overhead costs, shipping, rent, utilities etc. and I believe in supporting local businesses as much as I can. I'm not sure I can continue to support a business that wants to charge twice as much as the manufacturer charges. Thoughts?

Manufacturer???? Are you buying coral from God again??

 

[GillMeister]

I don't think it's a good idea to do something like that in front of other customers. Free market economy means you have the right to buy your goods elsewhere. If they can't sell it at the elevated price they will have to adjust.

 

[polyppal]

Yeah I think it is tacky when people at the LFS's walk around scoffing and vocally pointing out 'I can get this fish for x online!'. If that's the case then great! Get it online, along with the tradeoffs of that approach.

I keep those thoughts to myself and just don't purchase the overpriced stuff, getting it somewhere else instead. No need to insult the shop owner who can prob barely keep their doors open with online competition anyways.

I buy 90% of my livestock online from OFS and importers. I don't always go with the cheapest fish, but take into consideration the reputation of the company as to how healthy an item I should expect.

 

[polyppal]

Manufacturer???? Are you buying coral from God again??

have you checked out those new GodCo. clownfish?!? They're nice!

 

[ScottJ]

Twice the price is a bit much. I would buy what they have at a fair price, but pass on anything way over priced. If it ever comes up, like "Hey do you need XYZ overpriced item?" try to tactfully say you can get it someplace else for much less.

 

[Dburr1014]

Is it "bad etiquette" to point out to a LFS owner that they're charging twice the price of a product? I understand they need to make a profit as they have overhead costs, shipping, rent, utilities etc. and I believe in supporting local businesses as much as I can. I'm not sure I can continue to support a business that wants to charge twice as much as the manufacturer charges. Thoughts?

Well I thought some goods are set charges at stores. For instance, Neptune products. All the local fish store should be selling it for the same price. If you charging more for stuff like that and they find out, they might pull him as a retailer.

 

[xabo]

I just said I'll think about it and I may return later. I was interested in the Hanna Alkalinity Checker reagent.........Hanna and most other online retailers list it for $10.00. He wanted $20.00 for a bottle w/a expiration date of 2/2022. The store is a new one in our area but the owner has a aquarium maintenance business so I'm pretty sure he's aware of the costs.

 

[GlassMunky]

Yeah I think it is tacky when people at the LFS's walk around scoffing and vocally pointing out 'I can get this fish for x online!'. If that's the case then great! Get it online, along with the tradeoffs of that approach.

I keep those thoughts to myself and just don't purchase the overpriced stuff, getting it somewhere else instead. No need to insult the shop owner who can prob barely keep their doors open with online competition anyways.

I buy 90% of my livestock online from OFS and importers. I don't always go with the cheapest fish, but take into consideration the reputation of the company as to how healthy an item I should expect.

Maybe if they didn’t charge double what other stores did they wouldn’t be struggling to keep the doors open?

 

[Cell]

I just wouldn't buy it. The only way I'd say something is if they got pushy trying to sell me said product.

 

[JPM San Diego]

It would be great to hear from retailers. Is it normal to mark up 50%, 100%, 150%? I have no clue.
I would venture to guess that some items have a greater (normal) mark up compared to others.
Equipment sitting in a box doesn't have much per day cost sitting on a shelf.
Someone had to buy, stock it, re shelve it if it is taken down, etc.
Fish and coral have additional daily requirements, (feeding, maintenance, etc).
I would image the normal mark up to be much higher.
Any retailers out there who could shed some light?

 

[JPM San Diego]

Also, I have an aquarium consultant that helped me get on the right track back in 2019.
My lush green hair algae farm was transformed into a coral garden.
They get ALL of my business now.
Plus, the owner matches BRS, or other online sellers, so I know I'm getting a great price.

 

[polyppal]

It would be great to hear from retailers.

pretty much every LFS owner I know :/

 

[Totroc3]

As a former multi store owner, I would say the best thing you could do is ask if they price match. At that point if the owner wants to try to earn your business you can let them know that you would like to purchase the item but you can get it elsewhere for $10. I never once turned anyone away asking that. All of my managers and employees did the same. Sometimes it hurt like when the early online stores like pets.com were selling items for less than my wholesalers were but we kept our customers happy and our business grew.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Well I thought some goods are set charges at stores. For instance, Neptune products. All the local fish store should be selling it for the same price. If you charging more for stuff like that and they find out, they might pull him as a retailer.

Doesn’t quite work like that, those manufacturers have MAP pricing, which is Minimum Advertised Price, if you want to sell for more that’s on you.