Support your local fish store!!

[Gaspipe]

I would also like to add this: being someone with zero experience in reef tanks...

I think a LFS offering this service to a noob would be invaluable. But a tank here and whatever equipment needed and we will bring the tank and equipment to your house and set it up for you for free or small fee.

Imagine I walk into your store, buy a waterbox tank, lights, heaters, APEX, skimmer, ATO, AWC, dosers, reactors, etc and the LFS says we'll swing buy, level it for you, bring a false wall for the cabinet, and all the zipties needed to set up your system neat and clean.

I know if his equipment prices are inline with online I would pull the trigger on this. You get a tank/stand in a condition you confirmed at the store. Someone who will make your wires nice and organized. Help with light settings, optical eye placements, powerhead placement.

That's a big sale, and the LFS basically created a consumer that will always call them as a first look.

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

So now you have tanks you can't even sell at a loss taking up valuable space on your very expensive rental floor. Then you have the consumer who does not even understand landed cost telling the new owner they just bought an Elos tank for x before reporting the total cost including the shipping. The customer thinks they saved Hugh until they see the freight bill....and the broken tank. The store could have competed if they stocked a similar item with a lower landed cost.

I can't count the number of times I have seen an LFS employee roll their eyes when they are standing next to Brand X's tank and a customer says "I just bought that tank online for Y amount" all while the LFS employee knows that they could have saved the customer money. Some items are MAP/MRP but the LFS I used to use would assemble tanks for free or offer big discounts on the rest of the set up.

 

[Peace River]

Really? Because I always thought of WWC as someone who hype coral and sell way over its actual worth... maybe am wrong but so far I was able to get mini colonies for the same price I would pay for a tiny frag from wwc....

I am glad that you discovered a coral purchasing strategy that works for you and many will emulate your approach when they add livestock to their tanks. Many others appreciate the value that @WWC provides. By developing a strong brand, a huge selection, solid customer service, quality products, and much more, WWC has developed a successful business. The higher prices that consumers consistently pay for some WWC branded corals is a viable metric that points to the higher perceived value within their large customer base.

I expect that the company where you purchased your colony, which is pursuing a different strategic business model, isn’t a primary concern to WWC (and shouldn’t be a concern). Rather WWC is likely more concerned with protecting their brand (including mitigating counterfeits), maintaining quality in all areas of their business, limiting costs (especially energy), and increasing production.

There is a huge place in the marketplace for both of these strategic approaches (as well as others) as LFSs and other fish/coral vendors strive to do well.

 

[road_runner]

I am glad that you discovered a coral purchasing strategy that works for you and many will emulate your approach when they add livestock to their tanks. Many others appreciate the value that @WWC provides. By developing a strong brand, a huge selection, solid customer service, quality products, and much more, WWC has developed a successful business. The higher prices that consumers consistently pay for some WWC branded corals is a viable metric that points to the higher perceived value within their large customer base.

I expect that the company where you purchased your colony, which is pursuing a different strategic business model, isn’t a primary concern to WWC (and shouldn’t be a concern). Rather WWC is likely more concerned with protecting their brand (including mitigating counterfeits), maintaining quality in all areas of their business, limiting costs (especially energy), and increasing production.

There is a huge place in the marketplace for both of these strategic approaches (as well as others) as LFSs and other fish/coral vendors strive to do well.

Btw no ill intention was meant in my comment. Honestly I had the impression that I get better prices..way better prices from my local fish store thats all..
Maybe my LFS happen to be good? Not sure.
Agreed at the end of the day there is no right or wrong, coral value is like the stock market, sentiment have alot to do in it.
I have seen how a pieace sit ideal for so long no one intersted in it, once it's called auction people go nuts ha ha...
Coral price is what you think it's worth at the end of the day...isnot it.

Cheers.

 

[road_runner]

Also I value being able to see the coral real time. Especially if you are buying expensive pieces...

 

[Peace River]

Btw no ill intention was meant in my comment. Honestly I had the impression that I get better prices..way better prices from my local fish store thats all..
Maybe my LFS happen to be good? Not sure.
Agreed at the end of the day there is no right or wrong, coral value is like the stock market, sentiment have alot to do in it.
I have seen how a pieace sit ideal for so long no one intersted in it, once it's called auction people go nuts ha ha...
Coral price is what you think it's worth at the end of the day...isnot it.

Cheers.

No worries. No intended tension. There is a good chance that you are getting a better price on corals from your LFS and that is good for you as long as you are getting quality corals and that is good for your LFS as long as they are selling enough corals to make enough sustainable profits. Like you suggested, there are multiple business approaches to be successful. Unfortunately, far too many well intentioned LFS owners don’t select one of those for whatever reason.

 

[Waynerock]

I always see this support your local lfs blah blah blah, but what if one of your lfs's is a big online shop such as wwc?

Do you not support them?

If it’s local it’s local

 

[Peace River]

Also I value being able to see the coral real time. Especially if you are buying expensive pieces...

Good point! Online retailers have tried to counter this with WYSIWYG selling, but that is not always optimal for a discriminating buyer. As others have mentioned, the potential service opportunities also favor the LFS.

Another area that should be weighted toward the LFS is the ability to build a sense of community with customers, however this is an a space that some online resellers have done well. For fear of over using them as a positive example, WWC makes you feel like part of their team. They often close the perceived distance with their customers from hundreds or thousands of miles away, more than the LFS that is across town.

Whether it is a LFS, an online vendor, or a blend of each, the question is whether they have a viable strategy and are making the most of their opportunities. Unfortunately missed opportunities are common place.

 

[Waynerock]

I wish my guy started aqua-culturing two years ago when I told him he should. He has room and extra tanks and lights not being used. He would be ahead of the curve now. Easier said than done I know but he had the means and is smart enough. I suggested he focus on fish instead of corals because there are a lot of people who never buy fish online (me included). With online super low pricing you can t compete.

 

[hotdrop]

My local store is a dump, it just looks gross. The tanks are scratched to **** they have an awful supplier that sells the same dry goods as petco. I think they sell a lot of freshwater fish and do ****** tank maintenance.
I went in the other day asked if they could just order fish for me and just sell it to me in the jar came in so it doesn’t touch their water. I got a lecture on how good their treatment dip is...
I chatted with the owner and he complained to me that the bank wouldn’t re-fi his loan even though he had never missed a payment... The store wasn’t making enough money it seems - surprise surprise.

 

[Waynerock]

My local store is a dump, it just looks gross. The tanks are scratched to **** they have an awful supplier that sells the same dry goods as petco. I think they sell a lot of freshwater fish and do ****** tank maintenance.
I went in the other day asked if they could just order fish for me and just sell it to me in the jar came in so it doesn’t touch their water. I got a lecture on how good their treatment dip is...
I chatted with the owner and he complained to me that the bank wouldn’t re-fi his loan even though he had never missed a payment... The store wasn’t making enough money it seems - surprise surprise.

I have one like that here as well as my awesome one. Those should be shut down for good. Why is it that the nasty ones stay in business for a long time? The one here and the last town I lived In each had one and they both are still in business and had been for 20 years. What gives? My super clean store with knowledgeable employees who care struggle and this crap hole will prob be here another 20 years.

 

[hotdrop]

I think it’s because the guys that really grind to improve and do a great job either succeed or burn out. They might realize that they are making 30k a year and working 80hrs a week and decide to do something better.
This store has probably limped along for a decade, started with used equipment cheap space and low overhead, and maybe a bit of family money to get things going.

 

[Tom Blevins]

The roof collapsed in on ours a month ago, so they are remodeling.

 

[MnFish1]

We are close to BRS - so most of the stores in our area stock much of the big ticket items from them (and at a matched price) . There has been one store that I knew that closed here - and he had some of the best coral anywhere - tanks were clean. The staff continually complained about online this and that.

There is quite a successful store - very similar - except the owners know you by name, the fish, coral, etc is healthy, they have a great staff - and they do maintenance for tanks they sell (if desired) - or will maintain tanks they didn't sell - which is another revenue stream. They seem successful. Parking lot is always full.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

There are many things that contribute to the demise of a store ,and yes ONLINE is a big part of it. I do have a brick and mortar retail store and I have to go head to head with some of the biggest big box stores and their online outlets as well. Bass Pro Shops , Cabellas , Sprtsman Whearhouse. To be able to compete and make it we most first and foremost have GREAT customer service.we also need to find items that are used here locally and stock heavy on them . We need to keep inventory up. If a store is low on inventory most of the time the locals won't come back because they think "They never have what I want or need so why should I go there. " Constantly rotating stock keeping the place clean and being active in the local fishing clubs and the community is a nonstop process. Many companies have MAP pricing with does help with competing with these big box stores. But Map does not mean I can not give discounts on said purchase. Ie loyalty, Military , First responder , Club discounts. It takes work but it can be done. We are not going to get rich but we can make a living doing what we love. I would rather make a little lower margin and get repeat customers over and over .

 

[sfin52]

My lfs use to carry many different kinds of salts and products. Seachem got their hooks in them and now they are a premiere seachem dealer. Guess what happened. They are not diversified and carry very little but seachem products.

I asked them to order LRS food for me. The response was we have rods. So now I make my own and a couple of other reefers food.
Lights they only carry fluval led. So I ordered online.
Live stock only buy from my lfs but I'm done with fish. They refuse to change vendors for coral so I travel an hour or more for a coral selection.

What is one suppose to do when i be got a lfs like that.

 

[Entz]

My lfs use to carry many different kinds of salts and products. Seachem got their hooks in them and now they are a premiere seachem dealer. Guess what happened. They are not diversified and carry very little but seachem products.

I asked them to order LRS food for me. The response was we have rods. So now I make my own and a couple of other reefers food.
Lights they only carry fluval led. So I ordered online.
Live stock only buy from my lfs but I'm done with fish. They refuse to change vendors for coral so I travel an hour or more for a coral selection.

What is one suppose to do when i be got a lfs like that.

Basically same thing happened here. They wouldn't bring stuff in, stopped carrying salt other than IO (high prices kept others from selling) or really any supplies (little on shelves). Stopped getting coral (not that they ever got more than euphyllia and mushrooms). Maybe its our market here but the good stuff they brought in (Radions) or Redsea tanks never sold. I think they were trying to survive on freshwater but when your non-livestock prices are 20-30% above online its a hard road. They eventually closed down. Which is sad because I knew some of the staff were pretty passionate. The other place in town that stocks saltwater is fish only. Good for snails but nothing else. Gonna try a new place about 45 minutes away.. I hate getting salt/corals online if I can help it.

 

[smartwater101]

Another major problem that I see is that a lot of stores hire minimum wage employees that some do not know simple things about the hobby in general. Lord knows if you go in a store and ask a "regular" employee something more advanced.

This is why I never walk into an electronics store without knowing EXACTLY what I plan to buy. Asking an employee is never a great idea. Same goes for LFS. They'll tell you near anything is compatible or appropriate for smaller tanks. Anything to make a sale.

Always research first.

 

[WMR]

LFS are hit & miss, I usually can’t find what I’m looking for at the LFS, except frozen foods. I can usually find the livestock that I want online, LFS don’t carry them or can’t get them. If they would bring other fish in instead of every variant of occelaris clown, they might make more sales. I know, livestock doesn’t keep the doors open, but, it does help. Carry as wide a variety of everything

 

[Peace River]

This is why I never walk into an electronics store without knowing EXACTLY what I plan to buy. Asking an employee is never a great idea. Same goes for LFS. They'll tell you near anything is compatible or appropriate for smaller tanks. Anything to make a sale.

Always research first.

You’re right, this is normal. It happened to me this weekend at a pet store. And we have learned to cope by doing extensive research before we even start shopping. But what if it wasn’t that way? What if I could go to a LFS or an online vendor where I liked and trusted the people? Although it seems like that should be common business sense, it has gotten to the point where that has become a competitive advantage!