Support your local fish store!!
- Thread starter Waynerock
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I think a lot of small shops struggle at providing value. They aren’t going to be able to beat LA or petco on price but then fail to offer value elsewhere. They could compete on better fish, knowledge and local/used stuff but many choose not to.
MnFish1
10K Club member
And this is the problem - right - that everyone (sensible) does research from home - So when someone does research and then finds out - the people aren't telling them the 'right answer' or obfuscating - they lose the sale...
MnFish1
10K Club member
A smile and a hello - often goes a long way - right? Perhaps they cant get volume 'better fish' etc - but when you go in and its a person that doesn't care (I was going to use a different phrase that isn't family friendly) - its doubly bad(IMO)
MnFish1
10K Club member
If your LFS won't order the stuff you need - go to a different one (and tell them) - if there isnt one - order online. There is no other choice - right - but the key point is 'tell them' - I'm leaving your business because......
MnFish1
10K Club member
Point being - a person that has no knowledge or personality is not likely to be a good representative for an LFS. I dont know where some of you live - the the stores that are successful here - some for decades - have both. If they dont - go elsewhere.
Seattle has nothing but Bellevue has barrier reef aquarium. It takes me an hour round trip but they do a good job. Knowledgeable staff, good coral prices a bit high but I can live with that. Unfortunately They never have any inventory of fish for 40g and under tanks. Always sold out when I can make it there.
sfin52
So many pedestrians so little time
I did. They still didnt.
sfin52
So many pedestrians so little time
Maybe they can order them for you.
They can just not sure why I don’t just buy online at that point. It cuts out one or 2 extra potential stress and contamination points and is roughly the same price. Not much ability to pick up a healthy specimen kind of get whatever comes in same as online.
sfin52
So many pedestrians so little time
Its the shipping thats a killer
vetteguy53081
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This is a tough One here to respond to. I owned a full line pet store for 11+ Yrs and I KNOW I was the lowest priced in the county and sold all saltwater with a one week warranty. Had so many coming in and asking for a deal or if id take less which made my decision prior to divorce to close the doors for good.
Anyway- it’s a struggle for LFS to survive and much higher cost with payroll, utilities, livestock losses and operating supplies.
They need and deserve all the business they can get but what is a person to do knowing they can get a certain fish or item $10-$15 cheaper at a different outlet and walk away?
Anyway- it’s a struggle for LFS to survive and much higher cost with payroll, utilities, livestock losses and operating supplies.
They need and deserve all the business they can get but what is a person to do knowing they can get a certain fish or item $10-$15 cheaper at a different outlet and walk away?
tony'stank
Active Member
I bought my first saltwater tank from my favorite LFS (Pet Connection, Livonia,MI) in 1978. I bought my most recent tank from the same LFS 3 years ago. Both tanks were personally delivered to my home by the owners. I bought all of my live rock for my first reef tank from another LFS in 1981. Yesterday I visited the same store and bought some live food. Excellence of service and advice and dedication to their customers is why these two LFS have survived when so many others have failed
tony'stank
Active Member
I know what it is like to not have a good LFS nearby. For eight years I lived in rural AZ, without a local LFS within 100 miles. I tied online livestock sales but was never really happy with the quality. Once a year I would drive 5 hours to Phoenix and stay overnight in order to buy from an outstanding LFS. Every 2-3 months I would drive 2 1/2 hours one way to Las Vegas to browse and buy from a couple of very good LFS.
Support your local LFS because you will really miss them if they close.
Support your local LFS because you will really miss them if they close.
NinnJinn
Well-Known Member
Except for Petco, The closest store that carries salt water stuff/livestock is a 3.5 hour round trip.
I do my research before I go and more times than not the staff is pretty much spot-on. And their prices IMO are not bad pretty much just a 10% markup from what I can get online. if I just buy one or two fish pretty much the same price if not little bit cheaper after shipping from the online places. If there is something specific that you want that they don't have they're more than willing to order it.
Reasons why I order online instead of going to them:
Obviously the drive time.
I can handle enclosed spaces but their Isles are so small that about every 20 seconds someone is rubbing against you due to the Isles space. Especially if you're squatted down looking at the bottom rack. Their aisleways are definitely not ADA compliant.
At least when I go, if you want livestock consider yourself lucky if you are able to find an associate and get your livestock within 20 minutes. I used to go on Wednesday or Thursday around 1 p.m.
Once you get a hold of an associate be quick because within a few minutes they are being pulled away to someone else or the phone. They usually have anywhere between 2 to 3 Associates for the saltwater area alone. But yeah, they are just that busy.
Unless you want to wait even longer and be brushed against constantly, do not go on a Saturday or Sunday.
So with all of the negatives being said, I find it much easier and more comfortable just to order online.. plus I can use that 3.5 hour drive time to do more work on the tank.
I do my research before I go and more times than not the staff is pretty much spot-on. And their prices IMO are not bad pretty much just a 10% markup from what I can get online. if I just buy one or two fish pretty much the same price if not little bit cheaper after shipping from the online places. If there is something specific that you want that they don't have they're more than willing to order it.
Reasons why I order online instead of going to them:
Obviously the drive time.
I can handle enclosed spaces but their Isles are so small that about every 20 seconds someone is rubbing against you due to the Isles space. Especially if you're squatted down looking at the bottom rack. Their aisleways are definitely not ADA compliant.
At least when I go, if you want livestock consider yourself lucky if you are able to find an associate and get your livestock within 20 minutes. I used to go on Wednesday or Thursday around 1 p.m.
Once you get a hold of an associate be quick because within a few minutes they are being pulled away to someone else or the phone. They usually have anywhere between 2 to 3 Associates for the saltwater area alone. But yeah, they are just that busy.
Unless you want to wait even longer and be brushed against constantly, do not go on a Saturday or Sunday.
So with all of the negatives being said, I find it much easier and more comfortable just to order online.. plus I can use that 3.5 hour drive time to do more work on the tank.
DzidtheReefer
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Unfortunatly it is very sad. But businesses need to venture out, and find other ways to generate money. Its hard to pay bills, and put money in the owners pocket if your just selling equipment, coral, and fish.
I know many successfull places that have a maintence side who take care of peoples tanks for them, and even install custom tanks in which helps pay the bills and even generate alot more money. When a customer wants a custom reef tank, the business supplies the tank, supplies the coral, supplies the fish, and supplies the maintence all at the customers expense. That alone is a HUGE money maker.
In some instances, the tank is "leased" out which the LFS can resell and reuse if another customer wanted something else.
I know many successfull places that have a maintence side who take care of peoples tanks for them, and even install custom tanks in which helps pay the bills and even generate alot more money. When a customer wants a custom reef tank, the business supplies the tank, supplies the coral, supplies the fish, and supplies the maintence all at the customers expense. That alone is a HUGE money maker.
In some instances, the tank is "leased" out which the LFS can resell and reuse if another customer wanted something else.
ca1ore
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Always dangerous to generalize, but I’d venture to say that the vast majority of LFS that are making money do so as a consequence of their services business. Neigh impossible to make enough money from dry goods and livestock to cover fixed costs. Not unique to the LFS either, many hobby-related specialty retailers are vanishing (try to find a hiend audio store). Hard to see a way to turn the momentum of online around ..... not sure it should be anyhow. It was a point of personal ‘pride’ for me that I did 100% of my 2018 X-Mas shopping without exposing myself to the tedium that is physical retail. More retail outlets closed in 2018 than in any prior year .... by a sizable margin.
Last edited:
Tony Thompson
Active Member
As an LFS owner myself, I would say more precisely, "Support a good LFS". There are some awful ones around that don't deserve your custom.
My advice would be to never just make your decision based on price. This goes for livestock and dry goods. Having a knowledgeable LFS that can give you concise and accurate support on the equipment and choice of dry goods that meet your requirements is worth a premium. Clean well cared for livestock is often a symptom of the owner knowing about each of the animals individual needs.
Ask questions, a good store should be both open and detailed about there operating procedures.
Never forget, your LFS may well be your only emergency option if something goes wrong. Very rarely will you be able to get delivery from online stores the same day or within hours. This includes crucial items such as heating equipment, saltwater or RODI.
With regards stocking of brands. Unless you are a large store with a big turnover, you can`t just go out and buy every product, just to have it sat on shelves. Also most big brands require retailers to buy in minimum order quantities, this can be very expensive if you sell that brand only occasionally, or are a small store like myself. However for the vast majority of items I can supply though pre order, I can offer my customers price match from major online retailers.
Most of all your LFS should be your access to professional advice and support. If it is not, then search around for one that is.
I have on countless occasions had visitors to my store asking for advice about a product they have purchased online, or even sometimes from another store. Quite frankly I find this rather rude and very disheartening.
I run my store because I love the hobby and love talking to fellow reefers, I don't see how that is a disadvantage. I was very disappointed by the general standard of LFS, especially those trying to sell everything, Freshwater, Saltwater, Reptiles and everything in between. Without even a basic knowledge of the animals identification , never minds its requirements.
I am semi retired after been relatively successful in other business ventures. To be honest I think running an LFS as a serious business model just doesn't add up, far to many negative variables weighted against a minimum gain. Supporting your good LFS is not just to boost their profit margin , it can in many cases be a critical lifeline. Use it or it will be gone when you need it most.
My advice would be to never just make your decision based on price. This goes for livestock and dry goods. Having a knowledgeable LFS that can give you concise and accurate support on the equipment and choice of dry goods that meet your requirements is worth a premium. Clean well cared for livestock is often a symptom of the owner knowing about each of the animals individual needs.
Ask questions, a good store should be both open and detailed about there operating procedures.
Never forget, your LFS may well be your only emergency option if something goes wrong. Very rarely will you be able to get delivery from online stores the same day or within hours. This includes crucial items such as heating equipment, saltwater or RODI.
With regards stocking of brands. Unless you are a large store with a big turnover, you can`t just go out and buy every product, just to have it sat on shelves. Also most big brands require retailers to buy in minimum order quantities, this can be very expensive if you sell that brand only occasionally, or are a small store like myself. However for the vast majority of items I can supply though pre order, I can offer my customers price match from major online retailers.
Most of all your LFS should be your access to professional advice and support. If it is not, then search around for one that is.
I have on countless occasions had visitors to my store asking for advice about a product they have purchased online, or even sometimes from another store. Quite frankly I find this rather rude and very disheartening.
I run my store because I love the hobby and love talking to fellow reefers, I don't see how that is a disadvantage. I was very disappointed by the general standard of LFS, especially those trying to sell everything, Freshwater, Saltwater, Reptiles and everything in between. Without even a basic knowledge of the animals identification , never minds its requirements.
I am semi retired after been relatively successful in other business ventures. To be honest I think running an LFS as a serious business model just doesn't add up, far to many negative variables weighted against a minimum gain. Supporting your good LFS is not just to boost their profit margin , it can in many cases be a critical lifeline. Use it or it will be gone when you need it most.
