Why do you prefer buying online to LFS?

[Tuffyyyyy]

I’ve only purchased online three times over my 4 years in this hobby. The (typically) $50 in shipping is a huge barrier to me.

I’m also lucky (I guess) in that my LFS just puts all their frags into the tank and charges $20-30 for everything. Kind of hard to order hammers online for $50 when they’re consistently at the LFS for $20.

 

[Brandon Smith]

I personally try to strike a balance between online and LFS. However, selection of product and prizing plays although into it. Just last weekend I was at my LFS to buy an additional return pump. And behold they had a trident in stock but looking at the sticker it was prized at 70$ above MRP. Makes me question........

The bad part about operating a Brick and Mortar store is that you have overhead costs that a lot of the online competitors don't. You can even see this with your Big Box store as well vs. a company like Amazon. Martin is almost out business, Macy's has been closing stores for years, Blockbuster's is out of business, Radio Shack may still have a few stores open, even Walmart's ecommerce business is growing tremendously year over year. Honestly America is telling retailers that they prefer to order online or would much prefer to have employees shop for them so that they can just pull up and have their items brought out to them.

I didn't mean to get off track, but I believe all of this pertains to the topic.

 

[Brandon Smith]

That's where I go, there is another one off Clemson Rd but I can't remember the name off the top of my head. I think their a sponsor here.
It's Aquarium Specialty. They have a great selection & prices aren't bad.

I have bough fish from Aquarium Speciality over the last year, and I love their coral farm that is on site also.

 

[Qasimja]

That's where I go, there is another one off Clemson Rd but I can't remember the name off the top of my head. I think their a sponsor here.
It's Aquarium Specialty. They have a great selection & prices aren't bad.

if you are ever in the atlanta area you should visit nemos aquarium they have really good live stock

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

To those who like to buy stuff online better, why?

For me personally, I save gas (my LFS is 23 miles away), wear on my car, time, and maybe healthier specimens, though shipping fee can be a lot if below $150. My nearest LFS has so few selections that I keep seeing the same specimens every time I visit. That being said driving to LFS and seeing fish in person are so fun.

This my second time buying, online from Ebay. Only reason is these corals rare now. Nevera good experiance with Ebay with live corals.

 

[Brandon Smith]

if you are ever in the atlanta area you should visit nemos aquarium they have really good live stock

I can't leave Nemo Aquarium without a fish lol

 

[Dragon52]

if you are ever in the atlanta area you should visit nemos aquarium they have really good live stock

I've been wanting to make a trip but it's 2hrs for me & since I pretty much have a full tank of fish I have to wait for awhile. lol

 

[Hermie]

I've never bought online because I don't want to pay for shipping. OTH, I did buy from two local "shops" that put their stuff online, but I paid zero for shipping and picked the corals up in-person.

 

[Dragon52]

This my second time buying, online from Ebay. Only reason is these corals rare now. Nevera good experiance with Ebay with live corals.

Not sure if you've found them but WWC (a sponsor here) has a site on EBay.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Not sure if you've found them but WWC (a sponsor here) has a site on EBay.

They dont carry. Bummer

 

[Dragon52]

They dont carry. Bummer

?

 

[Brandon Smith]

They dont carry. Bummer

Is there something in particular that you are looking for?

 

[jordan10]

I like swaps and LFS I have never done the online. I like to see what I am buying and I don't mind if I have to drive a little bit

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Is there something in particular that you are looking for?

These

 

[fish farmer]

I tend to buy most of my dry goods online....I just bought a Reef Octopus Skimmer...can't find those on the shelf where I live. When I visit "LFS" which are 50 miles or further, there are only two "better" ones instate, one is a pet store and the other is all marine/reef but limited in dry goods. I will buy some small dry goods, maybe a pump, aquastik putty, Coral mag, etc. Petco is 20 minutes in case I really need salt and frozen food.

I split my live purchases between local and online. I'm planning on more CUC soon, so that will be online and maybe a few corals from Ebay, 2 day shipping from nearby states or overnight from one vendor I like. I tend to buy several items at a time to keep shipping within reason. I buy fish in person. The better coral store where I would buy in person is 1.5 hours away in an area that I rarely need/want to visit. I've only been to his store once and that was in April 2018.

When I started in this hobby in 2000, sure I bought most dry goods and most livestock locally, but when you have retailers like BRS, Marine Depot, etc have the exact product YOU want to use and all "on the shelf" and you can get it delivered before you have a free day to drive the the LFS then online wins every time.

 

[GregOyeah]

I just buy my fish from my LFS, they’re good about getting something in stock if you ask.

I use to buy some coral there as well but now I mostly just stick to getting corals from reputable disease/pest free online vendors. My LFS gives store credit for your corals, which is great bc I can get stuff for free, but that also means he’s taking in other people’s stuff with lord knows what kind of pests and hitchhikers and I know there’s no QT process. I’ve put a lot of work into my tank and I’m at the point where I’m not gonna risk getting AEFW bc of a cheap $20 frag

I buy my equipment and supplies online because they have a limited selection.

 

[Jay Z]

I usually buy my equipment on line. It’s hard to find anything higher end in stock locally.

I do love going to the lfs to look in person and most my fish are from there.

Sometimes it’s easier to find a specific fish online.

Luckily cherry corals isn’t far away from me. Will be scheduling a visit when I get my 40 sps’s up.

 

[EMeyer]

• Clearly marked prices. If I have to ask how much it costs, I'm not interested in buying it. Ever, at any price.
• Vastly better selection.
• Prices. LFS has to at least try to be competitive for me to consider buying there.
• Convenience. If I have the choice between someone dropping the fish off at my house, or driving to the LFS, spending time there, and driving back, there had better be some kind of premium enticing me to buy local.
• But most of all -- guarantees. Every online vendor has a guarantee ranging from arrive alive to 14 days. Theyre all pretty easy to file claims; upload an image and get your refund. LFS almost never offer refunds and even if they do, filing a claim involves physically going to the store and demanding one in person (not really worth it)
• When I place an order online, there isn't some concerned-looking college kid who wants to "ask me some questions about my system before he sells me the fish", as if I'm asking his permission to buy the fish. (I remember one salesperson explaining to me that they can't sell Mollies to customers who are planning to breed them, since they consider this unethical for some reason. I listened to her, as I watched the feeder goldfish [which are sold to be eaten alive] swim around their tank)

I love exploring new LFS, but almost always walk out empty handed.

 

[PeterG]

I buy all my dry goods online, mostly from BRS. They do a great job of educating our community, have a great selection, are easy to deal with if there is an issue with anything and shipping is free for orders over $29. Also no sales tax which in FL is 7%.

That said, I buy all my food and most of my livestock from my LFS. The owner and most of his staff are really knowledgeable and willing to take the time necessary to help out. They also rented me a PAR Meter for $5 with no deposit. Just told them I’d return it tomorrow and that was that. They are about a 25 min drive but I’ve got the time and feel a responsibility to help keep them in business.

 

[S2G]

I’ve only purchased online three times over my 4 years in this hobby. The (typically) $50 in shipping is a huge barrier to me.

I’m also lucky (I guess) in that my LFS just puts all their frags into the tank and charges $20-30 for everything. Kind of hard to order hammers online for $50 when they’re consistently at the LFS for $20.

Which lfs is this? I'm bham as well