Eheim's - Sight, Unseen....

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
I'm just curious as why there are no Eheim canister filters in stock at the 'many' - yes many, LFS's I've visited? None. Seems like if many think this is the best canister out, then stores would carry them. Why would it be a 'special order' product?

(No need to flame Florida - there's a whole flame thread in Chit-Chat.)

:)

[skeletalmachine]

My guess would be that some of the LFS can't afford to sell those units at a competitive price? Perhaps, since they already cost a lot to begin with, they wouldn't sell as often as the cheaper fluvals or filstars and therefor it would be too costly to hold many of them in stock.

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
Good point -- but, none at all??

If they are worth the extra money, seems like someplace would offer them. Perhaps even a sign near other canisters on the shelves stating to ask an employee for ordering an Eheim.

Point to ponder...

[carpguy]

When did we start trusting the good judgement of the folks at the LFS? :rolleyes: ;) :D

[RTR]

My LFS has the complete line of Eheims, plus all the bulk media, plus all the common components (impellers, suction cups, surface extractors, the various tubing sizes- both flexible and rigid, etc.).

Perhaps it depends on the clients of the shop, or how serious the clients are about their tanks as well as how the management feels about filtration. This store is happy to deal with anyone, but they are really aiming at real hobbyists, not just parents getting an Eclipse for the grammer school kids. It also is a strong differentiating attitude from the big box stores & chains- they have the materials and know-how those stores cannot match.

Not too long ago the owner brought in a new manager - who was shocked at the number of serious hobbyists. He says this LFS sells more big setups with good filtration every year than he had sold in the last 6-8 years total at a more conventional non-chain suburban mall store.

Custom orders for fish - even calls to let you know what is available from the importers - are routine. Understand why I don't do mail-order? This is too good a resource not to support.

[famman]

Eheims are only modestly more expensive than the competitors. They get a bad rap for being expensive even on this board.

Their modestly higher cost lowers the profit margin for stores who have customers who don't assign a higher value to a superior product. So they don't stock them because they make more money off the inferior products. It's simple economics.

good luck
:)

[Heady]

Well, IME lfs's charge about double their cost on equipment. Thus depending on the size of the Eheim this can get into the $400 range. Who's going to spend $400 on a canister filter? No one. So instead of making the price more reasonable, they don't sell it at all.

[Skittyfish]

I agree with Heady. My LFS had an medium size ECCO for the same price as a Pro 2026 from BigAls (with Media). The ECCO wouldn't have really been big enough and I would have still needed something else. I was also going to get a HOT Magnum but it was going to be $15 more from the LFS than BigAls. I do order fish from them though, that way if one dies I can return it.

[skeletalmachine]

I think if you look at all the points above and mix them together a bit then you have your answer 80gJoe. I'm lucky enough to live near a big als factory outlet so I have a good selection of everything at fair prices (plus they'll beat anyones price by 5%).

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by skeletalmachine
I think if you look at all the points above and mix them together a bit then you have your answer 80gJoe. .......
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif

Thanks, good points to think about..

LFS's here for the most part, could use a much better inventory.

[RTR]

Then of course, for many LFS, their cost is very close yo some of the mail order houses selling price - disregarding shipping and the lack of local customer support. The local LFS marks the regular price on items like Eheim, them discounts them. Plus certain regular customers may get still better discounts. I am more than willing to pay a small premium on th things I use routinely to have local stock (instant gratificarion) and support services available. But that is a personal decision and choice.

[superjohnny]

Originally posted by RTR
...I am more than willing to pay a small premium on th things I use routinely to have local stock (instant gratificarion) and support services available...

I agree. I like to support local businesses, but most of the time you pay more than a "small premium." I tried to buy an Eclipse System 6 locally and the best price I found was like $80. I got it online shipped for <$45. I found the same thing when looking for filters (Rena XP3 for ~$200 locally, ~100 online). 100% markup i won't support :(

Too bad I don't live close to a BigAls.

[RTR]

Well, I am a very good customer of the LFS - I've been doing business there since he opened his first store maybe 25 years ago. Plus he gets my leftovers. :)

[Sumpin'fishy]

I tend to agree with most of this. I would love to support my LFS more than I do (or can afford to do), but it's just not practical when you live on any kind of budget. I have three general choices open to me with most fish related purchases. I can go to my LFS(s), go to PetSmart, or order online. The sad fact is I spend much more money at the later two spots than at my LFS. It is pretty bad when I can order, say, a Fluval 404 online and pay shipping for around $100. I just have to be patient for about a week! If I don't want to wait I tend to go to the next cheaper location....PetSmart. Here the 404 costs a whopping $170. I'm not even gonna quote prices from my LFS when their Emperor 270 is $80.

In fact I really don't get that much better service or fish from my LFS here in Savannah Georgia. I asked once for a sample of water from the tank I was buying fish from, and brought it home to test. I ran all tests on it and I was VERY scared thereafter!

This was the tank for "community" fish (was looking at Ottos). I asked them what their pH was and they said it was about 7.6 to 7.8. They said they used a "pillow" to soften the water. That "pillow" must have been a brick of Limestone! PH tested at 7.8, KH at around 5.0, Nitrates were off my chart (tops at 160ppm!)

I haven't bought any more fish from them. The sad part is this is the "best" LFS we have here! I have seriously thought several times about opening my own shop, but I'm sure it's not all that easy!

Another thing that upsets me is that at my LFS I can buy Flourite for $20 a bag (15lbs), but Onyx they said would be double that price! They come from the same manufacturer, and are listed at the same price at all online stores!!!

In summary, it's tough to support your small shops when we get the "raw deal" by doing so. I can't return fish to the LFS, but I get 2 weeks at PetSmart!

[NJ Devils Fan]

Yea, none of the pet stores around here have Eheims.

[skeletalmachine]

I'm all for supporting my LFS too. However, when it comes to equipment they just can't compete with big als or other large outlets. When I was looking for a fluval 404 it was 150 $CAN more than bigs als sold it for. I just can't afford a $150 premium. That said, the livestock at the LFS is well kept and generally sold at a fair price. Also, the staff there are friendly and have gone out of thier way to help me several times.

oh, and no Eheim at the LFS's here too.

[aquatic-store]

i agree they are an expensive filter but they are quality. The ferrari of filters in my opinion. Many smaller lfscannot afford to stock some of the more expensive items.

marc
Http://www.Aquatic-store.com

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