There is actually something more that needs to be addressed on a national level. Wholesale!!!! It is a single handily destroying LFS trade.
Here are some things everyone should think of.
1. If I went out and bought a gas station and sold gas for $.50 per gallon the government would stop me and say that I am undermining the economic infrastructure of fuel prices and that I was violating anti-trust laws. The FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION would seize everything immediately. Think I'm kidding? Ask QUIKTRIP about the government telling them they COULD NOT sell gas for 10 cents less then their competitors and to raise their prices to the current market value.
So, I ask then...Why can online "CATALOG" companies sell pet products at "jobber wholesale" prices to the public? Why is it OK for them to undermine the LFS industry?
Answer...The online wholesalers claim that only specialized aquarist use their products and that their is no evidence of their operations hurting LFS trades. This is total BS cause Cash Is King!!!! People buy for the lowest price period!!!
Here is something else to think about...
1. The LFS has overhead that includes...
a. rent
b. wages for employees
c. utilities expenses
d. shipping costs
e. cost for dead loss...they pay for these lost sales
f. taxes
g. insurance(liability)
Just to name a few!
There is a mark-up that's for sure, but they have costs that make owning an LFS today a very risky venture. There is too much competition that is not fairly based in costs and overhead.
If any laws should be made it should be that wholesalers CAN NOT SELL TO THE PUBLIC!
I am a professional hobbyist, I have all the licenses. My complaint isn't because of anything that has ever happened to me. My complaint is because large chain stores and online vendors are making quality, established LFS disappear more and more everyday!
Here are some things everyone should think of.
1. If I went out and bought a gas station and sold gas for $.50 per gallon the government would stop me and say that I am undermining the economic infrastructure of fuel prices and that I was violating anti-trust laws. The FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION would seize everything immediately. Think I'm kidding? Ask QUIKTRIP about the government telling them they COULD NOT sell gas for 10 cents less then their competitors and to raise their prices to the current market value.
So, I ask then...Why can online "CATALOG" companies sell pet products at "jobber wholesale" prices to the public? Why is it OK for them to undermine the LFS industry?
Answer...The online wholesalers claim that only specialized aquarist use their products and that their is no evidence of their operations hurting LFS trades. This is total BS cause Cash Is King!!!! People buy for the lowest price period!!!
Here is something else to think about...
1. The LFS has overhead that includes...
a. rent
b. wages for employees
c. utilities expenses
d. shipping costs
e. cost for dead loss...they pay for these lost sales
f. taxes
g. insurance(liability)
Just to name a few!
There is a mark-up that's for sure, but they have costs that make owning an LFS today a very risky venture. There is too much competition that is not fairly based in costs and overhead.
If any laws should be made it should be that wholesalers CAN NOT SELL TO THE PUBLIC!
I am a professional hobbyist, I have all the licenses. My complaint isn't because of anything that has ever happened to me. My complaint is because large chain stores and online vendors are making quality, established LFS disappear more and more everyday!