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.
Eheim's - Sight, Unseen....
- Thread starter 125gJoe
- Start date
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.
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. 
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!
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!
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.
oh, and no Eheim at the LFS's here too.
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
Co2, Plants, Substrate, Filters, Heaters, UV and more
marc
Http://www.Aquatic-store.com
Co2, Plants, Substrate, Filters, Heaters, UV and more
