My LFS offers some pretty good discounts on cash deals
From the owner not an employee skimming.
LFS Challenge - Lets see how many of us can commit to shopping first at our LFS
- Thread starter 14 foot reef
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From the owner not an employee skimming.
Kmst80
Well-Known Member
My Lfs is my most frequented shop right after aldi(groceries). He's a one man gang coming from the hobby, always up for a chat and very well priced. He'll give me discount when I pay cash too. I love my Lfs, just seeing the corals in real life is on a whole different level,buying of pictures can be so misleading.
polyppal
2500 Club Member
Can I get a Yasha Goby?
> No, I don’t know what that is. We mostly have clownfish and damsels.
Oh, well could you order one?
> Uhh, I guess I can put your name on this piece of paper to get you off my back and never call you…
Great! And what can you tell me about these generic protein skimmers you’re selling that I’ve never heard of?
> Idk, but they’re 499$. No refunds.
Sweet, I’ll take two! And wow one of those $70 brown zoa frags while you’re at it! I love this place!
> No, I don’t know what that is. We mostly have clownfish and damsels.
Oh, well could you order one?
> Uhh, I guess I can put your name on this piece of paper to get you off my back and never call you…
Great! And what can you tell me about these generic protein skimmers you’re selling that I’ve never heard of?
> Idk, but they’re 499$. No refunds.
Sweet, I’ll take two! And wow one of those $70 brown zoa frags while you’re at it! I love this place!
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Merge_595
Community Member
Both of my nearest LFS had the 250 ml for 29.99..I just couldn't do it
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OP
OP
Then this challenge is not for you. Its ok, not every idea works for everybody.
1 thought is you could buy an RODI unit from your LFS, and buy your salt mix from them.
I agree that some LFS's these days don't carry what you need, mostly because all their customers buy everrything online. They can't compete, but slow change of the tide will bring your LFS's back around.
Think Chicken or Egg.
It's tough when your stores don't carry what you need, neither did mine, until I sent them a list and asked if they could please keep in stock these items that I always use.
Again, this idea may not work for everyone. But it's worth a try.
OP
OP
No I do not own an LFS
OP
OP
Understandable, Kudos for at least trying.
WvAquatics
Valuable Member
I wish. The best LFS around me are petco and petsmart. The closest lfs carries aquatop products. 78$ instant ocean buckets of salt. Saltwater fish are basically clowns. Every once and awhile other fish. 0 corals. 0 test supplies. The best lfs is an hour drive. Has all the things listed but tanks riddled in Apistasa. When I can I still frequent but it's a drive that cost as much as shipping. Once the gas and food to drive there cost as much as shipping the choice between lfs quality and online quality comes into play. Do I want Tidal garden, sbb, wwc, TSA, battle corals, and so on. Or do I want frags covered in Apistasa, vermited snails, and all the uglies.
I spent almost $200 at mine Sunday afternoon. The biggest part of that was $90 for a copperband butterfly that they had for 3 weeks and let me feed. I thought that was a fair price.
I also find that my store is usually very close to the online prices for dry goods.
I also find that my store is usually very close to the online prices for dry goods.
so you force the delivery driver to carry all your heavy ****? that's the exact reason I buy all my sand, salt and rock from the store. I feel bad making somebody else carry all that weight. I only buy this stuff online if there is a deal I just can't pass up.
Most LFS don't carry what I use for pumps, plumbing, test supplies, bio pellets, roller mats, ect ... And I hate this because cash is king.
I buy my media bags, algae scraper refills, carbon, salt and a bunch of other little things. Whatever I can really.
But I buy NO livestock online. They all use FedEx and that's an immediate no for me. I don't do business with anyone who uses them.
I buy my media bags, algae scraper refills, carbon, salt and a bunch of other little things. Whatever I can really.
But I buy NO livestock online. They all use FedEx and that's an immediate no for me. I don't do business with anyone who uses them.
Probably 90% of my reef stuff already comes from a LFS.
If they have the dry goods I’m looking for and are competitively priced with online (a few bucks more is fine) or if it’s a MAP item, I’ll generally try to buy it at the LFS (often time Neptune products I can get from my LFS but they’re out of stock online…) anyway, corals are hit or miss. Our “bad” LFS usually has good deals on coral. Not so much on fish (it varies though). Our “good” LFS is so overpriced on everything unless they’re running a holiday sale that they’re no where near competitive.
OP
OP
Understandable, the thought doesn't work out for everyone.
prairies
New Member
This is an expensive hobby, in an economy that is tanking more every day (at least it is in Canada). I just can't afford to pay more than I need to. I'll always price out different retailers for dry goods, both storefront and online, and choose whatever best suits my needs at that time (factoring in shipping costs and times, as well as the convenience aspect).
For example, I was just pricing out Marco rock for my new build. I could have my rock shipped across the country and delivered to my doorstep, for much less than it costs to pick up at the store 15 minutes away (the difference is well over $100)
However the lighting is similarly priced, and I don't trust electronics in the mail, so I'll definitely choose to pick up from my LFS. Also makes returns or exchanges much easier.
When it comes to coral and fish, I'll always go for optimal health over anything, price isn't even a factor.
For example, I was just pricing out Marco rock for my new build. I could have my rock shipped across the country and delivered to my doorstep, for much less than it costs to pick up at the store 15 minutes away (the difference is well over $100)
However the lighting is similarly priced, and I don't trust electronics in the mail, so I'll definitely choose to pick up from my LFS. Also makes returns or exchanges much easier.
When it comes to coral and fish, I'll always go for optimal health over anything, price isn't even a factor.
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EliMelly
Valuable Member
Yes that’s exactly what I do as I pay for shipping. I believe carrying it is included in what I pay for. It’s ease of use and convenience. As a business owner the time and convenience of online is worth a lot.
EliMelly
Valuable Member
I have both of them but I hear you. The initiative is great but on my end and I live in LA btw there’s no LFS within 30 min that would even consider doing it… kinda sad
jermzisurmom
Well-Known Member
I know a few in Utah...... And I'm in fl. Just saying. I understand they might not be local to u tho
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