Support your LFS before they're gone!

[Pipo5]

I ony buy from my LFS every fish,coral and gear have came frome a lfs. They have everything i need and over time u grow customer relations and are very helpful. When The pandemic 1st hit I seen how much it affected my community friends and family and a lot of stores closed down but the big box stores still open so I no longer order online I shop local now and u can't beat the customer service and Being able to speak to somebody about what u need is so great i don't even go to big chain restaurants either.

I have 5 LFS within 30 minutes of my house At 1 point I needed some Di resin but I didn't want to order online because you need to spend $50 to get free shipping so I drove 1 hour to a different LFS the owner asked me where i was from He was wondering y i drove an hour for some Di resin and I told him that I only support local he was so surprised and Appreciative that he gave me a free coral. And now i still go there tim to time.

 

[cancun]

Absolutely!!! I totally love my 4 LFS'S I go too. I only buy live stock from them. I know the owners and employees of each one. It's important to support your LFS as others have said. I would hate to loose my fish stores. I like to see the fish or coral I am buying before I buy it. Most of my dry goods came from them too, including my tank.

Plus like others have mentioned, if you have a good relationship with your LFS they can order me harder to get fish, or can come right over in an emergency.

 

[cancun]

I’ve made this point many times before ….. any of the LFS that survive near me do so because they’re mostly transitioned to a service business. I don’t think a handful of hobbyists going out of their way to buy locally will make much difference. I transitioned to almost 100% online years ago. It’s just better. Not unique to this hobby either, specialty retailers are disappearing across most domains. World has changed, and legacy business models with it.

Yeah my LFS I go to all have a big service business, serving both residential and business customers tanks. The owners told me that is how they stay in business.

 

[Lps_lover12]

I wish I could support mine. I’ve had too many bad experiences, gave my tank ich then a few weeks later velvet (partially my fault for not qt) but I was still new to the hobby and knew nothing and trusted him, big mistake. He said his tanks are all run with copper even though he has inverts and coral in every tank. Jacks the prices up super high and has terrible information, annoys me just driving by. Tells me I can put any fish in my tank (says I could get a naso tang for my 4ft tank) after one google I realized there was no way I could. I really wish I could support local as I know the struggles, my dad owns his own local company. And I support local in every way possible, just not after all the stuff he has done to me. But for anyone who has a lfs they trust and has good quality stuff, keep supporting them!

Local businesses have far more knowledge then the big box companies and more experience and your not just a number to them!

 

[Opus]

We are lucky in the DFW area, a huge list of stores and if one closes there seems to be a new one open up to replace it. Unfortunately for me most of the really good ones seem to be an hour+ drive for me. We even have had stores do group buys and offer great prices on salt by bringing in a pallet or 2 at once, or on certain coral such as ricordia. The real death around me is the freshwater stores. We only have a couple that really have any sort of selection other than the normal stuff. Again, they are over an hour drive for me.

I have no idea about the long term success of the lfs, but the one nearest to me has told me more than once that business has been booming. They are actually in the process of adding a lot more tanks.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Been fortunate, Los Angeles/Orange County area is a epicenter for trans Pacific livestock importing combined with a LOT of folks in the hobby (fresh & salt). Good established LFS stores hold out here. My two go to's have both been around for 30+ years and it shows on the interiors, but IDK about flashy, just good prices on (overall healthy) livestock, frozen food and corals! I order dry goods online and stuff I can wait for, but I do make a point for them to get my business when I can.

 

[damsels are not mean]

The one I used to go to closed (owner just wanted to retire I hear, not that they were running out of money or anything). There's a few smaller ones in the area but that means less selection. It's hard for stores to compete with online when I can get basically whatever animal I need online any time with the only disadvantage being a 1-2 day wait and $30 shipping. A few months ago I wanted a specific species and although several online stores listed it in stock the 3 LFS I called about it either had none or hadn't heard of it. I waited a couple weeks and tried again, same result. So I just ate the $30 shipping and had it.

It used to be that LFS was the place to go when you needed something specific but now that seems reversed. There used to be more inverts and weird stuff to impulse buy there. Now it's all just the standards, and then a bunch of coral that is just as overpriced at the store as it is online. Also I try to go captive bred when possible and I don't trust that biota fish will stay clean in a tank next to 30 firefish from mystery buckets.

 

[Steph72]

Yes!!!! I agree that it’s so important to support local folks. We have some awesome lfs here in Houston.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

My LFS which is 1 block away. Their business model is... interesting. Their retail prices are well above manufacturers list. Let's say the manufacturer’s SRP is $140, well the price marked is going to be $200! They will be the first to match an online price and they do that for me, but only because I asked. I imagine countless ppl. walk in there pick up an item and go "No Thanks" at that price. They have a lot of inventory and most of it is been around for a while.
They are a nice bunch of guys, but in reality only get a small portion of my business.

 

[killer2001]

I have Living Reef Orlando, Top Shelf Aquatics, and WWC near me. I pretty much will order online for local pickup and I have to leave my major credit cards at home because its going to be trouble if I don't. Too many nice shiny things to buy!

 

[Reefer_kano]

So much of the equipment we buy is MAP (minimum advertised price) priced so everyone charges the same. Might as well give your lfs the business. They might have it in stock or can get it for you within a few days. If you're a regular customer you might even get a discount. It won't be much as the margins are slim but every bit helps when it's time for new coral frags or other livestock.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Right now many manufacturers are offering Black Friday sales. Your lfs also gets the better pricing but at a short window to buy so they can't always take advantage of bringing in a bunch for inventory. So understand if the lfs sometimes can't meet the discount. On the other hand...































































































































































































































































I got a used (discontinued) protein skimmer from my lfs with the proviso that I could return it within 3 months for credit if I didn't like it. Turns out the pump wouldn't start. I called him about getting either a Simplicity 540DC or RedSea 900.































































































































































































































































I checked the internet prices for both and they're very close. I called my lfs about getting one or the other and he informed me that the Simplicity was discounted 10% for Black Friday pricing. He took off another 5% for my trouble with the used PS. None of the big box internet companies show that discount yet.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































I also like buying livestock locally as I can see what I'm getting and his pricing is fair. A small sailfin tang is $20, an Orchid Dottyback pseudochromis is $35. He also has a small purple tang for $199. I'm thinking of putting it on hold till my tank is ready for it.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Too many local fish stores around here are gone. It's the same everywhere. So please, if you have a good lfs near you please support them as much as possiblIe.































































































































So much of the equipment we buy is MAP (minimum advertised price) priced so everyone charges the same. Might as well give your lfs the business. They might have it in stock or can get it for you within a few days. If you're a regular customer you might even get a discount. It won't be much as the margins are slim but every bit helps when it's time for new coral frags or other livestock.































































































































Right now many manufacturers are offering Black Friday sales. Your lfs also gets the better pricing but at a short window to buy so they can't always take advantage of bringing in a bunch for inventory. So understand if the lfs sometimes can't meet the discount. On the other hand...































































I got a used (discontinued) protein skimmer from my lfs with the proviso that I could return it within 3 months for credit if I didn't like it. Turns out the pump wouldn't start. I called him about getting either a Simplicity 540DC or RedSea 900.































































I checked the inte







et prices for both and they're very close. I called my lfs about getting one or the other and he informed me that the Simplicity was discounted 10% for Black Friday pricing. He took off another 5% for my trouble with the used PS. None othe big box internet companies show that discount yet.































































































































I also like buying livestock locally as I can see what I'm getting and his pricing is fair. A small sailfin tang is $20, an Orchid Dottyback pseudochromis is $35. He also has a small purple tang for $199. I'm thinking of putting it on hold till my tank is ready for it.































































































































Too many local fish stores around here are gone. It's the same everywhere. So please, if you have a good lfs near you please support them as much as possible.







So much of the equipment we buy is MAP (minimum advertised price) priced so everyone charges the same. Might as well give your lfs the business. They might have it in stock or can get it for you within a few days. If you're a regular customer you might even get a discount. It won't be much as the margins are slim but every bit helps when it's time for new coral frags or other livestock.







Right now many manufacturers are offering Black Friday sales. Your lfs also gets the better pricing but at a short window to buy so they can't always take advantage of bringing in a bunch for inventory. So understand if the lfs sometimes can't meet the discount. On the other hand...



I got a used (discontinued) protein skimmer from my lfs with the proviso that I could return it within 3 months for credit if I didn't like it. Turns out the pump wouldn't start. I called him about getting either a Simplicity 540DC or RedSea 900.



I checked the internet prices for both and they're very close. I called my lfs about getting one or the other and he informed me that the Simplicity was discounted 10% for Black Friday pricing. He took off another 5% for my trouble with the used PS. None of the big box internet companies show that discount yet.







I also like buying livestock locally as I can see what I'm getting and his pricing is fair. A small sailfin tang is $20, an Orchid Dottyback pseudochromis is $35. He also has a small purple tang for $199. I'm thinking of putting it on hold till my tank is ready for it.







Too many local fish stores around here are gone. It's the same everywhere. So please, if you have a good lfs near you please support them as much as possible.

 

[tydeck]

What a great post. I always try to support the local shop. My LFS is strictly fish.

Their prices on livestock are more than fair. No shipping. Always willing to try and get something.

Equipment is more expensive than online, but when there’s a problem with it, they always are there to help you out. Online can’t do that.

Have a bad buy on livestock, aggression etc. They always will take it back for an exchange.

If everyone keeps going online. These shops won’t be here much longer. They day of stores is closing.

 

[Reefer_kano]

So much of the equipment we buy is MAP (minimum advertised price) priced so everyone charges the same. Might as well give your lfs the business. They might have it in stock or can get it for you within a few days. If you're a regular customer you might even get a discount. It won't be much as the margins are slim but every bit helps when it's time for new coral frags or other livestock.































































































































Right now many manufacturers are offering Black Friday sales. Your lfs also gets the better pricing but at a short window to buy so they can't always take advantage of bringing in a bunch for inventory. So understand if the lfs sometimes can't meet the discount. On the other hand...































































I got a used (discontinued) protein skimmer from my lfs with the proviso that I could return it within 3 months I checked the internet prices for both and they're very close. I called my lfs about getting one or the other and he informed me that the Simplicity was discounted 10% for Black Friday pricing. He took off another 5% for my trouble with the used PS. None of the big box internet companies show I also like buying livestock locally as I can see what I'm getting and his pricing is fair. A small sailfin tang is $20, an Orchid Dottyback pseudochromis is $35. He also has a small purple tang for $199. I'm thinking of putting it on hold till my tankyou please support them as much as possible.

So much of the equipment we buy is MAP (minimum advertised price) priced so everyone charges the same. Might as well give your lfs the business. They might have it in stock or can get it for you within a few days. If you're a regular customer you might even get a discount. It won't be much as the margins are slim but every bit helps when it's time for new coral frags or other livestock.

Right now many manufacturers are offering Black Friday sales. Your lfs also gets the better pricing but at a short window to buy so they can't always take advantage of bringing in a bunch for inventory. So understand if the lfs sometimes can't meet the discount. On the other hand...

I got a used (discontinued) protein skimmer from my lfs with the proviso that I could return it within 3 months for credit if I didn't like it. Turns out the pump wouldn't start. I called him about getting either a Simplicity 540DC or RedSea 900.

I checked the internet prices for both and they're very close. I called my lfs about getting one or the other and he informed me that the Simplicity was discounted 10% for Black Friday pricing. He took off another 5% for my trouble with the used PS. None of the big box internet companies show that discount yet.


I also like buying livestock locally as I can see what I'm getting and his pricing is fair. A small sailfin tang is $20, an Orchid Dottyback pseudochromis is $35. He also has a small purple tang for $199. I'm thinking of putting it on hold till my tank is ready for it.

Too many local fish stores around here are gone. It's the same everywhere. So please, if you have a good lfs near you please support them as much as possible.

So much of the equipment we buy is MAP (minimum advertised price) priced so everyone charges the same. Might as well give your lfs the business. They might have it in stock or can get it for you within a few days. If you're a regular customer you might even get a discount. It won't be much as the margins are slim but every bit helps when it's time for new coral frags or other livestock.

Right now many manufacturers are offering Black Friday sales. Your lfs also gets the better pricing but at a short window to buy so they can't always take advantage of bringing in a bunch for inventory. So understand if the lfs sometimes can't meet the discount. On the other hand...
I got a used (discontinued) protein skimmer from my lfs with the proviso that I could return it within 3 months for credit if I didn't like it. Turns out the pump wouldn't start. I called him about getting either a Simplicity 540DC or RedSea 900.
I checked the internet prices for both and they're very close. I called my lfs about getting one or the other and he informed me that the Simplicity was discounted 10% for Black Friday pricing. He took off another 5% for my trouble with the used PS. None of the big box internet companies show that discount yet.

I also like buying livestock locally as I can see what I'm getting and his pricing is fair. A small sailfin tang is $20, an Orchid Dottyback pseudochromis is $35. He also has a small purple tang for $199. I'm thinking of putting it on hold till my tank is ready for it.

Too many local fish stores around here are gone. It's the same everywhere. So please, if you have a good lfs near you please support them as much as possible.

I wouldn't mind at all helping my LFS but... when they charge 400.00 for a purple tang (any size)

So much of the equipment we buy is MAP (minimum advertised price) priced so everyone charges the same. Might as well give your lfs the business. They might have it in stock or can get it for you within a few days. If you're a regular customer you might even get a discount. It won't be much as the margins are slim but every bit helps when it's time for new coral frags or other livestock.

Right now many manufacturers are offering Black Friday sales. Your lfs also gets the better pricing but at a short window to buy so they can't always take advantage of bringing in a bunch for inventory. So understand if the lfs sometimes can't meet the discount. On the other hand...
I got a used (discontinued) protein skimmer from my lfs with the proviso that I could return it within 3 months for credit if I didn't like it. Turns out the pump wouldn't start. I called him about getting either a Simplicity 540DC or RedSea 900.
I checked the internet prices for both and they're very close. I called my lfs about getting one or the other and he informed me that the Simplicity was discounted 10% for Black Friday pricing. He took off another 5% for my trouble with the used PS. None of the big box internet companies show that discount yet.

I also like buying livestock locally as I can see what I'm getting and his pricing is fair. A small sailfin tang is $20, an Orchid Dottyback pseudochromis is $35. He also has a small purple tang for $199. I'm thinking of putting it on hold till my tank is ready for it.

Too many local fish stores around here are gone. It's the same everywhere. So please, if you have a good lfs near you please support them as much as possible.

I wouldn't mind at all buy everything I need or want from my LFS, but...
When they charge 400.00 for a purple tang (any size)
Nickel size yellow tang for 229.00.
Corals tanks with aptasia, GHA.
It sucks around here because it's the only one around, the next one is an hr away.

But I do agree completely with you, as long as its reasonable.

 

[jkcoon]

meh, most of my local shops are shady as hell... they made their beds, now they get to lay in them. I don't buy into the whole "buy local", "buy small business", etc - just for the sake of padding the pockets of the owner. If they are going to survive, they have to out-perform their competition.

 

[xabo]

Kind of hard to support with hours like these:

HOURS​

Monday
4 - 8PM
Tuesday
4 - 8PM
Wednesday
4 - 8PM
Thursday
4 - 8PM
Friday
4 - 8PM
Saturday
12 - 6PM
Sunday
Closed

Another:

MONDAY & TUESDAY: BY APPOINTMENT
WEDNESDAY 12PM–6PM
THURSDAY 11AM–4PM
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 12PM–4PM
SUNDAY CLOSED​

And Another:
Monday-Tuesday  Appointments Only
Wednesday-Friday 12PM-6:30PM
Saturday-Sunday  10AM-5:30PM

 

[Montiman]

I love the LFS and used to work at an LFS however, I believe that R2R users are not the target audience of the LFS. There are simply not that many nerdy reef geeks and the LFS does not meet their needs as well as online vendors do.

Here is an example. I told my LFS I want a Gigas Clam. ORA has them and I know they can order them but I also know that random people off the street don't ask for these. The LFS told me that they could order me one but it would take a month before they were able to get in a new order. Meanwhile, I can order one online and have it next week for the same price. Same about dry goods. I really wanted some Brightwell Phosphate E but the LFS doesn't stock it and would charge as much as Amazon with prime delivery. As a nerdy reefer the LFS often doesn't have what I want.

What the LFS is good for is people who don't know what they want. If I came in and said I wanted a clam but didn't know which ones the LFS had Derasas and Maximas and they could sell me one at a reasonable price and tell me all about how to care for them. If I came in and said I had a phosphate problem they could sell me a phosphate test kit, GFO, and Lanthanum but they likely only have 1 brand of GFO, test kit, and Lanthanum. If I didn't know what I wanted or needed to fix my problem the LFS would have a solution.

The core customer at the LFS is the beginner. The LFS can sell them a skimmer of some brand, a tang of some type, some form of calcium and alkalinity supplement, but the chances of them having the exact brand of 2 part you want, the specific model of skimmer, or the specific gucci frag you are hunting for are low.

This is why we need to support the LFS. They are instrumental in introducing people to the hobby and helping people set up their first tanks. Most LFS owners are seasoned reefers who can guide people in how to take care of a tank using their method. This is great for beginners but doesn't fit us as well once we mature as reefers. I do my best to support the LFS because I want them to continue to get more people into this awesome hobby.

 

[Steph72]

I have Living Reef Orlando, Top Shelf Aquatics, and WWC near me. I pretty much will order online for local pickup and I have to leave my major credit cards at home because its going to be trouble if I don't. Too many nice shiny things to buy!

I’m so jealous! I love Living Reef Orlando! Ann is a total sweetheart

 

[rc8t6353]

I am blessed to have a variety of shops in the Chicago area + conventions that are pretty stellar so I haven't bought online before... I will always go to my LFS and try to give them my money, the relationship alone is worth any additional price. Not to mention the satisfaction of going out, buying your new toy or inhabitant, and immediately getting to see it in your home.

Plus, if you build a good relationship with your LFS you'll almost certainly get better pricing over time and added flexibility with special orders on any livestock/products you may be interested in.

If you don't mind, can you name a few. I'm in NWI. I live a few minutes from the Ark. I absolutely love them, but wanna see what's out there.

 

[mjszos]

If you don't mind, can you name a few. I'm in NWI. I live a few minutes from the Ark. I absolutely love them, but wanna see what's out there.

I'm in the southwest suburbs, so about an hour or so from the border. I'm a big fan of the following... Haven't ventured too far out of these though. I lived in South Bend for a little while, Divine Aquatic was fine... But really options were super limited in my experience.

Suburbs:
Blue Line Coral (this is my regular shop and I absolutely love the place. Their website hold auctions regularly and you can pick up some great pieces of really reasonable prices)
Gingerbread Tropical Fish & Coral
Reefwise
Aquatica (They have a massive shark tank in the middle of the store that is worth the trip alone)
I'm sure I'm missing a few, and I sincerely apologize to the owners...

In Chicago:
Old Town Aquarium
Tank It Easy

 

[Reefer Matt]

No lfs in my county. So I started a business myself. Just not a brick and mortar.