Sticker Shock

StoneyReef · 12-20-2003, 01:05 AM

Today I got kicked out of my LFS. I guess they were not happy when I asked them why they were robbing their customers!

Turbofloter Multi $399

4X65W PC 48" strip light $270

Rio 3100 $125

And the clincher! When I exclaimed "Holy Begeezus!"

Dual 150W Metal halide with dual 65W PC actinic 48" hood: $1500.00

12-20-2003, 01:11 AM

Are these prices high relative to the other shops in the area or are they just high compared to other places in the USA?

StoneyReef · 12-20-2003, 01:16 AM

We had two LFS in town, one went out of business, previously a 200 gallon bucket of Instant Ocean there was $48. Since the other went out of business it is now $69

fidojoe · 12-20-2003, 01:30 AM

Holy cow!!! Those are extremely high! I thought my lfs was ripping people off on their dry goods! I'm glad you said something tho.

Witfull · 12-20-2003, 01:34 AM

out-rageous....i guess they wanted it for show items,,,marked them high so no one would buy them...LOL

StoneyReef · 12-20-2003, 01:36 AM

Actually, they had like 4 of each on the shelf!

Witfull · 12-20-2003, 01:38 AM

with a coating of dust- really thick!

StoneyReef · 12-20-2003, 01:42 AM

yeah along with their $79 potters angels!

or $129 extra large finger leather.

or $70 medium frogspawn!

Witfull · 12-20-2003, 01:43 AM

makes mail order look like a viable option!!

captivereefs · 12-20-2003, 01:44 AM

It s called making a living, paying the rent, utilities and employee's. Until you have been in their shoes it's tough to criticize. The operating cost's alone of a store can approach $10000 per month.Than you have to compete with the chain stores on top of that!

No one forces the customer to buy anything its a free market and the store can charge what they want and the customer can shop where they want. If you made this comment to me I would throw you out to. Would'nt you be upset if I said your reactors are way over priced and you knew that you barely make enough to get by with charging what you do for them? Not a personal attack here but a have done a business plan for a LFS and saw what it takes to run one i can speak from an inside view.I really think the average hobbiest does not fully understand what it takes both money and time wise to run a succesful business. Back off them a little they are just trying too make in a hard business to make it in.

StoneyReef · 12-20-2003, 01:44 AM

no wonder they pay $20 for a red sea xenia frag and $16 for purple montipora! So I just have my friends trade in my frags for me. Toook them a year to figure out one guy who was continually trading in frags knew me!

StoneyReef · 12-20-2003, 01:48 AM

Captive Reefs, I beg to differ, There is a difference between making a profit and making a profit! I actually help out another not so LFS, about a 45 minute drive, and well, this is insane!

Witfull · 12-20-2003, 01:55 AM

i can make references to the pricing, having managed a Large-scale full line LFS for several years, dont screw the customer rule one, jacking the price wont sell it, i sold on lower profit ratio and made more money by selling more. and no my store didnt close, it is still up and running, making money the way its reputaion made it...good products at great prices.
if you screw the customer,,,you wont have them for long

Montanareefer · 12-20-2003, 02:00 AM

Well living in "Middle of Nowhere" Montana our LFS prices are quite reasonable and the owner gives you descent breaks on livestock and dry goods from time to time. We enjoy going there and they are fun to chat with so feel really fortunate.

mnreefman · 12-20-2003, 02:01 AM

stoney what store went out of buisness????

12-20-2003, 01:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
StoneyReef No Longer a Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 243 View Gallery Karma Komment	Sticker Shock Today I got kicked out of my LFS. I guess they were not happy when I asked them why they were robbing their customers! Turbofloter Multi $399 4X65W PC 48" strip light $270 Rio 3100 $125 And the clincher! When I exclaimed "Holy Begeezus!" Dual 150W Metal halide with dual 65W PC actinic 48" hood: $1500.00

12-20-2003, 01:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,584 View Gallery Karma Komment	Holy cow!!! Those are extremely high! I thought my lfs was ripping people off on their dry goods! I'm glad you said something tho. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

12-20-2003, 01:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
captivereefs Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: WI Posts: 215 View Gallery Karma Komment	It s called making a living, paying the rent, utilities and employee's. Until you have been in their shoes it's tough to criticize. The operating cost's alone of a store can approach $10000 per month.Than you have to compete with the chain stores on top of that! No one forces the customer to buy anything its a free market and the store can charge what they want and the customer can shop where they want. If you made this comment to me I would throw you out to. Would'nt you be upset if I said your reactors are way over priced and you knew that you barely make enough to get by with charging what you do for them? Not a personal attack here but a have done a business plan for a LFS and saw what it takes to run one i can speak from an inside view.I really think the average hobbiest does not fully understand what it takes both money and time wise to run a succesful business. Back off them a little they are just trying too make in a hard business to make it in. __________________ credit repair magic credit repair milwaukee mortgage rates self credit repair milwaukee realtors

12-20-2003, 02:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
mnreefman Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,393 View Gallery Karma Komment	stoney what store went out of buisness???? __________________ http://reefrock.com

12-20-2003, 01:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
jupiter Posts: n/a View Gallery	Are these prices high relative to the other shops in the area or are they just high compared to other places in the USA?

12-20-2003, 01:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
StoneyReef No Longer a Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 243 View Gallery Karma Komment	We had two LFS in town, one went out of business, previously a 200 gallon bucket of Instant Ocean there was $48. Since the other went out of business it is now $69

12-20-2003, 01:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
StoneyReef No Longer a Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 243 View Gallery Karma Komment	Actually, they had like 4 of each on the shelf!

12-20-2003, 01:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
StoneyReef No Longer a Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 243 View Gallery Karma Komment	yeah along with their $79 potters angels! or $129 extra large finger leather. or $70 medium frogspawn!

12-20-2003, 01:44 AM	#11 (permalink)
StoneyReef No Longer a Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 243 View Gallery Karma Komment	no wonder they pay $20 for a red sea xenia frag and $16 for purple montipora! So I just have my friends trade in my frags for me. Toook them a year to figure out one guy who was continually trading in frags knew me!

12-20-2003, 01:48 AM	#12 (permalink)
StoneyReef No Longer a Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 243 View Gallery Karma Komment	Captive Reefs, I beg to differ, There is a difference between making a profit and making a profit! I actually help out another not so LFS, about a 45 minute drive, and well, this is insane!

12-20-2003, 02:00 AM	#14 (permalink)
Montanareefer Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,334 View Gallery Karma Komment	Well living in "Middle of Nowhere" Montana our LFS prices are quite reasonable and the owner gives you descent breaks on livestock and dry goods from time to time. We enjoy going there and they are fun to chat with so feel really fortunate.

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