Exactly. If all there was available was the typical boring stuff I see at lfs in my area I would have quit the hobby long before now. Then the lfs wouldn't be selling me any food or supplies, either-- stuff I still buy from them if they have what I want.
My problem with lfs is there are very few anymore that appeal to or market to a serious hobbyist. I'd have no need to buy online if I still lived near some of the excellent lfs I've seen in the past, stores where they had impressive display tanks, a great selection of fish that wasn't exactly the same all the time, and where they were also brought in new or unusual fish, to the point you could look forward to spending some real time there instead of being bored in less than five minutes. The closest lfs to me has one display tank... a little 55 gal typically stocked with tetras, barbs, maybe an overpriced baby oscar or a couple of overpriced angelfish. Not going to get it done for a serious hobbyist.
Totally agree, and I'm north of the border. Only 1 LFS i my town, gives terrible service, same old fish each week, and seems content with dealing with the average aquarist that wants tetras and barbs. I've tried several times to work with them to bring in stuff for me (either fish or equipment, offered to share shipping costs) but if it isnt on the shelf then I'm not going to get it. Pretty useless to the moderate to serious hobbyists. Some basic equipment but nothing high end or big. Guppy males are like $7, zebra danios are $3. Crumby africans (my current passion) that start at $15 and go up from there. We had a Petland for a few years but they closed shop last year. Even worse for fish prices. $7 for a swordtail, $10-12 for a guppy pair. That's rediculous. Next town is 1hr and has a Pet Smart and fish prices are much less (ie zebra danios $1), much more selection of fish and equipment but they are an hour away.
Nothing exceptional or even decent around here for africans so I ordered fish from someone online that is in my province. Fish that are far superior and not even available around here for significantly less money. $35 to fly them here, cheap in my mind for what I got. Why would I pay $45 for a drab inferior fish when I can get a phenominal fish flown in for $15? I don't agree with the comments about liking to get fish locally to know what they are. If they're just being boxed up and shipped from some big wholesaler (like most of them are) do you really know what you're getting? My preference is from an expert breeder that focusses on the type of fish I'm looking for. If they have a good reputation I trust them to do right by me. With all the forums out there I can quickly spread the word if someone screws me.
I also just ordered a bunch of equipment (heaters, controller etc) that aren't even available locally either. I ordered online from Vancouver, and they are a RETAIL store but experts in the field and also sell online. Excellent service and excellent prices (same online or in-store).
My experience with LFS is they have a small mentality in that they just want to cater to the average Joe that has a fish die every month in their 29g tank and just keeps replacing them. They don't want to work with those of us who are bigger into the hobby, even though we are the ones that are more likely to spend the big bucks.
I have had excellent service in some LFS's over the years but they seem to be the exception and that's too bad.
Last comment, promise! I don't like seeing people on craigslist etc. flogging convict cichlids for $1 (or whatever the fish is). I don't think that does anyone any good and really can hurt our LFS's. Don't breed if you haven't got an outlet for those dozens and dozens of fry. That just waters down the market and probably influencing the quality of fish available to all.
