I have been one both sides. I have asked for discounts but usually if I buy bulk. and I have offered to pay full price on things for sale and didn't get the item b/c the employee didn't want to waste his time getting it out of the tank. so yeah I'll ask for discounts on fish not dry goods. but that's mostly b/c I have seen some wholesalers lists and I hate the 300% markup.
Do You Try to Bargain at the LFS?
- Thread starter johnnycoolxx
- Start date
I don't bargain at my LFS when the asking price is reasonable. If the asking price is too high, I would just move on... However, bargaining or asking for a little discount is not such a bad idea at times. I paid the asking price and then the next guy that bargained got the lower price. 
Never.
Often at my favorite LFS after all my purchases are up on the counter the owner telss me he is giving me a break here and there.I thank him for it but would never ask.
Often at my favorite LFS after all my purchases are up on the counter the owner telss me he is giving me a break here and there.I thank him for it but would never ask.
im friends with a guy that owns a reef shop he treats me prety good. My friend that gose there alot usually spends moocho money and the owner knos im usually with that guy that spends like wild so he cuts me a break cause he knos i dont have the cash to throw around that my buddy has.
depending on the store and how well i know the people there, i can usually knock off a few bucks.
I often pay more and tell them to keep the change. I know that they are hurting for profits and are struggling to stay afloat. Plus, I dont want to be "that guy" who annoys the hell outta everyone. What makes you think you deserve a deal everytime?
i'm not sure about other areas but I do not mark up I think anything 300%. Our piece of the pie is getting much smaller over the years then it use to be. Mark up on dry goods is not always that high. Back in the day before internet you could get a double or a 4 time mark up & make some money. I remember back in the day there were pet stores that only sold dry goods & made a living doing it because having the livestock is a lot more work & expensive. I visit most of the box & what is left of the independents stores to price check etc. I also Get D&F sale magazines & on the net I see what is what? If a product is being sold for next to nothing I look for something else to sell because I can not survive if I do not make any money! Many know I'm in the retail because I love the hobby a lot & have some great loyal customers the keep me pluggin away. Many have said they gotta make sure I stay in business because were the best store.
Its almost human nature to ask for a deal. Thats why some places raise the prices knowing mr. big bucks is coming in wanting a deal. It is funny because a lot them that do want a deal are the ones driving a Benz or a Ferrari. Oh & Pro sport players can be real bad! Crazy what they make a week, I do not even make a year & they want something for Free!
Offer the independents cash is my advice for a little discount because credit fees usually can be about 5% of a transaction & then they have to wait 24-72 hours to get the money. Especially now when cash flow is tight & trying to pay bills it is better to have the $ now then latter.
me again
Its almost human nature to ask for a deal. Thats why some places raise the prices knowing mr. big bucks is coming in wanting a deal. It is funny because a lot them that do want a deal are the ones driving a Benz or a Ferrari. Oh & Pro sport players can be real bad! Crazy what they make a week, I do not even make a year & they want something for Free!
Offer the independents cash is my advice for a little discount because credit fees usually can be about 5% of a transaction & then they have to wait 24-72 hours to get the money. Especially now when cash flow is tight & trying to pay bills it is better to have the $ now then latter.
me again
