Only if the fish is extremely overpriced. but my lfs usually give me discounts because I'm a regular.
Do You Try to Bargain at the LFS?
- Thread starter johnnycoolxx
- Start date
I usually aim for 25% off saltwater and high end freshwater fish.
As for comparing a grocer to a lfs, a grocer has incredibly slim margins, 2-10% and relies on volume for profit.
Your lfs has much lower volume, but margins can be anywhere from 10-250%. So they can afford to haggle a bit.
Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
As for comparing a grocer to a lfs, a grocer has incredibly slim margins, 2-10% and relies on volume for profit.
Your lfs has much lower volume, but margins can be anywhere from 10-250%. So they can afford to haggle a bit.
Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
i never really got a good deal at my lfs. and they are asian! so dont think they give u a bargin lol
What if its a 12'' BGK that no doubt someone dropped off since they couldn't keep it anymore, its in the tank and there is no label...it's at a BigAl's I was considering just picking up a small one they have for like $15 but I asked about this 1 and they guy was like "uhh...50 bucks" can I go back on Sunday, ask a different guy and if he says 50 can I be like well what about 40? I don't really wana pay 50+ tax but if its under 50 all together I would take it
SimonL;3712347; said:
It IS acceptable to bargain at the LFS. I know because I've done it successfully dozens of times. And I never got a dirty look from the owner. All I got was a "Thank you."
Like I said before, people in Asia are used to haggling and here in the L.A. area, many LFS owners are Asian and WILL bargain with you. I know it sounds stereotypical, but it's true, (most) Asian owners will bargain with you because they're used to it in their countries and white owners will NOT bargain because people generally don't bargain in this country.
I don't think it's right to equate bargaining with being a cheapskate or trying to rip people off like a lot of people here are implying. When I bargain, all I'm doing is making a counteroffer and it's up to the owner to say yes or no. It's not like I'm trying to buy a $100 fish for $50. I'm trying to buy a $100 fish for $90 or $85. That's a fair offer and there's nothing wrong with that. If an owner gets offended by my counteroffer, I can just go to 7 other stores that will bargain with me for a similar fish or product.
I think people are afraid to bargain because they don't want to look cheap (like in your grocery store example) but many owners I know would be happy to sell their products at a small discount than to have it sit on the shelf for a few more months or not sell at all.
phillydog1958;3712350; said:
Maybe it depends where you live. In my area, we have so many fish stores and most owners (probably 2 out of 3 I'd say) are willing to bargain to get and keep customers.
If you're in an area where there's only 1 or 2 fish stores, you're SOL and will probably pay full price + tax. Or if the owner is offended by someone even asking for a small discount, forget it.
It's just a different way of looking at business. Some owners will refuse to sell unless they make the profit they expect while others are willing to move their products at a lower margin and get more people through the door by being price competitive. The first store will most likely keep their products on the shelf much longer. In a bad economy like this, I think the stores that are willing to bargain will be more successful.
A great reason for joining a fish club is that members often get discounts a LFS in the area. For example, Capital Cichlid Association members get 10% off at many of the LFS stores in the DC / B'more area.
The best way to get discounts is to be a good customer to the store. If the owner and folks who work there know who you are...and think you're a good customer...then they'll help you out. Show up every now and again and try to shake them down every time...and you'll get no where.
Another way to get discounts is to trade fish for store credit.... I buy a lot of the basic stuff I need by purchasing with credit at LFS. Maybe I could get a bottle of prime for a couple of bucks less online...but I'd rather pay $12 in credit than $9 in cash.
In short, be reasonable. If you're buying 6 of a $10 fish, asking for 6/$50 isn't unreasonable. Asking for 6 for $30 is. So is quoting online prices for equipment.
Unless you want the ONLY place to get fish and supplies to be online and Mart stores, then support good LFS!
Matt
The best way to get discounts is to be a good customer to the store. If the owner and folks who work there know who you are...and think you're a good customer...then they'll help you out. Show up every now and again and try to shake them down every time...and you'll get no where.
Another way to get discounts is to trade fish for store credit.... I buy a lot of the basic stuff I need by purchasing with credit at LFS. Maybe I could get a bottle of prime for a couple of bucks less online...but I'd rather pay $12 in credit than $9 in cash.
In short, be reasonable. If you're buying 6 of a $10 fish, asking for 6/$50 isn't unreasonable. Asking for 6 for $30 is. So is quoting online prices for equipment.
Unless you want the ONLY place to get fish and supplies to be online and Mart stores, then support good LFS!
Matt
rojowe;3712915; said:
I don't know how your lfs work over there, but if a fish is returned by someone that can no longer look after it over here then the stores won't buy them off you but take them for free and just have you sign a statement saying you gave them the fish (that's how the ones i've seen work anyway.) The problem i then have with this is that if a large fish has been given to them for free by someone who'd not known what they'd gotten into and couldn't look after/house the fish properly and they've done the right thing by taking it back the lfs, the lfs then profits big time from this, especially from something like a 12" bgk, by putting a large price tag on it.
Asking 'how much is the xxxxxxx that you will have had returned for free?' works
I haggled on a $450 dollar ray! I saved like $50 and it costed the owner $350 to get it to him plus food he had it in his 750 gallon tank for over a month!
i completely agree, i am happy to pay extra for things like water conditioner when i could go 2 petsmart and get it for 5$ less, knowing you are helping good honest people just trying to run a business is a good feelingSimonL;3712347; said:
