LFS Price?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Matt S said:
Op
Shop around be patient and wait for a good deal with a fish you like that's the best advice I can give you and what I've learn over the years something will eventually come around.
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Thanks. Yeah, I've learned this over the years as well (hobbyist nearly 30 years). It has to be what I like, at a price I find fair, or I won't buy it.
 
mrtoofay said:
Um.. I disagree. Please keep in mind that you really compare lfs with online shops. Most regular online shops are more expensive than our vendors as we'll. lfs has much more overhead. And their customer base is much smaller. It's going to take much longer for they to sell these more "exotic" plecos. Incurring additional cost and taking on a lot more risk at the same time.


Yes, you get a l240 for half the price if you shop around online. You'll still have to pay shipping for a fish that you don't get to inspect personally. Considering you don't have to deal with shipping charges, possible doa or just general stress from the shipping process, getting to inspect and choose the fish. The prices are not THAT bad.
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I agree in part...I don't mind paying a bit more at a good LFS. I love supporting local business. I always take into account the price difference of a local fish vs. additional shipping, but when it's a case of being grossly over priced, the value of that difference is diminished.
 
Some here may know that I like plecos. I've purchased lots from lfs n online vendors. One example. I got 4 3" l25 scarlets from one of the vendors here for $150 ea. this is few months back before the season really begun, so that's a pretty good price even if you put shipping into consideration. I was shown photos of 7pointers but only 1 out of the 4 was. 2 others were decent but 1 had a lil deformity. Not obvious, but if it's in lfs, can definitely tell. 2 did not survive quarantine process, passed away after 3 days probably too weakened from the stress of shipment to fight the ich that was staring right at me when I opened the box. The 7 pointer survived another week before it passed away as well.

I was was left with a 3" slightly deformed l25 that cost me $600. Now, the lfs would've probably charged $200 or $250+ for a 7 pointer at that size. But it's still cheaper than $600 for a colorless one. I ended up selling it to someone for $100. Of course that is not a typical transaction. But if you ask around and people give you honest answers, you'll definitely hear lots of disappointing stories from online purchases.


Is $250 grossly overpriced compared to $150? Or should we compare it to $600 (well, $660 if you count shipping)? You decide.
 
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