Lfs worried about internet ruining their business

[wild bill]

Funny you guys brought up rare or odd fish I told my wife we should keep afew fosso;s on hand just sowe will have the odballs that will bring people out. No one knows what the future will bring but I still believe there will always be a need for the lfs for emergencies and then price kinda goes out the window. If you need it now to save your fish you can't order it tommorow its to late. Food is another thing we would love to buy bulk NLS but there is no such thing. This leads to another question does anybody use JandJ aqutics food and what do you think of it. We can get it in bulk online and save a bundle but the border does'nt want to let it across. That is a big issue for us. We would also love to ship fish the US but heard its a nightmare.

 

[Catfishracer]

How did you get into the hobby? Did you see fish online or did you go to a LFS? People with your attitude are the reason many local fish stores are out of business. I will always support local fish stores, even if it costs a little more. I happen to enjoy viewing tropical fish live. You never know what you are going to find.

I used to fish a lot and wanted a way too bring them home to look at. That's how I got into it. But I catch your drift.


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[Andrewtfw]

If they are worried about it they should get some oxygen tanks and other shipping supplies and start offering stuff online with shipping.

It is not so easy. Many lfs buy from wholesalers. By the time the fish price reflects the wholesalers fee, shipping fee, airport to store costs, employees and store overhead costs, the lfs has priced itself out of competition.

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[badassissimo]

Thought I'd check back. Guess nobody thought my post was relevant. lol

It seems a lot of us can't find what we're looking for at our LFS. Some of us can't support our LFS actions. I'm curious if Petsmart and Petco really carry a better quality and variety of product to justify them. I know when I walk into a store like Petco or Petsmart, the impression I'm given is friendly staff who want to meet my needs and there's legible information everywhere I look to make me comfortable with a purchase. When I go to LFS stores, I usually have the impression that I should know what I want and ask for it. Likewise, the answers I get are less package oriented and more direct. Neither store I've visited will extend a sale beyond their manufacturer contract. I can ask for what I want but they won't order it and default their contracts. An LFS might order it if they can find it in or out of contract but everyone in the conversation knows it'd be half that cost online. (pumps, lights, etc.). The variety of fish is a matter of the supply breeder. Neither would go out of the way to try and build a second contract where available for the one fish I would ask for. It's not even an option on the table for that reason so aquabid and other websites are first choice for a buyer.

The big difference that may save a LFS since they don't necessarily provide less than a chain store is that their customer impression is less welcoming. Chain stores always have options and packages in mind. LFS not so much. I think a LFS that always offered packages or suggested items would have a better chance at business than what I'm used to visiting.

Anyone agree? Maybe this is what LFS need to do.

 

[wantokeeptrout]

I've only been in the hobby with a good idea of what i've been doing a short time and never shipped, but i guess i'm lucky. I'm 5 minutes from a small mom & pop store with limited selection aimed at beginners and other pets like mammals and birds, albiet the stock is healthy and the owners are firendly and knowledgeable (they had a firemouth pair that spawned every 3 weeks and now have a new harem of crimson tides) and the gear they have is usually a very good deal and quality, albiet for smaller tanks. 1 hour away is a Big als packed to the gills with high end "big boy toys" and fish you rarely see outside of google, every time i visit i find a new species to google. To me it's the process of shipping that scares me, even though i'll likely have to do it should i move. I don't feel entirely comfortable putting so much money into a purchase where million things could go wrong between the seller and my house. in addition if i needed to return something I'd have no Idea where to begin for wrapping up a fish for return or confirm an order etc...

 

[wednesday13]

Good debate...i often feel bad for my "mom and pop" fish shop and try to help them out but 9 times outta 10 im getting ripped off on simple items like filter pads,meds, food etc. Its just not affordable unless in an emergency as posted already. I will say i do not mind "helping" them out by paying an extra $10-$20 for a fish i want but when i know i can get it for less than half the price even with shipping costs its hard to feel bad. I also tried suggesting they order in more "rare" fish and theyd get in more people like us, but the "oldtimers" just dont understand how far we drive and what we do $$$$ to aquire the rareities we all collect and keep. Ive also tried to be nice and ask them to get me what im looking for but again its always waaaay overpriced, never gets ordered in and honestly i used to be a weekly customer but dont "need" to go there for anything. What i find funny is that a typical person with a computer can have a better selection shipped to their front door than most mom and pop fish stores. Just a knowledge gap i guess idk...hard to give a mom and pop store money when you know ur getting hosed.

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