Q: Would You Buy Rare/Exotics in OC?

[Razor7Music]

Well, for those of you who don't see the point of this post/poll and/or those that would rather reply to this post than to take the poll, let me just explain that where I live, you have to drive about 50 miles which takes an hour, to get to a fish store that will order, or carries unusual and hard to get cichlids and it crossed my mind that perhaps it would be a good idea if I opened a fish store down where I live and carriy hard to find cichlids.

Of course this poll is far from scientific in that it will not have a sample of the real potential customers, it was still interesting for me to see how many, if any, of the members of this forum could be considered a potential customer and if it was a good idea to pursue a business or not. So you see, this is not a hypothetical which could seem "stupid." That is why I thought I was specific with the location in my post. I am trying to take an actual poll.

I thank those of you who honestly answered the poll, and for those of you who match the above statement, I'm hoping this gives you a better idea of why I posted it.

Hope that helps.

 

[Razor7Music]

What stores have you tried? I think there are a few very good stores in OC like Ocean Blue and 405 Tropical. They have the fish I was looking for (datnoids, bichirs, aros and peacock bass). They probably have some of the harder to find cichlids you're looking for too.

If you can't find them at those stores, just buy them from MFK members here. There's a ton of members in OC.

(African Cichlids) Those that I have not visited I've called and they pretty much say the same thing. That they only carry the common ones because that's what most of their customers want. Most of their customers wouldn't know a rare cichlid from a common one and would not pay extra.

The only one that comes close is the Reef in Anaheim and lots of his stuff are hybrids. I also don't like that he sells juiced peacocks without telling you they are juiced. I used to not be able to tell so I fell into the trap.

I'm not saying I've tried them all. I can't believe there aren't more, but I've tried many and gave up. Anyone that knows of a LFS (that might not be so local) that carries uncommon African cichlids, please let me know.

Thanks,

 

[Razor7Music]

Don't forget about the real issue with that. Some of those rare and hard to find are expensive to get a hold of. Once you start looking at overhead and costs to pursue keeping and maintaining the shop, it become a lot tougher. That is why you see a lot of fish stores stick to the bread and butter stock.

Very true. A real business plan would be necessary for me to open this. Some other considerations would be, carrying both common and uncommon. Selling online as well as being a LFS. Going in with an existing LFS and just open it as another location and add the rare exotics to the stock. Last but not least, waiting until the economy picks up before opening anything.

Right now, I'm just entertaining the idea. Most of the large goals I've accomplished in life started this way.

Thanks!

 

[navykorman]

its defently worth it. Ive driven over two hours before for some fish. Its all what you put into the hobby.