Supply and Demand = " Rip OFF "

[ChickenTeeth]

I firmly believe that Manufacturers, Wholesalers and Retailers are in collusion to gouge the average Fishkeeper! They monopolize their products and arbitarily set market prices for their merchandize.
I find the raw cost of materials used in production of these filters, replacement cartridges, specialized additives and formulated foods not commensurate with the final purchasing price. Is plexiglass so expensive that a simple overflow box can cost over $50? Is a piece of replacement foam worth $6?, when a whole bag of kitchen sponges is less than $3?
When I compare, the same product availiable in third world countries, I am outraged. Why should I have to pay more just because they feel I can afford it?
When I buy supplies now, for my aquarium needs, I buy POND stuff. Its is cheaper, it is the same stuff!
Countries like China can take a product and reverse engineer it and produce it for a fraction of the cost!
How then does a manufacturer justify its high prices?
Screw them. I won't pay!
What do you MFK'ers do to keep you running costs low? Do you substitute things? Or do you go without?

 

[repair]

You have to keep in mind that the LFS marks things up 200 - 300%. Do you think that the people work there for free? is their rent free? how about insurance? How about product lost to shoplifters? How abou the livestock that die after they have had it a few days?

Yes they are able to make things cheaper then they sale them for and you could buy them cheaper in a 3rd world country.... move there and see if you are happy to have saved the money.

People that have never run a business have no idea how much it costs just to be ready to sell things.

Don't compliane too much untill you have run a business. My insurance that hopefully I'll never use costs me over $3,600 a year. My sister is a doctor and pays over $30,000 in insurance.

Hope this opens your eyes.

 

[ChickenTeeth]

At least you have a well though out reply!

 

[BastardFish]

Ok I have to jump on the band wagon here too. I totally agree with you on this! What pisses me off even more are the Asian especially Thi breeders of ornamental fish example the Flowerhorn. JACKING the price up over a 100% mark up. Everyone knows that our American money goes beond a long way there. I believe the excange rate is 40 to 1 . These fish are in abundence there like Oscars are to us. I have a real problem with some DI*K over there charging us $1500 or so for a fish that cost them almost nothing and when $1500 over there is 60,000 Fu*k that. And people wonder why the market here in the States is not existing and not taking off. This is why you have to go on-line to look for these fish and their not in store hardly ever. If they are they are shi*y quality! This is because no right minded American will be willing to pay so much for any Fish!! This drives me up the wall

 

[BastardFish]

The fact that they are geting away with this is Bullsh*t just because we are American and they think we can afford it MAKE UM PAY IT!
tHIS IS THE REASON i AM trying to bbreed these guy very soon on a large scale. Someone has to cut these Bastards out and off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[Caveman]

As long as people are willing to pay the prices we will never see them go down they will just keep going up.

 

[BastardFish]

AHH
unless we create our own market!

 

[BastardFish]

Ah unless we create our own market for them! This fish is not a Arowana of something that is almost imposable to breed in Aquaria. They are eassy to breed and as long as we have some good strains to start with. I see no reason why we can not take this market from them! Anyone else disagree?

 

[BastardFish]

ahh unless we create our own market for them. These fish are not like Arowanas that can not be breed in aquaria and that take experts to pull it off! They are essay to breed and as long as we have good strains to start with. I see no reason why we cant take their market from them and make our own! You don't see us paying rediculous prices for Jack Dempsey's do you? Or importing them for that matter. Does anyone disagree with me on this?

 

[guppy]

Just remember Repairs point, The one decent LFS around here is a little pricey but when you factor in the overhead it seems more reasonable, as for places like China producing plastic products on the cheap all I can say is that I could not pay my rent on their wages.
Without profit there is no motivation to bring fish in at all.