Was I ripped off?

[Bigfishnut]

No offense, but funny how when a store over-charges a customer as you would say its not cool and how you would speak up that they ripped him off...

But you basically ripping off the LFS is all good coz the manager is charging you $40 and the Salt guy who doesnt know anything is charging you less, so you keep quiet and take the deal...

Funny how the tables can be turned so quickly...

Anyway, as a person in the distribution and re-sale business, i agree with one of the posters above who said the item is only worth what the end user will pay...

And obviously the consumer in this case had $70 to burn...

What a great point! In my opinion, this hobby isn't for cheapskates, it's a luxury to own exotic pets. I can understand doing it on a budget, but if you have to stoop to swindling fish stores to get what you want you probably shouldn't be a fish keeper. Scumbag move. I've personally spent 10's of thousands over the years of my hard earned money on this hobby. In my area I have to go to great lengths to obtain any fish that are not extremely common. I typically pay more for everything because I either have to travel hours to get it, or have it shipped. If a person wants something bad enough, they'll pay the price. It's not like fish stores are making millions, most are struggling to stay in business. Many can't make it and close their doors for good. That's the case in my area...no lfs

 

[RD.]

Ahhh yes, always ok if one is doing the ripping off, and not on the receiving end. Wow, good thing that moral compass you own is so fine tuned........

For example for a 30 dollar fish, just stand in front of the tank, looking like you are debating whether or not you want to buy it. A worker will eventually approach you and ask if you need help, just be like, "man, not sure if I wanna grab this guy or not, can you do 25?" 100% they will accept that.

Most of the LFS I frequent they do not haggle on fish prices, at all. And those that do, don't allow that luxury to "workers", the green light would have to come from the store manager. So not 100%, man. Locally, by most pet store owners I would be viewed with the same contempt as I would if I attempted to haggle over the price of a T-bone steak at a restaurant. I used to haggle for a living, it's the knowing when to, and when not to, and where that fine line is. I typically saved my big haggles, for big deals, not $5 on a $30 fish.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

I'm only try to deal for the best price under 2 conditions:
1. if the live stock just arrived to the store and still in the bag, I'll try to get a deal with the store onwer it's fast profit money turn around for them so they most likely will let it go much cheaper.
2. The live stocks are in store for more than 2 weeks and they couldn't make a sale then I would talk to them to get a best deal for me and they wanted to get those out for restocking.
*I don't try to haggle for few bucks lol it's a waste of time for me and the seller, I'm going for at least 30%~50% marked price and it's always work for me with 2 conditions listed above.

 

[Tahn]

You guys are so cute lol, nice try though.

But you basically ripping off the LFS is all good coz the manager is charging you $40 and the Salt guy who doesnt know anything is charging you less, so you keep quiet and take the deal...

Ripped off? lmao, I did my research prior to asking. They were trying to sell me a 1.5 inch chinese high fin banded shark for 40 dollars, giving me a bs spiel about how rare they are and they are from the yangtze river, etc.. I ripped off the store for being smart and getting it for 20? They made their profit off that sale and I didn't get ripped off 'cause I'm not a sucker. I ripped off the LFS he says LOL.

https://www.azgardens.com/product/algae-eating-chinese-high-fin-banded-shark-batfish/
http://www.livekoiforsale.com/Hi fin sharks.html

What a great point! In my opinion, this hobby isn't for cheapskates, it's a luxury to own exotic pets. I can understand doing it on a budget, but if you have to stoop to swindling fish stores to get what you want you probably shouldn't be a fish keeper. Scumbag move

Swindling LFS? It's called saving money. Some people go into a car dealership and pay the MSRP w/ no haggles, others go in there and try to save every dollar they can for the same car, and trust me buying a new car is much more of a luxury than keeping fish lmao. Guess people shouldn't buy new cars if they can't afford the MSRP, scumbags everywhere, going around swindling dealerships. Don't make me laugh, fish keeping is not some high end luxurious hobby. If I know I can get a 30 dollar fish for 25 dollars, I'm going to, and if the LFS wants to sell it to me they will. I'll probably end up spending that 5 dollars on bloodworms at the same storm. But yah man, I just go around swindling local fish stores, bankrupting them left and right, lmao.

In my area I have to go to great lengths to obtain any fish that are not extremely common. I typically pay more for everything because I either have to travel hours to get it, or have it shipped. If a person wants something bad enough, they'll pay the price.

Oh ya? Sucks for you. Guess what? I'm in central NJ. There's about 10 local fish stores within 40 minutes drive of me and almost every online fish store can ship to me no problem. Supply and demand, welcome to economics. I want to pay the lowest possible for a certain fish and I make sure I do.

Ahhh yes, always ok if one is doing the ripping off, and not on the receiving end. Wow, good thing that moral compass you own is so fine tuned........

Ya I'm so morally corrupt for making sure I don't get ripped off (check chinese high fin banded shark prices yourself), and saving every dollar that I can.

Most of the LFS I frequent they do not haggle on fish prices, at all. And those that do, don't allow that luxury to "workers", the green light would have to come from the store manager.

Keyword? "I". Don't compare youself to me. I don't live where you live and I don't go to the stores you go to. Most LFS's I go to? They DO haggle on fish prices 100%. And trust me, I'm a welcomed customer every time I walk into their shops. I've NEVER paid full price written on the glass for a fish. I make DEALS with the LFS where we MUTUALLY agree on prices. For example, they had a flowerhorn for 150 and a green texas for 15. I bought both for 140. Why? Because the LFS was completely fine and happy with selling that flowerhorn that's been sitting there for months.

I would be viewed with the same contempt as I would if I attempted to haggle over the price of a T-bone steak at a restaurant. I used to haggle for a living, it's the knowing when to, and when not to, and where that fine line is. I typically saved my big haggles, for big deals, not $5 on a $30 fish.

That's the most ridiculous analogy I've ever read, I'm not even gonna go there. But oh snap, sorry Mr. Bigshot, didn't know you were so wealthy that you can be condescending to someone who wants to save some money on their hobby. You don't wanna save 5 bucks on a 30 dollar fish, then don't. Guess what, I DO want to save that 5 bucks. And no that's not ripping off the LFS, so why don't you keep your condescending judgements to yourself wealthy man.

The ONLY time I would feel like I "ripped" off an LFS, was when I got that 1 inch royal pleco for 5 bucks, because the guy who helped me didn't know the difference between plecos. But guess what? The actual price on that pleco was 15. That ain't bankrupting the store anytime soon, and I'm always buying supplies from them.

Don't talk **** if you don't know the circumstances. Anyone else wanna tell me how much of a scumbag I am?

 

[Bigfishnut]

Knowingly buying a fish for the price of another cheaper fish because of a mistake on an employee's part is still stealing. If your ok with that, that's fine. You have to live with yourself. Some people have integrity, some do not.

 

[Tahn]

Knowingly buying a fish for the price of another cheaper fish because of a mistake on an employee's part is still stealing. If your ok with that, that's fine. You have to live with yourself. Some people have integrity, some do not.

Lmao you talking like I committed fraud. Do you think I went up to the guy and was like, hey that's a common pleco, I'll take it for 5 bucks. No, I simply called a worker over, pointed at a fish and asked for the price. I ASSUMED he didn't know the difference because of the cheap price. But yah, you're right, next time I will make sure I inform every worker what species it is, what their average market price is, and whether or not their store price is fair before buying them. Because you know, if I call over a worker, point at a fish, and ask for a price, then subsequently purchase that fish for said price, I lack integrity and STOLE that fish. LOL

 

[Oddball]

Get back on topic. Take your fight elsewhere.

 

[RD.]

I didn't call anyone an idiot, nor did I assume that the OP was ripped off, because maybe he doesn't live in NJ, either, hence none of your reality is his, either. See how that works? I was simply attempting to add a different perspective, which is that not everyone (possibly including the OP of this discussion) lives in your area. In other words, this thread isn't about you. lol

 

[Hendre]

Tbh I have no problems paying the price for a fish that helps keep the store afloat. I often swap or buy from local people regarding plants and some livestock to fit my budget

 

[Tahn]

maybe he doesn't live in NJ, either, hence none of your reality is his, either. See how that works?

Actually no I don't see how that works. Because I clearly said in my post, IF you are from the states, and IF it is indeed a rainbow cichlid, then yes you got ripped off. Which is a fact.