Are we spoiled?
- Thread starter Cake_Boss
- Start date
Yea however, if not for the cheap overseas manufacturing that Walmart has, Walmart would not exist therefore the 1000's of jobs they offer would not be available. Apple stuff comes from overseas and i believe they are the have more jobs than anyone else here in the US. I mean I am all for American made however could be a lot worse. Just because stuff is made in the sweat shops does not mean 1000's of jobs are not created by it.
Mini T;139073 said:
I guess I don't understand the difference between a hobbyist charging market value and a basement vendor charging market value. The going rate is the going rate for hard to find things whether it be rare cars or rare coral or rare anything. If you can't afford it, don't buy it until you can or not at all. Does it suck to see great things you want but can't afford? You bet it does, but if it's that important to the individual it should be motivation to work harder. 
LFS definitely has more overhead and more livestock losses to cover, hence the higher markup. I guarantee no LFS owner is getting rich from selling coral or fish after it averages out over time.
LFS definitely has more overhead and more livestock losses to cover, hence the higher markup. I guarantee no LFS owner is getting rich from selling coral or fish after it averages out over time.
Yes. We are spoiled. We have some great vendors(basement or not) here that take good care of us. And a good club, that would rather help each other out than make a profit on each other.
As for the economic debate. I would get over the "Made in China" debate. The difference in cost to the consumer is almost nonexistent at this point. The corporate bonuses and profits are at all time highs. Corporations write off all their losses for garbage products(which we all foot the bill for in taxes). Those same profits and bonuses pay for political campaigns(ALL OF THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS). Then the politicians ignore their constituents and vote how their fund raisers demand. Beautiful country we live in... Remember, we don't live in a democracy, we live in a republic with a democratic election system. And even that is circumvented by the electoral college.
Now back to your regularly scheduled reef aquarium
As for the economic debate. I would get over the "Made in China" debate. The difference in cost to the consumer is almost nonexistent at this point. The corporate bonuses and profits are at all time highs. Corporations write off all their losses for garbage products(which we all foot the bill for in taxes). Those same profits and bonuses pay for political campaigns(ALL OF THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS). Then the politicians ignore their constituents and vote how their fund raisers demand. Beautiful country we live in... Remember, we don't live in a democracy, we live in a republic with a democratic election system. And even that is circumvented by the electoral college.
Now back to your regularly scheduled reef aquarium
Since I am now living in the Seattle area, I have personal experience on the prices issue! I have not set my tank back up yet due to the prices of EVERYTHING reef related here in Seattle. Equipment is 2x what it is there, or online. Livestock is outrageously overpriced and the common reply is "well, you get what you pay for"! There is 2 LFS that sell canary yellow leathers, as well as the brightest hot pink leathers for $199.99 for a 3" specimen. THEY ARE DYED! The live rock is $14.99/lb for Fiji, Florida rock is more! A regular old false perc will set you back about $24.99, and a purple tang @ 2-3" will run $150. This is not at 1 LFS mind you. This is what they all feel justified in charging here.
I so miss Key's, Fish Etc., and the other shops I used to go to in Denver. The advice you guys have access to and the people in general put most other places I have lived to shame! Also, they charge up to $2.50 per parameter for water tests...to their regular customers!
Consider yourselves very lucky!
Bill
I so miss Key's, Fish Etc., and the other shops I used to go to in Denver. The advice you guys have access to and the people in general put most other places I have lived to shame! Also, they charge up to $2.50 per parameter for water tests...to their regular customers!
Consider yourselves very lucky!
Bill
Personally when it comes to prices on corals/fish I dont think anybody can complain. None of us know how much rent is paid by LFS owners, or how much the LFS pays for that particular fish or coral. We can all pretend like we "know" how much a certain fish or coral is "supposed" to be but there is no proof. Unless you're in the industry, work at a fish store, or own a fish store how can you think you k ow what an LFS should sell something at?
The fact that most wholesalers are also acting as the retailer to improve profits. When I can buy from the same wholesaler for $20 less than the LFS, there is a problem. Can't blame the consumer. This is all business. The LFS has to find a way to adapt and compete in the marketplace.
One of the things I would like to see the LFS's do is offer a X amount of day alive guarantee. Give it back to the customer in store credit, at least you cut your losses that way. Who wouldn't buy from a LFS if they had a money back guarantee, who cares if it was 20% higher markup?
One of the things I would like to see the LFS's do is offer a X amount of day alive guarantee. Give it back to the customer in store credit, at least you cut your losses that way. Who wouldn't buy from a LFS if they had a money back guarantee, who cares if it was 20% higher markup?
OMG! I've heard the club up there is a bunch of hippies.
I'd still care for the 20% markup, but I'd still buy from them. If I can buy a fish and "trade-in" when it out grows my tank (and I'm not ready to upgrade/cant afford it/don't have space/negligence), that would def get my cash. I do like how some LFS get fish to eat frozen, that is def worth it.
I'd still care for the 20% markup, but I'd still buy from them. If I can buy a fish and "trade-in" when it out grows my tank (and I'm not ready to upgrade/cant afford it/don't have space/negligence), that would def get my cash. I do like how some LFS get fish to eat frozen, that is def worth it.