LFS Support
 

I just wanted to point out that this hobby isn't free and it's important that we support our LFS. There are so many people posting on here looking for products that are available at the store. If you can't afford a few bucks here and there then what are you doing in one of the most money draining hobbies? Stop looking to buy in the USA........after shipping it almost costs you more. Times are tough. Tough for us. Tough for your LFS. Let's not let any more stores close. Any thoughts?

I do have to agree...we all like a good deal, but is the guy that you got that product for cheaper in the US going to know your name, let alone what your tank has going on in it? I bet most reefers that frequent the LFS have a connection with the staff, can call whenever something is going wrong, and enjoy putting money back into the local economy rather than the US economy. On the island there are 2 shops going out of business....2! We don't have that many....so shop there when you can...support someone you know locally in all ways possible. ALSO, the more you shop there, the better deals and more product they may bring in to compete more with the US.:biggrin:

Just my 2 cents!

Well I just popped into J&L and dropped another $140 today:redface::wink:

I think for me, the biggest difference between online vendors and you lfs comes to light when your having tank issues. If you are in dire need of a bucket of salt at 10pm or your pump decides to call it quits, your on line vendor could care less. Once you get to know your lfs you'll find they are the ones willing to help you out in a pinch!!
Prime example, moving this weekend my sump got cracked, before the days end my lfs had a loner sump in my truck and off to the house.
You can't get personal help like that from the Internet!!

im geussing you havent seen the "are still buying from the us?why?" thread. apparently nobody cares

Bottom line is that it is a very expensive hobby, so I will mail order from any store that has reliable service at the lowest price. Some items, I just can't find in Canada so I have to make a BRS order every now and then and I am lucky that Concept is here now as they have pretty much the same prices as J&L but they are local. If something breaks down or I can't wait a few days, then I pay the premium to purchase the items locally, but if I can get it cheaper elsewhere, why would I pay the local store more. It is more on the local store to step up and price match to within reason to that of mail order stores or potentially lose business. You can make just as much selling multiple items at a lower price then one item at a higher price.

The price difference in Calgary was so bad when I initially got into this hobby that I would buy spare heater, pumps, food, etc on J&L's boxing day sale just to make sure I didn't have to hand over my first born if something died on me. Calgary has come along way since then with pricing.

For me, going to the LFS and browsing for fish or corals, or being there when the orders come in, is a privilege I'm willing to pay slightly more for. As it is now, we're running out of places to see real live fish in person. Sure, online prices are a bit cheaper, but I don't want to spend the rest of my time in the hobby ordering fish and corals based on pictures. I want to go to the store, watch the fish eat, watch it swim around and then take it home.
By supporting my local stores, I ensure that I have a store to go to...

+1 one of the reasons i really enjoy this hobby

I 100% agree with you for livestock. CUC are sometimes hit or miss and I have to order online and I really don't care what my snails look like. But I do pay the premium to buy nice livestock and corals and we all have out favorite stores for that.

the problem is if we all try to save a couple of bucks online for drygoods, the fish will end up going away. I have/had a LFS 1km frm my house, they're now closing...