[reeferaddict]

You know, in reading these threads I have become compelled to instill a little reality into some of you folks. Please don't everyone jump up in arms and get offended... I only wish to offer some insight.

Being a small business owner is a challenge at the best of times. We are risk takers that have to live within the confines of our chosen paths, but often the rewards are worth the hard work we have to put in. I do not own a LFS, but I know what these people have to go through. One advantage I DO have in MY business is that I can charge flat out for my time & labour. LFS rely on their profits strictly from sales, yet have to answer all our questions whether we buy something or not, which is all part of the territory.

Now let's examine what everyone wants -

Selection - We all want to walk into a store and find anything our hearts desire to purchase. This means that a retailer must stock even the most obscure items that may or may not be purchased within 30 days - after which the retailer is out of pocket providing he has a 30 day supplier account. The more selection they offer, the more retail space is needed to display, and consequently more $$$ in rent, hydro, and staff to make sure it's maintained.

Well trained, friendly, knowledgable staff - I've been in business for 10 years, and GOOD staff are hard to come by - even when paying competitive wages - and the higher the wages we pay the more the product has to cost.

Website - I agree here - though some small outfits that rely solely on local traffic would be hard pressed to justify the expense of creating and maintaining a website - J&L THRIVES from it's web sales and is set up to service it probably even better than over the counter retail - but I know for a fact they have a hefty monthly e-commerce bill too. The construction of their site would have been worth anywhere between $20,000 and $50,000 alone! (This I know because I have my own).

Pricing - Lowest? Competitive? Fair? J&L may move a million bucks a month in inventory, giving them huge purchasing discounts, freight discounts, and the ability to cut margins because they make it up in volume. They have a customer base that stretches across the nation that supports this. Good for them, they have done an excellent job at marketing and filling the needs of those customers, I have been there, ordered from there, and have been satisfied with my purchases - but is it really fair to compare J&L to our LFS that would be hard pressed to move a million bucks in a YEAR?

So here's what our LFS need from us - SUPPORT. Any LFS will have a bad day, so don't judge on one visit. Algae grows and it takes time and staff to keep tanks clean. Shipments are usually a once a week or twice a month deal, so if they're low on stock, ask when they'll be receiving their next shipment. If you don't see an item, ask for it. Maybe they can order in for you? If so, accept that it may cost a little more than J&L... though DO mention that you found the item at J&L, that will keep them fairly honest. For the most part a lot of these orders will go to J&L anyways... but it's supporting our locals, which in turn will give us what we are looking for. If you have concerns about an operation, go to them first before you come on here and run them down. Often you'll get better treatment that way - as they'll know then you'll be more likely to come on here and praise them.

The bottom line is these people are in business to make money. All us enterpreneurs try to please as many people as we can, but we can't please everyone all the time. I would ask that everyone reading this to try not to expect any more out of anyone than you yourself would be prepared to give. We are involved in an expensive hobby, and as consumers have every right to shop around for the best deals, but let's also be realistic. Personally I like being able to browse at the LFS and pick and choose my purchases, even if it DOES cost a little more.