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.
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