Dear old United States

[Basile]

You can say what ever you want about the States for or againts but in terms of service and supplies they're # 1.

A few things to remember; they're 350 millions we're 31 millions and things cost less with lower taxes .

However; an example of me having to do 100km just to get the right PVC reducing elbow for my aquarium plumbing at Loews in the states that i couldn't find here at are Loews in Canada i find ridiculous. This applies to lots of stuff in are hobbies and not exclusively to are hobby .

Doing this poll i'm curious how many of you find the need to go statewise and why, supplies, service, price, road trip....lol. vote and tell us why.

[NU-2reef]

You should just go live in the states.

[IanWR]

I haven't had the need to look south of the border yet. Either I can get what I need at our lfs and keep the money local, or I have found what I need from online vendors in Canada. There are several dealers that offer free shipping over x amount which is never hard to reach. If I needed something that was unavailable in Canada I would have no problem ordering it from wherever, it just hasn't happened yet.

For those of you that live on the border I can see how you could save money drop shipping stuff and picking it up.

[BC564]

I havent found the need....other than gifts and junk you buy when your on a trip.

[reefermadness]

Im sure you could have found that fitting local if you looked. Maybe not at loews but most decent cities will have a store that carries everything (ie. underground sprinkler suppliers, etc).

I've never absolutely NEEDED to get something from the US. Sometimes I do for various reasons though.

[Coasting]

I go about every 2 months for various non fish related things. Food mainly... They have so much stuff we don't have up here, and its soooo much cheaper. Heck even my dogs Canadian made food, is $20 a bag cheaper down in the states.
As for fish stuff, When I used t5 lighting, I bought all my bulbs down there. They were at least half the price, if not cheaper, then any local or online Canadian dealer.

[Basile]

First i didn't ask for rude answers i asked who was going to the states for supplies, and how many times.
For those who think i go to the states with joy and for the purpose of saving, think again, first its 3 h both ways; i could do something else with my life. Second ; savings gas wise i still burn gas to get trinkets for my tank, as for moving there, thats plain rude. No i'd rather that are stores kept a better stock and a coherent one. And if i hadn't done 12 different hardware stores in the Nation's Capital who's got a pretty descent population and store variety i wonder about the smaller towns i wouldn't have to drive all the way there.Plus the internet is not always convenient when you want it NOW , its leaking, kinda stuff. The point is many stores here don't bother to serves us the way they do it in the states. So to all the managers out there who may be listening , reading or answering rudely pick it up butter cup! Its a sad situation when you have to go to another country to get stuff from the same company who serves both countries but leaves us with the left overs. If you ever visit a plumbing section in the states versus one in Canada you'll see what i mean. And by the way its a subject that is very recurrent from people who do go to the states and shop and see the difference, in price, services and diversity of products. You have to have been there to know what your talking about.......

[AdamsB]

I shop online mostly, I spend probably 25% in the states. Mostly BRS but recently used Dr fosters for salt as well as being able to get dog and cat things all in one place. My first purchase was a light unit from fish need it in the states for my 20 gallon, cost was the only factor. 24 inch 4 bulb t5ho with bulbs was $180 I believe. Locally I could get a 2 bulb for 150.

Now I shop online for what I need and as long as it's not a huge % difference I don't consider the price to be a determining factor to pick state or canada side. I like J&L for a very fast and free delivery. Recently ordered DI resin and gfo from reef supplies.ca and soon will be getting a wp40 from Nick at reefsupplycanada. Not to mention the money I drop on MJC

But for me online is the only way to go. I spend at most 5% of my reefing dollars locally because of price, selection and quality. Occasionally I see something nice but very seldom.

[Aquattro]

I ordered 8 pairs of runners out of the US last year, my preferred shoe was on sale for about 30% of cost here, so well worth it. Purely a cost issue. Well, that color was also only available in the US..

[asylumdown]

It's an additive that is apparently really good at stimulating picky fish in to eating pellets. One of the big companies like new era or someone like that makes an otahime coated pellet that I tried to order from marine depot because I want to try and train my anthias on pellets (5 of 8 won't even taste them) and they wouldn't ship here. Not sure if it really works or not, but I'll never know!