Great Prices On Salt

[Aquatic Addictions]

Originally Posted by Ron99

At $115 for a bucket of IO I'd guess the margins are pretty good



You're right that salt is usually a loss leader. But let's assume that J&L sells it at break even or even a small loss at $45. So maybe break even is $50. $115 is a bit excessive, even factoring in shipping costs to smaller communities. Something is not right with that price. Either they are fleecing the customers who don't have anywhere else to buy salt in the community or they are being fleeced by their suppliers; in either case that is really poor business.

$115 is excessive for sure. They operate as other places do in "out of the way" places or limited resources for you to shop locally.

As for the coupon answer we are talking about regular salt prices not using coupons to get a deal. Your not at the fish store with a coupon are you? No you are asking for the best deal they can do and the superstore would tell you no coupons aside.

As for the little guy giving you a better deal it could come down to 1 of 2 things...either he is losing money hoping to gain a loyal customer or the "other" place you are asking has a margin they choose not to deviate from making there price seem astronomical. It also could be the little guy made it to a trade show or there were specials and they were able to buy to attain said price. There are so many factors in all the pricing its not funny.

I personally gave deals to people to attain a customer base and allow someone who you would hope to be loyal, to get into the hobby and hope they appreciated what was done for them and continue to frequent our store. Sadly it is not always the case but retailers have to make that decision and its a risk they take in the tight market that is salt water.