True Percs

[Nate]

Takphan, thankyou, and I can understand what you mean. I can understand where you are coming from as I have taken several accounting courses as well, in my pursuit of a business degree.

You put it perfectly when you said that it was a double edged sword.

I think that all in all what has frustraqted the staff at Big Als is that when you see something as a percula clown that is 89.99, why dont you ask why this is. When you come on this board, and just flame the heck out of us, it is discouraging. Surely you can see "the other edge of the sword" we are talking about (Tony's S. Gigantea, AJ's 25 dollar 5-6 inch BLONDE naso tang, etc...) You hear all the bad on this board, and very few, but some, come on here and say, Big Als has large banggai cardinals for 25 bucks and they are 25 % off on Boxing Week (spikehs, who bought 2 today, just an example). Take the good with the bad, ask me why the clowns are 90 bucks and who knows, you might just find out the reason.

Anyways, the reason the clowns were so expensive was that it was a new supplier we were using to try to add more variety of livestock to the store, there were some hidden charges that were unexpected. When these fish, that were packed quite heavily landed in Vancouver, a bunch of the boxes were leaking so we had to put them on air canada as no other airline will take them if there are one leak, or no cardboard. The order was then delayed in shipping which makes our mortality rate go up.

There are many, many considerations to take into account from everything down to an extra cup of water per bag, down to me having to pay a couple of employees to pick up and put away fish at 3 o'clock in the morning. I think that pricing livestock is a bit more difficult than some of you think, and I thank all of you for your support on both edges of the sword.

I do agree with Takphan that it may be easier to set a standard price for an item, but as I also have a couple of hobbies of my own, I know what it feels like to find that killer deal as well.

The only other topic I have not really covered is the tank prices. I apoloigize if something may have been mislabeled, but I can put a personal guarantee that the prices on tanks, have not changed on tanks in the last 6-8 months. 6-8 months ago we brought the prices down to be more competitive with the smaller stores in town. Our tanks are all perfecto, except for custom tanks, and made of all new glass, not your shower door variety.

regards,

Nate
Big Als Calgary
640-0635

[Bob I]

IMHO it is unfair to flame Big Al's when they offer some fish at ridiculous prices. If they they take a hit on a shipment because of unusual conditions and want to apply their normal markup, it is up to them. The business is consumer driven, and if the consumer is willing to pay those prices the dealer wins. However, it is the consumer's choice to buy, or not buy. The smart consumer will pass up on this deal, and wait until he can get a better price.
In addition it is a large gamble on Big Al's part. If all the customers say"thanks but no thanks" They will lose even bigger. They will then get stuck with the fish, and take the chance of losing them. If that happens they may re-examine their business pracices.

[vertex]

IMO, I find this practise a little strange as I always just assumed Big Al's was ripping people off whenever I saw big price differences. I had no idea why until I read this here. I think it would be a little more useful if Big Al's actually told their customers this as it is one of my reason I have avoided them, simply because I thought they were trying to take advantage of the consumer more so than other LFS. (This of course only when I saw high prices with no apparent reason).

Anyway, its nice to know but surely the everyday customers their don't know this and I'm sure many of them think the same thing I thought after seeing some ridiculous price, and they go elsewhere and don't come back...

Both sides to everything I guess. Thanks for the info on xplaining this odd pricing!

[Canadian Man]

No offence to anyone but I am upset our society has come to the state of "everyone being told everything about everything" I deal with this in my bike shop on a daily basis.

IMO if people want to know something they should ASK. Don't wait for someone to tell you.

[Nate]

Canadian man....

I agree... when you fully know something, then go and tell others. Before you start spreading the information, you should be completely informed.

ahhhhhhh....retail......


cheers,

Nate

[Quinn]

I would rather pay more money for better quality fish and more educated employees than less money for the opposite.

[Snappy]

I saw the true purcs that you are refferring to and had an attack of serious sticker shock. They also wanted about $60. for a mandarin at that same time. Big Al's has ticked me off and I now will only go there in an emergency. Their fish return/ trade-in policy has me stuck on the principle of the matter. I find it insulting to offer me only 25% of what I bought it for at their store after it grew and could now sell for much more. In the past month alone they have lost at least $900. in business from me, or I should say that is what I spent and didn't shop there. I hope it was worth the lousey $10 extra they wouldn't give me. They didn't even have the smarts to ask what else I was going to buy that I wanted to trade on. I then went to Wai's and was offered twice the amount that Big Al's would give me. I of course dropped an additional $300-$400 with Wai's that day since he treated me fair.

[Bob I]

25% of what you paid for the fish eh That is probably what they pay for a fish to begin with. That sounds about right. In their markup they have to include losses, and desired profit. what they offer you for a fish is probably what they would pay wholesale. They do not account for the fact that the fish is healthy, and probably will not die. Face it. that is what business is all about, profit and loss.

[Snappy]

Well I am also in business myself and understand about profit and loss, but at the same time if I don't treat the customers right I soon won't have any. In my business I can't offer someone my wholesale cost if the item is in new condition and are just wanting to trade. In that case it's a wash and even though there is an exchange I still made the money. I also know if I have to work a deal with one guy I can always make it up later on something else. I was prepared to spend money at Big Al's that day but they didn't seem to consider that. To me that is not good business. Fortunately they are not the only game in town.

[Bob I]

Yup we have been through this round and around before. You have now jumped into the old intangible tangible called "Customer relations". Big Al's does not seem to be very worried about that factor. I am not sure if I was as big as they are if I would worry either. So, in reality there is not much you can do except talk with your wallet. If enough people do that we may make a difference. But honestly I don't think it will happen.