Buyer Beware: Big Al's Calgary

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Of coarse they have all these expenses to worry about. On-line stores have huge warehouses that they have to pay to have the goods shipped in, orders over $35 ship free from Big Al's so guess who's paying for the shipping, the warehouse doesn't come for free (lease, taxes, utilities), lots of warehouse people to pay salaries to, plus customer service reps and people doing the accounting/billing. They have all the expenses of a retail store but since it's on a much larger scale and don't have customer wandering around the warehouse it can be done more efficiently and they also don't have the live animals to deal with reducing costs further.

+1, people commenting on the contrary to what I am trying to explain are not realizing this, thanks for this point of view. In my opinion, I don't think online or local should be a factor... If they sell the same product, and they carry it as stock, who then cares if it is online or not. Things to consider as the retailer and customer is the cost of shipping. This is why I was accounting a cost for overhead and shipping, even though the selling price would most likely already have a padding for some of this stuff.

Originally Posted by abcha0s

I wonder why the other LFSs that many of us frequent are so untouchable. I've had the same experience with EVERY LFS in Calgary - bar none. It is very disheartening to price something with JL, drive to a LFS only to be quoted 20% more. I've just accepted that buying locally means paying more. The sad part is that this also means that I avoid buying locally.

I know that there is loyalty pricing offered at the stores here in Calgary. I'd like the owners of these stores to read this and understand that this approach is counter productive. If I had been offered the best price from the start, I would have spent A LOT more money locally.

As an extreme example: when I looked for quotes for my new tank, our favorite store here in Calgary felt that it was appropriate to mark it up by $1200 and then had the balls to tell me that they were doing me a favor? All they were actually doing was brokering the deal with the builder. It's unfortunate all around, but I haven't been back to that store.

I am a believer that price things fairly. You may not make the big cash on each product, but then do the volume. It is funny you stated this, because if I didn't already have a business, I would seriously consider opening up a LFS in the South of Calgary, and if I did, watch out.... But it isn't happening, at least for now. Anyone want to buy an internet/hosting biz? HEHE

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

Anyone want to buy an internet/hosting biz? HEHE

Will you price match?

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by lastlight

Will you price match?

HEHE, yes I would... This is what I believe Price Matching Criteria would be. Do remember I ran retail stores, and this is what I had based things on in the past.
- If it is an advertised sale price, is it in stock and ready for sell... Remember you can advertise/quote any price, but if they don't have stock, they are not prepared to sell it to you.
-If it isn't advertised, but ticketed in the store or online. Check online to see price, or call the location. Also verify that if I come down now/order now online, is it in stock. If so, price match, or even beat.

The big thing I would consider when matching/beating an online price, is the shipping. If the online presence includes shipping then you match or beat the online price. If the customer has to pay shipping, then the retailer should be able to remove that from the matching price, as this is a legitmate cost to him to bring in product. The retailer would even benefit, remember this, shipping for him would be cheaper, as he is bringing in bulk, not just one. So the shipping cost is divided into the number of units, it would almost always workout cheaper then.

I hope this makes sense, very basic... Easy to understand, and works for all parties. Also remember, I am not just making this up... It is what I use to do at Visions, Soundsaround... I have family at FutureShop/Best Buy and they have the same approach.

[Sean]

One thing I do like about Big Al's is that they have a point system, its kind of neat to have a membership and I like that one day I might get something back. I also like how if you know what you are looking for you can just pick it up and head to the cash. Its nice that they have lots of staff on hand rather than having to wait. I find Big Al's is like the best buy of aquarium stores everyone has had good and bad expreiences.

I'm more of a fan of Calgary's smaller stores, I love that they remember me and will ask things like "Did you ever get that R/O unit working?" When the smaller guys build that customer relationship its hard not to come back. They look after me and in return i keep coming back. Its nice when someone will actually not sell you a product because its not right for you. I'm sure the fish and coral are also happier beause of it.