Fish stores Calgary

[btuck887]

Originally Posted by somafish

Pisces,Big Al's,Golds have all been open for a long time, I don't think that should be the main criteria for doing business there. Wai's was selling a 3" maxima for $300, cross the street go to Ocean Creations got a 5" with nicer pattern for $180. Regal tangs for $80 At Wai's, Golds $30. And even alot of wai's dry goods and equipment are over priced. Daniel can be very picky who he likes and who he doesn't like, it seems to me it's based on who's gonna spend the most money

Highly agree with somafish. Been into Wai's countless times, bought a few things here and there, and never once had a warm reception. On the other hand, you cross the street to Ocean creations and you greeted with a big smile and great service. Oceans may not have the coral selection that Wai's has but I would prefer to spend my money in a shop that treats me as a valued customer and not just a walking wad of cash!

[MitchM]

Businesses can charge what the market will bear for their products.

If a new business wants to compete, it has to be able to provide a more attractive alternative, be it price or product.
So far, I have not seen anyone do that in the Calgary market. Wai's is the one to beat.

I could buy more volume if I went somewhere else, but I would hate to see Calgary lose the high quality products that Wai's offers.
I don't argue with the price, so I'm an easy customer to deal with, versus someone that complains about the price and tries to buy items for less.
Less profit = harder to do business = possibly going out of business entirely.

When I was in business, startups wold come into my market and offer cheap similar products at low prices. It hurt my sales. I know what it is like. Less than a year later, the startup was gone and out of business, because they weren't making enough money. Meanwhile, my sales suffered, I had to let people go, reduce my inventories and it took a while to build back up again. Soon another startup would try again and the cycle continued.

I wish good luck to all businesses, but I'm not a fan of shopping for cheap prices alone.

[Fishy!]

Does big als have a large selection on AGA aquariums?

[somafish]

Originally Posted by Fishy!

Does big als have a large selection on AGA aquariums?

I think only Pisces carries AGA stuff. They have a little side room with soils,tanks, and co2 stuff

[somafish]

Wai's has great corals (best in the city probably) and decent fish (sometimes). That doesn't mean everyone else who sells the same thing for less has inferior livestock.

Golds selling a tang for $30 dollars less then Wai's, doesn't mean it was from some crooked vendor. Heck i bet you the tangs came in on the same plane. Golds just knows if they sell cheaper we all keep coming back(which I do!)Plus, I know they quarantine all their new arrivals judging by Wai's tanks sometimes i think not.

If anything it kinda shows Wai's is price gouging a little for the same exact items. I've never seen a fish/coral/chemical etc. At Wai's that's price was just unbeatable. Not trying to start a fight but going back to the OP, if I was just starting out I would rather pay $15 for a clownfish rather then $30. Especially when they are the same thing.......... PS I do most my shopping at Petland

[mihaivapler]

Originally Posted by btuck887

Highly agree with somafish. Been into Wai's countless times, bought a few things here and there, and never once had a warm reception. On the other hand, you cross the street to Ocean creations and you greeted with a big smile and great service. Oceans may not have the coral selection that Wai's has but I would prefer to spend my money in a shop that treats me as a valued customer and not just a walking wad of cash!

+1..he is a super guy,i buy most of my fish from him never had one sick..