Are your LFS getting hit by the 'pseudo recession'?

[rudedog40]

I've gone to the three LFS's I usually hit in the last couple of weeks, and have noticed a big cutback on the amount of fish and corals they're stocking. One store used to have four 200 gallon tanks loaded with various corals. They've scaled it down to two. They also have cut back about half their tanks they usually have full with fish and inverts. The other two stores quit stocking corals alltogether.
Is this a common occurrance with your LFS's? Are my stores just reducing inventory due to the time of the year (haven't been in the hobby at this time of the year yet)?

 

[capschamp]

i havent really seen a decrease in stock, but compared to a couple years ago the prices are double or even triple on some things.

 

[al mc]

I woulg agree. A LFS is a tough business plan. You have competition from the 'Mega stores', like *****, and the internet, like swf.com. Internet shops could run out of a basement by a single individual. i would think the small 'mom and pop' LFS will go the way of the corner hardware store when faced with Home Depot and Walmart.

 

[skipperdz]

The One I Go To Has Been Around 30 Years, Its A Family Owned. Some Stuff Has Gone Up A Buck Or Two But Tahts About It. They Pay The Bills With Their Fw Fish, And Make Profits Thru Sw Fish

 

[socal57che]

global warming.

or maybe offshore drilling.
or industrial fishing.
or the war in iraq.
or homeschooling.
or too many surfers peeing in the ocean.

 

[coral keeper]

Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/2560134
global warming.

or maybe offshore drilling.
or industrial fishing.
or the war in iraq.
or homeschooling.
or too many surfers peeing in the ocean.

Just wondering, what does homeschooling have to do with LFS?

 

[rylan1]

Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/2560134
global warming.

or maybe offshore drilling.
or industrial fishing.
or the war in iraq.
or homeschooling.
or too many surfers peeing in the ocean.

Shipping rates! ...Fuel

 

[lion_crazz]

My LFS' stock has not been cut back any, but some prices are up a few dollars due to fuel charges. Nothing drastic though.

 

[tj51]

internet message boards with trades, and classified can't help. My small business (sports cards and memorabilia) was an ---- casualty

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by Coral Keeper
http:///forum/post/2560582
Just wondering, what does homeschooling have to do with LFS?
Numbskull liberal Kalifornia judge ruled that it is now illegal to homeschool in California without teacher's credentials. Now even more tax money is being spent to get this ignoramic ruling reversed. Oversized government is bleeding us for every last dime and I'm sick to death of it. Sick, I tell you. Sick.

 

[crashbandicoot]

My lfs have never really carried a lot to begin with . But It does seam like prices have gone up a little bit . I think single mushroom polyps for 10 bucks is a little steep .

 

[spiderwoman]

My LFS in town just closed their doors last Friday :cry
Still have 2 within 30 min drive.

 

[reefkprz]

a lot of smaller pets stores are taking a hit for the "buy and fly" purchases like buying from a wholesaler who throws the stuff on a plane to the LFS's nearest airport. but flights are dropping out left and right. making it not only inconvinient but more expensive in man hours to reschedual and locate flights to the destination.

 

[m0nk]

I was just at my LFS, and although she (the owner) denies that there is any pseudo recession (or that the economy is even weak), she did admit that business isn't going so well. I hope she can pull through because they have the best quality fish (albeit pricier) of any store within a couple hours drive.

 

[digitydash]

All of the store around here I go to are still around but one did move to a smaller store so I think it depends on buisness practice.

 

[stdreb27]

Most mom and pop type shops have been dissapearing over the years. The problem in my mind is that people don't value information. And they are not willing to pay a premium for it. We as consumers make most of our buying decision based on price alone. And the best way to provide a lower price is mass produce ship and sell the product. Since we don't value information as a nation the stores don't provide the information becaue to keep someone who knows what he is talking about costs alot of money. Vs hiring some moron to scoop a fish. IMO we have been conditioned to expect that service is free. While it used to be bundled in with the price of the good. Since we don't have value associated with service that was the first thing to go. And this prings me to a lfs. They have a choice provide a good service, while increasing costs and loosing customers with higher prices and telling some people no you can't havea tang in a 55 gallon tank. Or try to sell anything to anyone. The question is which one is better for your business. And where is the balance.
And imo this is why lfs seem to always struggle.