ballest way too expensive!

[eeldarb21]

i went to my lfs yesterday and they have a lot of selection of pc lighting. i was looking for some fans for my new canopy. i found my fans and came across a custom sea life lighting kit. this thing was just your average retrofit ballest that would support 2 96 watt bulbs... i flipped it over and and i almost passed out.. 279.00 for a f**king ballest! i went over to where they have bulbs and each 96 w bulb was 50.00 each! i couldn't believe this!...
I guess this explains why there is like 23 people that work there and all of them are like no older than 17.
the owner has to pay the bills, and the 800 people he has working there..............LOL!!!
What a crock!

 

[cboyfan2020]

somebody struck a nerve.....jeez
But yaeh you gotta think about it. he isnt there out of kindness to sell you things for cheap. He is there to make some money and a better life for himself. You dont have to buy drygoods from LFS, in fact I dont buy big items from my LFS just because I am BROKE. I buy all my livestock and supplements and some LR occasionaly but they do alright for themselves.

 

[slick]

I agree 100% with eeldarb21 LFS prices are to high on everything. I'm not flaming either, but it is crazy to buy some stuff from a LFS

 

[cboyfan2020]

Not debating that fact.....some are way overpriced but agian you can buy the bigger items from other sources. I dont trust buying livestock that I cant see swimming around myself. So that is why I go there(and free water tests )

 

[cboyfan2020]

I'm good at getting on your nerves huh

 

[rabid frog]

I have the custom sea life smart light and I am assuming that is what you are talking about, I paid something like 250 for mine I think but it has the 2 96 watt 50/50 bulbs, now then that is cheap compared to my new mh set I got it just depends on what you want I guess.

 

[eeldarb21]

come on now...how much do you really think it takes to make a ballest with two power cables and some components???? I used to wire up huge cnc router machines and some very valuable parts didn't cost as much as some retail stores charge. I can actually almost make one.... most retail fish stores get their products from a direct source that doesn't sell to the public.... kimmeee a break! you try and find out how much the store gets some dry goods for and you'll laugh at the difference!.... Not tryin to be harsh but i think some fish stores out here on the west coast can use some lessons in business management! It's not only about the fish! They just know people just starting the hobby will pay those prices...............i think it's a crime!

 

[cboyfan2020]

I see a biz oppurtunity for you...make some ballasts and sell them below LFS cost. That will drive the prices back down.