Buying online vs LSF?

bheron

bheron

Member
I've been researching my purchase of a Max Drive 18 online for weeks now and found pretty much the same exact prices ($112-$115 plus shipping). However, it takes at least 5 business days to ship. So, I called my LSF and they have the same product, available today, but for $180!
In your experience, is this usually the difference in pricing betweewn online and LSF? Or is my LSF just overpricing a Max18?
 
dreeves

dreeves

Active Member
I have a Filstar XP-3 canister I paid 109.00 online...here locally it is 199.99...I order my salt, 38.63 shipped to my door...locally...70.00 with taxes...
Fiji LR...14.00 a pound...online between 4-6 shipped...
I buy nothing locally anymore...especially hardware items...
 
bheron

bheron

Member
Yep! You're all right!
Thats what I just did. got it online for 130 which included 2nd day shipping compared to 180 at my LSF!
 
calvindo

calvindo

Member
did most of my shopping online... saved a lot of money. also you should buy from out of state shops, no tax.
 
dacia

dacia

Active Member
For my newest nano reef, the only things that did not come from a store online is the background, Southdown sand, and the tank itself.
The CPR Bak Pak 2 was under $100 from ----...the Custom Sea Life fixture with PC lights and actinic lights was only $110, fully assembled...I bought 50 pounds of LR from here, saving $150 since my LFS sells Fiji rock at $6.95 a pound...I bought 3 Maxi-jet 900s for $40 (not a piece, but for all 3 plus shipping and a venturi kit for one of them to go on my Bak Pak)...I also found a website selling LS, and I bought a couple of pounds for around $5 and they sent me free macros and blueleg hermits too! I also bought my cleaning crew from swf.com last week, all are doing quite well.
I recommend online stores whenever the price is right. Email me and I can give you a list of where I bought some things online dirt cheap with great customer service...I would post, but mods would erase...
 
D

daniel411

Guest
As long as the price isn't dramatically different... I personally feel a need to support local business/lfs's...
Without them, our hobby would be a bit to standoff-ish.. which would hurt us in the end.
Granted, in most cases expensive hard ware is a no brainer. As I can't justify spending twice the amount. $10-20 more to support a local business, ... shipping might take knock that down to even less... and I'm going with the lfs.
 
D

daniel411

Guest
Also, many large online dealers are able to sell products at cheaper prices than lfs's can even order them wholesale, due to the volumes that they push.
 
cincyreefer

cincyreefer

Active Member
I totally agree with Daniel, and he is absolutely right. Also, lfs's are more than willing to help out good customers if they are in need, where as not very willing to go out of there way for someone who never buys anything from them.
 
kzlen

kzlen

Member
I really like my LFS and am happy to give them a "finders fee" I just purchased a light fixture from them. Paid 40$ over the prices I found for the same light on the net. Got to take it home that night and be done with it. Depends what your looking for or how fast you want it.
 
cool clown

cool clown

Member
My LFS will try to match online prices with shipping added. He just has a poor selection cause its a total pet store and not fish only.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top