Just why is it that some really have a disdain for LFS? Go to ANY online forum, and see this store and that store bashed all to hell for the mistakes of the END USER. How many hobbyists get their start in this by virtue of an etailer? "I
saw this really neat picture of a fish tank....." It will never make economic sense to have an aquarium shipped - except in the case of custom work, so the big online places have a more limited capacity than a shop.
Yes, there are some crappy stores out there, just as there are crappy outfits in any business. Spend money there, they stay in business. If nobody spent there, they would soon go under, but I've heard every excuse in the book as to why people will shop at a crummy store. There are plenty of crummy etailers too - I've dealt with a couple before I became a shop owner.
Here in ATL, there is a good relationship between the reef club and many of the local stores. We meet at local stores, we trade frags at local stores, we have a rule that no money can change hands between hobbyists for livestock or equipment inside a store, but plenty is done quietly and discreetly in adjacent parking lots. This at least shows some respect for the shopkeeper, and club members DO open their wallets on meeting night and support the stores that support the club. Sponsor stores also give a discount to paid members. I think this type of relationship is good all around for retailers and hobbyists.
How many etailers ever ask if a buyer has a tank? I ordered twice online, from two different places, and neither one asked me if I had a marine tank... Sure there are some caring online vendors, but many of them have either disappeared, or been gobbled up by the big ones.
Logicalreef, just why is it that you do not support the wholesalers that you would like to, and instead spend on 104th St.? Is it because of their policy to only sell to bricks and mortar stores?
There are "country club tiered levels" in every industry.... why should this be any different? There is a beautiful store about 15 miles or so from me - very high end - and God bless the owners, they are a really nice couple, I like them a lot, and I have great respect for them, and they can get twice the money for some specimens than I ask, because they have a higher end store, and their customers have no problem paying more. I'm more "no frills" - there are plenty of customers for both of us. I cater more to the "hard core frugal reefer"... In fact, I don't carry freshwater and this other store I speak of does, and rather than refer people to the nasty full-line shops just down the road, I refer them to the high-end shop because I believe the quality is well worth it.
The bottom line is that yes, we'd like cyanide to be stopped - however there are plenty out there who truly do believe that the problem ended in the 70s or 80s. Either they are ill-informed or just in denial - but ask any wholesaler if all their fish are net-caught, and of course they will say yes. To admit that they have juiced fish would be the end of that business. Some of those people don't know, don't care so unless the problem is corrected at the SOURCE (to get back on topic...) it will never be corrected.
Jenn
