Fish Gallery-Greenville Ave.

[backinaction365]

I know that everyone has to make money,but I do not think the economy has improved that much to take advantage of people getting into the hobby or veterans of the hobby.I went in there today for I was out of Hikari Shrimp Cuisine,looked at the price,doubled from what you would pay online(including shipping).I went over to the filters and a marineland bio-filter 100,$29.00,why pay that for it,I can drive 4 minutes and buy the same filter for $17.00.I guess Fish Gallery has 25 employees waiting at the door to greet you(have to pay salaries),where as you are on your own in Petsmart....My pocket says I'd rather be on my own...Sad to say,who suffers?????:spend:

[ayla]

The fact of the matter is, our hobby is not a necessity. Vote with your pocketbook.

[donkey]

These pet stores charge crazy prices for their stuff.I almost never buy anything besides fish unless its something I can't find anywhere else or just have to have it.They would make more money if they lowered their prices to be competitive and took less profit but would sell alot more and in the end make more profit and people would go there to buy food and filters and buy other things that they see while they are there.I do think that DNA has pretty good prices on their frozen foods

[backinaction365]

I will,especially being a vet on a disability pension.

[B-Builder]

i went to petarama in mansfield looking for 10 gallon tanks need 7,tops wisper filters, tanks 528.00 thats after a discount and they dont have half the selrction as the place you went to.:confuzeld:

[TanyaQ2000]

I only buy local when I have to otherwise it is thru the forums or CL or on-line....now DNA's used section has some awesome deals some times but it's a crap-shoot

I like Big Al's as once I hit $75, shipping is free and I have a code to get 10% off not to mention no 8.75% taxation (at least for now)....hitting $75 in merchandise when you have canister filters that need o-rings, impellers, etc is not hard plus they're cheaper on their water treatment since I can buy it in the gallon size (API StressCoat+ for less than $32 for a gallon)

I try to only shop at LFS that I have a coupon for such as the $5 off at Petsmart or the 10% off at DNA.....this makes their prices more reasonable....all in all, i'd much rather deal with other hobbyist :)

[ewok]

I know that FG and DNA are sponsors of this forum and I do visit there once a while to see what they have in stock. However, if I want to buy anything, I always check the prices at different places before buying.

[backinaction365]

My question is "WHY",is profit or so much profit needed,steady always beats surges.People are not as dumb as these corporations think!They need to look around and see what profit gets you,ask Blockbuster,Pontiac,Oldsmobile,Mercury,Hollywood Video,the list goes on......

[Adroit]

I only buy local when I have to otherwise it is thru the forums or CL or on-line....now DNA's used section has some awesome deals some times but it's a crap-shoot

I like Big Al's as once I hit $75, shipping is free and I have a code to get 10% off not to mention no 8.75% taxation (at least for now)....hitting $75 in merchandise when you have canister filters that need o-rings, impellers, etc is not hard plus they're cheaper on their water treatment since I can buy it in the gallon size (API StressCoat+ for less than $32 for a gallon)

I try to only shop at LFS that I have a coupon for such as the $5 off at Petsmart or the 10% off at DNA.....this makes their prices more reasonable....all in all, i'd much rather deal with other hobbyist :)

Exactly the same method I use.

[ewok]

Big Al's does have very good price. Even with shipping charge, many times you'll still save money on purchasing just one thing in one order.

[FlamandalayBay]

The initial comment that makes me laugh is the price vs the "4 employees waiting at the door to help you". It's hard sometimes to get anyone to help you around there. at least the small handful of times that i have been. I would never buy dry goods in any of those places unless it was used and even then not so much. I too am a fan of dealing with members and auctions and when all else fails there is always CL!
I do buy sum of my dry goods at Walmart/petsmirk(ha) but will beVERY reluctant to buy fish from petsmirk/petco and never will from Walmart. If i am looking for something unattainable from members THEN it'll be from Rift, FG or DNA or something but only livestock as a general rule for me.

[Plano_Jeff]

It really isn't hard to figure out at all. Fish Gallery serves a smaller community than a web site and has to pay rent, wages, taxes, utilities, etc. to maintain the store. Online shops only need a warehouse to hold their stuff, hosting for their website, and enough employees to pack and ship their orders. Plus most of them jag us on shipping charges for more than just the actual shipping cost, so they are able to cover some more of their overhead there.

The local shop charges for convenience, and yes, most of us in the hobby are cagy enough to find the best deal online. But for the one tank family or new user that needs a lot of hands on help and coaching the Fish Gallery price is probably worth it. Or they could save a few dollars take their chances on a Petsmart employee. Some are great, but I recently heard one tell a family that a goldfish and a red devil would do well together in a 10 gallon tank.

I'm sure the LFS owners probably cringe when they hear you ask why they need to "make so much profit". Amazing if the profit they make is so high that they keep disappearing? Ask any small retail owner and they'll tell you the same thing - with the low volume of equipment they purchase and all the additional overhead they need to run a store they lose money if they charge the same prices as Big Al's or Foster and Smith. Same deal with hardware stores, electronic stores, local markets and pharmacies, etc. The economies of scale have driven the local guys out of business and those examples don't even consider internet sales.

Although I buy most of my food and equipment online, I do appreciate being able to run to the local store for an emergency medication or light bulb purchase or when a heater goes bad or something like that. I'll pay the extra $2 for methylene blue or $5 for a heater if means saving some new fry or keeping my fish alive while I wait for the UPS man to arrive.

I'd love to hear Dane's response to your comment . . .

[kleankord]

It really isn't hard to figure out at all. Fish Gallery serves a smaller community than a web site and has to pay rent, wages, taxes, utilities, etc. to maintain the store. Online shops only need a warehouse to hold their stuff, hosting for their website, and enough employees to pack and ship their orders. Plus most of them jag us on shipping charges for more than just the actual shipping cost, so they are able to cover some more of their overhead there.

The local shop charges for convenience, and yes, most of us in the hobby are cagy enough to find the best deal online. But for the one tank family or new user that needs a lot of hands on help and coaching the Fish Gallery price is probably worth it. Or they could save a few dollars take their chances on a Petsmart employee. Some are great, but I recently heard one tell a family that a goldfish and a red devil would do well together in a 10 gallon tank.

I'm sure the LFS owners probably cringe when they hear you ask why they need to "make so much profit". Amazing if the profit they make is so high that they keep disappearing? Ask any small retail owner and they'll tell you the same thing - with the low volume of equipment they purchase and all the additional overhead they need to run a store they lose money if they charge the same prices as Big Al's or Foster and Smith. Same deal with hardware stores, electronic stores, local markets and pharmacies, etc. The economies of scale have driven the local guys out of business and those examples don't even consider internet sales.

Although I buy most of my food and equipment online, I do appreciate being able to run to the local store for an emergency medication or light bulb purchase or when a heater goes bad or something like that. I'll pay the extra $2 for methylene blue or $5 for a heater if means saving some new fry or keeping my fish alive while I wait for the UPS man to arrive.

I'd love to hear Dane's response to your comment . . .

+1. :exactly:

[backinaction365]

Then the LFS cry,but they run the customers away with the prices.Well I guess Big Al's,Foster & Smith Aquatics,Aquarium Guys,Marine Depot,and even Petco look out for the hobbyist($1 a gallon).So I guess I will continue to do as I have done in the past,my pocket will tell me where to spend my money on my hobby,which I love...and DFWfishbox members:exactly:

backinaction365 added 8 Minutes and 36 Seconds later...

It just goes to say how much is enough?The online places pay salaries,utilities,people to pack and ship,phones,internet access in order to sell.I will go to my grave asking "HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH"??????But the lifestyle of the rich who own these places can not suffer,that is why corporations have run this country into the ground...Lord help us..

[dcacjc]

It really isn't hard to figure out at all. Fish Gallery serves a smaller community than a web site and has to pay rent, wages, taxes, utilities, etc. to maintain the store. Online shops only need a warehouse to hold their stuff, hosting for their website, and enough employees to pack and ship their orders. Plus most of them jag us on shipping charges for more than just the actual shipping cost, so they are able to cover some more of their overhead there.

The local shop charges for convenience, and yes, most of us in the hobby are cagy enough to find the best deal online. But for the one tank family or new user that needs a lot of hands on help and coaching the Fish Gallery price is probably worth it. Or they could save a few dollars take their chances on a Petsmart employee. Some are great, but I recently heard one tell a family that a goldfish and a red devil would do well together in a 10 gallon tank.


I'm sure the LFS owners probably cringe when they hear you ask why they need to "make so much profit". Amazing if the profit they make is so high that they keep disappearing? Ask any small retail owner and they'll tell you the same thing - with the low volume of equipment they purchase and all the additional overhead they need to run a store they lose money if they charge the same prices as Big Al's or Foster and Smith. Same deal with hardware stores, electronic stores, local markets and pharmacies, etc. The economies of scale have driven the local guys out of business and those examples don't even consider internet sales.

Although I buy most of my food and equipment online, I do appreciate being able to run to the local store for an emergency medication or light bulb purchase or when a heater goes bad or something like that. I'll pay the extra $2 for methylene blue or $5 for a heater if means saving some new fry or keeping my fish alive while I wait for the UPS man to arrive.

I'd love to hear Dane's response to your comment . . .

Well put and I to would like to hear from Dane as well.

[BenChod]

How many members here have owned a business and own a business. I've noticed that some member will suck the blood out of another member or local store to save a buck and when the wheels are turned they cry out not fair.


To say that local stores are running away the customers because they charge too much is a BS. As stated before the local store have much higher overhead cost and limited market so they have to pass some of the cost either in dry goods or livestock. I do agree that FG prices are bit higher than other local stores but where else can you get the selection of livestock and experience in one place. Where do you go to trade a fish because they no longer get along in your tank? I know you try to sell it some other member but that does not always work out so to the local store you go. The trade in credit is still better than having fish killing either other. What kind of price tag would you put on that? There are many benefits our local stores provide, we really don’t see them or appreciate them.


I'm a loyal customer of FG and other local store as well and online. Few extra dollars spent is not always going to the owners luxury penthouse, you will know this only through experience.

[jello]

i am one for supporting my lfs, but there are some that i wont get some things from. i will get those things from other shops but they also have some things i wont get from them...if that makes any sense...lol.

i understand they have overhead and its a business for them, but its a hobby for me and sometimes my pocket book cant take the big hit.

[JMatthew]

I sort of agree - sort of.

Having run a brick and mortar business I KNOW that it is difficult to actually price in a manner in which you can beat both the big box and internet pricings. Even when I would price product that I purchased for $78 for $80 I still had "loyal customers" tell me that they could get it for $1 cheaper from an internet source so they would be going with them (and now they don't have my shop to frequent).

On the other hand both Dave's Rare Aquarium Fish AND WetSpot have brick and mortar locations and a huge variety of fish for solidly considerate prices. Both of these businesses seem to throw the "brick and mortar = greater overhead passed onto the customer" arguement out the door. I can't say I know this business like I knew the retail version of the one I had, but I can't understand why our local retailers sells for so much more than either of those retailers.

[RichardB]

I can understand if you get something for $40 and price it at $45. But when you start selling that stuff for $60...is that really a fair profit?

[ddophied]

I understand about the prices and try to support the LFS in the area. You have to shop if you want the best price for things. I once paid $17 for Hikari Discus Bio-gold but I couldn't find it anywhere else and needed it now instead of waiting for it in the mail.

[donkey]

Their overhead does not matter to the people buying the products.If it cost $6 at Walmart and they are charging $16 then why would we buy it from them.Surely they get it cheaper than Walmart.If the Lfs would sell it for Walmart price maybe they only make $1 profit.But that would be $1 everytime someone buys it and thats more than if no one was buying it.Plus that brings people in that would more than likely buy other items.I usually order from Kens about $150 every 3 months.That would cost me like $500 in the LFS.I would love to support them but I don't want to pay more than I can get it elsewhere.A few dollars would be ok but its way more than that.

[backinaction365]

In your defense of high prices,you seem to throw a curve ball saying that its ok for high prices,as a body shop co-owner I know how the game of profit works,so do not try to blow smoke up peoples $%#.The more you mark something up the higher the profit margin.The higher the estimate the more you save the customer on their deductible.Reasonable prices will keep loyal customers...

[TanyaQ2000]

I too would support my local LFS if the mark up was within reason; for example, I needed an impeller for my fluval, local LFS wanted $30 but on-line I got it for less than $10....I'm sorry but I don't make a lot of money and am the sole income for my family of 3 so I went with the on-line vendor and with the $20 plus tax I saved I also got water conditioner.....had my LFS sold the impeller for $15 to $18, then I would have purchased it from them but not when it is 3x....

[backinaction365]

So,now that we see the game they are playing,wonder if they will change??Everybody can get a piece of the pie,if everyone plays fair:exactly:

[Vividcichlids]

If they have been in business this long, do you not think they have ran the numbers as far as supply and demand. It it their business, let them run it the way they want to. If you do not like it, do not shop there. I am willing to pay a little extra for the service provided by most of the LFS. Have you ever stopped and looked at the markup at every single retail chain? It is at least twice and at most places 3x what they paid for it. If you think Fish Gallery is expensive, walk into True Percula and tell me what you think.

[glostik]

Noone should compare a retail shop with an online business.
The overheads and workings of each are way different.

I buy most of my livestock from the LFS - I don't buy alot of supplies from them because they are quite a bit more expensive. But lately, I've noticed that Fish Gallerys prices have come down quite abit.

Online outlets tend to buy more in quantity direct from the manufacturer. Retail LFS buy one or two at a time and they have to buy from the middle man like Central Pets. You get a much better price wholesale when you buy direct and in bulk.

[FlamandalayBay]

Noone should compare a retail shop with an online business.
The overheads and workings of each are way different.

I buy most of my livestock from the LFS - I don't buy alot of supplies from them because they are quite a bit more expensive. But lately, I've noticed that Fish Gallerys prices have come down quite abit.

Online outlets tend to buy more in quantity direct from the manufacturer. Retail LFS buy one or two at a time and they have to buy from the middle man like Central Pets. You get a much better price wholesale when you buy direct and in bulk.
Plus they have to pay for lights and employees etc etc....their is a much higher overhead for retail vs online:spend:but the mark up is still too high...even at the petsmirk/petho stores

[glostik]

You are right, some of their prices are very high, but sometimes its worth paying a lil extra to get it now and not have to wait for shipping

[FlamandalayBay]

I have yet to make a purchase online. I have bought most of my fish from members as well as equip n plants and sub and a few fish from auctions

[tsunderl]

Moved here from Forum Operations.

[juice04]

Price is too high just don't buy. Seems that fg is doing just fine. Next time see if they will give you a club discount

[bluenautilus2]

I do like FG and DNA, I know some of their salespeople. Back when we were getting going we relied heavily on one guy from DNA "Cole" he helped us a LOT. In return for his help we usually buy stuff from DNA that's not a lot more expensive than online. For the Gallery, though, I stick to stock only.

[WRabbit]

I'm glad I live in an area where I have a great variety of choice. This includes independently run businesses such as Dallas North Aquarium, Fish Gallery, Rift To Reef, True Percula, etc. From these merchants I'm able to buy hard to find items when I need them, buy livestock that is unique, get good advice/support, and other things a brick and mortal, independently run business can provide.

I am also glad I don't live in such a place that the only fish store is 20 miles away and then it's either WalMart or Petco/Petsmart/Petland/PetChain.

I like Macy's, you like Dillards, and she likes Ross. We live in America and we're free to chose where we spend our dollar. I would feel empty without small business being available. It was sad to see Pet Boutique close... It was almost like the end of an era. What do we want? Corporate giants like Wally World being our main local source of aquarium supplies? The economy is tough right now and it hurts local business more than corporate megaliths. The only way for local business to survive in this economy is to offer goods, service, and support. I have gotten all three from the local stores mentioned and will continue to patronize these establishments.

If I think something is priced out of line, I don't buy it... Plain and simple. However, I don't expect to get the same prices from a brick and mortar than I do from some guy selling filters or check valves out of his garden shed.

My 2 cents....

Jim

[BODYDUB]

This is the exact reason I want to open up my own LFS...............

[JMatthew]

which one?
Reason that is...

Personally, I don't. I don't think I EVER want to run a business full-time again. Now, part-time from my home as a hobby. Another story...

[BODYDUB]

Reason being is that ignorant/people with money will spend cash on anything that looks good...........