I agree. Folks should shop where it makes sense for them. One's relationship with a particular LFS won't particularly be the same as another's with that same LFS. I tend to shop at LFSs that are fair and respect all of customers, even if they don't drop several hundred dollars.
During my last visit to Reef Imports, I had a sincere conversation with the the guy that is typically in the back boxing up purchases. If anyone knows his name, please pass it along to me. I think he's middle eastern. He's a great guy, judging from our talk, and he's trying and of course there are going to be bumps in the road while they transition to retail. He was very candid with me and was not trying to sell me anything. Due to his relationship with a major coral buyer that we all know, I realize that this relationship should be nurtured as he is recommended and a good guy. Instead of walking out empty handed, I cleaned Reef Imports out of Chocolate Stars and spent another $100 on other things. It was a couple dollars more then what I typically pay 1 mile away but in the scheme of things, that is not going to bankrupt me and I am investing in my relationship with that LFS.
I think folks are confusing my comments with me saying DO NOT SHOP HERE, and that is not what I am saying. They do have great deals on starter or the most common fish and folks who are in the market for that stuff should take advantage of that great pricing. Again, I am not their target demographic. Items I am interested in I asked to be priced and those prices are listed above. They have great pricing on Mysis flats, Phyto and other foods. They have tons of nice $10-$15 frags in their zoa tanks and their prices on Alveopora and Gonipora are unmatched by any LFS that I have been too. Coral colonies are around $25-$35 which is great and larger colonies are priced very competitively as well. If you are looking for any of those items, please go and visit. But to say that all of their fish are 50-75% off of typical retail is misleading and unfair to folks like me and Gene who drive miles and miles to support a LFS. There are savings....but not that dramatic.
I didn't receive a refund for the 9 Red Spotted Cardinals that died within 2 weeks. I did get a store credit though, which I used to buy the trio of anthias that I picked up when I drove up. They were dead in my tank the next day though. I was unaware that a cash/credit refund was an option.
opcorn:
