What would you want to see in a supplier?

Stevhan · 12-19-2006, 09:10 PM

Ok so its official I am setting up shop finally. Everyone that has talked to me long enough at some stores and on here know that Ive been wanting to do this for about 4 years. What I want to know is aside from good livestock and good prices what are the most important things that you look for when buying livestock?

RoyceLe · 12-19-2006, 11:28 PM

My favorite store would be the one with as many wrasses, tangs and gobies and seperated by kinds, not mixed as most stores I've visited.

LilB0506 · 12-20-2006, 03:44 AM

i would say first and foremost is kind, KNOWLEDGEABLE staff... healthy livestock, and of course fair prices

Pnguye3 · 12-20-2006, 11:54 AM

My tanks arent very big, so I've always been fond of a store w/ lots of frags..

Stevhan · 12-20-2006, 12:29 PM

Im not really going to be a big time fish store but it would be nice to see a store like Marine Fish and Cap Bay combined. Ive always liked the prices at MF and the selection of fish but Cap Bay has everyone beat hands down on coral.

Jessezm · 12-20-2006, 01:21 PM

Location is important. Where will it be??? You've worked at the good LFS's, so I bet you have a good idea of what makes them good...

Now, here's something I have been thinking about for a long time: An atlanta-area reef co-op of sorts. It would not be a club, but a co-op, where members volunteered and committed to a certain number of hours a month in exchange for, well, whatever...goods, discounts, use of quarantine services, water, a place to cycle LR orders, etc. It could also be a repository and redistribution center for used goods, where the co-op could purchase entire set-ups when people break down their tanks, and resell to members for excellent used prices. Also, people could bring frags in to sell in a co-op members' area. Maybe it's just a pipe dream, but it always sounded kind of cool to me...

andregarcia_73 · 12-20-2006, 02:14 PM

Yeah I Like This Idea! I Want To Eventually Run My Own Shop As Well! I Would Say That What Makes A Good Lfs Is Not Only Good Location, Dedicated People, Great Healthy Livestock, A Community Oriented Store, Welcoming And Willing To Answer Peoples Question But Also A Knowlegdable Staff Who Really Looks Out For Their Customers. Im In! Just Let Me Know The Details. Im Willing To Help/ Work There! Just Contact Me With Info! Sounds Great So Far.

andregarcia_73 · 12-20-2006, 02:15 PM

I Also Happen To Have Info About Suppliers That 've Dealt With! Great Fish!

mjhonda2002 · 12-20-2006, 03:03 PM

Yea i would say location, good staff, prices, and clean environement. No matter how good your prices no one wants to be in a dirty store. Hey if you need workers i am in.

Deuter · 12-20-2006, 03:42 PM

sorry to butt, but I've always wondered how LFS make any money... Maybe they dont' make very much money and they just make a little and do it for the love of the hobby? Anyone?

However I like LFS with allot of selection!!! A little bit of everything, I hate fish stores when they don't have a little bit of everything. I think if the store has everything a customer would need they would come back to that store for everything they need instead of drifting to say 5 different shops. Just my 10cents.

-Deuter

andregarcia_73 · 12-20-2006, 03:45 PM

SOMETHING THAT DRAWS ME TO MY LFS IS THE FACT THAT THEY CAN ORDER A FISH YOU WANT... OF COURSE WITH A 25% DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT. iTS REALLY NEAT! I ORDERLOTS OF THINGS FROM THEM!

Stevhan · 12-20-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessezm

Location is important. Where will it be??? You've worked at the good LFS's, so I bet you have a good idea of what makes them good...

Now, here's something I have been thinking about for a long time: An atlanta-area reef co-op of sorts. It would not be a club, but a co-op, where members volunteered and committed to a certain number of hours a month in exchange for, well, whatever...goods, discounts, use of quarantine services, water, a place to cycle LR orders, etc. It could also be a repository and redistribution center for used goods, where the co-op could purchase entire set-ups when people break down their tanks, and resell to members for excellent used prices. Also, people could bring frags in to sell in a co-op members' area. Maybe it's just a pipe dream, but it always sounded kind of cool to me...

Thanks! Thats a good idea. Im not sure how it would pay for the rent very well but I might be willing to throw some ideas like that in. I plan on having liverock because back in the day I could get it cheap and I would make the 14 hour trip there and then the 14 hours back.

Stevhan · 12-20-2006, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuter

sorry to butt, but I've always wondered how LFS make any money... Maybe they dont' make very much money and they just make a little and do it for the love of the hobby? Anyone?

-Deuter

Overhead is high and of course trying to compete with online retailers is tough for the LFS. Its hard to make money and make people happy with prices but I like to support the LFS for the convenience. Sure I'll pay a little more at store X but if I have a problem they'll be more likely to take it back as opposed to the online guys who dont know who I am except customer #59846 and then I have to pay the shipping to get a replacement...sorry Ive had that happen a couple of times and Im still bitter.

andregarcia_73 · 12-20-2006, 06:49 PM

So Can I Help? I Want To Be Your Employee!

is_that_a_fish · 12-20-2006, 07:18 PM

in what area are you planning on making your store?