THE LFS vs. the eTailer- who's really pinching LFS's?

[Kmiec123]

[mpedersen]

[xroads]

[mpedersen]

[Morgman]

[xroads]

[Morgman]

[xroads]

[mpedersen]

[xroads]

[xroads]

[Kmiec123]

I actually try not to use the term “Misbar” When people come to pick out fish at my place I say “These fish have some interesting marking” and you would be surprised to see that nobody have ever picked the fish with perfect developing bars that I was keeping for my stock. I would tell them there are two or three fish in there I am not selling, but I’m not going to tell you which one unless you pick it. Seems to work for me, they have never picked the perfect ones. Just something I do.
Carl

[xroads]

[mpedersen]

I thought perhaps the last word had been written on this thread, but then I walked into a shop this weekend on my drive home and I was sucker punched in the gut by the most insane price I've ever seen.

Black Saddleback Clownfish Pair $450.

Yes, that was $450, or $225 per fish plus tax.

I think I cracked a rib and spit out a couple teeth. There's not a clownfish on the planet called "Black Saddleback" that anyone should be paying $450 for a pair of (unless they're spawning or something)...so I can only assume that yes, in fact, the "Black Saddlebacks" in question where the pair of brown-snouted juvenile misbarred Black Ocellaris swimming in the tank on the front counter.

I'm going to forego naming the shop...I'll just say that yes, this shop is a high-end shop, but as a point of reference, I believe I've seen Black Ocellaris in their tanks for $50 in the past.

I'm trying to convey my thoughts on this yet still be nice and I just can't. How can a shop ask that kind of premium for a run of the mill fish and expect that it won't come back to bite 'em in the butt later? I see things like this, and I have to wonder if it's really such a mystery that "hobbyists" are chosing swaps and online vendors over stores? And by "hobbyists", I mean the person who's made it through the first year or two..the person who may see that pair of fish and must have them, but a year or two later realizes that the $450 clownfish pair they bought could've been had most other places for $80-100.

Of course, it doesn't stop there...I'm guilty of wondering why the same refractometor at the Drs. for $45 runs $100 at the LFS? Why is super selcon $11 online and $20+ at the LFS? Salt for $35 a bucket instead of $60? I understand the concept of buying in bulk, warehouse vs. retail space costs, but I'm starting to wonder if the difference has gotten out of hand.

It's not really a new discrepency, but hobbyists who are pinched by the current worldwide economic downturn are gonna be harder and harder pressed to continue to "do the right thing and support the LFS" when facing such an extreme premium to do so. I just wonder if again, some shops are going to price themselves right out of the market, or if not, it'll simply come back to bite 'em later on?

Still picking up my teeth after seeing Black Ocellaris being offered for $225 a shot....

Matt

[KathyL]

[Fearlessmoto]

[KathyL]

[Fishboy42]

[aomont]

[Morgman]

I did notice a wholesalers is selling B&W ocellaris misbar pairs for 99 bucks wholesale. Who knows how long the pairs have been established. Maybe that is why we are seeing such a huge spike in some B&W ocellaris?

[Fishboy42]

Yes, I've seen those as well, listed as "1/2 Stripe Black Ocellaris Pair, Special."

I may call our rep there and ask for some information on these, just for fun

[mpedersen]

[KathyL]

[mpedersen]

[Fearlessmoto]

Man did I have it ALL wrong, ive been trying to raise perfect fish , but now I see the REAL money is in the defects, maybe i can find clowns born with one fin smaller than the other and market them as nemo clowns, ILL MAKE A FORTUNE! LOL but seriously why are the oddballs considered to be worth so much, and the perfect fish considered too common?