!*!*!*!*!*!*! LFS or ONLINE STORE VISITS !*!*!*!*!*!*!

[Diesel]

Lets talk LFS (local fish store) and online visits.......
Nothing like 30 years ago when we didn't had a online more like lined on ;)
But we didn't had many LFS either, many big cities have like more than 10 not to mention SOCAL where IMO you have more LFS for reefs than gas stations :p
If you make a visit how often do you visit your or for that matter a LFS or ONLINE store?
Do you buy every time you make a visit.
How long do you stay logged in online and do you browse the whole site or do you target it only your specific interest?

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

When first setting up my tank, after the cycle and some uglies, I bought a few corals from local sellers I knew and through craigslist. Then found out we have 2 reliable LFS. After a few trips to each, I found my favorite. To stock up a bit I made weekly or bi weekly trips where I could gaze and get lost in the frag tanks and ask questions. I was a buyer every time. Lol. I've been in a current license situation due to which I haven't been able to make trips as often as I'd like, or really any trips for that matter. Fortunately I was able to participate in a recent live sale from my favorite LFS and am going Wednesday to snag my goods. Personally, I am yet to buy a single coral online. I always like to know what I'm getting 100% and where it's from. There are a handful of vendors on here I would definitely buy from, just need to make sure my tank is up to sps par before dropping some $ on one. I really like the store front feel as well. Being able to chat, ask questions, get answers, and plug away at what's to come. I do browse online stores however a good bit trying to see what's out there and get an idea of what I may be looking for next. So in summary, I'm a hands on LFS shopper that window shops online a lot. Lol

 

[120reefkeeper]

I'm an LFS guy.... old school that way I guess. I like to see them in person. I'm not against online just seems like I get a better deal when I show up in person and rub elbows a little . [emoji6]

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I retract that, I have bought online, but they're from my LFS and I know the quality of items he keeps.

 

[nervousmonkey]

LFS = buy. I go there to find something I see that I like, and buy. Usually looking for a specific color, which isn't always accurate with online
Online = targeted visiting. I don't browse around unless the site owner has added something that sounds interesting. There are a few sites that I browse the entire store, but only a few.

 

[Diesel]

LFS = buy. I go there to find something I see that I like, and buy. Usually looking for a specific color, which isn't always accurate with online
Online = targeted visiting. I don't browse around unless the site owner has added something that sounds interesting. There are a few sites that I browse the entire store, but only a few.

Can I ask which sites?

 

[Mike_J]

I very rarely step foot into local fish stores anymore except to buy frozen fish food and then I usually buy months worth at a time. All of my shopping is online now. There are a handful of sites that I hit several times daily to peruse new livestock or to stalk specific inventory and to see what's on sale. @Pieces of the Ocean, @Reefwise, @ZoaCollector, @uniquecorals, @AquaSD and Amazon for reef supplies are some of my favorites vendors. I'm usually shopping for specific livestock and will only order if I find from my list.

 

[bump3rb33tl3]

Im not an online person, just can't seem to get past the shipping costs...guess I'm cheap like that lol

As for LFS, I have 2.5 that are my go-to's. One LFS is strictly for their tang treats and Chaeto. They farm it all in their store, its healthy, thriving, and i can pick exactly what I want right out of the bins. I know what they feed it and everything..no better place in Texas IMO.

I have one lfs I go to for fish and corals...the .5 is for another I will go to if I have to, but prefer not to because of the drive. I will say there is no such thing as browsing for me lol! If I go....I buy!

 

[Diesel]

Im not an online person, just can't seem to get past the shipping costs...guess I'm cheap like that lol

As for LFS, I have 2.5 that are my go-to's. One LFS is strictly for their tang treats and Chaeto. They farm it all in their store, its healthy, thriving, and i can pick exactly what I want right out of the bins. I know what they feed it and everything..no better place in Texas IMO.

I have one lfs I go to for fish and corals...the .5 is for another I will go to if I have to, but prefer not to because of the drive. I will say there is no such thing as browsing for me lol! If I go....I buy!

Where in Tx.............. open up your cards as I call it!

 

[tautog83]

Sadly there's only one kinda decent LFS around me but they don't sell any sps which is kinda a bummer . So it's mostly online for me battlecorals , aquasd and cultivated reef. If I need a new wrasse then it's zoacollector

 

[bump3rb33tl3]

Where in Tx.............. open up your cards as I call it!

Hi Ben! It's Deanna (Sneezebeetle). I was referring to Fish r Us in The Woodlands for their tang treats and chaeto. Dean is amazing with what he has done there, we will have to bring @Humblefish when he gets out this way :-)

My go-to lfs is That Aquarium Place or Oceanlife.

 

[Diesel]

Sadly there's only one kinda decent LFS around me but they don't sell any sps which is kinda a bummer . So it's mostly online for me battlecorals , aquasd and cultivated reef. If I need a new wrasse then it's zoacollector

Yes, I must say @Battlecorals "Adam" and the @The Coral Kings "Dan" here are the to go to SPS vendors on R2R.

 

[Diesel]

Hi Ben! It's Deanna (Sneezebeetle). I was referring to Fish r Us in The Woodlands for their tang treats and chaeto. Dean is amazing with what he has done there, we will have to bring @Humblefish when he gets out this way :)

My go-to lfs is That Aquarium Place or Oceanlife.

All be........... it's you ;)
R2R meet Deanna................ and Deanna meet R2R :D

 

[bump3rb33tl3]

All be........... it's you ;)
R2R meet Deana................ and Deana meet R2R :D

Thanks for the warm welcome Ben!

 

[dragon99]

I've purchased from both. For me it's easier to browse online to see who's carrying the fish still left on my wish list (blotchy anthias and wrasses).

Since my "local" fish store is 90mi each way, I tend to go with a purpose ;) Which almost always includes LRS or mysis.
The majority of my corals have come from fellow reefers, even lucky enough to have a Diesel frag! Better than a LFS

 

[Clayalaleona]

I'll buy corals online or at shows but we have a fantastic relationship with my LFS. I would regularly trade in high end corals for credit towards dry goods(filter socks, Cal/Alk, pumps, tanks etc). This way I still support my LFS and I also make it possible for people to get high end corals at a decent deal.
I will say though that on Bird Road in Miami there are six stores+ and the one I frequent is the best IMO. I'll take trips to other ones for random stuff that my favorite doesnt have but I will always go back to that one. The customer service is great and I can go in there and talk to the guys about fish, corals, ideas I have, ask for advice, tell them their favorite sports team sucks(LOL sorry Dolphins) and just hang out. You cant get that online...

 

[Diesel]

Thanks for the warm welcome Ben!

I see that you be around for a while what about a avatar pic?

 

[Diesel]

I've purchased from both. For me it's easier to browse online to see who's carrying the fish still left on my wish list (blotchy anthias and wrasses).

Since my "local" fish store is 90mi each way, I tend to go with a purpose ;) Which almost always includes LRS or mysis.
The majority of my corals have come from fellow reefers, even lucky enough to have a Diesel frag! Better than a LFS

AH Bro you made my day :)

 

[bump3rb33tl3]

I see that you be around for a while what about a avatar pic?

Lol! Yea, Im working on it...too many choices, I need a whole row of avatar pics! Can't pick just one [emoji6]

 

[steve&mari]

Lfs for most dry goods owner n I been friends forever so get most at cost. Fish mostly his store otherwise driving 2-3 hours each way for next ones I trust. Coral is mostly online because local don't stock much unless I go couple hours to cherry corals or reefwise 3 hours the opposite direction lol. Dealing with fellow reefers is best when possible.