No LFS frustrations

[JZ199]

I know I'm far from the only one with this issue, but today I'm just feeling very irritated over it so I figured I would vent a little.

I had one LFS that very rarely would have some saltwater selection and they haven't had anything in months. I have a Petco about 35 minutes from me, but they seldom carry more than clownfish or occasionally a nice frag.

I badly need to restock my CUC population

So now I face the unfortunate choice, do I drive an hour and twenty minutes to the closest stores for $20 worth of snails, or do I find somewhere online to order and pay massive shipping or make a minimum order of the standard $75 to get "free shipping"

Maybe someday I'll hit the lotto and be able to bring a reef store to my area! Everyone else in this same unfortunate predicament, do you usually just order or take the drive? I'll probably use 20 or 30 dollars in fuel to get anywhere so I may just search for a reputable place to order... Only need a few snails for my 32.5G

 

[Uncle99]

I know I'm far from the only one with this issue, but today I'm just feeling very irritated over it so I figured I would vent a little.

I had one LFS that very rarely would have some saltwater selection and they haven't had anything in months. I have a Petco about 35 minutes from me, but they seldom carry more than clownfish or occasionally a nice frag.

I badly need to restock my CUC population

So now I face the unfortunate choice, do I drive an hour and twenty minutes to the closest stores for $20 worth of snails, or do I find somewhere online to order and pay massive shipping or make a minimum order of the standard $75 to get "free shipping"

Maybe someday I'll hit the lotto and be able to bring a reef store to my area! Everyone else in this same unfortunate predicament, do you usually just order or take the drive? I'll probably use 20 or 30 dollars in fuel to get anywhere so I may just search for a reputable place to order... Only need a few snails for my 32.5G

If I can drive reasonably, I drive.
I like to see what I’m buying and reduce transport stress.
I might order/ship if there’s something whereas I have little choice.

 

[TX_REEF]

I know I'm far from the only one with this issue, but today I'm just feeling very irritated over it so I figured I would vent a little.

I had one LFS that very rarely would have some saltwater selection and they haven't had anything in months. I have a Petco about 35 minutes from me, but they seldom carry more than clownfish or occasionally a nice frag.

I badly need to restock my CUC population

So now I face the unfortunate choice, do I drive an hour and twenty minutes to the closest stores for $20 worth of snails, or do I find somewhere online to order and pay massive shipping or make a minimum order of the standard $75 to get "free shipping"

Maybe someday I'll hit the lotto and be able to bring a reef store to my area! Everyone else in this same unfortunate predicament, do you usually just order or take the drive? I'll probably use 20 or 30 dollars in fuel to get anywhere so I may just search for a reputable place to order... Only need a few snails for my 32.5G

that's a struggle for sure. If you can, try connecting with local hobbyists and submit an order together to hit that free shipping minimum, then divvy up the goods on receipt.

 

[miyags]

Erie Pa...Saltwater reef selections are going down hill...

 

[SAY]

I make the drive and enjoy it,

 

[ryanjohn1]

Take the drive. This side of pa we got some pretty good shops plus local reefers who sell as well

 

[OutColdCRNA]

I have ordered CUC through reef cleaners multiple times. In in the same boat as you with no local shop. The shipping is not terrible through reef cleaners as well. For the prices of their individual creatures it makes up for the shipping cost. IMO

 

[JZ199]

Take the drive. This side of pa we got some pretty good shops plus local reefers who sell as well

I'm always searching for some local people who are in the hobby, maybe one day I will get lucky! Lol... I'm in northeast PA (ringtown) so each direction will land me somewhere eventually, Allentown is about 1hr15, Reading is about the same, Lancaster is about 1hr40min and Philly is about 2hr40min.

I've been some great places in reading and Allentown, last time I was at that pet place in Lancaster I wasn't too thrilled with the selection

 

[JZ199]

Erie Pa...Saltwater reef selections are going down hill...

It's super disappointing to see, and you're way out there from me! Erie is almost a 5 hour trek for me lol

 

[JZ199]

that's a struggle for sure. If you can, try connecting with local hobbyists and submit an order together to hit that free shipping minimum, then divvy up the goods on receipt.

That's actually a great idea

 

[Reefing102]

$20-$30 in fuel vs $40-$50 shipping (which will likely break out to LFS cost in the end), I’d drive. If I was going big, like 100 or so snails) shipping is likely worth it. I generally order from @reefcleaners

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

drive and use the $75 to buy a nice coral when you get there as a congratulatory gift to yourself...... thats what I would do.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Reef cleaners is my go-to for cuc. My local LFS's stock well, but for a large cuc order you can't beat them, I usually stick to the USPS stuff when I order. Depending on where you are, I'd wait a few months til it warms up a bit, if your gonna order.

 

[OctaviusBrine]

I feel your pain for sure. We have one real shop up here. They are a great store but generally sell out of things fast. So it’s hit or miss and sadly they don’t stock a lot of equipment so that part can be slim pickings. Shipping is ridiculous to get things here and that’s if they will even ship here. If it were me I’d make a whole day of it and research some lfs and drive pick up some CUC and maybe a fish/coral or equipment. My next closest Lsf is a 3 hour flight away it sucks.

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

I know I'm far from the only one with this issue, but today I'm just feeling very irritated over it so I figured I would vent a little.

I had one LFS that very rarely would have some saltwater selection and they haven't had anything in months. I have a Petco about 35 minutes from me, but they seldom carry more than clownfish or occasionally a nice frag.

I badly need to restock my CUC population

So now I face the unfortunate choice, do I drive an hour and twenty minutes to the closest stores for $20 worth of snails, or do I find somewhere online to order and pay massive shipping or make a minimum order of the standard $75 to get "free shipping"

Maybe someday I'll hit the lotto and be able to bring a reef store to my area! Everyone else in this same unfortunate predicament, do you usually just order or take the drive? I'll probably use 20 or 30 dollars in fuel to get anywhere so I may just search for a reputable place to order... Only need a few snails for my 32.5G

I'm fortunate enough to have a very nice reef shop less than 15 min away. However my wife and i regularly drive an hour and a half to visit our favorite store or for one that has a good freshwater selection. We enjoy browsing and looking for cool frags and stuff. Maybe get dinner while we're in the area.

 

[PotatoPig]

Have you tried Reefcleaners?

Very reasonable prices, free shipping on their “cleaner packages” and fairly reasonable shipping if you’re making smaller purchases.

 

[jda]

Some of the places in Florida will ship priority in the nice months. ...probably not in January so you will have to wait, but shipping is cheap these times of year.

 

[fish farmer]

I live in Vermont.

It is 55 miles or more to "good" pet stores in my state. Petco sometimes has snails....20 min drive.

I just came back from one of the better LFS in the Boston area....6 snails for $30, trochus and astrea, almost bought some frags, decent prices on those.

I've been in this hobby since 2000 and seen stores come and go in this region, but have shopped online for the last 10 years for CUC. Reeftopia, Reefcleaners, and last year bundled them with coral orders from Pacific East Aquaculture.

I do my ordering spring and fall, if it is mild, you can get away with priority mail shipping from Florida, but last time I did overnight. My needs are usually every couple of years...29 gallon tank.

 

[ryanjohn1]

I'm always searching for some local people who are in the hobby, maybe one day I will get lucky! Lol... I'm in northeast PA (ringtown) so each direction will land me somewhere eventually, Allentown is about 1hr15, Reading is about the same, Lancaster is about 1hr40min and Philly is about 2hr40min.

I've been some great places in reading and Allentown, last time I was at that pet place in Lancaster I wasn't too thrilled with the selection

Lancaster is having frag swap Saturday

 

[ryanjohn1]

I'm always searching for some local people who are in the hobby, maybe one day I will get lucky! Lol... I'm in northeast PA (ringtown) so each direction will land me somewhere eventually, Allentown is about 1hr15, Reading is about the same, Lancaster is about 1hr40min and Philly is about 2hr40min.

I've been some great places in reading and Allentown, last time I was at that pet place in Lancaster I wasn't too thrilled with the selection

Been to something fishy in north Hampton?