Times have changed - Very disappointing

[I.AM.MR.MIKE]

Everyone and their brother decided they could start a coral business and many are just flippers period. They buy a lot and flip the tiny frags to us for a profit. Stick to the long term good sellers if they are fair and honest.

 

[flashsmith]

I am a business owner as well. Given all the costs, employee raises, taxes going up…I have made less each of the last three years and continually have my employees calling me greedy even though I have yet to lay anyone off. It is exhausting.

And everybody out there has this notion that because you own a business you must have money. That's far from the case for 99% of small businesses. I'm finally back to pre covid gross but my net is way down because of the price of doing business has exceeded what the market will pay. The only good to come out of this for me is Iowballers have put themselves out of work in my field. The days of living on 10% margins are gone. This is the reason why black Friday deals are no more.

 

[Perry]

There’s always “room for 1 more”

Answer:
Acrylic Rods ;)

 

[ninjamyst]

Can someone explain to me why costs have gone through the roof for businesses and now they have to pass that cost to consumers? During the pandemic, I understand. Now that pandemic is over, what's going on?? It's always one thing or another...someone is getting rich here...question is who???

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

Ugh! yeah I didn’t quite realize that.

the whole vendors jacking up their price is right before sale. no that’s lame I mean that’s absolutely, utterly ridiculous

 

[I.AM.MR.MIKE]

Sorry for editing, people get mad so I will shut up

 

[old_lady_4am]

Ive seen what's going on and have been tracking various vendors to try to stick with one or two as there are so many out there.
For me- NONE !!! I will buy from private parties or patiently wait for other RAP and MACNA shows.
Over the last 18 weeks, prices have gone up 36-39% with certain vendors (cant say names) and THESE SO CALLED BLACK FRIDAY AND XMAS DEALS are a joke- prices have jumped to as much as 50%.
MERRY XMAS TO THE VENDORS BECAUSE ITS NOT US !!
BE CAREFUL FOLKS AND NOT JUMP ON SOMETHING VIA IMPULSE BUT SHOP CAREFULLY. These 10%-20% off are merely off increased prices- Such a Shame !!

I owned an LFS and realize mark-up, profit margins and expenses but would not do this to my customers who work hard for their money. Very disappointed (but not fooled)

I can’t respond with my reasons why I think this is happening without bringing politics into the conversation so I’ll politely remove myself from this thread lol.

 

[I.AM.MR.MIKE]

Answer:
Acrylic Rods ;)

We could buy a Shish Kabob instead of tiny frag.

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Can someone explain to me why costs have gone through the roof for businesses and now they have to pass that cost to consumers? During the pandemic, I understand. Now that pandemic is over, what's going on?? It's always one thing or another...someone is getting rich here...question is who???

Because the supply lines havent all kick back to full strength yet. There are a lot of companies that went out of business during covid and it takes time for those business to either start up again, have new business take their place or find alternative supplies. Plus the labor shortage. Seems like a lot of the 'grey community' decided not to come back to work which means people are fighting over 1 million less workers. It is the reason why McDonalds are playing $20 something an hour (and they still cant make my burger look like the darn picture!!). Gonna be a while if prices ever come back down..if ever.

 

[spsick]

Business owners that took this thread personally:

Did you raise coral prices 36-39% right before a sale?

If not, y u so mad?

 

[I.AM.MR.MIKE]

A couple years like the last two and we will be buying coral dust instead of a frag, just sprinkle it on your rock. Kind of like that fairy dust in a bottle to start coralline.

 

[StatelineReefer]

Answer:
Acrylic Rods ;)

Levels, Jerry!!! Levels!

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Business owners that took this thread personally:

Did you raise coral prices 36-39% right before a sale?

If not, y u so mad?

Nope. I said to myself...i am not going a basis point over 35%. So i can sleep at night.

 

[Nate Chalk]

Ugh! yeah I didn’t quite realize that.

the whole vendors jacking up their price is right before sale. no that’s lame I mean that’s absolutely, utterly ridiculous

I now want a battle box. It's on my list

Something yellow will be my only request. I see plenty of yellow on the site. Which is done very well. The box is very smart.

Now to convince my wife I need to spend $300 more. Tee hee

 

[ninjamyst]

Because the supply lines havent all kick back to full strength yet. There are a lot of companies that went out of business during covid and it takes time for those business to either start up again, have new business take their place or find alternative supplies. Plus the labor shortage. Seems like a lot of the 'grey community' decided not to come back to work which means people are fighting over 1 million less workers. It is the reason why McDonalds are playing $20 something an hour (and they still cant make my burger look like the darn picture!!). Gonna be a while if prices ever come back down..if ever.

Yea that's my biggest fear. First business says to support them during covid and be understanding that price has gone up. Then it's inflation. Then it's probably going to be recession. All that means is price will stay high because there will always be something. Now that prices have gone up, no business gonna drop their price if demand keeps up.

I don't really understand the labor shortage. If everything costs more now, how are people able to sustain without a job??? Shouldn't there be a labor surplus??

I really should have taken that macro economics class in college....

 

[I.AM.MR.MIKE]

Ugh! yeah I didn’t quite realize that.

the whole vendors jacking up their price is right before sale. no that’s lame I mean that’s absolutely, utterly ridiculous

If I buy anymore coral I will give Adam a try because he seems like a good guy and I like his musings.

 

[kenchilada]

Can someone explain to me why costs have gone through the roof for businesses and now they have to pass that cost to consumers? During the pandemic, I understand. Now that pandemic is over, what's going on?? It's always one thing or another...someone is getting rich here...question is who???

Inflation? Fuel prices? All the other terrible policy the last couple years?

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Yea that's my biggest fear. First business says to support them during covid and be understanding that price has gone up. Then it's inflation. Then it's probably going to be recession. All that means is price will stay high because there will always be something. Now that prices have gone up, no business gonna drop their price if demand keeps up.

I don't really understand the labor shortage. If everything costs more now, how are people able to sustain without a job??? Shouldn't there be a labor surplus??

I really should have taken that macro economics class in college....

The news cycles (both sides) are actually worried that all of the 'covid savings' are starting to be exhausted..which means the issue you are wondering about may start coming to fruition.

Prices will come down (relatively) when either people cant afford to buy or competition starts under cutting them. Just not in the cards just yet. Be patient. Heck...EcoTech had 25% off the Vortechs and they didnt sell out. Major discounts are usually precursors to deflation as sellers are trying to hold the line on the pricing but cant. I think we will start seeing some pricing drops in the near'ish future.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

Levels, Jerry!!! Levels!

You have no idea how much “levels, Jerry!!!!levels” applies to my tank

 

[nkyreef]

Prices went up which seemed temporary but seems likely to stay. The holidays always see an extra bump just to magically come down for Black Friday. Check those local hobbyists and club members. I know my overgrown coral beats even the best Black Friday deals.