Why all the 25-50% off sales?

[dnledman]

Alright so I may stir up a hornets nest with this post but here goes.

It seems like most online stores are constantly having 20-40% sales on the price of their corals. The hardware stores seem even worse nowadays with constant emails from BRS for 15% off.

It feels like there are two halves to reefing, the big money reefers and then everyone else. These retailers are trying to get as much money out of the big money reefers while not alienating the rest of us?

What is going on here. Why can’t things just be fairly priced? I mean I have been quoted $200-$500 difference for the same exact species fish with the same lack of a qt procedure!!!

Not to mention the torches….can someone please explain like I am 5?

 

[Fish Fan]

Not to mention the torches….can someone please explain like I am 5?

I can't explain the torches. Years ago they were inexpensive, but now not so much.

 

[VintageReefer]

Alright so I may stir up a hornets nest with this post but here goes.

It seems like most online stores are constantly having 20-40% sales on the price of their corals. The hardware stores seem even worse nowadays with constant emails from BRS for 15% off.

It feels like there are two halves to reefing, the big money reefers and then everyone else. These retailers are trying to get as much money out of the big money reefers while not alienating the rest of us?

What is going on here. Why can’t things just be fairly priced? I mean I have been quoted $200-$500 difference for the same exact species fish with the same lack of a qt procedure!!!

Not to mention the torches….can someone please explain like I am 5?

What are examples of the same torch varying in price dramatically ?

 

[Zymotic]

Having lots of sales is probably good for business. Personally, I always feel more tempted to buy gear, coral and even live animals when there is a sale. The discrepancy in cost is usually due to where you buy from. We all know of places like BRS that sell online and can move a large quantity of product to make up for smaller margins. Then there's the local shops which have much less inventory but will help you find what you're looking for and pair you up with the right items. Then you have hobbyists selling locally at swap meets or online who can undercut the cost of corals completely.

I guess what I'm saying is that most companies are actually quite fair. It's just unfortunate we all have to pay more for everything right now thanks to the uncertainty of the markets.

 

[19Mateo83]

Alright so I may stir up a hornets nest with this post but here goes.

It seems like most online stores are constantly having 20-40% sales on the price of their corals. The hardware stores seem even worse nowadays with constant emails from BRS for 15% off.

It feels like there are two halves to reefing, the big money reefers and then everyone else. These retailers are trying to get as much money out of the big money reefers while not alienating the rest of us?

What is going on here. Why can’t things just be fairly priced? I mean I have been quoted $200-$500 difference for the same exact species fish with the same lack of a qt procedure!!!

Not to mention the torches….can someone please explain like I am 5?

The constant 20-40% sales on corals is a sales tactic. They over inflate the prices of corals so when a magical 20-40% Cupon arrives in your inbox you are tricked into thinking you get a deal when in actuality they are selling you the item at their ideal profit ratio. It’s interesting…. You don’t see local fish stores advertising 20-40% off every other week to drive sales…

 

[VintageReefer]

I see sales on holidays typically. Recently I saw many places with 25-40% sales for Mother’s Day. Once the holiday is over, it’s back to normal prices. The big sales allow vendors to clear inventory and make larger orders at a slimmer profit margin. This brings in revenue, and frees up space, allowing them to get new stock

 

[dnledman]

The constant 20-40% sales on corals is a sales tactic. They over inflate the prices of corals so when a magical 20-40% Cupon arrives in your inbox you are tricked into thinking you get a deal when in actuality they are selling you the item at their ideal profit ratio. It’s interesting…. You don’t see local fish stores advertising 20-40% off every other week to drive sales…

Right, this is my point, why don’t they just price things 18% less!!!

 

[VintageReefer]

The constant 20-40% sales on corals is a sales tactic. They over inflate the prices of corals so when a magical 20-40% Cupon arrives in your inbox you are tricked into thinking you get a deal when in actuality they are selling you the item at their ideal profit ratio. It’s interesting…. You don’t see local fish stores advertising 20-40% off every other week to drive sales…

You are correct but by me the LFS regularly charges 50% more than the websites. It’s cheaper for me to buy coral online, and have it shipped, Then for me to buy from a LFS.

 

[VintageReefer]

Right, this is my point, why don’t they just price things 18% less!!!

Why don’t you just wait for the sales lol

 

[dnledman]

I do, it’s just annoying

 

[Liquid361]

Right, this is my point, why don’t they just price things 18% less!!!

It’s human behavior… it’s stupid, but so are we. People are more apt to buy when they see sale. You’re giving humanity too much credit by saying just price fairly.

 

[VintageReefer]

It’s human behavior… it’s stupid, but so are we. People are more apt to buy when they see sale. You’re giving humanity too much credit by saying just price fairly.

If priced fairly all the time then there is no incentive to buy. You could put it off for tomorrow, next week, month, or never

Having a sale with a duration of 24-48 hours, or whatever, helps motivate people to pull the trigger and make the order. It’s 50$ today and 75$ tomorrow. Would you order or wait ?

 

[Liquid361]

If priced fairly all the time then there is no incentive to buy. You could put it off for tomorrow, next week, month, or never

Having a sale with a duration of 24-48 hours, or whatever, helps motivate people to pull the trigger and make the order. It’s 50$ today and 75$ tomorrow. Would you order or wait ?

Exactly right. It’s just one of those stupid silly things about the general public… it’s operant conditioning.

 

[FernBluffReef]

You don’t see local fish stores advertising 20-40% off every other week to drive sales…

One of my local LFS is constantly offering specials for 20-50%. Buy 5 get 5 free, buy 3 get 2 free. It’s. Relentless pace. This shrimp or snail 50% off. By 2 fish get one free etc etc.

If I need a specific thing and can time to a sale great but otherwise not always practical to get good numbers of critters when really at this point want specific pieces such as that dang $499 torch that keeps staring at me that I’m not willing to pay that much for

 

[dnledman]

One of my local LFS is constantly offering specials for 20-50%. Buy 5 get 5 free, buy 3 get 2 free. It’s. Relentless pace. This shrimp or snail 50% off. By 2 fish get one free etc etc.

If I need a specific thing and can time to a sale great but otherwise not always practical to get good numbers of critters when really at this point want specific pieces such as that dang $499 torch that keeps staring at me that I’m not willing to pay that much for

Worse off you buy it and it melts!!!

 

[dnledman]

It’s human behavior… it’s stupid, but so are we. People are more apt to buy when they see sale. You’re giving humanity too much credit by saying just price fairly.

Markets aren’t efficient

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

You are correct but by me the LFS regularly charges 50% more than the websites. It’s cheaper for me to buy coral online, and have it shipped, Then for me to buy from a LFS.

Man thats crazy! I dont have many lfs left in my area, but the one I use grows all their own corals and only bring in small amounts of corals they sell the most of like torches. But his prices usually aline with online or even beats them on frags that have grown out while in their for sale tanks he wont mark it up for the size if grown he just prices that tank/rack if it doubles in size or not while waiting to be sold

 

[Reefer Matt]

It’s the end of the season in the US. They are trying to get more capital before the summer lull.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

It’s the end of the season in the US. They are trying to get more capital before the summer lull.

Yea this is true, usually see a downward trend in buying while everyone is busy during the summer. I buy all summer long so dont think about others that are busy and stop :face-with-tears-of-joy:

 

[JonoH]

You are correct but by me the LFS regularly charges 50% more than the websites. It’s cheaper for me to buy coral online, and have it shipped, Then for me to buy from a LFS.

I find the same over here...even to the point that LFS won't advertise there prices, so they can change depending on what customers they are dealing with.

Its strange, but i have found SPS much cheaper and more stable pricing wise than LPS also...