Marine Depot

[SchnitzelReef]

for those of u that dont already know, us southern californians are lucky enough to have Marine Depot (MD for short) right here in Garden Grove, CA.

So i thought id share my story on how i save some extra cash...so MD now price matches any competitiors price... so far ive gotten them to match pretty much any aquarium website...doesnt matter which one as long as its not ebay or amazon. im currently setting up a 180g tank and i had a long list of parts, so i hit the web and did some shopping. found everything on my list that i needed and all at the best prices..then i called MD and got them to match it and by being able to make the short drive to Garden Grove u can save alot of money by not paying for shipping..just to give u guys an example i got a 175g bucket of Red Sea Coral Salt for $49.99 plus tax($70 at LFS)...2" bulkhead for 12.99,($20 @ LFS)..35ft of 3/4" black vinyl hose for $1.09/ft,($2/ft @ LFS) and a bunch of other odds and ends for good prices.... anyways just thought id share that info for those of u that didnt already know...if Garden Grove is too far it might not be worth it to drive down there for say one bulkhead, but if u have a pretty big list then its def worth it!..i spent $200 yesterday at MD, and i gurantee i would have spent around $250-$280 at a LFS. thats IF they even had everything in stock, which most dont....in this economy every penny counts!!!

if u know of any other places to save some money in this hobby feel free to share!

 

[solitude127]

Did you have to pay for tax?

 

[SchnitzelReef]

ya i paid tax...but on my whole order it was like $14...

 

[Tropical Reef Fish Store]

for those of u that dont already know, us southern californians are lucky enough to have Marine Depot (MD for short) right here in Garden Grove, CA.

So i thought id share my story on how i save some extra cash...so MD now price matches any competitiors price... so far ive gotten them to match pretty much any aquarium website...doesnt matter which one as long as its not ebay or amazon. im currently setting up a 180g tank and i had a long list of parts, so i hit the web and did some shopping. found everything on my list that i needed and all at the best prices..then i called MD and got them to match it and by being able to make the short drive to Garden Grove u can save alot of money by not paying for shipping..just to give u guys an example i got a 175g bucket of Red Sea Coral Salt for $49.99 plus tax($70 at LFS)...2" bulkhead for 12.99,($20 @ LFS)..35ft of 3/4" black vinyl hose for $1.09/ft,($2/ft @ LFS) and a bunch of other odds and ends for good prices.... anyways just thought id share that info for those of u that didnt already know...if Garden Grove is too far it might not be worth it to drive down there for say one bulkhead, but if u have a pretty big list then its def worth it!..i spent $200 yesterday at MD, and i gurantee i would have spent around $250-$280 at a LFS. thats IF they even had everything in stock, which most dont....in this economy every penny counts!!!

if u know of any other places to save some money in this hobby feel free to share!

as this is true and a good way to save money in this very expensive hobby i ask you at what cost?
this is why your favorite lfs that you love to go to and buy your fish,coral's, and sit and bs with is now gone and closed up.
im not just saying this cus i own a store as i belived in this b4 i got my store.
im not saying this is right or worng but don't be mad when yr lfs is gone.


good luck on yr tank nick i saw yr equipment list it look's like it will be real nice when yr done.

 

[solitude127]

as this is true and a good way to save money in this very expensive hobby i ask you at what cost?
this is why your favorite lfs that you love to go to and buy your fish,coral's, and sit and bs with is now gone and closed up.
im not just saying this cus i own a store as i belived in this b4 i got my store.
im not saying this is right or worng but don't be mad when yr lfs is gone.


good luck on yr tank nick i saw yr equipment list it look's like it will be real nice when yr done.

Since you own a store, would you match the prices as well to get the business?

 

[Tropical Reef Fish Store]

Since you own a store, would you match the prices as well to get the business?

on most stuff i can.
i try my best to but it is hard to go up against someone like MD they buy way more and get get it way less.
my store cost alot to run when doing the math cost vs MD selling price it don't work out.

lfs do way more for ppl then just sell stuff.
like free water testing. MD dose not offer this.
right now i got a customers fish in my shop cus her home is being tented for termites. MD dose not offer this
i got a text last night @ 10pm from someone of need help with his tank so i helped him out. MD dose not offer this.
in 3 week's a coustermer of mine is going on a boat cruise for 11 day's im go feed his fish and top off his tank, make shur it is all going alright (for free). MD dose not offer this
my piont is as they do have good price's they can't offer what a lfs can and i think we need as many lfs as we can get IMHO.

hope i don't sounding like a jerk as im not trying to be.

this is a hard time to own a lfs and we need has much help as we can get, that includes drygood sell's.
i love this forum and the ppl on it and im all for geting a good deal also.
just ues online store atleat as you can lol.:becky:

 

[Tangwich]

on most stuff i can.
i try my best to but it is hard to go up against someone like MD they buy way more and get get it way less.
my store cost alot to run when doing the math cost vs MD selling price it don't work out.

lfs do way more for ppl then just sell stuff.
like free water testing. MD dose not offer this.
right now i got a customers fish in my shop cus her home is being tented for termites. MD dose not offer this
i got a text last night @ 10pm from someone of need help with his tank so i helped him out. MD dose not offer this.
in 3 week's a coustermer of mine is going on a boat cruise for 11 day's im go feed his fish and top off his tank, make shur it is all going alright (for free). MD dose not offer this
my piont is as they do have good price's they can't offer what a lfs can and i think we need as many lfs as we can get IMHO.

hope i don't sounding like a jerk as im not trying to be.

this is a hard time to own a lfs and we need has much help as we can get, that includes drygood sell's.
i love this forum and the ppl on it and im all for geting a good deal also.
just ues online store atleat as you can lol.:becky:

I do not know you and have never met you but you DO NOT sound like a jerk saying what you did. YOu make very valid points. I try and give LFS'sssess'ess's all my business before going online. I believe that we should all try this before going online and if we don't, then we shouldn't complain about the lack of fish stores when they shut down.

 

[toromp]

Oooor you can do as I do and go to your lfs like CG and they will get w.e. u want from MD, and throw a good deal in the mix. This way u get the best of both worlds.

 

[danagui]

True that MD doesnt do that but we're mainly talking about price....ive seen shipping manifests of livr and dry goods and almodt all LFS bump the price 6-10 times more than they pay which is ridiculous and the whole reason theyre closing...they simply charge too much....i agree that a trustworthy LFS is good for service, but pricing of goods is a different story

on most stuff i can.
i try my best to but it is hard to go up against someone like MD they buy way more and get get it way less.
my store cost alot to run when doing the math cost vs MD selling price it don't work out.

lfs do way more for ppl then just sell stuff.
like free water testing. MD dose not offer this.
right now i got a customers fish in my shop cus her home is being tented for termites. MD dose not offer this
i got a text last night @ 10pm from someone of need help with his tank so i helped him out. MD dose not offer this.
in 3 week's a coustermer of mine is going on a boat cruise for 11 day's im go feed his fish and top off his tank, make shur it is all going alright (for free). MD dose not offer this
my piont is as they do have good price's they can't offer what a lfs can and i think we need as many lfs as we can get IMHO.

hope i don't sounding like a jerk as im not trying to be.

this is a hard time to own a lfs and we need has much help as we can get, that includes drygood sell's.
i love this forum and the ppl on it and im all for geting a good deal also.
just ues online store atleat as you can lol.:becky:

 

[xraymatt]

Since you own a store, would you match the prices as well to get the business?

Mike you bring up a good question that everyone wants to ask their LFS, but it goes way beyond just price matching. The larger warehouse stores (in my experience) are more likley to put an emphasis on turning over product instead of focusing on the details of the hobby. Now, is this true for everywhere? Of course not, but more often than not, a LFS owner is a hobbyisy like the rest of us who focuses on the quality of product they sell and to whom. Once we lose our neighborhood stores, our hobby will become more industrialized and the ones that will suffer the most will be the fish and corals.

True, the price of the items you are selling is very important when building a client base, but the knowledge and caring that LFS owners bring to the hobby can be just as important.

 

[cthetoy]

I've dealt with Jason at Tropical Reef Store and I've asked him to match some prices as well. Jason is quite honest and will try his best to match prices or come close to it. Even its a few dollars more I will go with him because he is close, I get to check out his store while I'm there and to support his store. You also get a cash discount which MD doesnt have.

If you want to buy a livestock that he does not carry he will find it for you at the wholesalers. Not only that but he will call you from there, describe it for you and ask if you want it or not with no pressure.

 

[Tropical Reef Fish Store]

I do not know you and have never met you but you DO NOT sound like a jerk saying what you did. YOu make very valid points. I try and give LFS'sssess'ess's all my business before going online. I believe that we should all try this before going online and if we don't, then we shouldn't complain about the lack of fish stores when they shut down.

thx man stop on in some time and say hi.

Oooor you can do as I do and go to your lfs like CG and they will get w.e. u want from MD, and throw a good deal in the mix. This way u get the best of both worlds.

ya im a MD wholeseller and can get anything they sell. i all way try to hook it up to.

True that MD doesnt do that but we're mainly talking about price....ive seen shipping manifests of livr and dry goods and almodt all LFS bump the price 6-10 times more than they pay which is ridiculous and the whole reason theyre closing...they simply charge too much....i agree that a trustworthy LFS is good for service, but pricing of goods is a different story

i wish i got '' 6-10time's what i pay.
if yr in my neck of the wood's stop on in you will see i have all dry/live stock at very good price's.

 

[Tropical Reef Fish Store]

Mike you bring up a good question that everyone wants to ask their LFS, but it goes way beyond just price matching. The larger warehouse stores (in my experience) are more likley to put an emphasis on turning over product instead of focusing on the details of the hobby. Now, is this true for everywhere? Of course not, but more often than not, a LFS owner is a hobbyisy like the rest of us who focuses on the quality of product they sell and to whom. Once we lose our neighborhood stores, our hobby will become more industrialized and the ones that will suffer the most will be the fish and corals.

True, the price of the items you are selling is very important when building a client base, but the knowledge and caring that LFS owners bring to the hobby can be just as important.

well said matt

I've dealt with Jason at Tropical Reef Store and I've asked him to match some prices as well. Jason is quite honest and will try his best to match prices or come close to it. Even its a few dollars more I will go with him because he is close, I get to check out his store while I'm there and to support his store. You also get a cash discount which MD doesnt have.

If you want to buy a livestock that he does not carry he will find it for you at the wholesalers. Not only that but he will call you from there, describe it for you and ask if you want it or not with no pressure.

thx man.

 

[toromp]

ya im a MD wholeseller and can get anything they sell. i all way try to hook it up to.

Maybe one of these days ill go and check out your store, heck I might even bring danagui with me. Lol

 

[RuffReef]

ya i paid tax...but on my whole order it was like $14...

That seems like a lot of hassle to save $50. I would much rather go down to my local LFS, shoot the crap, get a coke from the fridge and save myself from 2 hours of driving. Calculate the time it cost me to set up that deal and everything else and it isn't worth it. I have order some big priced items from my LFS and his price is all spot on with other online retailers.

 

[Tropical Reef Fish Store]

Maybe one of these days ill go and check out your store, heck I might even bring danagui with me. Lol

hellz ya bro come on down,ya brg him so he can see that i drive a 91 civic hachback with missmach wheel's im not a baller lol.

 

[RuffReef]

on most stuff i can.
i try my best to but it is hard to go up against someone like MD they buy way more and get get it way less.
my store cost alot to run when doing the math cost vs MD selling price it don't work out.

lfs do way more for ppl then just sell stuff.
like free water testing. MD dose not offer this.
right now i got a customers fish in my shop cus her home is being tented for termites. MD dose not offer this
i got a text last night @ 10pm from someone of need help with his tank so i helped him out. MD dose not offer this.
in 3 week's a coustermer of mine is going on a boat cruise for 11 day's im go feed his fish and top off his tank, make shur it is all going alright (for free). MD dose not offer this
my piont is as they do have good price's they can't offer what a lfs can and i think we need as many lfs as we can get IMHO.

hope i don't sounding like a jerk as im not trying to be.

this is a hard time to own a lfs and we need has much help as we can get, that includes drygood sell's.
i love this forum and the ppl on it and im all for geting a good deal also.
just ues online store atleat as you can lol.:becky:

People can't expect you to compete with MD, you buy some of your stuff from MDs wholesale department (NAWS) and if MD wants to sell a customer an item at your prices they will still make money.

 

[RuffReef]

Maybe one of these days ill go and check out your store, heck I might even bring danagui with me. Lol

I just feed him Del-Taco

 

[solitude127]

on most stuff i can.
i try my best to but it is hard to go up against someone like MD they buy way more and get get it way less.
my store cost alot to run when doing the math cost vs MD selling price it don't work out.

lfs do way more for ppl then just sell stuff.
like free water testing. MD dose not offer this.
right now i got a customers fish in my shop cus her home is being tented for termites. MD dose not offer this
i got a text last night @ 10pm from someone of need help with his tank so i helped him out. MD dose not offer this.
in 3 week's a coustermer of mine is going on a boat cruise for 11 day's im go feed his fish and top off his tank, make shur it is all going alright (for free). MD dose not offer this
my piont is as they do have good price's they can't offer what a lfs can and i think we need as many lfs as we can get IMHO.

hope i don't sounding like a jerk as im not trying to be.

this is a hard time to own a lfs and we need has much help as we can get, that includes drygood sell's.
i love this forum and the ppl on it and im all for geting a good deal also.
just ues online store atleat as you can lol.:becky:

I wish you were closer, I'd definitely shop at your store.

 

[Tropical Reef Fish Store]

That seems like a lot of hassle to save $50. I would much rather go down to my local LFS, shoot the crap, get a coke from the fridge and save myself from 2 hours of driving. Calculate the time it cost me to set up that deal and everything else and it isn't worth it. I have order some big priced items from my LFS and his price is all spot on with other online retailers.

:hug:

People can't expect you to compete with MD, you buy some of your stuff from MDs wholesale department (NAWS) and if MD wants to sell a customer an item at your prices they will still make money.

so true

I just feed him Del-Taco

hell ya. that was sweet it hard for me to out for lunch as the the one and only employe.

I wish you were closer, I'd definitely shop at your store.

thx man