Do you ask for discount at lfs?

[Swimmingwiththefishes]

I usually ask for discount at lfs's and get it or something else thrown in most or the time,even on small purchases,at the worse they'll say no but still sell to me at the original price.
I don't ask if know the price is very competitive anyway.
Do you ask and do you get it?
Cheers Alan

[benb]

If I ask, I sometimes do, but most of the time, I get free things like Turbos

[lawrence cope]

I voted for yes and usually get it, but i only ask when the item seems a bit on the expensive side! Otherwise im happy to pay the asking price and dont bother asking!

[big chris]

i always ask,

lil bit of banter and chipping the prices down never hurt anyone

[SPS Hoover]

Why is a LFS different to Tesco's, Sainburys I'd like to see how far you got there. Why do think they can afford to give you discount If you can't afford advertised price don't buy it. What would you say if you employer tried to reduce your working rate

Sorry but this is my pet hate in this hobby:mad:

Rant over

[Valley Boy]

All major supermarkets have sales or discounts all the time and do buy one get one free or similar.
If i buy a number of corals/ fish from my LFS i have discount, and being a regular customer i don't feel guilty.

[big chris]

i have to disagree simon

the employer thing is just silly, i am employed and graded, how can they lower your wages? it is down to contracts surely.
you are more than able to go into a currys or comet and knock em down, i have been in to one before bought a tv,video,dvdplayer and stand and asked what they can do on the lot, they knocked 200quid off.

i use a non sponser in boyatt wood. (mainly)
richard doesnt mind, and i have never ever, been told to get stuffed. (by him or any other lfs)
lets be realistic, if im spending alot of money im sure any lfs would be more than willing to throw in a freebie, or knock down prices a tad.


jmho

chris

[SPS Hoover]

All major supermarkets have sales or discounts all the time and do buy one get one free or similar.


But thats at their terms you cant change them or ask for extra they will laugh at you!!!! price on the packet is what you pay

the employer thing is just silly, i am employed and graded, how can they lower your wages? it is down to contracts surely.


Why is it, how does the lfs earn his money buy selling fish at a price its no different

But this I believe is a society issue where people believe they are entitled to something when they are not you have earn it in life is not a right its privilege

A shop is going price something to sell yes, most shop would be out of business if they over priced. I suspect you would be charged more then in that shop on a unmarked object compared to me as owner what ever price he says to you he know's you ask for discount where as I will not buy its a price I think is too high

[Nikolai]

The amount of mark up that some shops charge is riddiculous,I personally dont appreciate someone taking the **** with prices, where there must be a real decent markupthe smallest discount I have been offered is for anthias and that was £8.50 a fish, dont get me wrong - even in shops you make the decision to treat yourself when you buy something so staying along that line if I buy a coral or carbon I will only offer what it is really worth not what it may be worth to me for sentimental reasons (that only happens if I sell it lol)

[Social D]

I must be in the minority then, I always pay the going price and have never haggled on anything i'm not rich or anything, I just dont see the point in trying to knock 50p of every test kit before i buy one, The attitude of some people i see amazes me and sometimes its to the point of being rude to the shop owner :mad:

[Tony B]

If livestock is priced above the odds I will haggle. For example I don't see why I should be expected to pay £75 for a cat when loads of shops sell at £50. Same for blastos, a lot of LFS have these with three numbers but there's so many LFS that now sell around £50-£70 for wellsi and less for merleti.

On the flip side, I am happy to pay OVER the odds for very nice corals.

Every one in business is there to make money and earn a living. The day my clients pay me over the odds for my work, then I am happy to pay LFS and Tesco over the odds too, however, I always have to haggle with clients when negotiating my TOBs and imo there is nothing wrong with negotiating price, no one is twisting arms or holding guns to heads? :)

[Nikolai]

its not being rude - say i go to my lfs twice a week - they take on average about $70 -100 quid of me each time, now they get a thrity pound priced coral for about £10 and charge me a score to cover there costs, now I dont care how people percieve it but that is not reasonable I am all for them making a profit but not extorting me - some people buy boxes of corals same process just a lot lower cost to the consumer - so I dont want them to lose out just as much as i dont want them to rip me off - for instance Luca on here gave me a wicked monti frag for free - the same frag would cost madly different amounts in different shops to the extent that i probably would get pissed off with staff - Im not after discounts on test kits but yeah when i know they are creaming it in on livestock i want my loyalty and regularity of spending reflected in my price - to be considered as rude is rather laughable - you go anywhere where things cost a lot and the idea of discount is embedded there all you have to do is ask, it doesent matter whether you are buying a car or a rolex you ask and i guarrantee that you will recieve

[iain360]

I imagine that most shop owners will always allow a bit of haggling and some will price accordingly, if you are spending large sums then for the repeat business they will give you a discount. However, I don't always ask, depends what i am buying, but respect due to the people who always ask. Whenever i quote a job, i am often asked to sharpen my pencil a bit on the price, i run a business, not a charity so i price acordingly first as i know the customer will ask, he gets a cheaper price, i keep my profit margins.

As to the poll, I am all for haggling:thumbsup:

[davethefish]

on small items i don't bother.
but i usually ask for it on large or expensive items, especially if i know i can get them cheaper elsewhere, if they won't offer any discount then, i just buy it elsewhere.

and livestock, as most places buy them as a job lot and then divide up the cost among the number and type of corals, so lots of room to maneuver there too.... though having said that, a good rapport with a LFS usually ensures keen prices for loyalty.

and in business, costs are constantly negotiated up and down.
do the bosses of companies suddenly give fixed rate workers a big pay increase to their wages if they make more money on a deal?...no, just as if they make less than expected, they take the loss. thats business.

[Something Fishy]

I won't ask for small items like test kits, single fish etc. However I did ask when I bought a light pendant ( Geisemann Infiniti 2x250W watt etc etc ) and when buying groups of fish ie 10 Anthias. I could've bought the pendant cheaper online but prefer to buy from the lfs whenever possible. Asking for a discount was a compromise.

[bristol_rich]

I dont ask personally but what i do is stay loyal to one shop,and try to get friends and family intrested in the hobby which helps out my lfs and inturn makes me look good and am rewarded, a few years in telesales does help a little tho :)

[gecko]

quite often tac just give you one if you have spent a bit i much prefer that to having to ask .

[gecko]

but after seeing the poll perhaps im the mug:)

[Wee-Man]

After going to the same shop for all my goodies, i am usually offered a little bit off, not every time, but when they do, i am very grateful, i feel i have earned my discount by being loyal to one shop.




Edit, i don't see why you should ask for or expect discount, unless you use the shop regularly

[fireproofcujo]

I have one favourite shop witch would give me discount when i asked now i always go there first to spend my money. They give me a discount now without asking and as a thankyou i always point new reefers in their direction so the slight profit they might lose giving me a discount becomes a larger profit from selling in larger quantities by selling to other people i refer to them who spend as well. I always mention them first in conversations to other people wanting to buy items . So for a little discount they have bought my loyalty. I'm not just a mercenary if their stock was crap i wouldn't buy from them in the first place And being a small concern unlike the large garden centre outlets the staff are much friendlier and you can have a chat as well. In the large garden centres you have to climb over a million kids and pushchairs of people out for the day at the local aquarium :annoyed: . And then the staff always seem to be too busy to give much advice:( On many occasions when buying stuff i have noticed i have not been asked any questions ie how old is my tank what size is it my other stock. So i could be getting myself into trouble like many other new reefers find out when they first visit this forum with their new setups.
Rant over :laugh:

[Kev s]

I don't think you generally expect a discount but to ask is fine. Then its up to the business to decide if its something they are willing to offer.

I often ask if there is any motion in the price when I buy things, often I'll spend a bit of money buying a number of things of go with friends so we collectively have quite a bit of buying power.

I understand that different businesses have different business models and expectation, often different pricing structures but in the days of competitive online shopping and where you can see the same item at different prices I think its ok to ask for deal.

I think the comparison to Sainsbury's and Tescos isn't that relevant because your dealing with a smaller business. If I walk into a marine shop and consider spending a couple of hundred quid on livestock and price up a list of things then any discount I'm offered will usually be spent on some extra bits. So I spend the same amount of money but get a couple of things that I can consider to be free.

But I do think that shops need to protect their margins as do manufacturers or there's no money for r&d or marketing.


"Edit, i don't see why you should ask for or expect discount, unless you use the shop regularly"

I agree you shouldn't expect it, but to ask is the choice of the shopper and to offer is the choice of the business. Discounts/freebies make people feel good, and make them more likely to return. So to offer them to some new old punters on some specific things you want to shift makes good sense...surely?

Kev

[Wee-Man]

"Edit, i don't see why you should ask for or expect discount, unless you use the shop regularly"

I agree you shouldn't expect it, but to ask is the choice of the shopper and to offer is the choice of the business. Discounts/freebies make people feel good, and make them more likely to return. So to offer them to some new old punters on some specific things you want to shift makes good sense...surely?

Kev


My point entirely Kev, i use the same shop, i tell other folk to use it, i am occasionally offered discount, i'm happy, the shop is happy, everybody happy, but if i stroll into a shop i have never used before and ask for discount, i would fully expect to shown the door (the polite version):whistling:

[themonkeymidget]

in this day and age most shops put a bit on the price so if some one asks for a discount they can give u one with out losing money.
when i go out too price a job i always add on another 20 30% on top of the job as they allways ask for a discount. but for friends and people that keep coming back and spending there money i do it for cost and alittle bit so it does not cost me too do the job or sell it.

if i was going into a shop to buy a new tank say £600 salt sand lr and every thing i would ask. if i was just geting a fish or test kit i would not think of it.
just think if u dont ask u dont get if u ask and they say no what have u lost.
when i went out too get a new car i say 1 i liked and was happy with the price. i still asked for a discount and ended up with £1500 coming of the price .

richard

[Zeus]

mmmm....I don't see the problem Simon, it's called barter. There's also things like RECOMMENDED or SUGGESTED Retail Price (RRP or SRP) you see on most things. Why are they there I wonder.

No, if you are up for a bit of haggling or barter then it can be a bit of fun. If the retailer isn't up for it them basically you'll get squat, no harm in asking though. I wonder, do you haggle with the car salesman when buying a new car or are you going to say "that's different"

For the record, I ask and usually get a discount but I think it's only because I am a regular customer rather than my bartering skills. :D

Campbell

[MrFish]

I don't see why an LFS is any different from any other retail outlet.

If I'm buying something of low value I will pay the asking price, however if I'm buying something more substantial I will ask what can be done on price.

If the price is already very competitive, having compared it to other retailers, I may not bother as I am already saving by using them.

[robbie s]

I dont barter in my lfs. But I barter for most purchases (car, house, motorbikes, electrical goods etc) I suppose if you dont ask, you dont get and cant see why anyone that runs/owns a shop would be offended by this.

[blub]

I voted no, because I think their prices are fair, but usually get a discount anyway. Quite often their like... umm, yer, £125, just call that £100 or sommat like that.

[BOXING SHRIMP]

i recently bought a big samsung lcd tv from currys it was up at £699 managers special that week,that was just for the tv
but after just 2 mins of haggling and getting the manager out
we got a £120 stand thrown in for free
likewise if i go to my local lfs whom i have directed many a local reefer to
and they then go week in week out to spend there cash
and on top of that so do i to the tune of normally between £20-£100+
per week then yes i expect a discount
on top of that i sometimes sell corals to my lfs at half there cost
so he does ok both ways really

[Bry]

I voted yes, i generally ask if I have bought a few bits, I am self employed and most of my customers ask for a discount, whether its a £400 job or £40,000 job, we can generally work something out. So dont see why I should not get a discount in a shop! and most of the time I do get a discount.

Jmo,

Bryan

[SPS Hoover]

Perhaps this is a sign of modern society perhaps we are becoming a country of "Knock off Nigel's"

[Wee-Man]

Perhaps this is a sign of modern society perhaps we are becoming a country of "Knock off Nigel's"


Sounds like it:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[fireproofcujo]

In past history we used to barter for items we wanted. Is asking for a discount or a better price as to not shop some where else where the same item is cheeper a new phenomenon ?

[Zeus]

Perhaps this is a sign of modern society perhaps we are becoming a country of "Knock off Nigel's"


"becoming"

Hardly mate, it's been like this for centuries, no, make that millenia.

Campbell

[BASH]

10% every time at swallows as i took out the marine membership (£5)

and they aways manage to do a good deal :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

BASH

[~JayK~]

I couldn't vote - I will pay the advertised price, but I usually get something knocked of my the 2 shops I use most.

[Tony B]

"becoming"

Hardly mate, it's been like this for centuries, no, make that millenia.

Campbell

^^^^ What he said ^^^^

Si C, did you pay full asking when you bought your house or when you buy a car? :)

[iain360]

^^^^ What he said ^^^^

Si C, did you pay full asking when you bought your house or when you buy a car? :)

probably did that is why he's pi$$ed off:laugh: no one told him you could barter;)

[Nikolai]

probably did that is why he's pi$$ed off:laugh: no one told him you could barter;)

pmsl :rolleyes:

[Pomacanthus]

I only ask for discounts on livestock as the profit margin on dry goods isn't as good for the lfs. :)

[jobr]

Don't ask, but my loyalty to the shop is always acknowledged :)

[Bradden]

I don't see why an LFS is any different from any other retail outlet.

If I'm buying something of low value I will pay the asking price, however if I'm buying something more substantial I will ask what can be done on price.

If the price is already very competitive, having compared it to other retailers, I may not bother as I am already saving by using them.


I with you on this one. If it's a big purchase I can get cheaper elsewehere I will ask.

[seasalt]

We as a country never seem to barter where as most other places do.
You go to thailand and they are shocked if you actually pay the asking price.


Everyone is out there to make/save money and people vote with their wallets, if one shop is a lot cheaper then you normaly go there, obviously it depends on distance quality etc.

We work hard for our money so i see no harm in trying to make it go further.
Afterall who gets an insurance quote and then buys the first on they find??? you shop around and try to get money off.

IMO this only applies to expensive or multiple items, i'm not going to barter over a £6 test kit but a whole set up or lots of stock LR etc.
its the same with a tv and system.If Fred in commet thinks he can get his comission from this sale and you look like your gona walk then they will barter. works both ways.
Obviously don't take the pi** but a little dosn't hurt.
don't ask you dont get .


essay over;)

[mattsilvester]

I polled "yes and I get it" but to be fair, I don't always ask - but WHEN I ask, I usually get it.......

For example, if I am buying 2 or 3 packs of frozen food, I don't even ask..... If I were buying 5 of the same, or maybe 10 packs in total I wold get discount.... or more accurately, I would get a pack or two extra thrown in for free........

My LFS also runs a loyalty scheme..... bonus points like Tesco sort of thing...

[The Wizard.]

Perhaps this is a sign of modern society perhaps we are becoming a country of "Knock off Nigel's"

:laugh: You cannot blame people trying to get a deal, on items that have up to a 400 % mark up on them in the first place :whistling: ;)

[steve@ cambridge coral tech]

400%!!!!!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: jesus man i reckon i need to put my prices up then!!!, who on earth is doin a 400% mark up?

[Twistedpro]

If i want a coral and someone give me a price and i feel its fair i will pay the price, if its out of my budget and i cant justify or afford it then i will look for something different.

I have been in shops with people trying to get everything cut price, but generally dont get such a good deal

How many of you are going to some of our mail order sponsers and asking for discount.

[loneranger]

If i'm buying more than 1 coral or fish i'll ask if they can do me a deal. Often find that just by using a shop regularly and being friendly and polite you will often get good discounts. Had a tenner knocked off a £57.00 Euphillia the other day and this thrown in for free...Think it's a Rhodactishttp://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2007Q2/rhod.JPG

[chris@bluzoo]

400%!!!!!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: jesus man i reckon i need to put my prices up then!!!, who on earth is doin a 400% mark up?

Same here :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:.
I voted Yes to haggling, I have no choice, I think everyone in Yorkshire went to haggling school :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:. The worst ones I have found come from Grimsby :laugh: :) :)

[L3ON]

My opinion for what its worth (probably not a lot) if you don't ask you don't get but as long as your polite what harm is it to any one. If the LFS cant do you a deal he simply says no, no harm done. In my line of work if where at a quite period in the week/month we would rather cover or overheads than make a loss so I would of thought that a LFS would given the chance do the same.

[steve@ cambridge coral tech]

maybe when i go to collect livestock from tmc this week i'll ask for a discount and see what they say!:laugh:

[lewisispora]

i always ask,

lil bit of banter and chipping the prices down never hurt anyone

hahahaha just had a chuckle to this chris, i no im a few days out :whistling:
ive been on the recieving end of this meny a time :worship:
howa you doing chris

[big chris]

hahahaha just had a chuckle to this chris, i no im a few days out :whistling:
ive been on the recieving end of this meny a time :worship:
howa you doing chris

alright lewis how u goin matey?

good to see you on the forums

cheers twinkle

chris

[chris@bluzoo]

maybe when i go to collect livestock from tmc this week i'll ask for a discount and see what they say!:laugh:

I wonder what they will say :whistling: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[steve@ cambridge coral tech]

:laugh: you never know:laugh: ....but we all know what would be said if we asked the livestock supplier for discount.......fu*k right off..springs to mind!:laugh:

[The Chiller]

Perhaps this is a sign of modern society perhaps we are becoming a country of "Knock off Nigel's"

At work and just read this :laugh: :laugh: Thanks SPS Hoover made being at work a bit better
Gary

[The Chiller]

probably did that is why he's pi$$ed off:laugh: no one told him you could barter;)

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[mcmadhatter]

at my LFS (for tropicals mind), I don't usually ask for a discount, if they know you as a regular they'll round down or give you a give you a free fish/plant if you by several or, chuck in freebies here and there.

Occasionally I have bought tropicals at pets at home (or whatever it is called these days), my local one has a good selection of unsual fish, and so far I have got a free fish every time, (usually because the staff are lazy with the nets and catch something extra and don't want to take it out the bag again), once though a tetra jumped tanks straight into my bag, the sales guy thought it was so funny that he was trying to escape that he gave me him for free.

[markoshark]

I frequent two LFSes. One of them is a "Sponsor" i guess youd call it of the FNZAS (Federation of New Zealand Aquatic Societies) - If you are a paid up member, you get 10% off all non-sale items and drygoods (Supply card). If stuff is reasonably priced, then i don't bother haggling, however, i'm on a very low wage, so often strike up deals (that may or may not include money...)


The other LFS, (i've "helped" out a bit - Moving the shop, etc), and ofc I get discounts there, on some stuff, and not always. Its nice when it happens, but his prices are so much cheaper than the first LFS..


Unfortunately we don't get much of a choice when it comes to marines. The main centers - Auckland & Christchurch both have live marine importers, however, we often don't get the stuff that the Christchurch people get and vice-versa, due to the LFSes having prefered suppliers. BAH HUMBUG. Oh, and if you live in Wellington, you are up a certain creek without a certain paddle.

[simon garratt]

SRP and RRP are there as a guide issued by manufactureres and importers as a means of 'protecting' a products value, knowing that over the course of a products sellable lifespan that there is enough margin in it to cover a certain amount of increase in the manufacturing packaging and shipping costs. It is illegal for a manufacturer to enforce or set a retail price in the UK.

Discounting does little good for a product from a manufacturers and importers point of veiw becouse all it does it devalue the product and reduce its sellable life expectancy.

We the consumer are our own worst enemy in this respect....we expect discounts without a drop in quality, whilst costs etc keep clmbing for the manufacturer. at some point a compromise has to be met whereby the manufacturer has to cut corners to keep that margin there (no shop will sell a poroduct if there is no margin in it, and no bussiness can survive without profit)...

People complain about the quality of livestock and kit etc, why, becouse we batter the retail outlet for better deals which then has a knock on effect down the line with a drop in standards in order to meet that demand whilst still making the product viable.

the internet and ebay etc has for some time been veiwed as the scurge of the retail industry simply becouse it regularly fails to integrate or ignores this important factor. consequently the number of products that have thier retail value killed in a very short period of time by low profit high turnover sellors is quite high.

you only have to look at how many of what 'used' to be considerd premium brands have fallen into direpute in terms of quality over the years to see this happening.

as a buying culture we in the UK have it a bit wrong to be honest...we only consider the here and now and pay little regard to the longevity of a manufacturer or our hobby / indrustry as a whole in our quest to have everything for nothing.

people may think its not thier problem, that they are being ripped off, and that its just 'normal' practice, but sadly, it isnt that simple....ultimately 'we' end up paying for our own actions in the long run.

Consol shipping is derived from the need to get stock 'cheaper' it has little to do with veriety or any other alledgedly justifyable reason, in the process we have done little exept lowerd the quality and care taken in getting stock to our shores..

whos rsponsible for this....'US'


regards

Si.

[bythesea]

Don't need to ask as they always offer me a 'special' price anyway... well... the shop is next door so I have got to know them well.... stick to the same shop and usually prices drop anyway.

[sitribe]

I don't ask for discount, but do keep my eye on the display tanks for small bits which have broken off or corals which are pas their best and have been moved to the back. If there is a small frag I ask what they want for it, usually get a good price but then agsin there is the risk it might die etc..

Having said that I've got loads of different corals doing very nicely and didn't pay a great deal for them, just had to nurture them etc

[glen cunningham]

i don't ask for discount but becouse i am in regular they normaly knock something off or throw in a frebie

[ditonics]

Not to sure I should mention who my LFS is. I seldom ask for a discount but often get things discounted or bit of a deal. I have been using the same LFS for 4 years now. Also started to used swallow of recent and they have a discount card for marine customers, 5% off.

[Oranchu]

Only ask for discount if buying multiple goods or when the purchase is over £50... but I always ask for detached or loose polyps, mushrooms, etc and always get them :)

[ptdborth]

Mostly always ask for discount if buying a large amount, which most of the time I am, and usually get a couple of quid off or a frag. :D

[furface]

I dont always ask for a discount as if ive gone there to buy something i will know the price and accept thats what it costs - yes, i believe most of its overpriced but if i just thought about how much things cost i would never have started me reef tank, to quote my darling wife " how f@#king much, for a bit of s@ddin rock, you crazy @$%$£"£$$%^&.....£$"$%£$^&**@~ - pause for breath - *"$@ sake, i could of had a f@£*ing holiday for that. OH WELL :laugh:
I better not add up how much it is to keep her then ;) gotta love it.

[Only Jap]

I usually ask for discount at lfs's and get it or something else thrown in most or the time,even on small purchases,at the worse they'll say no but still sell to me at the original price.
I don't ask if know the price is very competitive anyway.
Do you ask and do you get it?
Cheers Alan

If you dont ask you dont get, :whistling::whistling:

[babyreefer]

But thats at their terms you cant change them or ask for extra they will laugh at you!!!! price on the packet is what you pay



Why is it, how does the lfs earn his money buy selling fish at a price its no different

But this I believe is a society issue where people believe they are entitled to something when they are not you have earn it in life is not a right its privilege

A shop is going price something to sell yes, most shop would be out of business if they over priced. I suspect you would be charged more then in that shop on a unmarked object compared to me as owner what ever price he says to you he know's you ask for discount where as I will not buy its a price I think is too high

it is no different than any other goods you buy...
when my dh buys a whole load of new computer gear, he will always ask them for the best price on each item, which they give him, and at the end he has the old line "so, since i'm buying so much gear, i expect you to give me a good bulk discount" with a smile of course, and once they squirm and make all those gutteral noises, like they do, and ell you the old,"we don't make any thing on this stuff as it is" they relent and give a discount..! and then he says, "and chuck in that case for free will you mate!"
works every time!
ofcourse their making money....every one usts likes a story, and if they don't want to barter, they won't ,and he'll go else where if they are too expensive...!
i think it is better for business to give them the chance to be competitive, if they want! better that, than people just walking in and out all day,with flashing their cash, because people thnk their prices are expensive!
for example, my lfs, sells a blood shrimp for £24.99 each...
after looking on some of the sponsors websites and seeing theirs priced fr £15.99, theres no way i will buy one from my lfs at that price!
i'd rather buy the cheap shrimp and donate the other £9 to starving children if i want to waste money, but if i don't ask my lfs if they'll do me a deal on some stuff,they never have the chance to get my business..
that said, i'm not at the stage yet of even buying any critters, as i am still a week of even picking up my tank, but i do think that if you don't ask, you don't get, and if it's not your cup of tea to barter,then don't...!
but thats how the rest of the world does business ,and shops always add a mugs margin!

[babyreefer]

[/QUOTE] In the large garden centres you have to climb over a million kids and pushchairs of people out for the day at the local aquarium :annoyed: .[/QUOTE]

oyyy!!!!!


whats wrong with people out with their pushchairs,and kids for the day to visit the shops..??
that includes me, and i'm personally sick of people ignoring you if you have kids, or stepping over your pushchair and shooting you a look that they are annoyed that you bothered to even crawl out of your shell and get out for the day!e spend money too, and in exposing our children to the animals, hopefully we are helping develop a love and respect for nature too!!!
hmmphhh!!!
next time you get annoyed about some broad out with their pushchair..remember that they have as much right to be there as you do, and it doesn't mean they're not interested in the fish and livestock themselves, just because they "dared to breed":mad:
right, well rant over, and not seriously mad at you, but it is good if people sometimes give a thought outside of their own sphere,and allow others to feel comfortable going out too, just because they're not a middle aged male!
a lfs near me, never give me any attention or treat me seriously,when i've been in there, and i've been wanting to do marines forver...suffice to say, that not a penny of the money that i have finally spent, has been spent with them yet, as they didn't give me the respect to treat me seriously, as a young mother with a pushchair!
oh, and i'll definately ask for a discount when i do finally go in there, as i do feel i deserve one now!:laugh:

[babyreefer]

Perhaps this is a sign of modern society perhaps we are becoming a country of "Knock off Nigel's"

that was funny!!!!:laugh:

however, i fear you wouldn't cope if you went somewhere like india!
as not only do they haggle vigorously, but you have to bribe as well, to get thins done!
thats half the fun though!
guess thats why ebays so popular!!!!

[billythesquid]

ill haggle the death out of the second hand market
but i would be to embarassed to do it in a shop.

billythepikie

[Deepee]

I've been using my LFS for around 2 years, it's around 20 miles away and they don't charge me for RO which is sort of why i haven't bought my own unit, this is also why I'm quite happy to pay the shop price, i also got a discount on the rock I bought for my New Nano. There was no need to ask.

[EggMan]

Why is a LFS different to Tesco's, Sainburys I'd like to see how far you got there. Why do think they can afford to give you discount If you can't afford advertised price don't buy it. What would you say if you employer tried to reduce your working rate

Sorry but this is my pet hate in this hobby:mad:

Rant over

Full Agreement... Although if your a regular customer the LFS manager should knock the odd bit here and there if the shops a good one...

[Phishy]

Full Agreement... Although if your a regular customer the LFS manager should knock the odd bit here and there if the shops a good one...

So you fully agree then disagree :confused:

Tescos etc dont give you discount if you have spent £1 or £1000 in there...

[Swimmingwiththefishes]

Tescos etc dont give you discount if you have spent £1 or £1000 in there...

You might be suprised.
I knew of someone who went in a tesco's with £2000 to spend and asked them for discount or he'd go to sainsbury's,he got it,though i don't recall how much.
Cheers Alan

[EggMan]

So you fully agree then disagree :confused:

Tescos etc dont give you discount if you have spent £1 or £1000 in there...

Oh dear!:rolleyes:
Nope!
My point was that I agree with not asking for discount, but, any LFS worth their 'salt' would give the odd bit here and there to regulars to maintain their custom...

[Phishy]

Oh dear!:rolleyes:
Nope!
My point was that I agree with not asking for discount, but, any LFS worth their 'salt' would give the odd bit here and there to regulars to maintain their custom...

I agree, wonder how many actually do?

[EggMan]

I agree, wonder how many actually do?

I've only been using BluZoo for a short while and they are already in their with this and that bit off... I don't asked or even hint... I think it just builds up a bit of loyalty. If I ran an LFS I think i'd be the same...
I've been to a few (mostly down south) and some do some don't...

[Barbarosa]

So for those of you so strongly against politley asking for discounts at your LFS based on being regular customers, good will etc, as Zeus suggests do you always pay full price for your cars ?

[EggMan]

So for those of you so strongly against politley asking for discounts at your LFS based on being regular customers, good will etc, as Zeus suggests do you always pay full price for your cars ?

I think in some sectors, discount has become a kind of accepted practice and so prices are elevated for discounts... This ain't so with aquatics at the moment...

[Barbarosa]

I disagree, my own personal opinion is that we should always ask politely if there is any manouvrability on price if we're potentially spending what we would personally perceive to be a substantial amount on a given item.

For example I would probably ask if there was any chance of some sort of discount on a certain skimmer worth say £300-400 but I obviously wouldn't expect a similar % discount on a £2 blister pack of frozen food.

I guess my own thought is that the more you spend the potential there is for a better discount - maybe that's what you mean regarding cars ?

Apologies if not ;)

[Phishy]

I think in some sectors, discount has become a kind of accepted practice and so prices are elevated for discounts... This ain't so with aquatics at the moment...

Hate to say this....

























I agree :(

[CarpeDiem]

I'm going to my LFS soon and I'll be getting tank, cabinet, filters, skimmer (ie full setup) and live rock from him so I would be expecting some sort of discount for the amount I will be shelling out in one go.
Don't ask you dont get!

[harri]

i dont ask but get it cheaper anyway the shop rewards loyalty

[robert-2211]

I have a discount card for my LFS, it costs a tenner, and you get 10% off everything for 12 months.

I presume that you ca then renew it, but i havn't got that far yet

Robert

[t2gsw]

I quite often ask for discount.

Firstly if I think the item is over priced, or secondly if I am buying several items.

There is nothing wrong in asking if there is 'best price' if it is done in a polite manner, no offense should be taken. Personally, any shop owner who did take the hump I wouldn't buy from anyway. They can very easily just say 'sorry that is my best price'.

Marine fish keeping is a niche market and percieved as the high end of aquaria, and as such premium prices are attached to most dry goods. Really, just look at a skimmer, it's a few bits of plastic with a glorified pond pump attached, yet they retail for several hundred pounds. Manufacturing costs cannot be more than £100 (that's generous).

In this niche market very few retailers operate on high volume/low margin, there isn't the size of market. Therefore there will be a substantial mark up involved, of say 100-150% to cover the small sales volume. If I am wrong lets here some retail prices then from the ney sayers.

I also think many shops miss the opportunity to maintain loyalty through discount for regular customers.

Right had my say.

[steve mullin]

Hello there im my shop discounts are there for people who DONT ASK,or they are spending a few quid,to say thank you .I dont have to but we do,not all the time but we do give you somthing. Our overheads are huge £1500 just for our electric alone.And if you buy things like salt in the pallet load then you can give better prices.we dont get involved in price wars.if you can get cheaper on the net then go and buy it from them but you wont get the service like you would do from a LFS,if the going rate for any livestock is £50 then thats what you should expect to pay,not to say Ill give you £20 and expect the LFS to say ok,or you walk in to a LFS that you have never been before and EXPECT to get a huge discount Im sorry that dose not work I may round it down.most LFS dont make that much of a margin well I can only speak for myself on that one.Steve.

[reefmans]

[QUOTE=steve mullin;1991691]Hello there im my shop discounts are there for people who DONT ASK,or they are spending a few quid,to say thank you .I dont have to but we do,not all the time but we do give you somthing.

hi,
id agree here with steve. My lfs does the same. Ive always asked for discounts previously but never did at this lfs, After spending a few hundred pounds in there and getting to know the people working there, i now get a discount every time i visit no matter how little i spend. Ive been in and over heard people asking for discounts and they get told no.

[steve@ cambridge coral tech]

Hello there im my shop discounts are there for people who DONT ASK,or they are spending a few quid,to say thank you .I dont have to but we do,not all the time but we do give you somthing. Our overheads are huge £1500 just for our electric alone.And if you buy things like salt in the pallet load then you can give better prices.we dont get involved in price wars.if you can get cheaper on the net then go and buy it from them but you wont get the service like you would do from a LFS,if the going rate for any livestock is £50 then thats what you should expect to pay,not to say Ill give you £20 and expect the LFS to say ok,or you walk in to a LFS that you have never been before and EXPECT to get a huge discount Im sorry that dose not work I may round it down.most LFS dont make that much of a margin well I can only speak for myself on that one.Steve.
agree 100% we look after our regulars and big spenders, people who expect to get a discount i'm afraid wont get one...we always get'' will you match such'n'such's online price'', then when i say no they seem surprised, believe me the margin in dry goods is minimal!!
buy it online fine but if it goes wrong dont bring it to us to get fixed:)

[Caulerpa]

Here, in the States, we have become used to dealing with big box stores. Our landscape is very often the same in Seattle as in Miami. The same chain stores. This was not so as I was growing up. We have become a country of mediocre clones. Ticky Tacky businesses.
Our lfs's are a reminder of what it is to have a knowledgeable staff and personal service. I belong to a regional Marine Society and will get a 10% discount on my purchases. I have lately been taking an inventory of how much I shop at local stores as opposed to chain stores,just because I enjoy the experience so much more.
I do have to say that it is somewhat elitist to chastise people for trying to bargain over small amounts. We do not all have the same income. I also freely admit that I will often shop on the internet, but I believe that I can do this and support my lfs's. I do have to support my 4 year old daughter (it's the law):rolleyes:.
If you are going to bargain with your lfs, do it without anger or rancor if you get turned down. That is the mark of good negotiation and civility, for which you Brits are aptly famous (us Yanks don't look too good.)
My family goes back to 1650 in England and I am really tired of this country. Maybe I should move to your side.
Only a few more months and we get rid of the Idiot Chickenhawk President! OBAMA!

[maestro]

Ive come to the conclusion that it isnt worth asking for a discount in a lfs, is you see it cheap online then buy it there,

From experience they either get pissed off if you buy from then after you have asked for such a discount or pissed off if you they say no and then you go elsewhere.

There are a number of fantastic online stores now, coralculture being my favourite, I really think the time of being high street rrp prices has come and gone.

Im not going to pay more than I have to but I understand its a personal decision, I would rather the fish shops charged more for livestock.

[powder]

i agree to a certain degree but i would prefer to support my lfs where possible, if thats means they only make £20 instead of £30 on a item surely thats better thank not selling anything?
smaller items i dont bother to ask say under £30, i like to think that i have a rapor with the lfs, They know if they tell me to pi$$ off i wont be offended & vice versa, very rarly do i ask for discount on livestock but on a bucket of salt let the haggling begin :lol:

most shops offer an online shop now with prices discounted verses the store pirce, now thats the bit i dont get!, if i buy online i buy what i need.salt.£50 thanks very much, if i go in to the shop i always pick up a few things extra..salt.£50,& one of them & that looks nice opps theres another £40 see where i am comming from? & i think that most of us do the same, so by giving a discount (or by matching their online price) they will always get me to buy more than i went in for

[Fish Luke]

I get a small discount on most stuff I buy (10-20%) at my local Maidenhead Aquatics because I did work experience for them.

[SVThou]

I dont but then maybe i should:laugh:

[Jules]

I'd always ask for a discount on livestock but not on hardware so much as its easier to buy it online.

[aberdeen aquarist]

Depends on what shop I am in. I know some of them quite well and usually get away with it, other ones I'm sure I'd get my head dunked in the tank for trying:laugh:

[fran112]

If I want it at the price advertised I buy it, if not I walk away.
My pet hate is if its not priced, then I just dont use that shop
which sometimes is a pity as there is a great shop near richmond who dont price their stock which I wont use.

Thats just me

[maroon1]

My lfs is a branch of world of water, and because they are part of a big chain i think it is against the rules to give a couple of discounted items.

When i bought my nano tank i had spent around £275 then the bloke said "oh yeah you'll need a hydrometer" i said "surely thats got to be a freebie they cost £4" reply "i don't think so"

[the garden flat]

always ask always get, even small amounts...consideriung the amount of money i have spent and my continued custom i also expect it without fail

[JayR]

I voted number 3 but only because i dont have to ask as with Swallows there is always a discount in place because of being in there Marine club!

I wouldnt ask for discount if not anyway, i either buy it at the price its up at or look elsewhere but to be honest id rather buy quality.

Its just like going in Choice and tryna haggle on the best pair of Paul Smith's availible - its either buy them at that price or go elsewhere and look for cheaper imo. :laugh:

[funkyparott]

I don't ask for discounts on small bits and pieces. I appreciate the convenience of getting a test kit the same day etc.

When it comes to paying for Live stock I don't have a major problem paying a reasonable sum - as I appreciate the huge associated running running costs. A few stores tend to offer a discount as a good will gesture.

However, when it comes to hardware / equipment I will only purchase at the best price and from where-ever (so long as it is UK equipment - had my hands burnt on an import Tunze).

I think it is rather a british attitude 'stiff upper lip', not to ask for a discount. Do you not think the LFS tries their best to haggle on prices with their suppliers?
Living up North, customers do seem more willing to haggle for a discount.

The thing is - we do need the LFS, for our animals etc. I do understand that arguement.

Trust me, any non marine/reef purchase I will always haggle over.
A shop doesn't have to sell me anything, but I can choose who gets my money.

[TRIGGER-HAPPY]

Always.

[Manta]

Not much point asking for a discount in the majority of the places up here, but not sure I see the point of trying to haggle, as said if you know where you can get it cheaper and the price is an issue then you'd walk anyway.

[newreefman]

if you dont ask you wont get , discount will only be given if profits are to be made ;)

[trout]

I must be in the minority then, I always pay the going price and have never haggled on anything i'm not rich or anything, I just dont see the point in trying to knock 50p of every test kit before i buy one, The attitude of some people i see amazes me and sometimes its to the point of being rude to the shop owner :mad:

Next time force yourself to ask the following question to your lfs:

"Would you give me a discount if I paid you cash please?"

You will be pleasantly surprised with his answer.

[steve mullin]

As a retailer I think that it is an insult to ask for discount.But if some one has spent a few pounds then I always give something back as a thank you.

So ask this question when you next go to your LFS, Would you ask for a discount in Tescos or Asda, I think not so why should you ask in our shops.Steve.

[Jules]

Interesting to see the above response... Most of the shops I have used offer a discount without even being asked, maybe because I know them or maybe because they are grateful for the custom... The difference with an aquarium shop and Tesco is that the aquarium shop is selling items that are a 'hobby' not a necessity and the cost of one or two corals is generally more than a whole weeks worth of shopping in the supermarket, which incidentally has hundreds of offers in store where as the average aquarium shop has no offers at all...

Also as I work in the design industry and my clients are always asking for freebies or discounts I take this to presume I can do the same with anything I wish to purchase, and to my wife's embarrassment ask for a discount at any shop selling anything where i'm spending a reasonable amount (except the supermarket where they offer the discounts freely anyway)... if you don't ask you don't get, especially in the current financial climate where every penny counts whatever side of the counter you are standing on...

[the garden flat]

its simple why fish shops as said above will offer discounts soemtiems without being asked and that is for you repeat custom

much like i shop at sainsburys becasue every time i spend 100 quid i get 5 back....sound little but if you save that up over a year you will notice how man5 pounds you have

LFS should imo give discounts and mine indeed does :)

In response to the sponser above saying you wouldnt ask for a discount in asda or tescos etc, i think you will fidn their business plan is very different to that of a fish shop like youself and you will know that your margins will increase or decrease depending on bulk buys or not. Similar to how some supermarkets give 2 for ones one certain objects....

[fishmaduds]

I have a simple rule of thumb on this..........shy boys dont get sweeties!

[trout]

I have a simple rule of thumb on this..........shy boys dont get sweeties!

Nice one mate.

:applause:

[Sherminator]

always! you don't get if you don't ask :)

[nilesh]

Im with Sherminator - this hobby costs enough without at least asking for a bit of a discount!!

[billijaywest]

never asked in my marine shop spent close to 1 k there so fat 100-200 a week some weeks

anthias and that was £8.50???? i paid 16.50 each for 2 last week!!!!

[mummyof7]

dont ask as i always get discount all be a cople of quid sometimes but hey that couple of quid goes towards summit else

[funnyditty]

I spend between £300 and £600 a month with the same LFS and have never asked for discount, usually he will throw in a couple of packs of food, maybe I need to start asking for discount!! Trouble is, if everyone asks for discount he will probably put his prices up to compensate for what he is being asked to giveaway. Having used the same LFS for the last 18 months it would be a bit cheeky to start asking for discount now! Hmm, a quandary!! Maybe I need to find a new LFS and start as I mean to go on!!

[simon garratt]

This only realy relates to discount on livestock.


Although it might be an interesting topic, or even funny to some, there is in actual fact a very serious issue to consider when asking or expecting discount of livestock. whilst expecting a small bulk discount when buying say 10 anthia's is only to be expected, Discount on single items (or discount across several single items) does have a negative impact on the hobby. Most bussinesses factor in some level of discount. But the more people 'expect and ask for it, the more has to be factord.

If you cant raise the price any more with a discount factor, then you have to look at buying costs etc. This drives shops to buy from cheaper sources, consequently the standards of husbandry falls between capture and arrival, whilst mortality rate increases....

This also follows across into the captive bred market and explains why alot of species that can be captive bred simply arnt, becouse people are all too commonly unwilling to pay the extra few quid for a tank bed specimin, over the cheaper wild equivalant even though, 5, 10 , or more had to be shipped to get one survive long enough to make it to the dealer for purchase.

There will always be the odd dealer that is led purely by profit over standards, and these guys will inevitably allways buy cheap regardless of the quality, but by pushing our 'good dealers' harder into the ground, we do little but exasperate the situation even more imo.

This was also a key point to Anthony Calfo's talk in Holland this weekend and a concern Im in full agreement with.

Think longterm, dont settle for second best, and think outside your own little box occasionally in respect to how our own actions can and do dictate the actions of others.

Regards

simon.

[deannn]

i shop at a shop in penrith if any one knows it ? there prices are fantatic it would be cheeky asking for discount although the last 3 times i was there i spent a fair bit and i got £15 of my hammer coral the last time i was there :D there all realy friendly to :)

[junaid]

ALL the fish stores iv been to have been to tight to give me a discount! i cant beleive how many of you lot actually get a discount ! well once when i was 13 a lfs onwer gave me £50 of koi fish for free becuase i was young and had a big empty pond lol. but other than that not had any discounts (shame that shop closed down tough).

[Ven]

have heard of a lfs breaking a 20 pound note on a guy for 25p on a bill of over 100quid

i'd of told them to stuff the lot if it was me

[seahorse king]

In my shop i will offer discounts to customers who shop regularly. However is some one comes in and says "I've seen a ...... for £...... online can u match the price" some prices being ridiculously low i will say no. A lot of "cheap" online will buy a product in quantities of hundreds and get bulk discounts, but for me as a small business the prospect of buying 100 skimmers is simply not possible. Also looking at it from a customers point of view, as i off go and look at other shops, i would much rather look round a shop at livestock so i can see it in the flesh because it's much more fun plus u can see what you are buying than. You also see what the conditions it is being kept in are, than buying it from some complete unknown, not truly knowing what you are getting for the sake of saving a tenner. Rant Over

[saltyell]

yeah, I do ask for discounts occasionally, if say i am buying something relatively big, or spending a rather lot.
But I appreciate that an LFS is there to provide a service to you and without gaining anything from it it'll come to a grinding halt, thats why we should be prepared to pay the price, after all is it really their fault its an expensive hobby :lol:

Lol Kieran ^^ first time I met you in the shop and you gave me some freebies , lol, ty, hopefully I will become more a regular customer now I have more time !! :lol:

[Dan51]

I dont even ask for discounts, i usually get little ones here and there and every so often i get a bigger discount, although its probobly cos i have been a good customer to 1 shop :)

[jon h]

I ask for discounts when spending proper money on everthing if u don't ask u don't get,95% of the time i save some money

[dave_c]

I ask for discount just never get any :mad:

[steve@ cambridge coral tech]

just out of curiosity.....how many of you ask for discount at tesco's or where ever you do your weekly/monthly shopping?:whistling::wave:

[Jules]

You don't need to ask in tescos, they have a loyalty card and lots of offers for you without asking.... which generally the LFS don't...

Trouble with the LFS is that as its a hobby its a non essential purchase so it makes you feel better if you're getting a deal... same as if i go to the scuba diving shop or the cycle shop, i'll always barter.

I'm a graphic designer and my clients (even massive blue chip companies) are always haggling over costs so for me I now haggle over pretty much anything where there's not an offer already in place... the price is always negotiable...

[Weston Marine Life]

As a retailer we do agree with offering loyalty rewards either in form of discounts or freebies, this is done as a means of reward for your custom. It should however be remembered that as a shop we have large overheads which are not incurred by online retailers, the margins on dry goods is often very small. While the margins on livestock is higher it should be remembered we are not just paying for an item to sit on a shelf we are paying to feed/house/lighting/supplements/medications etc for livestock and also there is a loss factor with livestock:(

Unfortunately there are too many people online selling, who are selling at silly prices that we very often cannot even buy at eg some salt:annoyed: This just leads to pricing battles to try and win customers taking custom away from LFS forcing people out of the business and in long term that will mean the online stores aswell.

It should also be noted that while many prices may seem good online there is very often other hidden costs, normally delivery. Very often it is cheaper to pay what may at first appear to be a dearer price in a shop:)

[jleeper]

just think how much cheaper tesco would be if it didnt have a clubcard... its just a way to keep its customers, to be honest i rarely ask for discount and when I do it is when i spend alot of money... Freebies should be offered and not asked for unless you are a regular shopper.

[xvickyx]

Never thought of asking, maybe I will in future though :)

[dq666]

:laugh: coause i ask and get,i evern do it in supermarkets with dentted tins lol my mrs hates me goin shopping with her as if i cant see any dentted or damage tins boxes ect ill do it myself and then get a discount,still tastes the same :thumbsup: or am i a real tight sod :whistling:

[dq666]

just out of curiosity.....how many of you ask for discount at tesco's or where ever you do your weekly/monthly shopping?:whistling::wave:

:thumbsup::laugh: read above post :dance:

[nealconyard]

:laugh: coause i ask and get,i evern do it in supermarkets with dentted tins lol my mrs hates me goin shopping with her as if i cant see any dentted or damage tins boxes ect ill do it myself and then get a discount,still tastes the same :thumbsup: or am i a real tight sod :whistling:

fraud.... nice.... :rolleyes:

[dq666]

lol yer but how meny of u are gonna try it next time u see a dentted tin??? :D

[nealconyard]

a discount for a dnetd tin is one thing, actually damaging the tins to get a discount is something completely different

[Alex Brown]

You never know if you dont ask. No harm in a little dealings either!

[achilles-2008]

Where are some of you coming from.
This is NOT Thailand where bartering and haggling down the price is expected.
Its insulting to me and many other shop owners to ask for a discount.
Shop owners have a hard time as it is without people trying to steal their profit by asking for a discount.
Ever increasing Rent, rates, service charges, utilities, wages, petrol, insurance and tax etc etc all have to be passed on to you.
Excuse me Mr Landlord or excuse me Mr Texaco petrol man, can I have a discount?
I think not.
The price on the ticket is the price.
A profit margin is determined by the store owner to cover all of the expenses above, there are swings and roundabouts & certain items may cost more or less than the next shop and as a purchaser its your duty to shop around if its only the price that matters to you,.
As a purchaser you also have to take into account weather or not you like and trust a certain shop or being served by the staff in that shop.
Its not your decision to determine that I may or may not be earning to much on a specific item, you don’t know that my costs may be far higher than the other shop down the road, who could be charging less but earning far more than me because his expenses are far less!
The only decision you do have is were or were not to purchase your goods from and whether or not you can afford to purchase the goods.
Its my decision only as a shop owner to OFFER a discount to a good or faithful customer as part of my customer service.

Sorry for the rant but as a shop owner I have quite an opinion for this subject .

Garry. :mad:

[andymonkey]

I am new to this hobby but have been keeping reptiles for a number of years. In the reptile hobby you can be buying and selling things from a £10 Cornsnake upto a £10,000 Royal Python. Most shops will knock a bit off the asking price but usually its already factored in and most shop owners do it so people think they have had a good deal and will buy from the shop again.

Its interesting to see the difference in opinion between the two hobbies and I glad I read this thread as I don't want to offend any LFS keepers by expecting a bit knocked off!

[mikey_mjw]

Where are some of you coming from.
This is NOT Thailand where bartering and haggling down the price is expected.
Its insulting to me and many other shop owners to ask for a discount.
Shop owners have a hard time as it is without people trying to steal their profit by asking for a discount.
Ever increasing Rent, rates, service charges, utilities, wages, petrol, insurance and tax etc etc all have to be passed on to you.
Excuse me Mr Landlord or excuse me Mr Texaco petrol man, can I have a discount?
I think not.
The price on the ticket is the price.
A profit margin is determined by the store owner to cover all of the expenses above, there are swings and roundabouts & certain items may cost more or less than the next shop and as a purchaser its your duty to shop around if its only the price that matters to you,.
As a purchaser you also have to take into account weather or not you like and trust a certain shop or being served by the staff in that shop.
Its not your decision to determine that I may or may not be earning to much on a specific item, you don’t know that my costs may be far higher than the other shop down the road, who could be charging less but earning far more than me because his expenses are far less!
The only decision you do have is were or were not to purchase your goods from and whether or not you can afford to purchase the goods.
Its my decision only as a shop owner to OFFER a discount to a good or faithful customer as part of my customer service.

Sorry for the rant but as a shop owner I have quite an opinion for this subject .

Garry. :mad:

Calm down :D...

Personally I don't see an issue asking for a discount, we in this hobby tend to spend a lot of money in the same shop and surely it's worth your LFS rewarding the fact that we spend a lot of money with them!

I know in my line of work as a web developer we will 90% of the time quote for a job and then the customer will ask for a dicount on it, and if they are a valued customer who we have worked with for a while then we will give them a discount!

So in short I don't see it as cheeky asking for a discount if you put a lot of business through the same shop...

[mdollan]

I don't ask for discount, usually when I go in and buy a lot I tend to get money off anyway. I have an excellent rapport with my LFS and I know they appreciate my business - I'd never EXPECT a discount, it's just a nice addition when I get one!

[Nano-Marine]

i think there are two local marine fish shops in northern ireland. the one i go to which is closest has the most unhelpful staff, basically if you ask them to get you a fish or coral they look at you as if you have two horns sticking out of your head (apart from one lady, who looks out of place, cos she is so sweet and helpful).

I have been in the shop loads of times since i got my tank in january, several occasions £150, several £100+ but i have never spent any less than £50 and maybe £20-£30 on tropicals as well. I wouldnt even ask for discount because i think with spending that much money discount should be given.

If your corals and frozen food and maybe the odd fish come to £117.36 they wouldnt even turn round and say "call it £117" they would take every bloody penny off you. I hate going to the shop to give them my money but i love the hobby so much that i have to bite my turn. Its hard but i do it.

Most of you guys prob have the choice of going to 2 or 3.

[Matt O'D]

If a price seems somewhat steep to a customer some shopkeepers might prefer the that the customer walks away without speaking about it rather than inconvenience them. Thats fair enough I suppose but it probably makes the customer less likely to return than a little pleasant chat. At least that gives the shopkeeper opportunity to propose some deal which does both parties some good or at least to learn what people are thinking and just be pleasant to the customer who will appreciate that.

I went into a LFS last week where an assessor had been bullied by another assessor and had no tail left at all, still in the tank holding the bully. I had a chat with an enthusiastic & pleasant staff member regarding the fact that the batch of assessors had been at the LFS for a very long time and seemed overpriced at £60. He agreed - it was something he had spoken to managment about before - and explained that he was struggling to find another tank to move it to.

I said I would be interested in the tailless one should there be a reasonable discount which seemed like a win/win to me. Having spoken to somebody behind the scenes, they had told him to relay that 10% was all they could do on any livestock. I was a little disappointed in the company policy but as the staff member was polite & helpful it wouldn't put me off going back.

I was at the same LFS a few days later when I became interested in a pistol shrimp and goby pairing for £45. I explained to a different staff member that I wanted to re home a healthy orange spot goby to allow for this purchase and asked whether they could allow anything for part ex. What ensued was a screwed up face and a comment that 'we can't give you anything for your goby otherwise we'd have people in all the time wanting to return fish.' I was going to make other arrangements re my goby but now I may not bother as the whole thing has a negative feel about it.

Anyway, my point is: Don't blame customers for daring to discuss pricing, even if that is a little difficult or embarrassing to deal with sometimes. Most people are just looking for a reasonable deal, they're not looking to screw anyone over, to offend or embarrass anyone.

By all means refuse an offer thats not good enough but try not to **** customers off in the process otherwise they are less likely to want to buy from you another time and will tell others about their experience.

[achilles-2008]

As a shop owner of course when a trusted old customer or a large new customer comes into my shop I might offer them a discount or round down the price, which is only good customer service, as yes a good customer will value it, but its still my descision to offer it or not but when someone comes in takes up a lot of your time, picking my brain and talking big and only spends a fiver and then asks for a discount, thats what bothers me.

[Nano-Marine]

so if they ask advice on a few things then thats "picking your brain". newbies need advice and this is what im talking about most people in the fish shops just dont seem to have the time.

and when you talk about a "large new customer" i take it this is someone who is ready to throw the credit card or cash in front of you, im sure you would stand chatting discussing this and that, probably right down to filter media over your lunch hour, if you could smell the money in front of you......

marine fish cost enough so the least people should receive with a fish is a bit of advice, for f**k sake its free.

Any wonder people hate going to fish shops when you have pricks like the one in the opost above just interested in money and probably doesnt even give a f**k about the fish.......

i rest my case......

[Matt O'D]

As a shop owner of course when a trusted old customer or a large new customer comes into my shop I might offer them a discount or round down the price, which is only good customer service, as yes a good customer will value it, but its still my descision to offer it or not but when someone comes in takes up a lot of your time, picking my brain and talking big and only spends a fiver and then asks for a discount, thats what bothers me.

hard to see what you can do about that in your line of work though, except maybe some signage:

"Our prices are carefully calculated to cover costs. Please do not ask for discount" thats your argument I believe & perfectly reasonable too, so if it bothers you, why not?

or maybe "ADVICE - £5 per 10mins (or part thereof)" - sorry, couldn't resist that one;) would put people in the picture though wouldn't it.

Out of interest, may I ask how long you've been running a LFS? and do you enjoy it mainly?

[Nano-Marine]

is it hard to offer a bit of advice. is it like.

or maybe they know f**k all about they fish sell and they are just in it for money.

[Matt O'D]

think we'd all be better off if people kept it civil whether in a fish shop or anywhere else, there are worse people out there than those asking for a discount or not wanting to be asked

lets just relax a bit

[rhysiboy1]

I'm surprised how ruffled some peoples feathers have gotten over this issue!

I work in a fish shop myself that deals in tropical, koi, coldwater and marines and as a reatailer I don't find it to be all that much of a problem as long as its on say live goods and tanks etc. For example if a long timme customer comes into the shop and sees a few pieces that they like but are sitting on the fence I would much rather offer say £10 off than lose £200 worth of corals. Another example would be if a new customer comes into buy a whole marine set up I know realistically they will be spending £300 minimum and I know that this type of sale can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to close and in that window I can gauge if they are comfortable with the prices and as bad as it sounds if they are a nice customer to deal with. With a customer like that I will usually reduce our live rock to say £10 a kilo, as opposed to the £13.95 or throw in a free bag of sand- something which to us as a retailer is quite inexpensive but as a customer you feel as if you are being given a good deal.

I'm of the mentality of having a good compormise between getting money going through the till whilst still making a nice profit for the company but I think the customer should always remember that margins can be quite tight and discount is pretty much at individual workers discression.

[achilles-2008]

Nano-Marine
For your information the p…k as you lovingly called me is not a LFS, I have been commenting as a general high street business where the same rules apply if you are selling marine fish, packets of spaghetti, or washing machines,
As a business I am just sticking up for LFS,s
The only thing where you are right is that running a shop is all about the money and you do what ever is necessary to bring in the money, we are neither a charity nor the DHSS so don’t treat us as if we were. That’s why so many businesses are closing down because people like you expect small shops to work for nothing
.
Read the post properly;
Its good business practice to offer advice by allowing the public to pick an experts brain or just have a chat, weather they are smelling of money or a newbie as you state, and yes the advice should be offered free if the retailer has the time or inclination to do so. But as I stated in the original post don’t take the p..s by wasting their time or asking for a discount if your spend is nominal or you didn’t intend shopping there to start with especially if you did get some advice.
Nano-Marine. Let me offer you some advice; if you are having problems getting help and advice when you go into your LFS or any retail high street shop when you purchase your wares, next time go in with a smile and pleasant attitude and be polite and don’t use bad language as you would be amazed how this can change a shop keepers attitude and even encourage him to offer a discount, even towards a person like yourself.

[achilles-2008]

is it hard to offer a bit of advice. is it like.

or maybe they know f**k all about they fish sell and they are just in it for money.

I doubt if you have ever listened anyones advice .is it like!

[Nano-Marine]

I doubt if you have ever listened anyones advice .is it like!

very good very good.

im laughing my b*lls off here at your attempt of trying to mock me. :dance:

[jaseribbit]

i ask for discount everywhere, if you dont ask you dont get it

allthough i think theres an old saying:-

people that ask dont get
people that dont ask dont want!!!!

[Hanz]

All major supermarkets have sales or discounts all the time and do buy one get one free or similar.
If i buy a number of corals/ fish from my LFS i have discount, and being a regular customer i don't feel guilty.


Exactly.