[Copperband86]

Maybe it's just me, but lately the LFS's in my area (Macomb) have had garbage in the way of corals. I don't want to name names, but those of you in the area know the main players in. There is never anything unique at all in these places. I'm seriously considering ordering online from now on. At least I know what I'm gonna get. One of these local shops has a deal in place with an online vendor where you can order online from them and it gets delivered to the LFS for pickup. There is no cost to ship, so it's just paying for the item. I asked why they were starting to do this and he stated he didn't have enough room to keep up stock. I thought that was humorous considering half the tanks were empty and the fish stock was lacking considerably. Anyone else noticed this lately?

 

[MPA]

I'm in wayne county. Only place I buy from now is Cherry Corals. Everybody else is charging way too much for smaller coral. When you can catch their auction they have some of the best stuff out there.

 

[zachogden]

agree. the only place worth getting coral from is tropicorium imo. stingray bay's selection is actually pretty good now (mostly LPS and softies) but I'm not paying $60/frag for common stuff.

 

[Copperband86]

agree. the only place worth getting coral from is tropicorium imo. stingray bay's selection is actually pretty good now (mostly LPS and softies) but I'm not paying $60/frag for common stuff.

Yea i hear ya. I usually hit that place once a month to see what they have but their prices are too high for my liking. Interesting though is that their fish pricing is substantially lower than some of the LFS closer to me. They must have a great margin on those corals to sell them that low :happy:

 

[guzzlo]

True the stores around here don’t carry a ton at hobbyist prices but not supporting them doesn’t help. Basement guys are selling coral for prices that are much higher then they were just a few years ago, but I get it. Everyone wants to make some money supporting their hobby but it ***** to see people In it for the right reasons not being able to get normal pieces at a decent price. The basement guys snipe forums and Facebook all day for deals and get them before most hobbyists even see them and then resell them later for more. It ***** and like I said isint helping the community, I guess if you want a good price you gotta wait for a reputable live sale and be quick but me personally I’m over the markup game and wish things were back how they were before everyone got greedy. I’m not new and been reefing 15+ years


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[Copperband86]

True the stores around here don't carry a ton at hobbyist prices but not supporting them doesn't help. Basement guys are selling coral for prices that are much higher then they were just a few years ago, but I get it. Everyone wants to make some money supporting their hobby but it ***** to see people In it for the right reasons not being able to get normal pieces at a decent price. The basement guys snipe forums and Facebook all day for deals and get them before most hobbyists even see them and then resell them later for more. It ***** and like I said isint helping the community, I guess if you want a good price you gotta wait for a reputable live sale and be quick but me personally I'm over the markup game and wish things were back how they were before everyone got greedy. I'm not new and been reefing 15+ years

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Yea I hear ya. I'm all for supporting the LFS. But when you see the exact same things there day after day and there is no effort to bring in new items, I don't see how I can continue to buy coral from them. Other items I will.