ufcrusher
03-31-2005, 05:05 PM
I have a small tank that has been collecting dust for a while for a want of parts. I guess you can call me a hard liner, but I refuse to pay more money for something then I think its worth or that I paid for it where I used to live. This has caused some issues since apparently EVERYTHING out here is marked up the ying-yang.
As such, I turn to my trusty on-line stores which I have been using before they ever went online. (Back in the day, it was phone/mail order only) The prices are still pretty good and as such, this is where I find the items for half the price of the local stores.
While I was preparing my order, I realized that one item was probably about MSRP and as shipping is calculated on amount spent, I may do better by getting it locally, no shipping, no waiting, just have to eat the taxes. Seems simple enough right, since it is at MSRP.
First place I call, claims to sell everything at or below cost. Now I knew that was a lie, because I had been in their store before, but still you never know, even a dead mine can sometimes produce a diamond. I tell the woman on the phone that I want a flourescent full hood, although some manufacturers call it a deluxe hood. This is an item that almost ALL aquarium manufacturers make and sell as its a bread and butter item.
Employee: "I'm pretty sure thats $20, no wait, its only $11 or $14."
UFC: " Thats really low are you sure you are quoting the right thing? Its a fitted plastic hood with hinged opening and a flourescent fixture sitting on top.
Employee: "Oh, no, wait. This is just a glass hood."
UFC: "I didnt ask for a glass hood, besides which that is an incredibly high price for a glass hood. I can make one for a few bucks."
Employee: "I'm sorry, hold on a minute I wil go ask someone else...
UFC: holding
Employee: "I have a power compact with hood for $60"
UFC: "Yeah, I dont want a power compact and that price is ridiculous I can get a power compact for $30. Do you know what I am talking about when I say a deluxe flourescent hood."
Employee: "Well what are you using this tank for, because a power compact is the way to go"
UFC: "You are kidding me right. I dont know what I am using my tank for yet, but I do know that I dont want a power compact, which is why I asked for a flourescent hood."
Employee: " Are you sure.....if you are having saltwater or reef tanks, you really should just get the power compact. We dont have the other thing."
UFC: Thanks, I guess I will just order from any of the 15 places I know online. Bye.
Thinking I just had bad luck with this store, I call another.
Store 2: 4 minute call that basically goes like this:
UFC: HI, I am looking for a 20" full deluxe flourescent hood. You know the kind that penn-plax, perfecto, visio, oceanic, and all the other manufacturers make.
Employeee: Yeah, I know what you are talking about. Hold on.......
Employee: Its $14.
UFC: $14, and it includes the fixture?
Employee: No, this is just a glass top.
UFC: Um...yeah, I asked for a full deluxe flourscent hood. The kind with black plastic hood, the glass insert which the included flourescent fixture sits on,
Employee: Oh, you mean incadescent ones?
UFC: Fah - Lour - Ess - Cent, Floursecent!
Employee: Sorry about that, hold on......
Employee: $40 for that.
UFC: You do know that MSRP is around $29 right? No thanks.
At this point I am floored, but I have one last place I am willing to try.
UFC: Hi, I need a 20" deluxe hood with a flourscent fixture.
Employee: Hold on.
Employee: We dont have any in stock, and frankly dont really carry it as no one would buy a fitted hood for that size tank.
UFC: Um, yes they do....in fact most people get their start with this type set up.
Employee: Well, yeah, but generally most people are happy with just putting glass over the tank. Sorry I couldnt help.
UFC: Thanks.
Three stores later, I realize that a) the stores here mark the hell out of EVERYTHING. b) their staff has no idea what things are called. I was using standard trade language and they were coming back with things that were outlandish. c) trying to do the right thing and buy locally is worthless now.
Where I used to live I bought 50% of my stuff locally and the other half online. Why pay more for the local stores? Honestly because if something went wrong, the stores would take care of me since I had LONG standing relationships with them. Yet I try to do the same here and these stores dont seem to have a care in the world about customer loyalty. There is one local store which I know wouldnt carry this part since its a size tank they dont stock, but frankly the owner is a nice guy and will get probably 80% of my business shortly. The sad fact is, I will probably only buy the tank and stand from him...maybe the wet dry if I am feeling generous, but otherwise, I refuse to be raked over the coals.
As such, I turn to my trusty on-line stores which I have been using before they ever went online. (Back in the day, it was phone/mail order only) The prices are still pretty good and as such, this is where I find the items for half the price of the local stores.
While I was preparing my order, I realized that one item was probably about MSRP and as shipping is calculated on amount spent, I may do better by getting it locally, no shipping, no waiting, just have to eat the taxes. Seems simple enough right, since it is at MSRP.
First place I call, claims to sell everything at or below cost. Now I knew that was a lie, because I had been in their store before, but still you never know, even a dead mine can sometimes produce a diamond. I tell the woman on the phone that I want a flourescent full hood, although some manufacturers call it a deluxe hood. This is an item that almost ALL aquarium manufacturers make and sell as its a bread and butter item.
Employee: "I'm pretty sure thats $20, no wait, its only $11 or $14."
UFC: " Thats really low are you sure you are quoting the right thing? Its a fitted plastic hood with hinged opening and a flourescent fixture sitting on top.
Employee: "Oh, no, wait. This is just a glass hood."
UFC: "I didnt ask for a glass hood, besides which that is an incredibly high price for a glass hood. I can make one for a few bucks."
Employee: "I'm sorry, hold on a minute I wil go ask someone else...
UFC: holding
Employee: "I have a power compact with hood for $60"
UFC: "Yeah, I dont want a power compact and that price is ridiculous I can get a power compact for $30. Do you know what I am talking about when I say a deluxe flourescent hood."
Employee: "Well what are you using this tank for, because a power compact is the way to go"
UFC: "You are kidding me right. I dont know what I am using my tank for yet, but I do know that I dont want a power compact, which is why I asked for a flourescent hood."
Employee: " Are you sure.....if you are having saltwater or reef tanks, you really should just get the power compact. We dont have the other thing."
UFC: Thanks, I guess I will just order from any of the 15 places I know online. Bye.
Thinking I just had bad luck with this store, I call another.
Store 2: 4 minute call that basically goes like this:
UFC: HI, I am looking for a 20" full deluxe flourescent hood. You know the kind that penn-plax, perfecto, visio, oceanic, and all the other manufacturers make.
Employeee: Yeah, I know what you are talking about. Hold on.......
Employee: Its $14.
UFC: $14, and it includes the fixture?
Employee: No, this is just a glass top.
UFC: Um...yeah, I asked for a full deluxe flourscent hood. The kind with black plastic hood, the glass insert which the included flourescent fixture sits on,
Employee: Oh, you mean incadescent ones?
UFC: Fah - Lour - Ess - Cent, Floursecent!
Employee: Sorry about that, hold on......
Employee: $40 for that.
UFC: You do know that MSRP is around $29 right? No thanks.
At this point I am floored, but I have one last place I am willing to try.
UFC: Hi, I need a 20" deluxe hood with a flourscent fixture.
Employee: Hold on.
Employee: We dont have any in stock, and frankly dont really carry it as no one would buy a fitted hood for that size tank.
UFC: Um, yes they do....in fact most people get their start with this type set up.
Employee: Well, yeah, but generally most people are happy with just putting glass over the tank. Sorry I couldnt help.
UFC: Thanks.
Three stores later, I realize that a) the stores here mark the hell out of EVERYTHING. b) their staff has no idea what things are called. I was using standard trade language and they were coming back with things that were outlandish. c) trying to do the right thing and buy locally is worthless now.
Where I used to live I bought 50% of my stuff locally and the other half online. Why pay more for the local stores? Honestly because if something went wrong, the stores would take care of me since I had LONG standing relationships with them. Yet I try to do the same here and these stores dont seem to have a care in the world about customer loyalty. There is one local store which I know wouldnt carry this part since its a size tank they dont stock, but frankly the owner is a nice guy and will get probably 80% of my business shortly. The sad fact is, I will probably only buy the tank and stand from him...maybe the wet dry if I am feeling generous, but otherwise, I refuse to be raked over the coals.