Returning to reef keeping after 20+ years. Blank canvas to work with and thrilled by how the hobby has advanced; (expensive) automation esp. Though equipment was also expensive in the '90s, I was able to shop around, price compare, and find deals while buying locally through my local fish stores (LFS). Jumping forward to today's marketplace, and like other speciality hobbies, reef keeping equipment appears to be priced the exact same across retailers -- both online and local fish shops. It's as though prices are fixed through sales terms established by the manufacturers and/or distributors.
I'm wondering: are LFS typically amenable to discounting a reef keeping package deal? I'm not motivated to haggle over price, given the credit discounts offered by the few big online retail shops I've found, free shipping, and often no sales tax. But I'm also wanting to support Bay Area small business.
Do LFS stock their hardware for impulse purchases and their top-tier clients who don't compare price? Or do they also stock it with the intent of bundling discounted package deals for customers purchasing all-at-once?
Anyone have experience shopping retail through LFS in this regard?
I'm wondering: are LFS typically amenable to discounting a reef keeping package deal? I'm not motivated to haggle over price, given the credit discounts offered by the few big online retail shops I've found, free shipping, and often no sales tax. But I'm also wanting to support Bay Area small business.
Do LFS stock their hardware for impulse purchases and their top-tier clients who don't compare price? Or do they also stock it with the intent of bundling discounted package deals for customers purchasing all-at-once?
Anyone have experience shopping retail through LFS in this regard?