Agree with you on the forum being much quieter. I think it's across the board.

There used to be a lot more activity with folks sharing ideas and updating journals.

I was hoping to save a few dollars on ati bulbs...
Haven't seen them on sale.

The weak Canadian dollar is making margins smaller for retailers. Cost of goods (inc livestock) has gone up about 30% in the last 18 months or so just due to the dollar, and retail pricing certainly hasn't gone up that much. That just means the LFS has less wiggle room to put things on sale. Suppliers haven't been offering many sales this year to the retailers, so that isn't helping either. Despite all this, there are still lots of good deals in the LFS's this week though!

I think most of the stores do the best they can considering almost every manufacturer seems to be running MAP requirements to sell their goods these days.

Even the online Canadian retailers like JL and reefsupplies didn't have any blowout deals on equipment or supplies. Very sad as I was hoping to find some amazing deals.

I dropped the ball fairly substantially thinking JL would discount ATI fixtures the same as they did on black Friday.....They didn't!

Completely understand, but consumers have always been used to getting some deals on Boxing Day.

Agreed. I was hoping to get a few things at even 10% off.

Oh man, I hear you. I saw the prices then and expected the same for Boxing Day as well.

Having said that, I am fully prepared to give my LFSs a good chunk of change when I set up my tank. The same stores that have served me well since I started the hobby, they deserve our support or they'll disappear.

I agree with the loyalty to the solid LFS that have been there through thick and thin. Most of the time they will be comparable or offer something close to online price and maybe throw in extras with your purchase.

i thought pisces did a good job this year being stocked and having almost everything in the fish section at least 25% off

golds also did a good job with there buy one regular priced fish or coral and your next for 50% off (happening all week he said)

Wais, great selection, but rarely do i see deals on coral so that was a bummer on boxing day

concepts, small selection on fish and corals, but amazing prices, and i picked up a couple rare items i would not have got at other stores, good deals on boxing day too i thought

also ordered from marine experence online, they had good sales on corals but half of the site was sold out by the time i got to pick what i wanted

calgary for me was a sold 9/10 i think, i put in the effort and went to everystore and tried to buy something from everyone.

That's great! I think the best deals are usually in-store rather than online. :)