Are you still buying in the USA? Why?

[Megalodon]

Originally Posted by paddyob

No disrespect , but not certain if it's smart or suicide for a sponsor to start this type of thread.

I was just about to make a large purchase of various things from BRS, but after reading this thread, I'm going to buy my Hanna checkers from Reef Supplies instead. With the Canreef discount, they're $6 more per unit, but there's no customs and all that other hassle, and plus I'll feel better buying from Canada. I'm still buying my bulk chemicals through BRS, however. You can't beat those prices.

So suicide? Nah. Smart? Maybe. He makes a good point.

[mseepman]

I really try to buy local but as everyone else in the Okanagan knows, that's an expensive process. Using a local LFS keeps options open to me when I'm in a panic but paying $89-$99 for a bucket of IO salt is too painful so I end up stopping in a J&L a couple times per year.

Many of our LFS are under the same pressures that book stores have been under since the inception of amazon.com Bricks and Morter locations have different costs and I understand that the convenience of that has a cost to me. I hope that more of them look to move part of their business to the web so that they can off-set some of their fixed costs with a few more sales.

Sadly, the bigger problem with the LFS is that they have stayed in the traditional rut of carrying only the big suppliers like Hagen, Coralife or Marineland. Sadly, the quality of those companies goods are sad or worse.

The bright spot for me is that I've convinced my local LFS to join me at MACNA this year so he can see what advances there have been in the industry. Even though this is their profession, I think the store owner is in for a big surprise.

[Coleus]

no longer buy from US, now we have Concept Aquatics :-), price is very competitive (very close to J&L) and excellent service

[Reef Supplies]

Originally Posted by Coleus

no longer buy from US, now we have Concept Aquatics :-), price is very competitive (very close to J&L) and excellent service

and don't forget, Dave is a nice guy :-)

[saltfreak2012]

I am another "bad guy" who buys from the US 100%. The local pet store in Regina is not even an option as he gouges people with his prices so it leaves me no choice but to order online. The prices I get from a US online vendor after his discount can't be beat by any place in Canada. No tax or no brokerage fees everytime also when items are shipped USPS Priority Post. It is an expensive hobby so why pay more $$ buying in Canada?

[Megalodon]

Originally Posted by saltfreak2012

I am another "bad guy" who buys from the US 100%. The local pet store in Regina is not even an option as he gouges people with his prices so it leaves me no choice but to order online. The prices I get from a US online vendor after his discount can't be beat by any place in Canada. No tax or no brokerage fees everytime also when items are shipped USPS Priority Post. It is an expensive hobby so why pay more $$ buying in Canada?

I fail to see how you're getting away with not paying taxes. Care to share? Legally?

[BlueWorldAquatic]

Originally Posted by saltfreak2012

I am another "bad guy" who buys from the US 100%. The local pet store in Regina is not even an option as he gouges people with his prices so it leaves me no choice but to order online. The prices I get from a US online vendor after his discount can't be beat by any place in Canada. No tax or no brokerage fees everytime also when items are shipped USPS Priority Post. It is an expensive hobby so why pay more $$ buying in Canada?

Just fell through the cracks, at the very least you must pay GST, & duties on anything entering into Canada. You have just been lucky not paying these fees. Some companies will include them already in their prices also.

Main issues are warranty, like in Echotech, if it is purchased in the USA, the warranty only applies in the USA, we can't help you. If it is sold from a Canadian distributor, and Canadian reseller can waranty it.