Where to buy sand in Calgary

[FishyFishy!]

Originally Posted by MitchM

I've been shopping at Wai's almost exclusively for 15 years for saltwater and Pisces for freshwater.
Which store a person buys from is not always about the price at the cash register.

Good for you Mr. Trump!

[MitchM]

Quality, knowledge, selection all factor into it as well.
There have been many stores come and go that have tried to go the lowest price route, only to find that they have a hard time paying the bills at the end of the month. (in all industries)

[Skimmer Juice]

I don't go for the "lowest price route" Just saying if the store is charging double on livestock there has to be a reason for it. What would entice me to pay $40 for something from Wai's or Pisces when I can get the same thing for $20 at Gold's or Ocean's ? Gold's has quality livestock nicely kept space and Dennis is very knowledgeable can say the same for Ocean's . Both those stores are friendly weather or not Im making a purchase that day . If I dont buy at Wai's he does not have the time of day for me , has always been that way since 2003 when I started in the hobby . So what makes up for the double the price increase ? Like I said I can understand a small mark up but double the price does not make sense and to me is gouging . There is nothing that sets wais pisces stores apart from the 3 I mentioned to make up for that huge price increase.

[MitchM]

I go into Calgary maybe once a month. The fuel costs me at least $30.
I'm not very interested in fish, mostly corals and equipment and Wai's has what I consider to be the best selection and knowledge in town for those items. I haven't had a reason to go anywhere else.
My schedule is pretty full when I go in so I don't have time to go store to store comparing things. Plus I only need to give Daniel an email or phone call and he'll have whatever I want ready for me.

As retail customers we all have different things that appeal to our own situations.

[Skimmer Juice]

that's more than understandable wais does have a great selection of equipment and keeps it up to date . I guess living out of town makes it harder to organize I always get my equipment from golds they don't stock alot but they will order you anything and will price match j&l which is nice . Myself I cant justify buying a crab for $15 but can walk across the street and get for $8 or a shrimp for $50 but can get it across the street for $25 that difference is just to much for me.

[MitchM]

I have found that driving around usually costs just as much in fuel and time as I would have saved by comparing prices, especially if I'm not sure if someone has what I'm looking for.

[Skimmer Juice]

I always do a fish store loop on the weekends just for fun so gas/time never factor in for me . Sometimes I buy sometimes I don't buy , just go to look. My tank is pretty full so I'm usually looking for very specific items that most stores only get once in a while. Wai's I like as a whole just cant bring myself to pay double the money . Wai's also has a pretty epic display tank worth checking out just for that . Pisces on the other hand the tanks are not kept in good order so I will not buy there just off that , without even getting in to the prices .

[CM125]

Originally Posted by MitchM

I've been shopping at Wai's almost exclusively for 15 years for saltwater and Pisces for freshwater.
Which store a person buys from is not always about the price at the cash register.

I agree, Wais is one of the best places to go. We have been going there for years and will continue to.

Originally Posted by Skimmer Juice

I don't go for the "lowest price route" Just saying if the store is charging double on livestock there has to be a reason for it. What would entice me to pay $40 for something from Wai's or Pisces when I can get the same thing for $20 at Gold's or Ocean's ? Gold's has quality livestock nicely kept space and Dennis is very knowledgeable can say the same for Ocean's . Both those stores are friendly weather or not Im making a purchase that day . If I dont buy at Wai's he does not have the time of day for me , has always been that way since 2003 when I started in the hobby . So what makes up for the double the price increase ? Like I said I can understand a small mark up but double the price does not make sense and to me is gouging . There is nothing that sets wais pisces stores apart from the 3 I mentioned to make up for that huge price increase.

I disagree, I have been to golds and to oceans and wasn't really impressed, so I guess its really all on your perception. In my experience best price doesn't always mean best product or best service.

[Buccaneer]

Well this sure escalated in a hurry from me asking for sand prices

If anyone is interested I got my sand at Concept

as to stores for livestock ... I have been to Wai's Pisces etc and go back to Dennis at Golds ... one of the first to quarantine fish in the city and great service every time