What is your opinion on the hobby's status?

jorjef · #1 05-26-2015, 03:04 PM

I just googled P.G.'s population and to say have that many hobbiest is impressive. Regina with over double the population in my mind would be pushing 30 people. From where I sit the prices have gone up considerable. Blood shrimp at $50.00..... What's that about.

I'm not sure what's up Mindy, the corn flakes did taste a little off this am. More just frustration with the LFS. I continue to go in, stand there shaking my head, which develops into banging my head on the front on the tanks asking "why do I continue to come back". I have the day off and if I was motivated I would be driving up to to see Colby's cache of gems.

Reef Pilot · #2 05-26-2015, 03:12 PM

I think the advent of more good online retailers has enhanced and made the hobby more accessible. The problem, though, is that the masses are just not aware. You'd think with the all the cheap(er) social media advertising options available now, it should be easier to reach out to those that might have an interest. I would target the freshwater crowd. I was one, and succumbed (albeit more by accident)... haha.

jorjef · #3 05-26-2015, 03:22 PM

I guess I'm being more livestock specific. Online for dry goods and equipment is easy to access but with me being in the market for livestock at the moment and very picky on what I buy can produce some very long dry spells.

I can't think of 5 or 6 online livestock sites but with sites being so outdated it's frustrating. I just let out a snort of derision when I read "site will be updated shorty"

jorjef · #4 05-26-2015, 03:25 PM

Colby really needs to expand.

Scythanith · #5 05-26-2015, 04:07 PM

Honestly Colby has one of the best livestock supplies in Canada. It never ceases to amaze me at the corals and fish he regularly gets in! I think he ships all the time, just let him know what you want haahaa! From what I understand he is working on his site as well. He knows it needs to be revamped and regularly updated.

The problem with expanding in my eyes is that it's the people that make a shop succesful, and if you don't have the right people a shop won't float! Bayside is what it is because of Colby, without him it's just another shop.

Scott

jorjef · #6 05-26-2015, 04:18 PM

I have Colby ship quite regularly believe me. Lol. But you can't replace buying in person vs. via online. Even your plate you posted that you bought from him recently varies from a posted pic. Don't get me wrong I trust Colby 100 percent, it just speaks to my picky nature when I write about my observation.

I agree, it would be very tough to open another shop outside of Saskatoon. Finding the right person dedicated to the shop would be near impossible, that's why Gustavo needs to move to Regina.

mark · #7 05-26-2015, 04:26 PM

I'll still get some stuff from the LFS but with the prices online for equipment being sometimes a 1/3 off, I'm going to the internet.

Livestock I rely on Canreef members so hope the forum stays strong.

For info, books or the internet but not taking everything as truth. Given and overhead heard from the LFS not overly trusting there either.

gobytron · #8 05-26-2015, 04:53 PM

The trend, in my experience over the last 15 years, has been on the decline.

I can't imagine were more than 10 or 15 years away from only being able to stock captive bred or cultured livestock and paying an incredible premium just for that.

slection is getting worse and prices are going up.

all but the best run lfs can't seem to stay in business.

I'm just enjoying it while I can...

Scythanith · #9 05-26-2015, 10:02 PM

The slow growing designer coral frags cost the retailer nearly as much as the customer, so the markup on those is even more appalling lol! It's all about having that relationship with your LFS that you can take premo stuff to them and they will treat you right

That way everyone can be happy. Just not the customer that expects to get it for cheap since it came out of some locals tank, doesn't work that way.

Scythanith · #10 05-26-2015, 03:17 PM

To me it all comes down to local support. Here in S'toon we have all of the support we could ask for, tied in with internet resources, it gives the hobbyist all they could need. Retailers just need to hold on until the new Finding Dory comes out... the market will explode again! Then they should have well made kits and informational pamphlets ready to go for the care and maintenance of clownfish & anemones

I do see a trend to more of your hobbyists fragging and trading, which will help strengthen the supply, but can hurt the local retailers.