Boxing Day Sales!

[Reef Pilot]

Well, I did my part with a large online order to J&L. Prices weren't that great, but I needed to stock up on supplies. I usually order something from Reef Supplies out east, but not this year, as I just didn't see anything I need, for a good price there.

I think in general Boxing Day sales were not that great this year. Lower loonie hurts, and probably Black Friday is gaining. I am sure retailers are struggling to make a decent profit.

And with the high cost of our equipment, supplies, corals and fish, I think our hobby may be losing some appeal, too. Plus the economy may be affecting many as well, and spending priorities need to shift. And that will probably not get better here in Canada the next couple years.

[Jakegr]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

And with the high cost of our equipment, supplies, corals and fish, I think our hobby may be losing some appeal, too. Plus the economy may be affecting many as well, and spending priorities need to shift. And that will probably not get better here in Canada the next couple years.

I think that is pretty much it... this hobby keeps getting more and more expensive, while the amount of gratification coming out of it stays constant. Equipment manufacturers keep replacing less expensive older models with more expensive newer ones, and then complain about consumers flocking to inexpensive Chinese brands of similar quality.

Retailers are probably just doing what they need to do to stay in business, but I've also noticed livestock prices have risen quite a bit in the last year, despite a fairly constant dollar. A 25% off livestock boxing week sale right now just means I'm able to buy the same fish I did last year at the same price.

[warriorcookie]

I'd say my LFS (Bayside) had a pretty spectacular sale. Better than any of the online guys. 20% off all fish and inverts, some of the frages were 50% off the rest were up to 30% off depending on how many you bought. I bought a $150 rock flower nem for $100 and got a $70 rock flower nem for free. I got a wack of Aquaforest for 10% off. Wish I had more to spend....

Oh, and some crazy giveaways too!

[warriorcookie]

Originally Posted by Jakegr

I think that is pretty much it... this hobby keeps getting more and more expensive, while the amount of gratification coming out of it stays constant. Equipment manufacturers keep replacing less expensive older models with more expensive newer ones, and then complain about consumers flocking to inexpensive Chinese brands of similar quality.

Retailers are probably just doing what they need to do to stay in business, but I've also noticed livestock prices have risen quite a bit in the last year, despite a fairly constant dollar. A 25% off livestock boxing week sale right now just means I'm able to buy the same fish I did last year at the same price.

While I agree with your point overall, most of the local prices haven't gone up 25%. I track of most of my purchases, and I've noticed some of my livestock are worth a bit more but only 10-15%. Some of the entry level fish are the same or even cheaper (Firefish, bluethoat trigger, Ocellaris...) I also noticed the sticker price of the Salifert kits are waaay cheaper now too.
I'm speaking only locally, btw. I haven't kept an eye on the online prices as close.