Is it bad form to call ahead to reserve?

[Europhyllia]

I was just thinking of all the different threads we had about what's tacky and what's acceptable.
I think I am a lot of times with the tacky people (like I used to show my MAAST card. lol - now I don't need to because people recognize me).
A new thing I've started is to call ahead, ask if they have in stock what I want and then give my credit card info over the phone so it doesn't get sold before I get there.
It's very convenient for me because many stores don't open till noon (nap time for the 1 and 3 year old) and all are about 40 minutes away from me. I hate to load the kids in the car and then drive all the way for nothing.
But I haven't really thought about perhaps that being tacky too?
Does it cost the store owner more to run the credit card like that (rather than swiping it)?
Does it take the sport out of livestock shopping?
Is it a bother?

[cbianco]

I would say that a problem would be...

Asking a retailer to hold an item for you and never coming to get it and no calling to cancel.

But...

If you're paying for the item upfront, that's a guarenteed sale for the retailer. They have your money and at that point as long as you set an agreed upon time to pick it up, it shouldn't matter that they are holding it.

JMO.

Christopher

[ShAgMaN]

I don't think its tacky at all. The only thing that sucks is if you get there and don't like what you held/paid for. However, I think most the guys we do business with understand.

But I have one for you that's worse. Is it tacky to ask an owner if he can get you something, but then you find it at another store and purchase it instead of waiting? I'm not talking about paying for it before hand with a commitment, but still...

The thing is you don't know if they are going to get it, and if they don't your stuck waiting for who knows how long.

Regardless, I have my fav. stores and will be back to each of them spending my $ on this addicting hobby.

[Europhyllia]

But I have one for you that's worse. Is it tacky to ask an owner if he can get you something, but then you find it at another store and purchase it instead of waiting? I'm not talking about paying for it before hand with a commitment, but still...
The thing is you don't know if they are going to get it, and if they don't your stuck waiting for who knows how long.

I see what you mean. I had Ed look for something for me (several different things actually) and when I did find it somewhere else I just PM-ed him saying: "hey I got xyz but I am still interested in this and that."
I think it's just fair to let him know he can stop looking for a particular item.
He also PM-ed me when he did find the other stuff (before he ordered it) to ask: "hey I can get xyz this week for you. Are you still interested?"
So I think both sides need to communicate in situations like these.

Right now I am hoping J at Reefs2u can get me something I'm after. If I were to come across it and decided to buy it elsewhere I would PM him to let him know to stop looking (although of course what I want is super duper cool stuff and would sell in a heartbeat anyway :bigsmile: )

[Gseclipse02]

i don't see anything wrong with what your doing ... its annoying to go to a store and them have nothing at all that you like esp. with how far you drive .... i tend to only go when i need food or a part...


im sure stores know you now and dont mind holding stuff for you knowing what kind of drive you have to do to make it there

[Jarob]

not tacky at all! I was up in Dallas over christmas break and reserved some amazing mushrooms and paid for them, when i came back 3 days later to pick them up they sold them!!! THATS lame! i was refunded and given a freebee so thats ok i guess

[Gseclipse02]

not tacky at all! I was up in Dallas over christmas break and reserved some amazing mushrooms and paid for them, when i came back 3 days later to pick them up they sold them!!! THATS lame! i was refunded and given a freebee so thats ok i guess


that's wack ...

i would be mad ... i like stores who are understanding to people who travel

[Double-O-Zilch]

i tend to only go when i need food or a part...


Thought that was you at AD tonight. You looked to be in a hurry so I didn't want to slow you down. And I think reserving a piece you want when kids and a long drive are involved is OK. Takes me a good 35mins+ to get to the closet store depending on the time of day. I may have to use this reserving technique once I get into the good stuff.

[Europhyllia]

should have posted this in 'ask a sponsor' to see what the store owners think about this ... ;)

[Gseclipse02]

Thought that was you at AD tonight. You looked to be in a hurry so I didn't want to slow you down. And I think reserving a piece you want when kids and a long drive are involved is OK. Takes me a good 35mins+ to get to the closet store depending on the time of day. I may have to use this reserving technique once I get into the good stuff.


tonight i wasnt there .... we all look alike lol


i went by during the day tho .... if you ever see me just stop me i tend to be in out with in five mins or less .... if im going to buy something it will catch my eyes real quick

[Double-O-Zilch]

It was about 4 right? You were in the Eclipse? If not you have an evil twin!

[Gseclipse02]

It was about 4 right? You were in the Eclipse? If not you have an evil twin!


you threw me off when you said tonight lol but it was about 3 when i went by ... i wanted to get my calcium/alk. tested but it was 5 bucks for each and i was to cheap to pay lol ill keep dosing till something doesn't look right haha

[Double-O-Zilch]

should have posted this in 'ask a sponsor' to see what the store owners think about this ... ;)

I'm sure as long as you show up, as you've already paid, they don't mind at all. I just wish they would remove items on hold to another, hidden location. I seem to want what's claimed more then if it wasn't!:lauging:

*Oh yeah, I heard Jason saying he'd like his employees to start charging for testing. Whether they do or not, just a heads up.

[allan]

I was at a nlfs on wednesday and noticed that they charged for their testing as well with one rub. The charge was a store credit for that day.

Makes sense and I wouldn't imagine anyone driving all the way to a lfs and not buying something.
Kari, I don't think it's lame to call first and I've done it a couple times. I recognize it as an obligation though. Not always pleased either.
What I do think is la
e is that you stopped flashing your badge- ahem, I mean your maast card. ;)

[Gseclipse02]

*Oh yeah, I heard Jason saying he'd like his employees to start charging for testing. Whether they do or not, just a heads up.


check out there price chart next time ... 5 bucks each for calcium and alk.


i ended up testing my calcium and it was good no way to test my alk. tho

[Gseclipse02]

Makes sense and I wouldn't imagine anyone driving all the way to a lfs and not buying something. ;)


<<< ------guilty as charged lol

im at a full point in my tank and i want my last items to really catch my eyes you know... so im always on the look out for nice pulsing xenia and yellow polyps

[ErikH]

Charging for water testing will make me never go back there again. People go there to purchase items, the water test will lead to more sales, or give the customer comfort to purchase more items. Either way it leads to sales. I am about to turn my back on alot of sponsors because the pricing on things is getting out of hand. When I see a tiny frag that costs 60 dollars for maybe an inch and it is not a LE coral, I want to vomit. There is such a thing as making a profit, and "taking advantage". If I walk into a store and there is a frag right behind a price, let's say 49.99, and I get to the register and the price jumps up 20-40 dollars, I smell something fishy.

Mark the prices ALL clearly, and don't try to charge me double for a fish I can get on LA for cheaper. LA is more expensive than most, so if your prices are higher than theirs, don't expect me to buy anything, ever, again from your store. This is not one store, it is MANY.

This is why I do not call ahead to reserve an item. I will call around and "shop" first.

You would not believe the price of DI Resin. The entire unit from BFS is 20.00 and I bought just the resin and it cost me 25 locally. The resin itself would have been around 15 dollars. 10 dollar price margin on a 25 dollar item is FLAT OUT ROBBERY.

40.00 for a DI Insert? COME ON GUYS.

I understand that you all pay a premium for the items in your store, but for the love of God, that is just bad.

[CoryDude]

It always costs the store when they run a credit card. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) credit purchases over the phone cost the store even more of a % of the transaction.


... its annoying to go to a store and them have nothing at all that you like esp. with how far you drive .... i tend to only go when i need food or a part...

That's why you establish a relationship with a store. Then you know when stuff is coming in and what. I rarely go to a lfs knowing what I'm going to leave with. There's nothing like coming up to the display tank only to discover some amazing specimine. And, there's nothing more frustrating than seeing "hold" next to the id/price tag.

As a store owner, I would limit phone reservations. If i knew you had been looking for an item for a while, or had pre-paid before I ordered the item, I'd have no problem holding something for you.

But, if you were to call up on regular intervals, ask my what I have, and then cherry pick everything, I'd limit it. Not fair to the new customers or regulars who just stop by to see what you have. JMHO

[RayAllen]

ive called ahead and purchased but only from stores/owners I trust isnt going to screw me over and up the price on me.

[Europhyllia]

There's nothing like coming up to the display tank only to discover some amazing specimine. And, there's nothing more frustrating than seeing "hold" next to the id/price tag.

As a store owner, I would limit phone reservations. If i knew you had been looking for an item for a while, or had pre-paid before I ordered the item, I'd have no problem holding something for you.

But, if you were to call up on regular intervals, ask my what I have, and then cherry pick everything, I'd limit it. Not fair to the new customers or regulary who just stop by to see what you have. JMHO

Yeah that's what I was wondering about. I do look and see what's coming in. That's how I know when to call ahead! ;)
Maybe online ordering is more my thing until the kids are bigger and it's easier to have them in the car for an hour and a half just to chance it and see if what I want is still there. :)

[ErikH]

A sale is a sale, no owner would turn down a sure thing.

[CoryDude]

Karin,

I'd have to add, though, what you're talking about is something we've all done. I don't think it's technically wrong. At least you're willing to prepay for the item. I'd rather see "sold" next to the fish tag than "hold".

Plus, if I see something I really want, and it's already been reserved, I just ask the lfs owner to be on the lookout next time something similar comes in and to reserve it for me.

[jrsatx20]

it does cost the stores money when we use our credit/debit cards. they pay a monthly fee to the credit card companys to use their cards. american express is one that charges the most and is why a lot of stores dont take them. dont think there is a difference if they take card number over the phone just ensures a sale.

[ErikH]

I totally disagree with the swipe fees that CC cards charge. It is a killer to small business. I am just frustrated that for the same product, I paid double yesterday. Double. Sure 25 bucks is cheap right? Not if you have to pay for a water test too. WOW.

If we the people do not hold the stores liable for this type of garbage, who will? There is a reason why I shop where I shop. :)

[Neptune@gabesfish]

On average it cost about 3% a month on CC fees.. It is a larger fee when punched in over phone but sometimes we have no choice, its not that big a deal if a few people use debit here and there it will all average out..The only kicker is the 3% of net CC sales every month.. It would be cool if they could recognize the tax amount and not charge us on that amount..wishful thinking

[ErikH]

I feel for you on that so much. I even signed the no swipe fee petition at the gas station!

[ErikH]

Have you ever been to a store and tried to buy something on a card under 5 dollars and they tell you "my machine is broken" LOL, I feel bad.

[Europhyllia]

Have you ever been to a store and tried to buy something on a card under 5 dollars and they tell you "my machine is broken" LOL, I feel bad.
:rolleyes:

When I managed an optical shop I hated it when people wanted to charge $1.20 for nosepads on a credit card. Come on. We were set up to have a basic transaction fee that was about a much as that $1.20. When all was said and done it would have been cheaper to just give them the nosepads for free rather than charge it.

I was wondering about it costing more when charged as a punch in rather than a swipe but figured it would give the store owner some security to have it charged already rather than hold something and then get a no show.

Like GSEclipse I am at a point in my stocking plans now where I have a pretty good idea of what is still missing in my tank and am less likely to just buy stuff up because it looks interesting.

[Gseclipse02]

Charging for water testing will make me never go back there again. People go there to purchase items, the water test will lead to more sales, or give the customer comfort to purchase more items. Either way it leads to sales. I am about to turn my back on alot of sponsors because the pricing on things is getting out of hand. When I see a tiny frag that costs 60 dollars for maybe an inch and it is not a LE coral, I want to vomit. There is such a thing as making a profit, and "taking advantage". If I walk into a store and there is a frag right behind a price, let's say 49.99, and I get to the register and the price jumps up 20-40 dollars, I smell something fishy.

Mark the prices ALL clearly, and don't try to charge me double for a fish I can get on LA for cheaper. LA is more expensive than most, so if your prices are higher than theirs, don't expect me to buy anything, ever, again from your store. This is not one store, it is MANY.

This is why I do not call ahead to reserve an item. I will call around and "shop" first.

You would not believe the price of DI Resin. The entire unit from BFS is 20.00 and I bought just the resin and it cost me 25 locally. The resin itself would have been around 15 dollars. 10 dollar price margin on a 25 dollar item is FLAT OUT ROBBERY.

40.00 for a DI Insert? COME ON GUYS.

I understand that you all pay a premium for the items in your store, but for the love of God, that is just bad.


to me if you know your water is good it makes you want to buy something but to have to pay 15$ + to test the water just took a sale possibly

sad part is they can do this and people will still pay when they are one of the top 2 stores in SA getting 3-4 shipments a week and having all the dry goods you could ever need

[H2Ochem]

Think this thread went a little off topic, No?

[Neptune@gabesfish]

We test water for free.. and it does tend to lead to more sales. The crazy thing is every now and then we get one of those that want us to test ,after we test they leave .. A week later have us test again and tell us that they bought a fish some place after they left here and it did not do well.After we test they leave .. All we can do is laugh and move on to the next customer

[Europhyllia]

Think this thread went a little off topic, No?
Do you think I should change the topic to "is it okay to charge for water testing?" lol

You know I never even thought of having the LFS test my water.
Do they have better test kits then we do? Why would theirs be more accurate?

[Neptune@gabesfish]

Now back on topic.. NO its not a big deal to call ahead ,at least not for us.. We will even order for you. The best part is when I order for you if you dont like it ,dont take it.. If its not the right color,size,shape,price dont take it we will normally sell it anyway,but you do have first shot at it and we would like to hear from you weather yes or no..

[H2Ochem]

:rofl:

They use the same kits we do. I just shop at the store in question and yes, they are a little more on costs. But if I need something in an emergency they have it. If it means paying a little more to make sure they are there to get that part than I have no issue with it. The easy way to avoid frustration on their pricing is to shop else where.

[allan]

I've only used the service once at ad to double check my own readings.

[wesheltonj]

Credit Cards. I pay a montly service charge for the ability of accepting the card, next is the statement fee (sometimes waived) and then the discount. The discount varies on many factors. Is the credit card linked to some type of points or FF rewards, if so higher discount. Swiped is the cheapest, fail to enter the 3 on the back, higher discount. On-line processing, to get the cheapest, you have to enter the Zip+4, just the Zip higher fee, Calling in the card, that is the worst. Amex they have 2 programs pay a high monthly fee, no discount, low fee high discount.