Is it bad form to call ahead to reserve?

[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.

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?