Keeping my dealer honest

[Mac1]

Getting the final round of quote's I think for my new tank, and I was curious what other's had paid for their tanks. I've seen a few folks w/ AGA 180's, and a Couple Oceanic 200's in the 'profiles'... PM if you're shy about posting details to the group at large, but I'm really curious to hear what it cost other people.

The two tanks I'm looking at are an AGA 180 (dunno if I want it Reef Ready, or drill my own), and an Oceanic 200 (split center bracing, not the big foot-long glass in the middle). Thanks for the help.

- Mac

 

[ScottC]

What did they quote you? New tanks aren't exactly cheap, and most dealers do not have much of a markup on tanks and stands, but there are always exceptions to that rule!

 

[SPC]

My 180 was custom built by OceanView and cost $850.
It is standard size, 72 x 24 x 24 with 2 corner overflows that are drilled in the back. The overflow boxes are smaller than a standard tank as well as the ceter braces being more narrow.
Steve

 

[Mac1]

Thanks Steve. How do you feel the quality of the tank/glass/seams are? I've been leery of trying anything that isn't from a major manuf., but have seen what some of these custom shop's can do to the bottom line!

Scott - The AGA 180 RR I can get at best for $650+tax, at worst, I heard $800 from one dealer. The Oceanic is all over the place. Standard, 200 gal, Reef Ready setup goes from 900-1200, the split-center brace I've only gotten one quote so far, that was over 1500 (also reefready).

Does anyone know what the "ReefReady" setup typically add's to the price of the tank? I'm guessing over 100 per overflow (for all the drilling and plastic used...)

Thanks guys.

- Mac

 

[SPC]

Thanks Steve. How do you feel the quality of the tank/glass/seams are? I've been leery of trying anything that isn't from a major manuf., but have seen what some of these custom shop's can do to the bottom line!

The quality is excellent (forgot to mention that I have black silicone BTW). This is a pretty large aquarium manufactuer and as far as I am concerned are as good as AGA and Oceanic. I also have a 100 gallon FW tank built by them that has been up for about 5 years now with no problems.
Steve

 

[Mac1]

Do you have a link for OceanView? I can't seem to find their website?
Thanks.

- Mac

 

[easygoer2]

Little bit smaller then what your looking at . But I ordered an Oceanview from my LFS. It was a 110tall reef ready. The cost was 348 after tax. It is 1/2" glass with clear silicone seams.The seams are a little wider then my older 110 oceanic. The oceanic was going to cost about 850. So I went for the lower cost one.
easygoer2

 

[Mac1]

I'm assuming they will custom drill overflow holes for you, right?
I was surprised to learn that AGA doesn't.

- Mac

 

[easygoer2]

They made it just like I told the LFS I wanted. They will drill were you want ,Sguare or Triangle overflow box. Only thing I had to do was make a new Durso standpipe. The one the had , had holes all the way down. There located in Pasagula Miss. Oh and I put my order in on a Friday. And the tank was built on Monday and in town on Wed.
easygoer2

 

[esmithiii]

180G AGA Reef Ready $600+tax +$50 delivery charge (to my house)

 

[Mac1]

WOW! No markup, eh?
I just got a message from a friend of mine that works at a LFS...

Dealer cost on the 180 standard, is $413, the reefready tank is about 50-bucks more.

:x :x :x :x :x :x :x

- Mac

 

[mlundstrom]

Here is some contact info for you Mac.

Also here is a link to a Reef Central tank of the month that is a Ocean View Aquarium with a couple of pic's.


Ocean View Aquarium Products
2323-C Telephone Road
Pascagoula, MS 39567
President Mr Willie M. Aycock
Phone (228)762-4010
Fax (228)769-7361

http://www.reefcentral.com/totm/2001-08/Default.htm

Hope this helps

 

[MattM]

WOW! No markup, eh?
I just got a message from a friend of mine that works at a LFS...

Dealer cost on the 180 standard, is $413, the reefready tank is about 50-bucks more.

Wholesale cost on the AGA 180 reef ready is over $520. So $600-something is pretty damn close to no markup (about 15%).

FYI - Large tanks can often carry a higher markup because of carrying costs - i.e., the average LFS doesn't sell that many 180 gallon tanks in a year, so it ties up capital to stock it. Every day it sits in the store it is cash that is not flowing.

 

[Mac1]

Hey Matt,

I understand the logistics of warehousing it, the numbers I was quoted was from a fellow working at a medium sized pet store in my area. He said he could get me the tank at $50 over the store's cost... which he stated was the $413 from their distributor. That includes all shipping, etc. He said all I need to do is say "go", and I'll have the tank for $460+tax inside of a week.
FWIW, I'm in Western NY State.

- Mac

 

[SPC]

Posted by Mac:

and I'll have the tank for $460+tax inside of a week.

-Well for that price Mac, I would definitely jump all over it before he changes his mind .
Steve

 

[ErikS]

As with almost all goods there is no such thing as a definite "dealer's cost". It will depend on how many tanks they order and sell. You can take the price from one LFS in my area to anyone else in the area & you'll get "pffffttt, I can't even order it for that price".

An example, they SELL 75g AGA's (non-RR) for $99. I asked the owner of a LFS (I trust his answer) & he said his cost was $125.

 

[Ryan22]

As with almost all goods there is no such thing as a definite "dealer's cost". It will depend on how many tanks they order and sell. You can take the price from one LFS in my area to anyone else in the area & you'll get "pffffttt, I can't even order it for that price".

An example, they SELL 75g AGA's (non-RR) for $99. I asked the owner of a LFS (I trust his answer) & he said his cost was $125.

I have friends that owned a LFS and they cut a deal with AGA (or maybe the distributor, I'm not sure) that they would only sell AGA tanks, in exchage they got all thier tanks for a pecentage less than all the dealers in the surrounding area and they were able to sell the tanks at what would be cost for all of the other stores in the area, and they still turned a small profit. Unfortuatly they went out of business last spring. It's too bad, I've had a hard time finding another store that I trust that could match thier prices.

 

[Mac1]

Posted by Mac:

and I'll have the tank for $460+tax inside of a week.

-Well for that price Mac, I would definitely jump all over it before he changes his mind .
Steve

LOL, No Kidding!
I'm really pining for the split-brace Oceanic (hey, it's 7 feet long!), but if I can slip into a 6-foot AGA for under 500... I'm thinking I'll sacrifice those 12 inches.

- Mac

 

[Mac1]

So, to add a little spice to make things interesting...

Emailed AGA (They have an [email protected] link off their website), chatted for some time with a very friendly and helpful woman over there. Asked many, very pointed questions, comparing them to Oceanic (and yes, they are owned by the same company - AGA bought them in '97, though my source told me they operate as independent businesses).

Per AGA.. they don't do custom tanks, custom drilling, any of that stuff. They have their listing of products, and that's what they make. You want custom, call Oceanic. That's exactly what I was told, but in a much more polite manner. Just yesterday, I approached my LFS AGA dealer... He said he can get me an AGA custom drilled exactly the way I want it, and was surpised to be hearing that!?!?!

Anyone think the Distributor is the one drilling the tanks, and taking the risk on his own? I'm wondering wether AGA will honor their guarantee, if I get it drilled, or if the woman I spoke w/ at AGA has some different information?

I've seen lots of AGA's, w/ custom drilled overflows... I was a bit taken aback by the statement from AGA, that they don't do it.

- Mac

 

[SPC]

I've seen lots of AGA's, w/ custom drilled overflows... I was a bit taken aback by the statement from AGA, that they don't do it.

-My understanding is that when Oceanic and AGA became one company, it was agreed upon that Oceanic would do all of the custom work. When I was in the market for my 180 I also contacted AGA and was told the exact same thing that you were Mac.
Steve