Greetings,
I've followed this thread with interest and debated staying on the sidelines. But considering that I'm indirectly part of this topic, I felt entitled to share. Most of the posters here have successful businesses with some innovative business models. The same arguments posted here can be heard in several industries, regardless of what product is being sold. The Internet has flattened the retail world and direct retailers are facing many new challenges. Owning an LFS has always been a challenging business; the current Economy simply makes that more difficult.
Many years ago (over 20!) I was a hobbiest putting myself through graduate school while working part time at a couple of LFS. My day job in IT paid for tuition, my weekends were spent describing the ammonia cycle. I loved it.
After graduation, I took one of my hiring bonuses (yes, we used to get those back before outsourcing) and invested in my favorite LFS. Kevin, that happens to be one of the first stores your friend in Colorado worked for in this state; we had sold the store just prior. I was lucky; I got my money out. I've sadly watched many that weren't that lucky.
I have seen the inside of several of the LAX wholesalers; picking orders for local stores. I've visited coral farms in Indonesia and even been collecting over the years. I have been approached to purchase two LFS and one wholesale business here in Colorado; I didn't bite. When I retire, I'll probably spend my child's inheritance on an LFS. I'm pretty sure I've got the cycle spiel down.
I support my local LFS (sometimes even near retail!) as well as Internet based businesses and buy from wholesalers (group buys for our local club). I have previously purchased from Brian at Twilight Aquatics, Frank at RCT and a few other diver direct folks. I also supported one of the first Internet based retailers, FFE who then became..... I buy from DF&S using the business partner program for our local club and am thoroughly addicted to Diver's Den.
Kevin, I recently bought your Tinker's pair listed on DD. I could have purchased four 'landed' Tinker's from a Hawaiian wholesaler for the same price. But you had a quarantined, known pair with guaranteed quality when I was ready. I am very happy with my purchase and feel the premium I paid well spent. If you check, you'll also discover that my Joculator, Interruptus and several other critters have come from you.
Back in the late 80s we were selling C. Resplendens for $60 (I had a lovely pair in my then soft coral reef tank). We also had the occasional Clarion, which sold for several hundred dollars. I've waited for one of these beauties for 20 years. Back then, I didn't have the space to keep one. Today is a different story. My newly acquired Clarion is a beauty. I'm very happy; thank you. No LFS in Colorado missed out on a sale.
As to the discussion about who said what they would or wouldn't do and who sold to whom, that's simply fodder for posturing. It is unfortunate that an excited post led to a misunderstanding, but many of us have peeked behind the curtain or stood behind the curtain ourselves. All consumers, whether they have been in the business or not, have choices that didn't exist years ago.
The retail world continues to flatten. Traditional wholesale, distributor, and retail models are evolving. Steve apparently has a wholesale business in which he has worked hard to find a niche. The Drs appear to have a great direct to consumer model, with strength in the care and feeding of their customers. I hope you both have long, profitable careers.
As for how the charges that eventually end up in our tanks are treated, many folks would be surprised to see the conditions these animals endure. All of us should be working to reduce losses and improve husbandry. The animals deserve nothing less.
-Rob
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