Would You Buy from FishLore?

Poll above

Just in the thinking stage at this point... but suppose I was able to purchase a select few items in massive bulk quantities to get the lowest price possible... I'm thinking some of the more popular test kits (master test kits, pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, etc) at this point to start with.

Would you be interested in buying online from FishLore.com if I offered a couple of products for sale? I don't want a full blown store (no live fish), rather just a handful of the really really really good items that we know work well and then I buy in bulk and give the best price possible...

Thoughts?

 

I think it would be really cool if I were able to buy online! I would tottaly Purchuse things from Fishlore

 

As long as prices were reasonable I would buy from here to help support the site.

 

I would definitely be in favor- if prices were comparable to what they would go for at a LFS or Amazon.

 

Absolutely. I think it would be a great way to provide new as well as experienced hobbyists with the things they need to take care of their tanks!

 

100% if prices are competitive....also perhaps doing a spotlight/feature on a certain product from time to time.

 

If a free fish net was involved, than I say yes.

 

I love this site and would love to support it by buying but I'll have to be realistic about this... I mainly order from amazon or sites that offer free shipping because I just can't pass up free shipping. So unless you offered the same "spend x amount of money and receive free shipping" deal then I don't think I would order unless the prices were super low. I would love to buy from here though.

 

I think this would be wonderful!

 

You bet! I like knowing who I'm ordering from. Sort of like why I'd rather buy fish from a fellow member rather than an anonymous breeder online. Again, though, as long as the prices were reasonable, but I think I'd even be willing to pay a little extra, just because it would be supporting a good cause.

 

So how would it work? How much of the profit would support the site?
I've bought many items from the buy/sell/trade forum from fellow members.

 

Absolutely! I would love to support the site while buying the things I would buy anyway.

ETA: Food would be another thing everyone needs that would be good to stock, imo.

 

Definitely! Especially if you sell prime and liquid fertilizers. Liquid ferts are so exspensive at my lfs, and since the majority of my tanks are planted, I go through allot.

 

I would definitely be in favor- if prices were comparable to what they would go for at a LFS or Amazon.

That's the plan. Amazon is a good model to follow IMO.

100% if prices are competitive....also perhaps doing a spotlight/feature on a certain product from time to time.

Good idea. I'd also like to have "aquarium product testers" where members could test products and give feedback to mfg's

I love this site and would love to support it by buying but I'll have to be realistic about this... I mainly order from amazon or sites that offer free shipping because I just can't pass up free shipping. So unless you offered the same "spend x amount of money and receive free shipping" deal then I don't think I would order unless the prices were super low. I would love to buy from here though.

I spend way too much on Amazon because they make it so easy to spend money and because their prices are competitive.

So how would it work? How much of the profit would support the site?
I've bought many items from the buy/sell/trade forum from fellow members.

I'm more thinking about making a store that only has the best of the best type products. Still in the planning stages at this point. Profit would go back into the site and support the costs associated with running a store.

Thanks for the votes and feedback.
Mike

 

Would new members still need 50 posts to buy? I was just thinking ifyou plan to carry the best of the best... maybe you could offer a slightly discounted starter kit for new hobbiest, containing the things we always end up recommending people get , like a test kit, meium gravel vac and prime or something. Kind of a opps! I listened to the lfs survival kit.

 

I'd consider it, again if prices were competitive and shipping was decent.

 

Would new members still need 50 posts to buy? I was just thinking ifyou plan to carry the best of the best... maybe you could offer a slightly discounted starter kit for new hobbiest, containing the things we always end up recommending people get , like a test kit, meium gravel vac and prime or something. Kind of a opps! I listened to the lfs survival kit.

I don't plan on having a minimum post requirement. Good idea too on the starter kit thing.

 

If you get cheap Canister filters I will give you all my moneyz

 

I like the idea of carrying some of the basics, like a good test kit, some of the high-quality fish food (New Life Spectrum and/or OmegaOne). If you could swing it, a Python-type siphon kit would be awesome.

 

would you post outside the continental US? more for food, etc. Nothing heavy. AQIS (quarantine) sprays poor quality fish food, and getting a good range of NLS isn't easy.

 

Mike, I would like to volunteer to be a betta (not talking about the fish) user if you need any testers for certain products.

 

Yes, I would buy from Fish Lore, depending on my tanks needs.

Ken

 

Absolutely I would!

 

Sure would.

 

Yes if I needed the product offered and the price is right.

 

I would absolutely. I buy almost everything online as it is. I have already made several purchases from members here on the site. It makes me feel really comfortable to buy off of a community site than someone I may never be able to get a hold of again off amazon or something.

 

Sure would as long as delivery to Australia wasn't to expensive.

 

Good idea. I'd also like to have "aquarium product testers" where members could test products and give feedback to mfg's

I will volunteer for that testing things is my specialty

 

I'd also put my hand up as a tester
I'm sure many of us would be happy to have that role Mike.

 

I would love to be a product tester - that's an awesome idea

 

I'll be a tester as well ;D

And I'll buy from the site as long as you have reasonable prices and accept Debit cards!

 

If there was a FL store, would we be able to maybe sell items on there? Maybe some of the people here may have items they would like to part ways with. Like an ornimant that I want to get rid of.

Or an autograph bucket by yours truely.

 

There is an auction plug in available for Joomla. I'm sure there are others as well for other CMS programs. Unfortunately the plugin's aren't generally free. I believe Auction factory was around $400. It's certainly no ebay but you could use it to sell fixed price items as well, allow users to create accounts etc etc.

 

I would absolutely buy from FL. One thing that I suggest is maybe you could sell active sponge filters to help kick start people's tank who listened to the LFS and are now doing a fish in cycle.

 

I would absolutely buy from FL. One thing that I suggest is maybe you could sell active sponge filters to help kick start people's tank who listened to the LFS and are now doing a fish in cycle.

We've had this discussion before, and it never quite seems to take off. But it's one of the best ideas, in my opinion. Just have people willing to send filter media from one of their tanks. Shipping wouldn't be terribly expensive, since you can send it damp (it doesn't need to be submerged in water the way fish do).

 

I would say be careful about doing it because there are new vendors coming up all the time. While yes I would by from FL and enjoy helping the site I wouldn't do it if it cost a good amount more than somewhere else (including shipping charges) or if I needed multiple items from one place.

I'm just being honest Mike, I think if you can make it work its a fantastic Idea.

Can I also add another thought? We are a VERY large group of people, what about contacting a vendor say, kensfish, or foster and smith, or similar, and seeing if they will offer us a discount as club members? I have don't this in the past in the automotive world. While the discount was not usually a large one at least it was something. It could also be combined maybe with advertising preference to their banners and or a place that they could get betta testers for new products so that they can get reviews from a trusted source.

There were also times in the auto world that they would run club only specials say like a certain week they offered an extra % off or a free this or that, in the fish side it could be trial sized foods or similar.

An offer like that is much more appealing to me as there is also a customer service backing as well as a reputable company that is supplying products that can handle complaints and concerns. It would also not require you to stock inventory and or deal with shipping issues which can take ALOT of time out of your life.

 

I would buy from here, and I suport the idea of starter kits and seeded filter media. The seeded media might be better done via the buy sell trade section but the people in the most need of it wouldn't have the 50 posts required to use that section. Perhaps have volenteers in various parts of the country seeding and when we get a request for some have the closest person ship it to them.

 

If the prices (including shipping) made it worth it, then yes, definitely.

 

Just saw this thread. I would like to make a suggestion- UnI Heat heat packs, just in time for fall/winter. Maybe even breather bags, poly fish bags, and other shipping supplies.

I've noticed a major uptick in activity in the B/S/T forum in the past couple of months, especially with the new RAOK subforum. I don't know if I have a good idea or not, but just thought I would throw it out there.

 

Just saw this thread. I would like to make a suggestion- UnI Heat heat packs, just in time for fall/winter. Maybe even breather bags, poly fish bags, and other shipping supplies.

I've noticed a major uptick in activity in the B/S/T forum in the past couple of months, especially with the new RAOK subforum. I don't know if I have a good idea or not, but just thought I would throw it out there.

I would second that. Maybe even a starter kit that included everything needed to ship like 5 packages of fish.

Shipping is one of those things that people are always asking about.