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Re: Shrimp, etc	Michael Laflamme
	Feb 02, 2003 21:18 PST

From: Guy   The last time I looked on the internet, I saw that the new cherry red shrimp is available on the net for $6.99 each, plus shipping. At Albany Aquarium the price for the same shrimp is 5 for $19.99, for all customers - except for Doug, who has to pay $6.99 each, so he can keep making such blanket statements about the store ;-). All kidding aside, it takes quite a bit of manpower (PAID, of course, unless someone is willing to volunteer time??) to run a store like Albany. When a plant shipment comes in, it takes 3 people a minimum of 2 hours (6 man-hours) just to unpack, re-plant and label all the plants. This is in addition to the cost for 1) shipping, 2) paying for plant inspections, 3) picking up from the airport 4) confiscated plants, due sometimes to ONE snail egg, or insect, 4) losses from shipping, or from the plant inspector's not re-wrapping the plants correctly and then plants drying out 5) Phone calls to Asia in the middle of the night 6) etc, etc. I could go on (e.g. plant losses in the store, maintenance of plants, selling costs, heating, lighting, get the idea?) May be that's why we're one of the few stores that maintains a large selection of live plants? I think you were a very good sport Guy.  While the internet is usually a good place to get a deal on a product, it's awfully hard to get personal advice out of a web page!  When I used to work at a few different aquatic stores while in college, I used to hear about internet pricing from customers everyday.  And I would say to them, "But can you pick up the phone for advice?  When they sell you incompatible fish and they kill one another, who do you blame?  If your fish get sick, and you need meds right away, but don't know what kind...will a website help you then?  And how fast will you get your meds?"  Folks would always thank me for all my advice, and in return I would ask them to be loyal to where they received that advice.  You might save a few bucks on the internet, but they won't give you the personalized service, and relationship, a local store can.  I agree that some stores have outrageous prices.  I also find that poor customer service go hand and hand with those prices.  So just beware.  Choose your store carefully, and begin a nice relationship.  If you become a frequent customer at the store, you might be surprised when the proprietor passes along a nice deal to you...for being such an excellent patron.  I'm not trying to put Guy on the spot with that last comment, but I have seen it happen at stores I have worked it...and at stores where I was a loyal customer.  Think about who you are hurting when you shop to save a few bucks on the internet.     In addition to Erik's Peet's coffee, I would like encourage attendance for the plant study >group meeting on Feb 14, by donating three bags of 5 cherry red shrimp each, to be >distributed by lottery or auction, however Erik decides. Hear hear Guy!  This is why we need more shop owners like yourself to help support our planted hobby!  Thanks for this generous donations.  And by the way...I just set up a 180 gallon tank and I will need a whole bunch of Amano shrimp.  Let me know when you realease yours from quarantine...and you'll have a BIG sale! ;^)   Regards, (and see you soon Guy) Michael Laflamme  MSN 8 helps ELIMINATE E-MAIL VIRUSES. Get 2 months FREE*.

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