Just want to share....

[hfabs]

Dear reefers

I am not sure if any of you have the same experience and please read this with an open mind and my intention is not to bad mouth or smear anyone. I was at this shop near serangoon station which specialises in corals. One of the sales isn't too honest with the pricing of the corals. Of course at the end of the day it's a transaction and if u are not agreeable with the price u can just walk out of the shop. Anyway, this sale person quoted me an exorbitant price for this touch at $90 per piece which to me is out of the ordinary and the price of a zoa colony which is not a big piece at $80. I hv been a frequent visitor there but the prices quoted today was out of my imagination. I said to him that I would wait for his boss to come in and then he quoted me a slightly lower price. I wasn't impressed at such tactic and I naturally walk out. I know this is an expensive hobby but such underhanded tactics are not commendable and they are just shooting themselves at their foot. No one should bite the hand that feeds the mouth. I am just sharing my experience and like I say at the end of the day it's a transaction...the buyer decides. We just need to be mindful of such bad practices in the market.

[Whiskie]

Very short hair guy?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Damianiac]

Cny.. want ang bao. Lol

[xiggie]

U need to bargain for a good price @ this shop.

He will quote you a high price , almost all shop will , know your coral market price n bargain Make friends with him, buy him coffee. You will have a different experience once he's your friend.

[inwear]

Maybe he takes you as a newbie. .. i had experience a couple of time. Usually i will nego for a package if i intend to buy a couple and mental breakdown on the cost

[xiggie]

Sometimes u get very good price .. Know the time and day to come and you will get very good price..

[Avrilovigne]

U need to bargain for a good price @ this shop.

He will quote you a high price , almost all shop will , know your coral market price n bargain Make friends with him, buy him coffee. You will have a different experience once he's your friend.

The onus is not on te customer to make friends with the retailer. We just want a fair rate, whether kopi Kakis or not. Imagine walking into Metro and the cashier charges you an extra 10% just because he doesnt know you. I'm a farm believer that LFS should display prices prominently. Overcharging "newbies" should be stamped out.

[xiggie]

Let's not compare metro to self owned business. Put yourself as the owner or the salesperson would u have $50 or a $10 profit?

Like I said all shops will do this be it selling live fish or dead fish at the market or anywhere else

[xiggie]

Walk away if the price is not right, and I don't see any thread started when someone buys an overpriced $200 aussi coral or $200 PC of frag from other shop or person

[poh34]

Today i was at iwarna n glad that now they display their livestock price..... not need to keep asking.

[ACCK]

Reef finder, this has been their "price" for very long. The price will only come down after the shipment has been in their store for a while.

What Xiggie mentioned is true. Maybe you have not been there often enough to realise.

[PowderTang]

Even mama shops also don't state their prices ...

Just walk if prices are not right to you...

This practice is very common to self owned business...

Willing buyer willing seller market..

[ACCK]

The boss will quote you maybe 10-20 dollars cheaper. So no difference. Expect to pay those high prices on shipment day or week as you are having first pick. After that it will be clearance price.

[xiggie]

Oh and u don't have to literally buy coffee or become coffee buddy , a simple 'hello, how are u today , Makan already or not abang' will help you have the upperhand.

[hfabs]

Thanks All for your comments.

Yes business minded seller and a willing buyer. I know it is not operating as a NPO. It's perhaps good to hv their price tag displayed rather than discretionar pricing But who am I to comment on its business model. Thank goodness we hv options and choices.

Once again thanks all for your comments and advices.