Shopping abroad

Hi Folks.
If you want to save money try shopping via U.K. I use Atlantis Aquatics for most of my needs and find the price is about half the price. even when adding shipping it is cost effective.

That looks like a pretty good company site...just have to go searching for good deals now!! 8)

I totally agree, I get 90% of my stuff from UK www.aquatics-online.co.uk or www.aquaristikshop.com in Germany. Zooplus here in Ireland is cheap, quick & free post but limited selection.

I'm after emailing a few company's abroad regarding shipping aquariums because I priced a 540ltr tank with cabinet here at €3,000 and the same one in Germany for €1,299 :shock: :shock: :shock:

If anyone knows of companies abroad that ship aquariums , please let us know :wink:

Couldnt you price the Aquariums over here? if a few people got together, i'm sure it wouldnt cost that much for a day return to pick them up, and if there were a few would be worth the trip?

Mike I was thinking of that. I was planning on getting a van soon and thinking of killing 2 birds with 1 stone, buy a van stick an aquarium in the back of it and drive home..

It's your fault I have to do this Bertie.

The Revenue have a web page which enables you to calculate the VRT (import-tax-in-disguise :roll: ) on a specific vehicle you want to import.

www.ros.ie/VRTEnquiryServlet/ShowVRT

(If this link does not work, you can go to www.revenue.ie and the link to VRT calculation is at the bottom of the page).

Valerie

Don't lets start jumping the thread, this is regards AQUATIC goods.!!!
Atlantis has always delived within 4 days from the u.k all goods are recorded, a phone call to the shop will give you pesonal attention. and if you convert the stirling rate to euro even with postage you can save a hell of a lot..

I got a shock yesterday, I dont like loosing money especially when I have bought an item at the start of the week and find the same item for half the price elsewhere.

The tetratec EX700 external filter is actually 75 euro on Zooplus.ie (I paid 160 for my first one and 130 for my second one!!!!)

The tetratec 300W heater is 16.35 euro on Zooplus.ie

RO machines for 104.99 euro on Zooplus with replacement filters for only 30 euro or so..

Although Zooplus doesn't have a hugh choice...its definately worth the visit.

The page that Russel suggested is fantastic for decorations too...silk plants for half the price we pay here in Ireland. There is just such a massive choice on this page too!!

@ JohnH
It still works out a lot cheaper.

@ Everyone
I'm forever comparing prices so just a quick story.

2 weeks ago I ordered aquatic stuff from 3 companies on the same day all roughly the same price & weight. 1 Irish, zooplus & 1 UK

postage for the Irish 1 - €10.00
zooplus - free
UK - £3.00

I received the zooplus one after 4 working days, the UK one the following day and still no sign of the Irish one. :roll:

It even happens within our beautiful country, for example a Blue Acara in Dublin €4.95 in my LFS €14.95. A Blue Crayfish in Kilkenny €3.95 in my LFS €12.95. :shock: (what can i say, i like blue)

What the hell is going on?????? :roll:

Hard to beat zooplus.ie on price when the free shipping is included, the german etailers will match them for price but generally charge €20 shipping, bought a filter off them earlier this year and was very happy with the price, was considerably cheaper than any UK etailers for the same product, delivery was quick 3-4 days max.

@ Johnh

Mark,
I was just worried that you hadn't reckoned on the "extra" expense for the revenue...

That's the thing with reading text, there's no tone. Sorry if I came across a bit blunt. :wink: :wink: .

@ Zig
yea if only zooplus expanded their stock range, they'd clean up. I always check them 1st then go shopping on UK sites.

I have recently noticed a lot of posts regarding shopping abroad.

(Hard to beat zooplus.ie on price when the free shipping is included, the german etailers will match them for price but generally charge €20 shipping, bought a filter off them earlier this year and was very happy with the price, was considerably cheaper than any UK etailers for the same product, delivery was quick 3-4 days max.)

Well here is what i have to say maybe not that good but its the way shops and local lfs would feel.

It may be cheaper for you to buy abroad but have you even thought why it is dearer here. most shops have rates, wages, esb, and the list is endless. shops buy a lot of there equipment from suppliers from england and the north these are paid for in sterling. they work to a recommended price .

They are not there to rip people off just trying to keep afloat. one fine example is a place in the Dublin mountains they will bend over back wards if they can to help customers with problems and customers can bargin them down on certain items.

If a problem arises with your product they will help out in sorting the problem.
Why is it that certain people are always knocking the shops and saying buy eleswhere.

I do understand people want to save money , but if you do not use your lfs you will lose them. the trop shop is one good example people stopped going where is it now it had some of the most friendly staff in ireland.

Another thing the irish tropical fish society is having a show soon, and yes some of the retailers were putting there hands in there pockets to help out with the costs.

Do you think it would be in there interest, if they think people complain that they are robbing them. I may be called stupid but i see it from all sides. i have been in this hobby for over 20 years i was the first to interduce Neil Hardy Aquatics into ireland and plenty more.

please feel free to give out about me , it is my opinion that we will loose most of the good aquatic retailers if we do not use them. we need to keep our local lfs.

i have bought stuff from the web and had some good service and some bad.

Well said Gerry,I have to agree with most of what you said.There is one thing though,the above mentioned shop gets more praise than any other shop be it local or online from this forum.If they feel hard done by a few posts from the skinflint brigade then they need to look back at all the praise (and custom!) they have received over the last few months through recommendations from this forum.

We were starting to think they were putting up the posts themselves?Seriously though,if there are a few bargains online it is only right people are aware of them.I know myself that there is always only a few products that sell cheaper online than in the shops at any one time.And there is a huge list of stuff people will never buy online,like fish,rocks,tanks, etc etc.

There is a show soon and any shop who is present is basically showing their intent to improve fishkeeping in Ireland and saying to customers we are serious and professional about fishkeeping.This is what will keep customers coming to those shops and spending their money.An online bargain only comes about like a round of drinks from Anthony,every few years!

Well for example I can get the Tetra Tec 1200 from the U.K for 60 Stirling = 90 euro tops + 10 euro P&P. total 100 euro. over here they can charge 190 euro. who is the mug. not being a skinflint just sensible!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Chris.

I was trying not to name or shame shops. I have seen a lot of changes over the years, some good some bad i do not mean to say one is better then the other.

there is a good one in town a bad one in town you know what i mean, i just hope people do not be put off visiting any shop lfs in dublin or anywhere else.

The forum is here to help not knock, i have learnt a lot over the years from going into shops. some have become good friends over the years.

We need the support of the lfs and they need ours.

I am in the business in another way and cross over to what the shops have to put up with.
Anyway how are you and anthony.

Thats true,shops need us and we need them.Im fine,got some lovely fish off Mr.Doyle and they are doing great,breeding well.Are you coming to the meeting on Wednesday in the Goblet,Anthony will thrill you with his Shovel story.How are you Gerry?

Hi Chris,

I think we need a separate post advertising tomorrow night. Last time there was a bit of confusion as to whether it was happening or not.

Hopefully I'll be there.

Well for example I can get the Tetra Tec 1200 from the U.K for 60 Stirling = 90 euro tops + 10 euro P&P. total 100 euro. over here they can charge 190 euro. who is the mug. not being a skinflint just sensible!!!!!!!!!!

You seem to have the wrong end of the stick Russel, those smiley faces surrounding "The skinflint brigade" mean it is a joke.Sure I am one of them myself,believe me.I dont know who mentioned being a mug but it wasnt me.
IMO if there is a bargain to be had the whole world should know.On the other hand where would we be left if we had to buy everything online.We would be lost without the LFS!Gerry made a very fair and valid point and I was just echoing that.

And PS you were being a sensible skinflint !

I have recently noticed a lot of posts regarding shopping abroad.

(Hard to beat zooplus.ie on price when the free shipping is included, the german etailers will match them for price but generally charge €20 shipping, bought a filter off them earlier this year and was very happy with the price, was considerably cheaper than any UK etailers for the same product, delivery was quick 3-4 days max.)

Well here is what i have to say maybe not that good but its the way shops and local lfs would feel.

It may be cheaper for you to buy abroad but have you even thought why it is dearer here. most shops have rates, wages, esb, and the list is endless. shops buy a lot of there equipment from suppliers from england and the north these are paid for in sterling. they work to a recommended price .

They are not there to rip people off just trying to keep afloat. one fine example is a place in the Dublin mountains they will bend over back wards if they can to help customers with problems and customers can bargin them down on certain items.

If a problem arises with your product they will help out in sorting the problem.
Why is it that certain people are always knocking the shops and saying buy eleswhere.

I do understand people want to save money , but if you do not use your lfs you will lose them. the trop shop is one good example people stopped going where is it now it had some of the most friendly staff in ireland.

Another thing the irish tropical fish society is having a show soon, and yes some of the retailers were putting there hands in there pockets to help out with the costs.

Do you think it would be in there interest, if they think people complain that they are robbing them. I may be called stupid but i see it from all sides. i have been in this hobby for over 20 years i was the first to interduce Neil Hardy Aquatics into ireland and plenty more.

please feel free to give out about me , it is my opinion that we will loose most of the good aquatic retailers if we do not use them. we need to keep our local lfs.

i have bought stuff from the web and had some good service and some bad.

Gerard I agree with you the local lfs should be supported when ever possible, we all need to shop there at some stage or other, zooplus as already stated have a very limited supply of goods that would interest most people here, most other things I would pick up at an lfs near me, usually prefer to see goods anyway before I buy.

Gerry wasnt being one dimensional about this thing,all he is saying that in his 20+years experience of being involved in fish at all levels, he sees things from both sides of the fence.Obviously things are overpriced in Ireland,dont just compare fish related goods,we are being ripped off with everything.
Competition is a good thing,usually we win until the govermment get involved.I heard a story on the radio about a guy who buys DVDs from Jersey beause it is a tax free island.His latest purchase of DVDs are being held onto by Irish customs until he pays the revenue commisioners the tax on the DVDs.Disgraceful.
As much as I hate to see people being ripped off there are some LFSs/Fish sellers that are honest and fair,and there are a few that overcharge,plain and simple.One thing is for sure the more we know the less they like it.

Gerry wasnt being one dimensional about this thing,all he is saying that in his 20+years experience of being involved in fish at all levels, he sees things from both sides of the fence.Obviously things are overpriced in Ireland,dont just compare fish related goods,we are being ripped off with everything.
Competition is a good thing,usually we win until the govermment get involved.I heard a story on the radio about a guy who buys DVDs from Jersey beause it is a tax free island.His latest purchase of DVDs are being held onto by Irish customs until he pays the revenue commisioners the tax on the DVDs.Disgraceful.
As much as I hate to see people being ripped off there are some LFSs/Fish sellers that are honest and fair,and there are a few that overcharge,plain and simple.One thing is for sure the more we know the less they like it.

Chris I accept that, I replied because Gerard specifically quoted me in his origional reply to the thread. Supporting the local lfs is no bad thing IMO.

I was not trying to name you i was just taking part of a post from forum.

Anything to do with price brings a response. yes we are dear look at houses that is not what i meant. I as a member of the forum i see difficulties when running a show when we expect the retailers too sponsor the show. as most of the members on this site have nothing to do with the club. i do hear the feelings of the shop owners more then most.

This can go on and on. anyway it is up to the individuals.

I hope no matter what can be bought over the net fishkeepers should support lfs. be it wackers brittas, fish antics fish fx too many to put into words.

In regards to new premises fair play to wackers and any other shop who expands that is what we need and if these are supported maybe they will bring down prices.

All valid points. I do support my local LFS but if an item is a lot cheaper over the net I will buy it there. My name's not Michael Jackson hence I have no tree where money grows on .
What boggles the mind is the difference between prices for hardware here and on the continent. Every time I fly home I have to pinch myself how much cheaper stuff is in Germany. I do agree that shipping has to be taken into account but that hardly justifies a filter being 150€ more expensive over here. VAT is not a real issue either. Germany has 19% Ireland 21%, both aren't exactly low wage economies. Corporate tax in Ireland is a hell lot cheaper than Germany so this should more than offset shipping. Somebody along the line is very greedy. I am not accusing the LFSs. It could be the wholesalers, etc.
A lot of the stuff we get over here comes from the UK so that's where we are getting screwed I would imagine. Pound vs Euro exchange rate risks, shipping to the UK first and then to Ireland, blablabla... Any excuse will do.

I have no idea how, but i think the entire system needs a shake-up and stuff needs to be brought directly into Ireland and not via the UK.

And warranty isn't an issue either in my mind since your faulty equipment will be sent back to the supplier anyway and spare parts are easier to get over the net. That's my experience anyway.I had to get a new impeller for a powerhead. Nothing wrong with the original part except for my clumsiness losing the plastci caps and the shaft. Got the spare part within 3 working days. I like to see any LFS doing that.
The price difference was enormous anyway. Resun powerhead 2000l/h for 29€ including shipping. You wouldn't get a powerhead that is doing 300l/h for this over here.
My two cents

For those into all dancing all singing elctrical gadgets for tropical & marine try this site. not available in Ireland. brows the shop orders can be taken via phone if req'd after 5-30 pm. or order on line. well worth a look
monitors-direct.co.uk

And for all those that doubt that you can buy a powerhead for that cheap:

cgi.ebay.de/Resun-Power-Head-SP-3800_W0Q...Z77645QQcmdZViewItem

They do a whole lot of hardware for very reasonable prices. If you need a translation, drop me a pm.

And I have no association with the shop. Just dealt with them in the past and found them very good to deal with.

Don't get me wrong I do support my LFS, well maybe not my local one(OTT with the prices) but I do drive to Dublin and Kilkenny for fish. But I'm not going to throw away money either.

I posted earlier about a tank I priced, the FS in Ireland got back to me on an exact price €2,300 also got an email from the German company about shipping, their price €1,299 + €210 for shipping & insurance = sorry LFS.

I'll support LFS next time. :cry:

What shop in Germany was that. Would you mind either to pm me their website or to post it here.
Trying to soften up my wife so I can put up a few more breeding tanks. By the looks of it I am almost there.

PM sent.