Are pets like bicycles?

[distaff]

You're not likely to find large caging at a local retail store simply because it's fairly expensive and it takes up a lot of space; retailers have to turn over inventory - and quickly - to stay in business. They can't tie up a lot of capital and shelf space in items where they may sell one or two a year. So, they focus on consumables - food, substrate, light bulbs - because those keep people coming back to the store.

That said, my local exotic shop does have several new Boamaster melamine racks for sale, as well as a used 60" enclosure in on consignment (and I'm soooooooo tempted...)

OTOH I don't understand why stores don't stock better thermostats, even if it's just the basic mid-range quality models aren't that much more costly than the crappy ones. Yes, you can find t-stats cheaper online but usually if I need a new t-stat I need it right now, not in a week (which is why I have spares). Or, at least the stores should have some decent ones to send home with a new keeper.

Darkbird's post, and the above, got me thinking. I am actually confused by this.

Other types of shops do stock the high end items, even if they take up a lot of floor space. Our local bike ship has the best accessories available, and a few thousand dollar priced bikes are out on the floor. (BF bought himself a bike with accessories this past week.) I've been in small yarn shops that had at least one spinning wheel for sale, even maybe a floor loom. Those are usually $500+ items. I see the latest sewing machines and quilting tools at the quilt shops...

So, why ARE the pet shops so lame?