Best LFS Story

[iechy]

Well you've certainly represented yourself well. Perhaps the reason you don't want these "12 year olds" to ask you questions is because you couldn't match up to them intellectually. It's seems obvious from the content of your last post that you'd be outmatched in a battle of wits with most 12 year olds that I know.
BTW, don't be so offended by his comment on "tagging" the employees. He seems so childish that he may have really meant that they would be playing tag.

 

[konrade]

You crack me up Ophiura

My story is similar to yours, I'm thrteen and hang out in the pet stores for hours at a time and the employees from all of the lfs's pretty much know me by heart. It kinda drives my parents crazy driving me all of these places and all, but we have our obsessions in this family. MY dad loves motorcycles, me outdoors, aquariums, sports, sister is an amazing artist, and my brother is really smart and plays college soccer, and is in grad school right now studying to be an accountant. All the men in my family are really athletic also.

 

[key00west]

Come up to Port Richey, My LFS is Mini Reef, i think you'll like it

 

[jmick]

Well, I don’t have a story to tell but I would like to mention Advanced Aquatics out of Schaumburg being one of the better stores in the area. They are the only store in my area (that I am aware of) that will allow you to trade in fish and coral for store credit. The owner is rather knowledgeable and he has a great selection of corals.

 

[misty7850]

The lfs I go to have been very helpful also.. Mine asked questions also.. (Many of them) when I first started going to them.. and I'm glad they did, it saved me alot of grief.. by not purchasing livestock that was beyond my experience and tank size. Now that they know me and my tank... they don't need to ask "all them questions", they know and care about what is happening in my aquarium world at home..
Anytime I have questions or concerns about my tank, I can ask and they always take the time to answer my questions. The staff is quite knowledgable in all aspects of Saltwater.. If they don't know an answer to my questions, they help me find the answer. I would be completely lost without the knowledge I get from my LFS's... Hats off to Amazing Aquariums and Posiedon.. :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
Also thanks to the many people on the boards who have answered my many questions.. novice and experts alike.. :cheer: :cheer: :jumping:

 

[bronco300]

woah woah woah, DEMOSTHENES...these stores are in Muncie,IN??? I live in Anderson, and having a place 30minutes from me would be so much better than an hour...sounds like some good places!!!

 

[bronco300]

ok, well i went and visited G&M, they definitely didnt ask any questions...however, they had a good price on a green star polyp, and they threw in a straggler zoo for me!!! woohoo, nice place and nice people i think.

 

[rebeccabut]

This is my LFS guy. He's actually the son of the owner of the place and knows more about the salt water schtuff. I have to say, he helped me out so much since I just started with the whole deal. They always stay open late for me, and I appreciate their service. This is the live rock formation he sculpted for my 42 gal Hex. I'm trying to not go there more than once a week now that my tank is cycling, but its hard for me to stay away from their gorgeous tanks, fish and corals. Anyway, I thought this rock was quality and very colorful, and wanted to take a picture of it to replicate his structure inside my tank once I got it all home. Needless to say, it didn't end up quite the same in my own tank, but I'm really pleased with the quality of the rock none the less.
The rock lacks a little personality without the great model in the background. Maybe there is a future for him as a model for fishtank backgrounds. Some day he may even replace those lame-o blue/black/ocean/plant/reef backgrounds. (sarcasm)

 

[dcathey]

where is the website and where is it located in Chattanooga. I am coming up there for Labor Day

 

[piscesblue]

j21kickster, I didn't see you put anything in here about Paradise Aquatics, or maybe you're more of a Mission Pet Mart type of guy.

 

[murph]

OK here is an LFS story of a different type. Back in the day, early 70s, my parents use to drop me off at the LFS and then proceed on down to the department store a mile or so down the road and then pick me up on there way back.
Well one evening mom must of got caught up in shopping and it was quite some time before they returned. About an hour and a half past closing time for the LFS. The LFS remained there with me and must have had the patience of a saint as you can imagine the questions and less than stimulating conversation I was able to provide as a ten year old.
Hartz Aquarium Center in Springfield Ohio was the name of the place and I have serious doubts as to whether it is still there.
Sadly I can only imagine what kind of commotion this type of situation would cause these days. Cops called and shortly afterward the media followed by my picture appearing on a milk carton. Time sure have changed.

 

[ninjamini]

I don't get it. Why do all of you feel that the LFS is this altruistic place that is there to sell you what you really need to have the best and healthiest tank possible.
They are a business like any other. They are there to do a good sales volume, with a good margin and make money. They are there to sell you stuff.
Every business does it. For example I recently had a baby. The baby store has a list of things that you "need". Totaling a couple thousand dollars. You don't need a third of it. Most of it is a waste that you will never use.
Go buy a car. They don't sell you the best car for your needs. They sell you what they have sitting there. Also they try to charge you as much as they can get out of you. They when they get you to agree to a price they add another $500-$1000 in fees.
Go get anything and they will try to sell you more. weather you need it or not. weather its good or not.
Caveat Emptor

 

[rebeccabut]

I forgot to say the place is Aquarium Designs in San Antonio.
I also visited another fish store here called Texas Marine Aquatics, or something like that. They've got a great fish selection. The owner used to own a skate shop, and is a good friend of one of my co-workers. Needless to say, they have great service and are helpful with directing me to other resources (websites, books, the other good fish stores in town, etc.) Whenever they don't havethe answers or products. They usually act like they're saving me money and direct me to buy only things of value, which actually sometimes is the case. Its also somewhat comforting to me that they are pretty verbal about being against how ONE of the other LFS treats their clients and animals. Maybe they just say that to get more business, but I've been pleased with both prices and srvice at the two LFS I go to.
Somewhere between all the posts I read here, the LFSs, the books, and other websites I think I can find some truly helpful information. And some of it may even be correct!
(also, i thought this was the good LFS story forum, not the burn the LFS with stories forum)

 

[imurnamine]

I'm the newest employee at our local pet store.
I am the only one who does saltwater, which is a majour reason why I was hired on.
My third day, I snapped at a lady. This is how it went. I have no shame.
*I am at the counter, la la la, standing there*
*Lady comes up with green net, clownfish food, and a packet of Oceanic Salt that mixes to approximately 5 gallons, she is talking on her cell phone... she looks like a drugged out skank, old enough to be my mother*
Lady (talking to whoever on her phone) : ...Yeah... I have six dayum-sells (translates to Damsels)... Thur still hidin... *Bla bla she talks for a few minutes and hangs up*
Me: (As I am ringing up her items) So, I see you have a saltwater tank. You've got 6 Damsels in it?
Lady: *Thinks about it because she is stupid* ...Yeah... I wanna get one of them Yellow Tangs...
Me: *Quite alarmed, wondering if her tank is even big enough* What size tank do you have?
Lady: *Has to think* ...Uhh... seventy-somethin'.
Me: Oh, okay... *Rings up stuff*
Lady: I think Ima get one tomorra.
Me: Oh? How long have you had your tank running?
Lady: Uhh... two days?
Me: !! Did you let it cycle? *Has totally stopped ringing things up, staring at her in disbelief*
Lady: *Looks at me like I am as stupid as I think that SHE is* Uhhh, what? I had your manager come and set up my tank.
Me: Uhh... Yeah! But you're supposed to let it cy- *Gets cut off by rude fat lady shushing me*
Lady: Look, Im busy Ive got to go.
Me: *Takes her money and gives her the change*
Lady: *Insert snide remark here about me knowing nothing, she walks toward the doors*
Me: *Slightly raises voice* Well in about a week when your Ammonia spikes and your fish die, come back and see me and I'll help you get your levels down! *Friendly wave*
Not all LPS employees are stupid when it comes to saltwater. It's the stupid-asses like that, that make us look bad...

 

[ninjamini]

Originally Posted by ImUrNamine
Not all LPS employees are stupid when it comes to saltwater. It's the stupid-asses like that, that make us look bad...

Sorry dude but there is a difference between knowing something and selling something. At the end of the day you have to sell what the store carries.

 

[imurnamine]

Dude? No. Lady? Yes.
And um, sorry to you as well.
Two sales tomorrow is better than one sale today.
If you are reputable and knowledgable, you will be relied on. If I weren't doing what I do, then I'd be no better than the people that you guys bash in ***** threads. Make up your mind what you want employees of pet stores to do.

 

[ninjamini]

Originally Posted by ImUrNamine
Dude? No. Lady? Yes.
OOps sorry bout that.
Originally Posted by ImUrNamine
Two sales tomorrow is better than one sale today.
That is true...to a point. Most people in sales have the attitude that they must sell today and if they don't there boss will instill it in them.
Originally Posted by ImUrNamine
Make up your mind what you want employees of pet stores to do.

Wait I want them to take the time to educate the consumer. But that is not what is best for business. You dont stay in business sending the customer away with out the sale.

 

[imurnamine]

Sure you do.
Because they begin to trust and depend on you and your merchandise.
If a LPS helps someone setup their tank and even makes out SHEETS for them with information, do you think they'd go somewhere else? I doubt it.
I care about people's pets. I want them to enjoy their pet and their pets' health. I make plenty of sales because I am honest. I'm not going to lie to make a sale. You LOSE clients that way. You gain clients with honesty and integrity.

 

[rebeccabut]

Actually the stores I went in, I just asked for information. I told them I was just starting out and don't even have my tank yet. They didn't try to sell me a tank or anything. They were not getting business that day. They were making absolutely no business of of me but were really willing to help me out with my questions. That is, talk to my blabbering mouth and fill my inquisitive mind with infomation over an hour. (Yeah, I'm the customer that comes in with a yellow legal-pad list of questions. Now every time I come in, the first question they ask is 'where is your list' ... as I'm pulling it out of my back pocket.) But they knew that the better the information they gave me, the more likely i would come back later when i actually got stuff set up. They also didn't just fill my head full of things I needed to buy for my tank, but procedures etc. with how to set everything up. I appreciated that.
Good business is not making as much as you can off of one person. Good business is having lots of returning customers because the service is good.
You give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. You teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime, and keeps coming to your store for fishing rods/nets/tackle/bait/etc.

 

[imurnamine]

...Thankyou.
I always try to put myself in the client's shoes...