Looking to start a pet store.

joshd123

joshd123

Member
I am going to open up a pet store. I am looking for advice. A list of things to do and not to do. As far as running the business end of the deal is no problem. I have owned 3 companys so far. Not the flybynight kind either. I also need to know where I can get tanks, pumps, and so on wholesale. I have places I can get other items wholesale
If you have any advice please share. Or you can PM me and I willgive you my #. Thanks!!
 
dinogeorge

dinogeorge

Member
If there is one piece of advice I can give you, it would be to keep your aquariums clean and free of dead fish. I am always stunned to see that after about a year in business, many fish store owners begin to lose their concern about the appearance of their tanks, and the fish that live within them. I fish that has been dead so long that it begins to decompose in the tank sends a very clear message to me that they have no concern about their livestock. They stop viewing fish as living animals and start thinking of them as just another thing to sell.
Good luck to you!
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
I know one thing I really hate when visiting a fish store, is having to ask the price of everything. I like to know how much something is when I look at it.
Good Luck
TeresaQ
 
chano

chano

Member
Label things properly dont just throw it in after your supplier gives it to you and guess what it is. That drives me nutz and it could do serious harm to peoples tanks.
 
joshd123

joshd123

Member
Nice,I have noticed the same thing. There is nothing worse than. Looking into a tank and thinking the price is $15 for a Tang. Then when you go to pay for it nad they say (that will be $78 please).
 
michaeltx

michaeltx

Moderator
hey josh talk to tim about equipment as far as getting wholesale info on here it really isnt the place becuase of the links rules to this forums. I think he could point you in the right direction anyway.
All I gotta say as far as LFS in the Arkansas area we need one that actually knows what they are doing and not out to scam the buyers with jacked up prices and shody stores and equipment. I would love to go into a store that actually maintains their tanks adequtely with a knowledgable staff!!
shot me an email sometime.
mickadee**@**hotmail.com remove the stars.
Mike
 
coral keeper

coral keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by TeresaQ
I know one thing I really hate when visiting a fish store, is having to ask the price of everything. I like to know how much something is when I look at it.
Good Luck
TeresaQ
Yeah, i agree with you.
 
autofreak44

autofreak44

Active Member
another clean comment. not only keeping the tanks clean, but the shop clean. you can definitely tell the difference between a 15 year old unkempt shop and a clean, newer looking shop. dont stack crap on the floor, be organized, and dont let messes gather... as if you dont already know that from running other businesses lol. think 'what does the customer want/think' and go from there... although you probably know all this stuff i bet all the people at the bad lfs's know it too but dont apply it
good luck
 
oniel21

oniel21

Member
I think one of the most important factors will be your staff. I would have knowledgable people working for me, even if it took some time to find them. This serves two purposes, 1) Good reliable service to your customers, 2) protect your investment. Just the other day at an LFS here, I saw a guy take advantage of a young kid that knew nothing. He bought a piece of LR with a couple shrooms and polys on it, and the guy got charged $5.99 a lb (the price of LR). It was a $40.00 (or so) rock and he got it for $8.00!!! Knowledge is key! Good luck.
 
perfectdark

perfectdark

Active Member
Employing people that are more interested in providing a safe and friendly habitat for your fish and not about how much they sold for the day. Its goes along with having a knowledgable staff.
IMO one of the best things that one of my LFS does for their customers... QT all their fish before adding them to their tanks for sale.. I cannot tell you how many times this has made spending an extra $15 for a fish something I wouldnt think twice about.
 
joshd123

joshd123

Member
Good advice!! I will have to print this page off and make a poster out of it. Then I will hang it on the wall in the brake/training room. Anyone else?
 
mike22cha

mike22cha

Active Member
What I look for in a lfs is knowledgable staff, healthy fish, clean tanks, helpful service(includes pricing and correct labels), and most of all the prices LOL.
 
jessica47421

jessica47421

Active Member
yeah the prices are a big thing the other is at the lfs here their employees dont clean, there is dust on the shelves and dirt in the corners i am a clean freak i just want to grab my rag and clean the place
good luck
 
dinogeorge

dinogeorge

Member
Originally Posted by jessica47421
yeah the prices are a big thing the other is at the lfs here their employees dont clean, there is dust on the shelves and dirt in the corners i am a clean freak i just want to grab my rag and clean the place
good luck

Ok, let me see if I get this right;
You like fish.
You’re price conscious.
You’re a clean freak.
Ladies and gentleman, please say hello to my next wife!!!!!!!!!!!
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Definately keep the tanks clean and check them throughout the day. You would be surprised at how one dead fish turns people off. I am an ex LFS owner. My store was smaller scale. I left the store by choice (seperated from my husband). I loved it though. I had all home aquariums. Each set up with many different kids of fish that were compatable. I had to do daily water changes at first, then weekly. My tanks always looked nice and if I saw a fish that was not dong so well, mainly when they first came in, then I isolated the fish so that the customers could not see it. Remember that the customer is the number one priority when they are in the store. Make them feel welcome and answer any and all questions that they may have. If you do not know the answer, do not make it up. Ask them for their number if possible. Get them the correct answer. You will build a good reputation by having great service and by giving correct advice. I even did house calls for a few people that were regulars. If they had trouble that we could not figure out together then I would stop by and check the situation out. I have been invited to peoples houses just to see how great their fish are doing! It is an awsome business. I hope that you do it and enjoy it very much
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top