thinking of working a my LFS...any comments?

royalgamma

royalgamma

Member
Well one of the pet stores near me is looking for part time weekend help. I thought it would be a cool thing to try...but was wondering what kinda stuff would it involve. I know there are some people on this site that work at stores so let me hear it.
One of the reason I would like to do it , is because the one decent guy there quit and now the salt water stuff isn't being kept up like it was. They put too many fish in tanks together and don't seem to care if a couple die before being sold ( or how beat up they get before death ) examples..putting 3 types of different clowns together in the same area...and more than 1 or 2 of each, putting large angles in with small ones. Not sure if any knows aything about salt there any more.Was thinking maybe I could step up and maybe do something about it .
thanks
 
phixer

phixer

Active Member
I worked at an aquarium store in Junior HS. Had a good time, the water changes got old but other than that it was a fun job.
 
fishgeek01

fishgeek01

Active Member
I worked in a retail pet store for 4 years thru high school. I would take the opportunity, as the discount is always a nice perk.
 
russy pelican

russy pelican

Member
I worked at the LFS all through college and did some weekends afterward. If I were independantly wealthy, it's what I'd be doing now. I loved it. If you can put up with the public it'll be the best job ever. The public ranges from ignorant people, people who won't take your advice, to complete fish nerds.
But most folks are great, and you get to avoid that staggering retail the markup.
 
team2jndd

team2jndd

Active Member
I got all mine at 50% off. (live goods) 25% everything else. Best job I ever had. And I hated my boss. I was the only one in the store who knew fish so I was pretty much left alone in the fish room. Water changes are a $%#% though always walked out looking like i took a shower with my clothes on.
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
I think it depends in part what store you are working for. If they want you to just sell the dang fish...then you might not care for it. If the store is out for one thing - to make the money - then I can pretty much guarantee you will find it difficult. It was hard selling fish, because, basically may very well have to "compromise" a bit with what your beliefs may be. Not everyone will have that ideal tank that you may feel a fish needs. Do you sell it? What if someone comes in for the super bowl to stock their tank for the party - and who cares what happens after? Do you take the $$$$$ or not? What would the owner want? What are the principals of the store and owner?
I think it would require more knowledge of the store and how it is run.
 
shogun323

shogun323

Active Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
I think it depends in part what store you are working for. If they want you to just sell the dang fish...then you might not care for it. If the store is out for one thing - to make the money - then I can pretty much guarantee you will find it difficult. It was hard selling fish, because, basically may very well have to "compromise" a bit with what your beliefs may be. Not everyone will have that ideal tank that you may feel a fish needs. Do you sell it? What if someone comes in for the super bowl to stock their tank for the party - and who cares what happens after? Do you take the $$$$$ or not? What would the owner want? What are the principals of the store and owner?
I think it would require more knowledge of the store and how it is run.
I have to agree with Ophi. These are great points!!
 
cowfishrule

cowfishrule

Active Member
oph's right.
the owner may just be looking for the sale, and since you know fish, you may be able to install in him that honesty and good advice bring in repeat sales.
 
royalgamma

royalgamma

Member
well its a petland store so kinda of a chain I guess , but their salt stuff was pretty good while this other guy was there . I went in today to see if they were still looking and they were, and NO ONE was even around in the fish area they had a CC starfish in a tank that was really beat up ( half of one leg was bitten off, alot of other bites out of it )I don't know why or how they could sell it, or why some one would pay anything for it. Just stuff like that, that makes me think I could try to make a difference. I might just be fooling myself though if all they care about is the $$$$. I just want to work there on some nights and maybe a weekend day ( not making it my full time job ) so if I don't like it then I'll never step foot in there again.
 
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