How come most hobbyists prefer buying from non-chain stores?

[BlueyKDX]

I understand if the smaller store can obtain more specialty type species but I'm talking more common species. If a non-chain store has a certain common that say, a Petsmart or Petco would also have at probably a lower price, what is the advantage of buying from the smaller store?

[RTR]

Because the independent store also routinely has the unusual, the oddballs, the specialty fish that the chain will never see, and if they do not stock such they will let you that such are available if you want to special-order. They are delighted to take your young fish as trade in, plus all your excess plants - both of which they can sell for more because they are locally raised and adapted to local water. My LFS not only stocks Eheim canisters, they have a huge stock of the components for them. None of the above will ever happen in a chain.

If I don't support my LFS on a routine basis, will they be there to support my needs? I doubt it.

Will the chains ever have the plants I want? I doubt it. The fish I would love to get? Never. Why on earth would I want to give them any of my business? That won't happen either.

[Slappy*McFish]

Not to mention the employees and their level of experience and general knowledge of fish keeping. All too many newbies come into the hobby and start off in the chain stores, getting all their advice from an employee who really has no business giving any advice.

[Bittabit]

I started off in a chain store, they sold me a cheap starter set and when I say cheap....incandesent light and a very nice to look at but not so practical filter...then they told me to put 20 feeder fish in my tropical tank to cycle it, luckily my LFS guy said...no no no! He then told me everything I needed to know, told me which kits I needed for testing and said to bring in a water sample in two weeks and he would tell me if I was cycled or not. I told him which fish I wanted and he gave me ideas of what to put with them and how they liked their water and after researching it, he did not steer me wrong! If I want that kind of service in the future, I will definately be supporting him, even if it means paying a little bit more. I am a total newbie and the difference you can see is service and knowlege.

[SnakeIce]

our economy is like a democracy and we vote with out dollars. If I don't vote for my lfs more than not it might not continue to be in the running

[OrionGirl]

Agree with all of the above, and one more little factor--the Mom and Pop places tend to have better quality of fish, that have not sat in a bag until someone from the paint department has time to unload them, and the local places are more likly to recognize and appropriately treat a variety of ailments.

Of course, this is a generalization. Some chain stores have good employees, that know their stuff, and take care of the fish. But, I still prefer to support the local stores--I am friends with the owners, and they make allowances for me that they don't for others. I want to maintain that relationship.

[EBoxell9584]

To add on to everything everyone else has said, yes generally speaking chain stores are cheaper, however, if you stop at a mom and pop store just to check it out, they want you to come back. This means that they will try to find out what youre looking for and will try and make you happy. Of course, chain stores want you to come back too but the customer service is usually pretty skimpy. At my LFS, we are really good friends with the owners, we've only been going there for about 3 months and they are some of the nicest people we've met. And their fish and equipment is more expensive than a chain store, but they are able to give "deals" if they see fit. Like I said, we've been going there for a while and since they know us and know that we will come back, they cut us deals on supplies and fish whereas in chain stores the marked price is just that and its not changing. Also, we give them mollies and they give us store credit. This pays for any fish supplies we need so now not only are we, the customers happy, but the owner is also happy because he is getting fish that have not traveled far in a plastic bag, they are from teh same type of water, and they were not bred in a giant vat in the middle of some fish farm. Also, many chain store employees are not as knowledgeable as many LFSs.

[superjohnny]

When you shop at non-chain pet stores you are, most likely, supporting a member of your community. At my LFS it's not at all uncommon to see the owner in there, working to make a living. Not like Petco where they hire the cheapest labor possible (and it shows).

I buy 90% of my livestock at a store that's 20 miles away. I know of 5 chain stores that are closer. The LFS knows me and treats me right and for that they get my business.

[125gJoe]

Just thought I'd add that in this area, only 3 in 10 LFS are worth visiting. It's that sad... Most are a 'mish-mash' of pet stuff throw around in not much of an order or thought. They are trying to please fish, dog, cat, bird, and reptile "hobbiests"... Wish I could see just one or two Eheims on a shelf here. If I asked most LFS workers if I could order an Eheim from them, They'd most likely say, "I've never heard of 'Ahem' (throat clearing sound..)"

It's sad that many are now having to but the products they want, and need online... And, at much better prices.. :(

[CandiBug2]

I agree with what everyone has said. There are very few privately owned petstores in my area, 2 that I can think of and have visited. While I haven't purchased fish from them, I've gotten plenty of other pet supplies from them. (I have tortoises!) There is one chain store that I absolutely refuse to shop at. (It begins with a P and ends in a Co) Not only has this chain been cited in many different locations for their mistreatment of animals, but I have been witness to it on several different occasions. I cannot ethically and morally support a place that I know is caring for their livestock. Also, I've found that many chain stores will sell you ANYTHING for the sake of money. Many of the people who work in those stores will tell you what you want to hear just to make the sale. Not only are they victimizing the people who shop there, but also their animals. I refuse to be a part of that. There is a fish store in my general region, but it's pretty much out of my way. I visited there a week ago to see what types of fish they had and I had a wonderful conversation with the owner. He told me that a lot of his fish came from local breeders. When I told him that I was new to the hobby, he spoke with me at length about my tank and equipment. He offered to give me a 20% discount for when I am ready to stock my tank with angelfish and purchase additional supplies. While chain stores may give out coupons, nothing compares to excellent service and quality fish!

[fishfood]

Many of the larger chain stores seem to have a fairly high turnover rate, compared to the smaller LFS. When I walk into my LFS, the employees know me and my tanks. They'll really go out of their way to help me out or to specially order something for me.

[steve_bkk]

Usually the fish aren't as healthy in the chain stores. Like 80gJoe
said they have a mish mash of stuff. The one by me always seem to have alot of customers walking around with big dogs. One day the dog infront of me on the way in paused to pee on the door frame.

[Grassguy]

I agree with everyone else. I have recently returned to this hobby and have gone back to an LFS my dad used to trade with when I was oh like 3 or 4. They still remember me. The last time I was in there was about 3 years ago. The original owners son now runs the store. So I'd say not only is it that they have more expertise, but that the personalized service is what gives them the edge.:)

[BlueyKDX]

Just got back from a LFS in my area. Now I see the difference :) Tanks were immaculate, nice selection of fish (many I have never seen before) and plants, and helpful staff. I guess I needed to see a "good" LFS to really see the difference in quality. I was going to various privately owned stores which were not exclusive to fish; tanks were dirty, fish didn't look very healthy all the time, and the staff wasn't all too helpful in these places. But after doing a little research for good lfs in the area, the place I just visited was the opposite: exclusive to fish and very knowledgable.. what a difference.

[MaryPa]

I personally don`t buy from chain stores because the employees have little or no experience with fish keeping.Their prices are too high and they have one filter system running to all tanks.if a fish in the first tank is ill then all tanks are exposed to the illness.We all know how they keep up with their sick fish:mad: I would rather support my lfs ran by mom and pop then the big chains who or know little about fish.

[ewok]

i use both.

petco gives a 2 week guarantee around here, and it takes darn little to please them. most lfs give 24-48 hours *if* you're lucky. while they do have community filters, most of them won't sell from tanks on that filter when they find sick fish. they also have an excellent selection, even oddballs, which is what i like. there are however lfs that i will drive 30 miles to go to because i KNOW they have certain things i need.

unfortunately petco around here does as good or better of a job than most of the lfs........

YMMV

[LMOUTHBASS]

you guys need ro calm it a little your chain stores must really stink!!! My petsmart in braintree MA is actually pretty good - it's clean well stocked and affordable - most of the non chain places are little dirty s*** holes that arent kept up with - if i foun one worth going to i woul support it by i like my chain store because it is great shopping store

[F.sparverius]

The only chain store that sells fish around here is "Wallyworld" that place royaly sucks when it comes to living aquaculture. Every fish I ever bought from there had ich and they don't stock any kind of standard filters. Although I may buy a minature tank from them, plastic can't die.