Job at LFS

[mattj]

I may be applying at a LFS later today. Any advice???

[Hans]

tell them that you will never BS a customer, you will find out the facts before telling them something you are unsure of. also, be prepared, if you work there, to meet some of the STUPIDEST people on earth! specialy if you sell oscars, and if you see someone come in, with a carhart jacket or camoflage, they need feeders lol.

[blitzen25bm]

what if he is applying at the big chain stores and all they care about is sales. then hes gonna have to go.. a customer wants a setup for 20 dollars? i will suggest 3 bettas and a betta hex or an oscar in the 2 gallon bowl.

[blitzen25bm]

just tell them your expieriences. ive been keeping fish since i was 5 yadayadayada and your specialties. all the good stuff you know.

[Captain Hook]

If you have nice tank(s) show them a picture of it or them.

[mome rath]

I had a job at a LFS over winter break from college a few years ago. On occassion, I had no choice but to sell a fish to someone who obviously was not prepared to care for it.

Don't tell them you will BS a customer. If that's what they want, that's not where you want to be if you really want to work at a fish store.

[yonderway]

I have a very long history with my LFS. I went there as a kid all the time. They got me started in marine fish when I was ready to move up. When I got into high school, they hired me to work there. I met a girl who also worked there over the summer (who went to a different school than me) that became my wife. Fifteen years later after meeting her I'm still shopping in that LFS (and bringing our kids), and we're still on a very friendly basis with the owner and even still get our employee discount after all these years. This guy has been running a small LFS successfully for over 30 years. He laments frequently that it is just too hard to get moldable young people that he can teach. Everyone that applies anymore either is apathetic or cocky and overconfident about their knowledge of pets. You don't have to know a lot about pets, but knowing a little helps. You just have to be willing to work hard, get dirty, learn a lot and try to have fun doing it.

Best of luck to you.

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

I may be applying at a LFS later today. Any advice???

study the LFS then stdy the fish they have on the net get to know as much as possiable etc then if you get interviewed bring up the fish. talk about interesting fish which would be good to get in etc talk about the charateristics of the fish in stock then bring them up in the shop so they know whats ur talking about and they know you will be a good sales person. also personal hygiene is always a bonus:D

[daveedka]

My advice would be to learn all you can and don't give advice if you aren't sure it is correct. Remember also that people have their personal prferences, and learn to respect what they may like whether you do or not. There have been a couple of LFS's that lost my buisiness because they insisted on selling me something they liked, and weren't interested in selling what I like.
not All Lfs's are bad, and they almost all have some knowledgeable experienced people you can learn from. Just verify what you learn as many ways as possible. Take good care of the fish while you are there.

[ScottoMacD]

Originally posted by mattj
I may be applying at a LFS later today. Any advice???

I'm working at Big Al's right now. Here are a few things that I have found.

1) Be honest with the customers. Be it good or bad. They will apperciate it. Even if they don't like what you are telling them. for he most part they just want their tanks to run well and look nice.

2) If you aren't sure about an answer for a question they've asked. Tell them that you aren't too sure and will ask someone else with better knowledge in the store to give them a proper answer. DON'T quess, or assume.

3) If you give advice from personal experience that may be away from the norm. Tell them. This has worked for me. Then tell them the other ways that their problem can be resolved. Let them choose which way they want to go.

I don't know how your boss is. Mine is very cool. I told him straight up that I would not sell customers things that won't help them out just for the sales. I hated that when I was a customer and I refuse to do that as a salesman. Things that I know are BS I tell them the truth. He agreed with me and apperciated my honesty. He wants his store to work and backs me and my opinion up when asked.

IE: I will not sell algae eliminator to someone when it is obvious that their problem is too much light and lack of water changes.

If the people that want fish that may work together in a tank but most probably won't always play the safe card and say no.

You will be amazed how many people say "well it works in my buddies tank."
However always be prepared to offer a couple of alternatives that can work. If they take the fish anyways just be sure to warn them again and tell whoever your supervisor about the situation. Then remove any guarantee if you offer one (write it on the receipt) on the fish and tell the customer that you are removing it and why. You will be surprised how often that will make the customer re-think your fish options.

There is nothing worse than having a customer come back with dead fish going to your boss and saying HE/SHE told me that I can put these fish together and look what happened to my poor Nemo...Blah blah...... This way both you and the store are covered.

For the most part it is a GREAT job. I left a very stressful high paying Graphic Arts job for my current stress free far less paying LFS store. My blood pressure is down 28 points since last August. I actually love going to work. I'm happier, healthier and am much better off. Even without the extra money. It truly is amazing.

Good luck.

[Kagh't]

the golden line, which is always indespensable when dealing with n00bs, or selling something you know will make a difference: i've always found in my experience

works everytime with those difficult sales.

[Hans]

i find comparing fish to cats works great.

"if i feed my oscar a feeder, will it be more agressive?"
" if your cat catches a mouse, does it make it also go after your other cats? no!"

"now that pleco will stay small cuz its in a small tank"
"do you think if you fed a cat and stuck it in a shoe box, it would stay a kitten?"

"my brother has 5 full grown oscars in his 10 gallon"
"my aunt has 10 cats in her refridgerator"

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

lol thats just stupid

[DEmigh]

Originally posted by Hans
i find comparing fish to cats works great.

Bravo!

All three of your cat analogies have an excellent teaching value. I guess people just empathize more easily with mammals.