How many people work in an LFS?

[MyShrimpDied]

How many of you guys work in an LFS?

I really want to, that would just about be mine dream job right now, as long as it's fish and not very many other animals, maybe so parrots to keep me company.

There was a job opening at the Pet House near me and i talked to the lady and she said since i'm a sttudent she didnt think i would 'stay at work' when summer ends...what a crock.

~ MyShrimpDied

[Finaddictfred]

used to back in the mid to late 80's. Didnt make much money but boy did I have some cool fish

[aquariumfishguy]

While it would be a good “starter job”, you wouldn’t be able to make a career out of a step above minimum wage, which is why many shy away from it. And suppose the pay was very good, and I did work at a pet store… I would end up getting rid of my own fish, because I’d have so many where I work that it would no longer be fun at home anymore.

[Rocketman]

I've been working at a Pet Supplies Plus for 14 months now...

I don't make much money at all, but I love all the people that come in with questions about their fish and their tanks that I get to help out with. Also, I'm sort of a buyer for the company; I'm able to bring in many different brands because the managers of the stores trust that I know what I'm talking about.

[oscar83]

i used to work at one like 6 years ago or so, but that was before i was into fish. i used to take care of all the reptiles and stuff, it was awesome. especially the 2 14 foot burmese pythons we had, i loved those guys :D

[skippy2]

Originally posted by aquariumfishguy
While it would be a good “starter job”, you wouldn’t be able to make a career out of a step above minimum wage, which is why many shy away from it. And suppose the pay was very good, and I did work at a pet store… I would end up getting rid of my own fish, because I’d have so many where I work that it would no longer be fun at home anymore.

The owner of my lfs would disagree with you. He has beautiful tanks at the store and more at home.

[Alicia]

I used to work at one. I enjoyed it, but I really did hate cleaning the fish tanks EVERYDAY, and having to cleany all the other animal cages everyday too. That got to be a pain. But it was fun getting to see different types of fish and getting to learn about different types of other animal behaviors.

[Finaddictfred]

HeheH..I remember cleaning the small furry rodents. The co-owner was into Guienea Pigs and we had feeder rats and mice. So I get done cleaning them and move onto the lizzerds..I start with the biggest Gold Tegu we had and next thing ya know..I have a 3 foot long lizzerd hanging from my hand..right betewwen the thumb and forefinger. Inmy haste I had broken the cardinal rule and forgot to wash my hands. Nothing quite like a lizzered bite to brighten your day.

[aquariumfishguy]

Originally posted by skippy2


The owner of my lfs would disagree with you. He has beautiful tanks at the store and more at home.

Ok, but are we talking about owning your own store now or being a plain old employee? Also, "owners" usually do not have to do all the maintenance like the employees do... but there could be exceptions to that.

Furthermore, I was speaking my opinion. If I (personally) was to clean tanks all day long, I would not want to come home and clean more out. :)

[slipknottin]

I think there are better jobs in the aquarium industry than working at a LFS.

JMHO

[schiejr]

I worked at one on and off from 1985 to 1997. Low wages was the main problem although when I was the fishroom manager and got a new job with insurance, the owner offered to match my new wage of 10.00 an hour but no insurance of course-had to leave full time and go to Saturdays only.

It was a blast working with all the fish. I also enjoyed traveling to the wholesalers in Milwaukee to pick the best of the stock for the store.

I had a good system going on cichlids. I would go to the local aquarium society auctions on my own time and pick up cichlids dirt cheap that were not usually available at a decent price from wholesalers. I got store credit of 50% retail on the fish and an employee discount of 50% off dry goods which was close to cost. I usually multiplied my dollars 2-5 times and the store sold more fish at a better price-a good deal for everyone.

[ScottoMacD]

I work at Big Al's here in Montreal. The money is actually not bad. I quit a 40G a year office job because of my health. All work stress related. Heart problems, high blood pressure etc. I also more importantly decided that I wanted to be around for Charlie. He is the most important thing in my life along with Sandi and I wouldn't be much of a father if I died from a heart attack from some stupid job.

Since I started at BA yes the money is quite a bit less but I still support my family have the same house and two cars etc...

I'm not bragging here if that is how it may come off. Yes my wife works ( same job as before) but our lifestyle hasn't changed much since the salary dropoff.

I love the fishroom work. I ENJOY getting up to goto work each morning. My 9 tanks at home haven't suffered one bit. I'm doing what I love at work and at home. The only thing that would be even more perfect would be a full time paying football coaching job. My other love.

Most importantly though. My blood pressure is down 30 points since I left my other job. I feel great, I'm happy and now quite healthy. (There always room for improvement) I would give up the extra money anyday to continue feeling like this.

[aquariumfishguy]

You should be proud of having a wonderful family and decent living. Of course that isn't bragging, and if anyone tells you differently it is because they're jealous! :p

Anyway about a month ago (or whenever Fathers Day was) I had a good freind die of a "stress related injury". It turned out to be a massive heart attack. He was on the job (working in the construction field) when this happened.

The next day, he was due to sign on a new house for his family of 7. He had 5 children, of various ages. They were finally a happy family, and he died the day before fathers day. :(

The lesson is, your health is worth quitting work for a while if that's what it takes! If my friend would have slowed down and not been so riled up about providing for his family, he would still be here today... I really believe that.

[Nippy]

I work full time at a pet supply store that also has a freshwater fish room. I don't mind cleaning the tanks at the store and then coming home to clean my own tanks (I have 15 myself). I care about the fish there and love my own at home so I don't see that as a chore. I get $9/hour which isn't too bad and anything I want in the store at cost. Since I have so many fish to feed, 4 cats, a dog, two ferrets & two rats, that's a HUGE plus right there. Of course, it is nothing that could support me, only supplemental. I decided to "leave" my coffee drive-thru that I own (let my hubby run it for now) and do something that made me happy. I am around really cool people(all the employees are great!) and I get to talk fish!