Note to fish store employees - there's no shame in not knowing something

Chill

Chill

Seasons Greetings
Jun 16, 2005
386
0
16
Newfoundland, Canada
I walk in to the LFS last night and I ask the guy does he know anything about plants. He says yes he knows all about them. So I ask him for some suggestions on plants that will do all right in low light. A standard 20 watt bulb on a 25 gallon tank. He tells me they are all fine. All plants will grow in that environment some just need the light on for longer periods. Some need 6 hours, some need 8, some need 2, so just maybe keep it on for 10 or so and see how they do.

If your new and you work in a fish store please don't try to pass yourself off as an expert. Admit you don't know - there's no shame in that. Far less harm done than when someone relies on your made up advice. I know in the jobs I've worked it amazing how much you can actually learn from your customers when you're not trying to dazzle them with BS.

Please don't take this as a condemnation of pet store employees. There are some really good one out there.
 
I totally agree with this. I would MUCH rather someone tell me they don't know. I went to a LFS in town and the guy knew a LOT about fish. He answered many of my questions on various species. However, when I began to ask him about snails he admitted he would have to research as he didn't know that much about them. Solely because of that experience this is my #1 LFS that I like to go to. That blew me away. Especially since I have the same experience with employee saying 15w of lighting was fine for a 20 gallon planted tank.

Curtis
 
The big question to me is when and why and how it has become shameful/embarrassing/unacceptable just to say that you don't know? Especially in a store which should have reference material for store use and for sale? Why not instead make an extra sale or two with a book and a light upgrade? I respect folks who are honest. I try very hard to avoid dealing with those who are otherwise.
 
Im folunteering in a pet store soon and i wood just like to say that i think more ppl wood like to here that u dont no somthing about a fish then saying the wrong thing about it and then die.
 
there's two LFS's in my town, the one I won't go to because when I asked about live plants the guy told me to avoid them because they cause water quality problems, and will clog your filter and few other BS things I knew weren't true.
 
I wholeheartedly agree. I can't tell you how many times I've been told one thing by an employee just to find out it was complete BS later. :(
 
I think this is a good point for several aspects of life. When I ask my professor something and she doesn't know, she doesn't make up an answer for me, she says she doesn't know and looks it up.

At my lfs I was asking about botia striata. He wasn't sure which loach it was so he got out his book and looked it up so he was sure to order the correct fish for me. Won me over!
 
My LFS doesnt hesitate to tell me they dont know and lookup the answer. They even keep dozens of books just as reference material. Its funny because I wouldnt expect one person to know EVERYTHING about every fish for the home aquarium and I agree I hate it when people try to act like that rather than admitting theyre wrong.

Its probably more of a pride thing than anything else and Ill guarantee that it doesnt change anytime soon
 
When I ask questions at my LFS they tell me that they dont know but point me in the direction of a person that might.....There is one guy there that knows a lot of stuff so I try to go to him first...but if he doesnt know the answer he knows who dose....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom