Selecting a LFS

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candygrrl

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Feb 9, 2003
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Birmingham, AL
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I would like some opinions on how to choose a LFS. I have two in my area to choose from.

Store A has been in business since 1976 (so the sign claims, I haven't been around long enough to know myself!) It is in a small location and has several rows of tanks with lots of selections of freshwater and saltwater fish. The condition of the store is somewhat haphazard and messy. The tanks are fairly dark and not terrifically clean, I didn't see any dead fish in any tanks, but I did see some that looked like they might have ich. In talking to the employee, he was forthcoming with advice, but a few things he said contradicted some things I had read in books and on the web. The overall impression one gets on walking in is it isn't the most tightly run ship. However, they did offer to order the fish I wanted.

Store B is in a higher profile location. It has been in business several years, but this location is fairly new. He has fewer tanks, but they are bigger and immaculately clean and lighted. His plants look extrordinary and his fish perfectly healthy and active. I think he deals mostly with saltwater fish. When I asked about a freshwater tank, he told me rainbows, tetras, or cichlids. Those were my choices for fish. I did not specifically ask him if he would order other fish for me, but he doesn't stock mollies or many other types of freshwater fish other than the ones mentioned. I haven't gone into detailed conversations with him yet about setting up a tank.

My question is, which store would you buy from? Is it fair or correct to base the choice on appearances? What other criteria should I look for? I want to establish a long term relationship with a supplier, but I want to make the right choice.

Sorry for the tome above :D Just need some advice...

Candace
 
I'd go into each and say you have a 15G tank and you are thinking about buying an oscar. If he talks you out of it then he is honest and cares about the hobby. If he sells you an oscar for a 15G then you know he is just out to make money and doesn't really care.
 
I personally have one LFS I got to when I need some advice, or am looking for something I haven't seen around. That's the store that gives me the best customer service and good advice...however when it comes to purchasing livestock, I'll buy from any store as long as the particular batch of fish I'm looking at look pretty healthy. A lot of times I'll browse for what I'm looking for...take a good look at them, then come back in a couple of days to buy. There's always such a variety of stocking options and health among all the LFSs nearby, I find it can be a hit or miss anytime I go in.
 
I typically shop at two different LFS along with one local breeder who does internet sales as well.

Both keep their tanks pretty clean and well arranged, but one store does offer much more in the way of advice than others.

What I do is typically buy based on what each one stocks - but I always browse to see what they have (especially new shipments) then come back a week or two later to buy. This IMO helps the fish become acclimated and get over their initial shipping shock to your LFS (ie the ones that bite the dust do so in the store during that week or two - not in your hands). (This is really helpful with some fish I keep like Rummynose Teras and small clown loaches) Both get enough of a stock in that I know I can come back in a week or two and get what I need.

Now, for my more unusual / expensive fish, I have started buying these from a local breeder I found on the internet - I have been very pleased.
 
Well, when I went into store B, he did talk to me pretty extensively about the two types of fish he recommended for me(rainbows or cichlids) plus the beginnings of how to set up an aquarium. I am planning to go back and tell him I have an aquarium (the 75 gallon one) and see what he says specifically. He told me that he would help me set it up step by step. Nothing he said seemed to contradict what I have read at all. Pricing seems to be about the same. Customer service? Well, they both did pretty well as far as giving advice. I would have to say store B did a better job.
 
Originally posted by candygrrl
I would have to say store B did a better job.
Click to expand...

It seems to me like B would be the best place to start, especially since they seem to care for the fish better there and the advice appeared to be just as good as in A. Have you asked them whether they'll special-order mollies for you?

What you're doing is similar to the process I'm going through. I hope to get back into the hobby in a few months, so I've been looking for a good LFS. Sadly, most of those in my part of town (west Los Angeles) disappointed me. I did find one good one relatively close, and there's another I want to look at that's farther out. I think it's worth going through this to find a store you're comfortable with.

--Anthony
 
Finding a good fish store is hard. There are no really good fish stores by me. I'm still looking though.

I would go with B as the main one, and when you want more of a variety of fish to choose from, go with A. Just make sure that you quarantine the fish first.
 
Well, I will go a bit against the grain here.
I am a bit of a wh0r3. I go to a few around the town.

I go to the one in town because they are the only
one on the web and seem to be a young mob with
a good fresh attitude. I go there for crossreference purposes.

I go to a really large one because they have
the best stock on the shelves if I need some aqua gear
they have a high fish turnover too and have some
nice exotics too.

I go to another family bizz one because the guy
seems to know what he is talking about.
His Discus have a hole in the head tho
and his wife told me its 'normal' hmrph.
Yeah I know they all have it and its treatable but cmon.
She took me for a chump.
The aquariums look a bit untidy sometimes tho which
is a bit sad. They are not grotty, just untidy.

Lastly I found a poor lfs on the outskirts of town
(well its a ofs then ;). But his aquariums are clean
he has a lot of discus and he looks after the
customers having printed leaflets about the degraded
water quality.

Most stores here will order fish in Australia.
I can not believe that there are stores in the US
that will not. Havent they heard of customer service/
 
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