well, presentation is half the battle. my token of advice is to make the fish tanks look clean, the fish well fed, the glass free of algae, etc. like, for africans, use black sand and white aragonite gravel with a black background. make sure the employees know what they're talking about with fish keeping. pretty cool gig i might say, too. id worry about saltwater later on afetr you have straightened out all the other sections that need your attention (the id cards, employees, tank stocking, replenishing supplies, etc.). hope that helps...
I've joined the dark side. Soon to be manager of the Petland Lancaster fish dep.
- Thread starter 00Smurf
- Start date
big thing.....don't sell people fish for cycling a tank!
just tell them that most of the fish you will seel them to cycle aren't attractive and they'll be stuck with them.
just tell them that most of the fish you will seel them to cycle aren't attractive and they'll be stuck with them.
i really like the idea of giving the cycled filter material from the store so people can cycle their tanks with it and remember if you weren't their the person who would replace you would just make the sale and not think about it and you can make the fish healthier and happier while they are at your store and try to get people to listen to by giving advice as long as they ask you for it and if they don't want it don't give them anymore and hope they turn their tune around as that is what creates dedicated fish keepers not a store manager yelling at them because they screwed up
not that you would but just a thought
not that you would but just a thought
Hmmm...terror spawnin, I do understand your initial reaction to be protective of a "product" that you may earn your livelihood from selling. It is natural, and I think many of us might have a similar reaction, maybe not.
However, respectfully, I ask that you take a deep breath and also consider that this is a community forum, where like-minded people come to share information and give/seek advice. Additionally, no one is being forced or otherwise compelled to give away the advice or opinions - they always have the option of ignoring the thread. People do respond for several reasons (genuine interest in educating the public about fish, desire to help forum members or share knowledge, etc).
In other words, it doesn't negate the value of your service as a professional consultant. It is an entirely different "forum", more like sitting around with a group of friends and asking if anyone has any suggestions.
That is a great idea! I wish more stores would do it, but many stores think about profitability only in the short run (more sales of cycle, bio-spira, more fish to replace dead fish, etc.) instead of considering they are promoting people giving up the hobby out of frustration (and thus losing long-term customers).
i would rather have a long term client than 5 people that just buy tanks first group of fish and then have the fish die and give up and then sell the tanks because then you don't have people that will come back to you and really help you out and tell other people about your store as you helped them through their start and afterwards
irishspy
There is a stargate in my aquarium.
:iagree:
One thing I would add: train the staff to remove dead fish as soon as they see them. I can never understand why staff at LFSs or big-box stores will let little corpses float around their sales tanks -- sometimes until they're well-decayed. :yuck: Potential health problems for the remaining stock aside, I'm much more reluctant to buy from a tank that has dead fish in it.
Oh, and where should I send the bill for this "business consultation?" :laugh:
