Fish Nazi at LFS

I understand where the kid was coming from...because I too have read not to keep neons with rainbowfish...but I took that to mean the larger rainbows..not celebs. I also understand your point of view on not liking to be told "No..no you're wrong" when you know that you aren't. I could read up on all kinds of fish, but that does not replace hands on knowledge of them and make me an expert. I think perhaps you could have handled it a bit differently though. You told him to shut up, put his head down and bag your fish. I'm sure he felt he was right. What happens when someone purchases Red Bellied Pacu and he asks what tank size...they respond 10 gallon. He may question that customer, that customer could become as defensive as you. He remembers you and perhaps getting in trouble like when he questioned you. He then says nothing, drops his head and bags the fish. He then becomes the the horror story we hear on local fish store employees.
I think by mirroring his poor attitude back to him, you lost a valuable opportunity to educate him. I think I would have said something along these lines "Yes, it was often written in books that neons and rainbows don't mix. This information has now been proved false especially in the case of Celebs. I know where you are coming from with the information but unfortunately it is really outdated now. I could give you the name of a couple good books with more current info to read or even some web sites where you could catch up."
I could be wrong...just IMO
 
I can see both sides. I work at a LFS and we're required to ask people what's in their tank, what size it is, etc. before selling a fish. If we feel that a fish is doomed (uncycled tank, tiny/overstocked tank, tankmates will eat it, etc.) we may still sell the fish but we won't guarantee the sale - the guarantee is there to replace fish that die from disease, not tetras that get eaten by jack dempsys or goldfish stuffed into bowls that die of ammonia poisoning.

Honestly, had you said you were adding the fish to existing schools in a happy healthy community tank, I would have glady bagged the fish for you (and probably added that the more there are in the school, the more relaxed they'll be so IMO you were making a good move!) Cautioning you against mixing rainbows with tetras might have been warranted, but the attitude this guy copped by flatly saying 'choose something else' wouldn't be tolerated where I work.

We do the little 'mini interviews' to ensure that the person is aware of the animal's needs, not to upset them, and we can usually tell right off if someone knows their stuff at which point the questions usually turn into a great conversation about the customer's tank. I think the kid had a little bit of knowledge, which is a dangerous thing, and was trying to do the right thing (look ma, two cliches in one sentence!). His attitude sucks, but you did dish it back a little harshly - if anyone told me to keep my mouth shut and bag their fish, I'd refuse the sale and the manager would escort them from our department. That said, I've got much better sales skills and a lot more tact than that kid, so it's really a non-issue since I do my best not to upset customers!

I think he had reason to be concerned but took it too far. I think you had reason to be ticked off but took it too far. When it comes down to it, (watch out, here comes another cliche) you really do catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
 
I don't think you were too harsh with him at all. He really had no right refusing to sell you any fish unless it is a written store policy. He can offer his opinion all he wants and it's up to you, the customer, to take it or leave it. I probably would have done the same.
 
Blinky said:
(watch out, here comes another cliche) you really do catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
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Actually, when it comes to catching flies, you can't beat a fresh corpse :D

As for the kid and the cowboy, I think both of you went a little too far. Him refusing the fish was bogus, however. That wasn't good.

AquaRob, man, that would have been an awesome chance for you to educate someone who might have actually listened had the conversation gone a little nicer.

FWIW, I ran into the same scenerio a couple of weeks ago at Petsmart. Kid blew me away! I was grabbing a 29g for my son's goldies and he started asking me about what I was gonna put in there etc., etc.,. He was a little pushy at first, but I made a big fuss about how cool it was that he was actually asking me all these questions and was thinking of the fish first and I mentioned my rainbows and pointed out that they had the wrong sizes on their cards . . .

then he started asking me questions about different types of fish, and we got into a huge discussion about cory barbels (we both agree that it's a myth), and pacus and, gosh, we must have yapped for a good 20 minutes before my husband started giving me the evil eye. Good kid.

My husband and I both shook his hand and I told him I'd drop by and say hello more often. I also mentioned AC and told him to drop in and join the conversation.

Dunno if he will or not, but IMO we need more kids like that in places like Petsmart. Some people NEED that. The kids just need to learn how to spot the ones that need it and the ones that don't and how not to be *too* pushy.

Roan
 
Wow, good responses. Yup, I was in a bad mood. Probably should have educated him, but, he was rude and I had a headache. Bad combo. Anyways, thanks for all your input. I've decided to go back tomorrow and find out who he was and the next time he works. I will go have another chat with him about our little incident last week and see if he's interested in being educated. :idea:
 
aquarob said:
Wow, good responses. Yup, I was in a bad mood. Probably should have educated him, but, he was rude and I had a headache. Bad combo. Anyways, thanks for all your input. I've decided to go back tomorrow and find out who he was and the next time he works. I will go have another chat with him about our little incident last week and see if he's interested in being educated. :idea:
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You rock :)

Roan
 
Everyone knows that flies are spawned from meat. :D
 
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