LFS survey
- Thread starter Irish563
- Start date
oh.. one more thing.
consider selling things on consignment.. let people advertise their used tanks in the store,
or give you their fry for store credit.
in otherwords, work with the customers you have. if they can get rid of their excess, they're more likely to buy more stuff from you.
if i had been able to get rid of my molly fry, i would have bought something new.. instead, most of my 55gallon tank is just mollys.. which i got for basically free. (bought one pregnant molly for a dollar)
make you customers your friends. dont be a pain.
consider selling things on consignment.. let people advertise their used tanks in the store,
or give you their fry for store credit.
in otherwords, work with the customers you have. if they can get rid of their excess, they're more likely to buy more stuff from you.
if i had been able to get rid of my molly fry, i would have bought something new.. instead, most of my 55gallon tank is just mollys.. which i got for basically free. (bought one pregnant molly for a dollar)
make you customers your friends. dont be a pain.
Make sure your employees are friendly. A local store around here has a lady working there that is a terrible employee. She sits outside and smokes most of the time and does not offer to help you at all unless you go outside and get her. The other workers are great though.
Another thing I like is when stores have actual tanks setup and decorated along with the wall of tanks with random fish for sale. The same local store has a very nice 75 gallon cichlid tank with full decorated that looks like a personal tank. They also have a 125 saltwater setup with live rock and all the saltwater stuff. This lets the customer see how the fish naturally act in the own tank not all stressed out in an empty tank in the sale wall.
Another thing I like is when stores have actual tanks setup and decorated along with the wall of tanks with random fish for sale. The same local store has a very nice 75 gallon cichlid tank with full decorated that looks like a personal tank. They also have a 125 saltwater setup with live rock and all the saltwater stuff. This lets the customer see how the fish naturally act in the own tank not all stressed out in an empty tank in the sale wall.
a bulletin board is a good idea. if someone wants to get rid of a fish/tank/equipment and you don't have room to keep it, they can put up flyers on your board. you become less "just a store" and more of a community.
start a blog and let your customers know about it. when the tanks are clean and the store is slow, you don't have anything else to do. . . . reflections on your fish, news items about fishkeeping, updated stock lists (i hate it when i go to a website and the stock list hasn't been updated in three months), information about new products, blog-advertised specials, links to good informative websites, Q&A section.
i like the idea of having fully set-up display tanks. if you do that, have the fish that are in them available for sale. it doesn't have to be those exact fish (what a pain to catch them) but keep that species in stock. it's annoying when the coolest fish in the place are not available. one store had a 5 or 6 inch gold nugget pleco in a tank, and they refused to sell it. it was in a bowed (broken top support) tank that they didn't even clean because they thought it would break if they touched it. eventually it died and they didn't even know - one day it was ragged and grey, and when i went back the next week it was actually a pile of bones, still hiding under the driftwood. if they had let me buy it, it would still be alive today.
have good quality driftwood in stock.
start a blog and let your customers know about it. when the tanks are clean and the store is slow, you don't have anything else to do. . . . reflections on your fish, news items about fishkeeping, updated stock lists (i hate it when i go to a website and the stock list hasn't been updated in three months), information about new products, blog-advertised specials, links to good informative websites, Q&A section.
i like the idea of having fully set-up display tanks. if you do that, have the fish that are in them available for sale. it doesn't have to be those exact fish (what a pain to catch them) but keep that species in stock. it's annoying when the coolest fish in the place are not available. one store had a 5 or 6 inch gold nugget pleco in a tank, and they refused to sell it. it was in a bowed (broken top support) tank that they didn't even clean because they thought it would break if they touched it. eventually it died and they didn't even know - one day it was ragged and grey, and when i went back the next week it was actually a pile of bones, still hiding under the driftwood. if they had let me buy it, it would still be alive today.
have good quality driftwood in stock.
Last edited:
make sure to find a place that has quality dwarf gouramis. they are extremely popular since they are so colorful naturally, but most stocks have been of lower quality latley.
also, try to get proven breeding pairs into the mix. there are probably enthsists that would like to start breeding their own fish, and then after that you can offer them store credit for the fry they bring in. of course, you can sell those when they are big enough, and you will kow that they are quality stock.
keep the tanks clean. dont hook up to one of those central filtration systems. with those, if one fish has ich chances are they all will in about a day or so. you can though, connect two or three tanks that have the same species of fish coming from the same place, but it would be better if each tank had its own filtration.
dont try to sell miricle cycling products or pH raiser/s reducers. people like it better whne they dont have to buy 800 things to keep there water in a narrow window. stock biospira regualrly, but advertise fishless cycling more often that using the biospira. you amy even want to have a seperate tank to sell seeded media, and that would sell very fast because people like to get fish in their tanks ASAP.
stay away from dyed fish
give a whole bunch of good info. if you dont know the answer to a question, you can always reffer them to come here. they will thank you more if they get the right answer to their question here where you know they will rather than guessing and then having their tank turn out in disaster.
try not to sell fish that wont go together or will get to big for a tank. go ahead and stock with oscars and kissing gouramis and other fish that easily reach 12 inches, but make sure to tell the people buying them that they will eventually need at least a 75 gallon tank because they just get so huge. do not thoug, have pacu or ID sharks available. if people want the giant fish like pacu, aros, shovelnose, red tail cats, etc. make sure that they can prove that they have a big enough tank and then tell them that you'd be happy to order for them.
stay away from common plecos. otos and bristlenose will sell better because they do the same job except 50 times better and stay much, much smaller. try not to sell plecos to tanks that are smaller than 10 gallons.
try to stock some monthly "specials" with "rarer" fish that people wouldnt usually see in big chain stores. offer to order fish for people that dont see what they are looking for.
also, try to get proven breeding pairs into the mix. there are probably enthsists that would like to start breeding their own fish, and then after that you can offer them store credit for the fry they bring in. of course, you can sell those when they are big enough, and you will kow that they are quality stock.
keep the tanks clean. dont hook up to one of those central filtration systems. with those, if one fish has ich chances are they all will in about a day or so. you can though, connect two or three tanks that have the same species of fish coming from the same place, but it would be better if each tank had its own filtration.
dont try to sell miricle cycling products or pH raiser/s reducers. people like it better whne they dont have to buy 800 things to keep there water in a narrow window. stock biospira regualrly, but advertise fishless cycling more often that using the biospira. you amy even want to have a seperate tank to sell seeded media, and that would sell very fast because people like to get fish in their tanks ASAP.
stay away from dyed fish
give a whole bunch of good info. if you dont know the answer to a question, you can always reffer them to come here. they will thank you more if they get the right answer to their question here where you know they will rather than guessing and then having their tank turn out in disaster.
try not to sell fish that wont go together or will get to big for a tank. go ahead and stock with oscars and kissing gouramis and other fish that easily reach 12 inches, but make sure to tell the people buying them that they will eventually need at least a 75 gallon tank because they just get so huge. do not thoug, have pacu or ID sharks available. if people want the giant fish like pacu, aros, shovelnose, red tail cats, etc. make sure that they can prove that they have a big enough tank and then tell them that you'd be happy to order for them.
stay away from common plecos. otos and bristlenose will sell better because they do the same job except 50 times better and stay much, much smaller. try not to sell plecos to tanks that are smaller than 10 gallons.
try to stock some monthly "specials" with "rarer" fish that people wouldnt usually see in big chain stores. offer to order fish for people that dont see what they are looking for.
I guess I should just tell you what I love about our lfs.
I wish more fish stores were like our favorite lfs
- They are very friendly and honest.
- They know what we have and steer us away from animals, fish and products that won't work in our tanks, or are unnecessary expenditures.
- They often give us small items and even have given us fish at times.
- If they don't know something about a fish, they will look it up for us.
- They are never to busy to answer our questions even over the phone.
- Their store is neat and clean and the tanks look great.
- I can call them and say I need a XX gallon tank, stand, etc and only have $xxx to spend and by the time I get there they will have package deal figured out for me (itemized, of course) that will be the best price for the quality I specified.
- Their employees are knowledgeable and helpful
- They have the new arrivals in tanks on the show floor, even though they are still in quarantine, so that we can see what will be available in a week or two.
- They have taken plants out of their personal show tank when I was looking for a specific kind of plant that they didn't have for sell at the time.
- They've bargained in our behalf on a used SW tank one of their other customers was selling, and got us an excellent price.
- They host the local fish club meetings at the store after hours.
- Some of the stock changes regularly, so there is always something new in stock. Then, of course they keep the standards (certain cichlids, tetras, guppies, etc) in stock at all time.
- The store is organized in such a way that it is easy to find what you want - semi-aggressives next to semi-aggressives, etc. And there is clear demarcation between the SW and the FW sections.
- They keep their prices reasonable. Prime is the same price there as it is at PetSmart. Their fish are the same or close to the same price as the big box stores. Even when I have to pay a little more for livestock there, I know I am getting healthy fishes and inverts.
I wish more fish stores were like our favorite lfs
Things I hate about LFS's
1. Not open on sunday, or close before 5 any day of the week. I don't mind if a store opens later, but having an early closing time REALLY limits customers.
2. sell only the same stuff you see at chains
3. only sell a few things, like the only plecos being commons
4. not removing dead or dying fish
5. central filtration and no qt
6. mislabled, no labels
7. untrained employees
I've thought a little along these lines, and a few ideas always stick out.
too many LFS i've seen try to compete with the chain stores, they have the same drygoods, the same fish and the same problems. They push the same wrong fish to the same customers who don't know an otto from an oscar. I think for a LFS to be really successful, they need to know what every store in a 30 mile radius normally carries, then determine whats a seller to overlap with, and what to be distinct on. If you can, offer locally raised fish. Wow your customers, never underestimate to power of a 2ft pleco, and then explain why that little common could be a problem in that 10g they want to buy. Have suitable replacements on hand, like bristlenoses and other dwarf species, and clearly mark species that get to large for common tank sizes.
No matter what you do, you'll always have three types of people come in:
Those that know nothing, and know it
those that know nothing, and think they know everything
and those that know things
the first and third are easy to deal with, they either know exactly what they want, or they wil listen to what you tell them they want. the 2nd group is the worst, they are the ones that will demand an oscar for their 30g. not much you can do there.
Advertise on the internet, be an actual presence on local fish boards and internet forums. a webpage is great, but keep it updated. make friends with any local groups. don't be afraid to special order, and QT what is ordered. a good fish store has the ability to draw serious customers to it, and while they may not be the bread and butter, they are what makes it fun, just be careful not to give away the store in freebies and discounts.
1. Not open on sunday, or close before 5 any day of the week. I don't mind if a store opens later, but having an early closing time REALLY limits customers.
2. sell only the same stuff you see at chains
3. only sell a few things, like the only plecos being commons
4. not removing dead or dying fish
5. central filtration and no qt
6. mislabled, no labels
7. untrained employees
I've thought a little along these lines, and a few ideas always stick out.
too many LFS i've seen try to compete with the chain stores, they have the same drygoods, the same fish and the same problems. They push the same wrong fish to the same customers who don't know an otto from an oscar. I think for a LFS to be really successful, they need to know what every store in a 30 mile radius normally carries, then determine whats a seller to overlap with, and what to be distinct on. If you can, offer locally raised fish. Wow your customers, never underestimate to power of a 2ft pleco, and then explain why that little common could be a problem in that 10g they want to buy. Have suitable replacements on hand, like bristlenoses and other dwarf species, and clearly mark species that get to large for common tank sizes.
No matter what you do, you'll always have three types of people come in:
Those that know nothing, and know it
those that know nothing, and think they know everything
and those that know things
the first and third are easy to deal with, they either know exactly what they want, or they wil listen to what you tell them they want. the 2nd group is the worst, they are the ones that will demand an oscar for their 30g. not much you can do there.
Advertise on the internet, be an actual presence on local fish boards and internet forums. a webpage is great, but keep it updated. make friends with any local groups. don't be afraid to special order, and QT what is ordered. a good fish store has the ability to draw serious customers to it, and while they may not be the bread and butter, they are what makes it fun, just be careful not to give away the store in freebies and discounts.
I don't know all that much about LFS's in other areas because there is only one anywhere near where I live, but I like it because the people are knowledgable. Also, I like the fact that although they always have certain fish in stock, every time I go in I see a new fish or product. The only problem with it is it's quite small, 2 and a half small walls of tanks. What I really like about it is its open late, (until 8 on saturdays)
I have thought about this myself in the past.
couple of things to keep in mind.
DO your homework! - not only do you need to know what you are selling but you need to know how and to whom you are selling it. don't be afraid to ask some questions when you are talking to the customer. Too often you can prevent a return by just asking a couple of questions at the beginning of the sale.
Contact and keep in contact with your local Aquarium Societies - contact them and stay in contact with them. They will provide you with free advertising so long as you maintain your stock and supplies up to their level. someone also mentioned display tanks... why not ask your local aquarium society to set up a display for you.
Organisation - keep your store organised. We all love to complain about the big stores.. but visit them and learn how they stock their shelves... they have spent tens of thousands of dollars leaning the best way to stock their shelves. Learn from them.
Visit the competition - know what they are stocking and for how much.
Make sure your employees are trained properly!
Set up some sales guidelines and stick to them! (i.e. won't sell to minors unaccompanied by a guardian, etc.)
Learn who your regulars are and treat them well!
When hiring staff, hire kids from the high school that are interested in going into veternary studies or if you have a college near you hire students that are studying vet services.
Don't sell the genetically modified fish or died fish and state plainly why you do not!
Take special orders from those special clients.
QT your fish and show that you are QT'ing them. My LFS lowers the tank water level on all QT tanks and puts up a sign on the tank that the contents are not for sale. All the regulars immediately know that if the water is down on the tank buy the lowered water conditions at my LFS
Lastly and most importantly fullfill on your obligations and promises when you say you will. Nothing will irritate your customers more than obfuscating and avoiding. If you say something will be in on Monday make sure it is there on Monday.
couple of things to keep in mind.
DO your homework! - not only do you need to know what you are selling but you need to know how and to whom you are selling it. don't be afraid to ask some questions when you are talking to the customer. Too often you can prevent a return by just asking a couple of questions at the beginning of the sale.
Contact and keep in contact with your local Aquarium Societies - contact them and stay in contact with them. They will provide you with free advertising so long as you maintain your stock and supplies up to their level. someone also mentioned display tanks... why not ask your local aquarium society to set up a display for you.
Organisation - keep your store organised. We all love to complain about the big stores.. but visit them and learn how they stock their shelves... they have spent tens of thousands of dollars leaning the best way to stock their shelves. Learn from them.
Visit the competition - know what they are stocking and for how much.
Make sure your employees are trained properly!
Set up some sales guidelines and stick to them! (i.e. won't sell to minors unaccompanied by a guardian, etc.)
Learn who your regulars are and treat them well!
When hiring staff, hire kids from the high school that are interested in going into veternary studies or if you have a college near you hire students that are studying vet services.
Don't sell the genetically modified fish or died fish and state plainly why you do not!
Take special orders from those special clients.
QT your fish and show that you are QT'ing them. My LFS lowers the tank water level on all QT tanks and puts up a sign on the tank that the contents are not for sale. All the regulars immediately know that if the water is down on the tank buy the lowered water conditions at my LFS
Lastly and most importantly fullfill on your obligations and promises when you say you will. Nothing will irritate your customers more than obfuscating and avoiding. If you say something will be in on Monday make sure it is there on Monday.
selling more varietys of species like tetras , barbs , catfish and other fish that will actually be comfortable in a tank that the average fish keeper will have , they can special order big fish (common pleco , oscar etc ) . my main thing against stores around here is unless you have a 150 gallon tank you have to have the neons , mollies , platys and swordtails .
sell decent stuff only , not the junk that is innacurate , will break , you will have to replace .
i know i would rather pay more for fish if i know they have been quarantined and i know that you will not sell a 3" common pleco and a 10 gallon tank to someone and tell them it will be fine .
sell decent stuff only , not the junk that is innacurate , will break , you will have to replace .
i know i would rather pay more for fish if i know they have been quarantined and i know that you will not sell a 3" common pleco and a 10 gallon tank to someone and tell them it will be fine .
