LFS Survey

[cgrabe]

...so I've always wondered why some of the big chains, at least, don't do it.

If they provided customers with the relavent information, fish-keeping would seem like too much work and severely cut into sales. It's works out much better for them to let the customers make their own mistakes then come back to the LFS and buy more stuff to fix their mistakes. Chains don't need loyal customers.

 

[cloud]

While I agree that it's important for sales people to work with customers on what fish are appropriate, it is also important to recognize that not all hobbyists want or appreciate this service. If I walk in and say I want a yellow tang and a pair of rams, I am going to be ticked if I start getting the second degree about how these fish can't go in the same tank and that I shouldn't buy them. Acknowledge that some customers are not idiots, just as I acknowledge that some LFS workers are not idiots.

I think it's right not to treat the customers like idiots. but if your starting this business up becasue you're a fish lover, i think you need to acknowlegde that you have as much responsibility towards the fish's wellfare as to the customer's wants. I would'nt sell a fish to a customer if i though he/she wasn't going to look after the fish properly.
I think when your selling living beings, then that's one area where the customer isn't always right. Don't tick them off, but a few simple questions about their tank set up will make sure they are aware what's required of their purchase.

 

[JimK]

I really like the idea of a fact sheet for the fish or plants. Maybe an index card in a pouch next to the holding tank. Kind of like the recipie cards at the supermarket near the item being sold. I've never seen that done and I think it would be very useful. I agree that it shouldn't be too detailed, just the basics. Maybe the store info printed on the back of the card for future reference.

 

[Cearbhaill]

A motivated individual could easily start up a business of this sort with simple desktop publishing. Info cards for fish and plants customized with any LFS logo on the back. Easy to customize, easy to store and ship, marketable worldwide.
Hmmm....

 

[aquariumfishguy]

... But many stores will not hand out pamplets, if anything because it might mean less business at your store. Most LFS owners are not interested in the well being of your fish, and these same people make many $$.

 

[ryan]

The best LFS around here employs a total A-hole 75% of the time the store is open. He believes he knows everything about fish, when in reality he's a little too old school. He still uses all UGF's, doesnt see live rock as a nessecity for a saltwater tank, and patronizes every customer. He goes into every interaction assuming the customer has done something wrong already, and has no clue about fish. I can't go in there without getting a full interview before i buy. He interrogates me about if my tank is cycled and i have a heater, etc. AND after i say "yes, my tank is cycled, its been running for years now" he gives me a skeptical look and reluctantly nets me my fish.

We all want our lfs's to be informative, but be careful not to alienate the people who matter, the experienced aquariests (thats us!!).

ryan

:edit: i dont believe people who honestly care about fish should open mainstream fish shops.

The money in fish stores is in high sales volume. you dont get those by taking time to help and educate customers, and by not taking a "customer is always right" approach. It may be a pessimistic opinion but its an observation i've made. Otherwise places operate at a loss for a few years then fold into (ususally personal unless you incorperate) bankruptcy.

I think the best bet for someone who is serious about a fish buisness (that isnt purely sales/profit motivated is to specialize in a particular area of aquaria and go online with it. invite walk-in traffic but focus on getting an attractive, professional looking web site. working out shipping/billing and so forth. Also, by speciallizing the walk-in customer is more likely to be an experienced fishkeeper who needs less hand-holding.

:edit2: also, the pamphlets. lots and lots and lots of time and quite a bit of money. PLUS the thing that sets a lfs apart is variety, but when you get different things in every week, printing off pamphlets for something you may or may not continue to get in in regularity isnt practical.

 

[aquariumfishguy]

The money in fish stores is in high sales volume. you dont get those by taking time to help and educate customers, and by not taking a "customer is always right" approach. It may be a pessimistic opinion but its an observation i've made. Otherwise places operate at a loss for a few years then fold into (usually personal unless you incorperate) bankruptcy.

I couldn't agree more with that paragraph. It is right on.

 

[jspolley]

just a note on those pamplets....oddly enough, petco around where i live has them, in a rack next to the tanks, a sheet for each type of fisht hey carry,usually front and back info, with what kind of suitable tankmates you could pick, ph, temp, BW/SW needs, etc, as well as a picture...and they also have sheets on breeding, tank cycling, and the nitrogen cycle.

It's just too bad that every time that I go to PetCo, one or more tanks is quarantined because of massive breakouts of Ich or velvet...it's like, they encourage you to buy because they offer info...yet can't seem to keep the tanks from getting wiped out...I swear, i saw the WORST infection of Ich I've EVER seen the other night on some Black Skirt Tetras....truly sad...

On the other hand, I've been working for a family run LFS for a while now, and I have to say that yeah, some people just don't want to hear about how it would be a bad idea to put a crawdad in with cories. They just don't care or don't get it, I'm not too sure. But you have people like that in any aspect, because at the music store i work at the rest of the time, people could care less about the design of the instrument they are getting, or that it's a piece of junk that will probably discourage their child from playing...they just want that instrument and they want it now...and money talks and walks, so you just kinda have to do it.

I've heard of fishstores denying people the fish they want out of concern for the fish, but I'm not %100 sure that is a good idea...the idea is to be a buisness.

Anyways, my reccomendation for a LFS would be a large amount of livestock, that is very diverse, a few "unique" specimens every week (to encourage frequent buyers to return), helpful handouts that can be taken home (cuz who can remember most that stuff anyways?), employees who want to help the customers more then clean the shelves, healthy (and corpse free) tanks, and an easy to navigate and explore layout.

Hope this helps....