My aquarist rant
- Thread starter wesleydnunder
- Start date
Dangerdoll
Global Moderator
I believe that we all know it is education that is lacking. People do not (for the most part) educate themselves prior to purchasing fish tanks and fish to put in them. The big box pet stores are there to make money. 1 + 1 = 2. If uneducated buyers shop at pet shops that only care about dollars, then this will go on. I think that forums such as this are doing their very best to help combat the situation, but I honestly do not see a solution. It is like the poor tiger. He is there for the pleasure of the observers, and not because it is a good place for him. We humans really need to take a good long look at the manner in which we treat animals of all kinds.
Tifftastic
"With your powers combined . . ."
While I agree that the big boxes are there to make money, not all of the employees are. I worked in the pet care section of PetSmart for 6 years, not because the pay was good, but because I loved the animals and I loved educating customers about the animals.
While the education and knowledge of the salesperson is important....the education of the consumer is as equal or more so, IMO. An educated consumer will disregard poor advice from a salesperson. A poorly educated consumer will follow the uneducated salesperson's advice readily. And add to that, the poorly educated consumer ignoring the knowledgeable salesperson's advice.
Only if the consumer truly cares about animals will they self correct. And to be honest, most folks do not consider fish as animals.
Only if the consumer truly cares about animals will they self correct. And to be honest, most folks do not consider fish as animals.
Tiff, I think that is wonderful, but from my experience you are one in a million.
Tifftastic
"With your powers combined . . ."
I think a lot of that has to do with the environment that management creates. I worked with a lot of different people in my time there and under the first two assistant store managers, we had amazing people at the wall (how we referred to our department because of the "fish wall"). However, under the third assistant manager all hell broke loose and we continuously brought in people who, with the exception of a few of my favorites, were only there for money and stood by the old "it's just a fish" and "the customer is always right" sayings. I'd say I'm more like 1 in 10, but the environment that is necessary to create customer service employees like me is much more rare.
I just get irritated with blanket statements about big boxes vs mom and pops. I have seen some truly horrendous mom and pops in my time that would make me want to never set foot in one again, if I used a blanket statement to judge them.
I just get irritated with blanket statements about big boxes vs mom and pops. I have seen some truly horrendous mom and pops in my time that would make me want to never set foot in one again, if I used a blanket statement to judge them.
As for any lfs, they do have to make a living...& there's only so much "teaching" many of us, experienced & newb, are willing to take in any 1 visit. There's a M + P shop in SF that won't sell you fish unless you bring in a water sample if they don't "know" you.
My favorite Mass & Mich shops tried to explain fish needs but at some point $$ talks or customer walks...& sometimes they just want to sell you something, anything you may "need". I've found Big Boxes only slightly less in general knowledge but my favs are willing & able to "talk fish" if it's not busy & those are the ones I love!
My favorite Mass & Mich shops tried to explain fish needs but at some point $$ talks or customer walks...& sometimes they just want to sell you something, anything you may "need". I've found Big Boxes only slightly less in general knowledge but my favs are willing & able to "talk fish" if it's not busy & those are the ones I love!
The best education I ever got was from a fishkeeping friend who was more educated than me and willing to share her knowledge. It would be nice if all newbies found someone like her. (Unfortunately, she didn't cross my path until I was 30 and had given up on fishkeeping; she convinced me to give it another try).
