this is not easy with a 6 year old....

If they're being that pushy, tell them something like "I am happy with the amount of fish in my tank and I don't want any more. Please do not tell my son he can have more. It makes it difficult to (insert reason to be at store here) when he is insisting on more fish". Say it in a polite tone, maybe let them know you're serious in a discreet way. They'll probably back off a little. If they don't, I would get serious with them. If they keep it up even after that, don't go to that store, at least not with your son. Some people can be that way. Try not to shop their as much if the first try doesn't work.
 
So when a child asks a LFS employee if that could get "that fish," the employee should say "no, you can't?" Is it possible by giving "yes" answers everytime the child asked him something, he was just being polite rather than trying to stock your tank? I mean, I wasn't there for the conversations of course.. just going on what you said. Maybe the employee doesn't feel it's his job to tell your child what he can't have.

Aside from that, I don't like for pet shop employees to get involved in my aquarium details anyhow. I don't bother telling them. I tell them what fish I want them to bag for me, if any, and leave it at that.
 
kimmisc said:
So when a child asks a LFS employee if that could get "that fish," the employee should say "no, you can't?" Is it possible by giving "yes" answers everytime the child asked him something, he was just being polite rather than trying to stock your tank? I mean, I wasn't there for the conversations of course.. just going on what you said. Maybe the employee doesn't feel it's his job to tell your child what he can't have.

Aside from that, I don't like for pet shop employees to get involved in my aquarium details anyhow. I don't bother telling them. I tell them what fish I want them to bag for me, if any, and leave it at that.
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Interesting. This forum and many others are full of posts and threads with stories of LFS employees giving out incorrect info and wishing the folks were better trained to give the right information and ask about tank size before they sell the fish.

For the OP, I would recommend telling your child that some employees are just trying to help, and they may not be completely aware of the tank involved and all the hard work the chid has done to get a healthy environment for the fish. You could even mention look at all the tanks they have here, and how the fish are seperated, that some fish just can not be kept with one another.
 
Well, we went back to the lfs today to pick up his 6 silver hatchets (he has 6 red phantom tetras and 3 kuhli loaches). I explained to him before we went that people do tanks differently, and, we were listening to the people on the board here for our information, the lfs people told him they have never done fishless cycling, so, he is aware you people here know of "better" techniques than the staff there...they did not have dwarf gouramis and suggested he look at larger gouramis, HE said no...I will wait for the right ones, took his 6 hatchets and is very happy....They are quite a neat fish in his tank, they LOVE his bubble wall and are putting on all kinds of shows playing in the bubbles....
Thanks again for all the help here....
Wendy
 
Make sure your lid covers your tank well. Hatches will take to the air if they can. The are really entertaining in the bubble walls.
 
Also, depending on the store, there are employees that have been there longer than others. The newer employees may not know so much about aquariums, but know more about the other pets that are in the store such as reptiles, birds or hamsters. I am pretty sure that the person in the store was just enjoying talking to your child, not trying to get him to purchase fish. I find myself spending more time talking people OUT of purchasing fish that are inappropriate for their tank. BTW, I did manage to talk a young lady out of bringing home her 7th (!) oscar for her 28 gallon tank last week. (whew!)
My two cents....
 
dont leav son at home just because lfs employees want to make a buck. Explain to him why you cant do it. He will understand. My 5 year old is great when we go to purchase fish. He is learning what we can and cant have to make a happy community. Let him say what he wishes. Sometimes we (adults) should say what we think just like kids do.
 
KnaveTO said:
I would use the opportunity to train the LFS Manager and staff the error of their ways. Mention to them the boards here and that what they are telling you and your son is being discounted by hobbiests from around North America and the globe. If they try acting superior and get defensive then I would start shopping for a new LFS. It is all about the delivery. My LFS will even ask me questions when I am in there about plecos so that they learn. That is what makes a good employee and store.
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:iagree:

Good straightforwardness is what the world needs! My LFS is run by college boys who really don't offer much in terms of anything. They don't pressure anyone to buy anything, but they don;t offer suggestions either. I find the best info at my local major pet store chain. The aquarium manager is quite knowledgeable. He is older (early 60's) and has kept fish for over fourty years. He really loves his job too as he enjoys being around the fish- far from the teenage staff that often work along side him who just want a summer job. There is another guy there my age who also is very knowledgeable, and he will warn customers about overstocking, cycling, etc. I go there when possible because those two guys keep the tanks clean and nice, the fish always look healthy and I enjoy talking with the older gentleman.
I imagine it would be hard with a child, especially when dealing with pushy staff. Maybe let him do some online "shopping" via photos, after you narrow down the options?
 
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