This is a VERY, VERY, good point. There is nothing more annoying than to try and shop while at the same time having to watch that your kid doesn't burn or electrocute himself on that metal halide that's sitting on the floor over the salt water tank with salt water on the floor. :neutral:

My LFS in Halifax used to have gravel by the cup for fish bowl customers... so we had them on buckets on the sales floor. Kids loved it... mixing colours with each other. Of course... who had to clean up? Not BATfishMAN that's for sure, the lowly PetShop boy #3.

I never even really thought about the lights! One more thing to worry about. :(

The only place I could take my little guy was Red Coral. Red Coral was so safe and roomy (with the exception of the live rock tank). It was very easy to browse the livestock and keep an eye on my son at the same time. I even let him wander around the store a little bit: so he could have a look at what he found interesting (under my watchful eye, of course). I have tried to take him into a couple of other places, but it was just far too risky to stay in the stores for any length of time.

I see you're probably probing for a LFS on ideas for change. That was always top of mind for a LFS... how are we going to get more customers? Can we increase the hobby?

The question is more fundamental than this... idealism thinking. First, improve competitiveness and soundness of business model, have good control of operational costs, find the balance of fair market price and customer market size/propensity to spend. Next, so long as there's earnings, don't get complacent and pocket the profit, return and re-invest back into the business for growth. How to grow? Cultivate and entice new entry hobbyists by having the right offerings (small tanks, lower price point fish & corals), and need to spend to communicate your offers. Go to the mall and set up a kiosk/cart with mini reef complete sets, go to the university student building and set up a table with affordable mini set ups, make a website that is informative and instills curiosity for people to come see your shop, print flyers with coupons (free goldfish coupon sells a lot of fish bowls) and give out locally... etc. And when the customers come to your shop, don't disappoint with insult pricing, lack of fit of products to customers, shop cleanliness. etc

Slightly off topic but has anyone noticed a general increase in the price of live goods throughout Calgary after RC shut down?

Things that would cost $40-$60 are hitting $70+ at the moment.
Maybe its just me, maybe costs are getting more expensive? Even what I would consider the least expensive store in Calgary seems to have higher prices than usual.

A decreased supply with steady demand would theoretically yield a price increase, have our LFS picked up on this?

Denny, you are so passionate about this hobby and those in it! :lol: YOU should open a salty store, you'd be fantastic at it. You have a vision of what it should look like and could set the new standard for others to follow!! Tonka could be your mascot for the store, think of how spoiled he'd be!! LOL

I for one sure appreciate your enthusiasm for the stores and the customers and livestock. I'm excited to see what you come up with for a new concept as you've mentioned and I'm sure it will be a great partnering!!

Ironically worded??

I'm not at the LFS much anymore since Red Coral closed, noth the same service. Not the same.

Well here goes. My thoughts on this..

As I hinted about before - location is important to me. All the stores are clustered in the north. 10 years ago, heck even 5 years ago when Elite Aquatics was still around - it was a possibility for me to do a LFS run in my lunch hour. Today this is simply impossible unless I can afford to be away at my desk for 2-3 hours. And guess what, I can't afford that, I have a job to do and I get in trouble when it doesn't get done. Weekends are worse. Put a family into the mix and your time just isn't there like in the good old days. Let's go to a fish store! Ok, 4 hours later, we're back! ... So yeah, I know people in other places have longer commutes but the fact is if you're OK with it then cool. But I'm not. And guess what? I hardly hit up LFS's anymore because it's just too time consuming. For me the whimsical LFS visit is a thing of the past.

I liked Red Coral because their new location was south-ish. I WAS able to visit there from time to time. But having said that: their location was my favourite feature of the store. Service was great too. But prices and selection were far from ideal. Luckily for them these are/were not huge on my pick-list.

Prices - lower prices are always nice but the truth is that I'm happy to pay a premium for convenience because that matters to me. Within reason, of course - the other fact is that I don't have deep pockets and if something is priced out of reach then I simply won't buy it. It's a hobby, one of many, I don't need to overspend. So lower prices are *appreciated* but far from the most important consideration for me.

In fact, the most important feature for me is cleanliness. More so than location in fact. There is one store that I only check on about once per year these days just to see if anything has changed but everytime I do go in, I am reminded why I never shop there. I will find dead and decomposing fish in several tanks every time. That is disgusting. I see disease there every time. That sickens me. I have been in this hobby a long long time and I know that things happen but this goes beyond that. Things are left to rot in those tanks. You really want to take something home and expose your established livestock to that? Of course you should QT but that goes beyond needing to QT that's more like go straight to the hospital tank. No thanks. The fact that the purveyor of the store isn't the most congenial, doesn't really matter to me. The fact that his prices are consistently the highest out of anywhere else in the city - doesn't help matters but I don't even care because I just won't shop there until I see a reason to.

I like a trip to the huge pet "supermarket" these days because there is always something neat to see - reef related or otherwise - but the 40 km drive in one direction makes it a rare thing for me. Plus the prices are HUGELY up compared to other stores. However, I do shop there from time to time. Plus they have a good selection of FW stuff (I have a planted FW tank as well as my reefs) and they are the only ones I know now who sell those New Era products (tang disks) and I don't know where else to get them - so I go there happily when the opportunity allows for it.

The other "big box" store that's just around the corner from everyone's favourite tank builder - I honestly love this place. Never had an issue with livestock that I've taken home from there. Miss their south store like the DICKENS because it was like 2km from my office, but nothing lasts forever I guess. If I have time I'll poke my head in there and see what's new, sometimes I walk out with something. Usually have a great conversation too with the fish room guys. Bonus points for being next door to a R/C shop too.

There is another store that is dedicated saltwater and I'm always impressed at how clean the tanks are. Drygood selection not huge but I do appreciate the cleanliness more than I think I could ever post about. Kudos to you guys running that store for keeping it clean. I regret that I can't visit more often. Move south, dang it!

There is another store that is cramped but to give credit where credit is due: these guys care a LOT about their fish. I have absolutely no qualms about buying there because I know the guys have done their best to keep their fish healthy. Prices are usually pretty good too though, although this means that nothing stays in the store very long which puts a guy like me who can't visit every day (jeepers bye don't you have a life or a job?) are at a huge buying disadvantage. However, if there's something I want, I'll ask the guys and they do their best to find it for me. Patience is the only required input after that. So that works out well, I find.

And then there's the guy who sells mostly frags out of his basement. Great guy. Great frags. Great times when visiting. And in the south. LOVE. 'Nuff said.

haha thanks sheena, who knows maybe ill be recruited someday lol untill then...

chive on!!

lol

thanks everyone for your input so far, its all going in the vault;)


seems like we are all on the same page no?? theres def nothing wrong with the lfs we currently have...per say..... we all have the stores we like for various reasons, its nice to be able to read this and see what everyone likes or dislikes about each store....im even more amazed everyone stuck to the no names request:)

this thread isnt about bashing any store or stores , its simply to see what the public in general wants or likes and hates about their lfs.

I have been "cruising" a couple of the local Lfs stores for 15 yrs. :)

QUALITY over quantity I think is the key, for me anyway. I can wait for nice corals and fish to come in or ask to be called if they get it in.
you can have several types of corals and plenty to buy but, if they are all brown, stressed gaping and being stung by aptasia in the tanks. no matter how low you price em I aint buyin em.
There is one store I will look at fish but I pass by the coral tanks. it stresses ME out. I'd love to get in there and fix what is easily fixable. it shows a lack of care for these animals and knowledge in reef keeping.
I know aptasia can be a never ending problem but in a fish store is there really any excuse (to that degree) when you have access to all kinds of stock that eat them?

Ethics! I have reconsidered going to (or buying from stores) that carry animals that get HUGE and know darn well it won't live to half its size but will charge 2 g's for it. (a Wobegong shark!) There has to be some kind of responsibility here.

Dry goods that are not expired. was a little shocked by the amount at one store. and up to 4 yrs past the date.

Prices would be nice but I find it gives an oportunity to ask about their opinion on what is in their tanks, what they just got in, and often they point out something I have missed.

I also appreciate Honesty! there is one store that I am rather fond of despite their ups and downs at times. I find him the most Honest. I will keep going back.

If you can not stay in business by being honest about your equipment and why you do or don't stock it some of the problems with it or the company policies that sell it then I don't want to buy from you.

Cleanliness would be nice but cement floors with high traffic and water spillage is very hard to keep clean and after all I'm not buying fish from your floor. I would rather have dirty floors and clean tanks.

Tanks on the floor are Not appealing, nor safe for the fish. a few times I thought I was going to have a stingray in my lap while I looked at a tank above it. :D

Live rock tanks are a different story. it is nice to have it accessable and allows you to see a good portion of it in a glass tank. makes picking easier and you can see the condition it is in. Maybe not on the floor but waist height?

I'm not letting this one go... after doing some extensive web research (aprox 20 seconds), I have found BATfishMAN exists.

http://rafflesia-arnoldi.deviantart....hman-273967764

It just came to me, seemed the right thing to do..:)

lol :P

:rofl:

heres one.....i love it when i buy multiple things and im given a styrofoam box or any box really, theres a few spots in town that like to see you leave without the bag popping and offer boxes:)

cheers to that !

wow just read all the pages.... some good stuff in here.... but Denny you made a thread about LFS in Calgary.... and then want LFS to reply in here.... when you have no Calgary stores on here.... silly newfie....

Anyways I like all the points I hear about in this thread, only wish there was something to be learned, as we here have a) a clean floor everyday (thanks mom), b) clean tanks (refer to a) lol, c) a dedicated childrens play area (with toys!!) and d) prices on all the tanks.... with info on the requirements of the individual fish.....

So my challenge to you is.... I need more ideas that we don't already implement!

Ball is in your corner Denny!

Steve

Pm sent regarding this comment lol


Sent from my porcelain aquarium

Cheers to Steve on the play area. It's great that the kids can play while I shop

many of you have seen me with my bucket... I show up to buy your one frag and most of you are like... whoa, you don't need that bucket... I put stuff from your zip lock baggies or fish bags from the LFS into the bucket so it doesn't leak all over my car. Just a 3.5 gal Salinity bucket with lid, lives in my car trunk. Wife always knows I'm up to no good if I'm out the door with 'the bucket'

haha , i got to say your another one with the right ideas , i knew it long ago too and knew your store was gonna be different, i enjoy going in there...even if im not buying i like gong there. the tanks are laid out with space and they are clean. the store is kid safe and clean.the animals are healthy. your store is friendly i dont get the feel like im gambling there to spend money on something and i see your store is doing quite well and gets lots of good praise even all the way here in another city...and other citys too!!

thats the kind of stuff that deserves business and better yet repeat business:)



well haha ok since you asked for it :P


not enough advertising , you use to post pics that made me drool practically every week .....when we gonna get some more of that huh ?? :P

I'll take it. Looking better than 'member' :biggrin:

exactly he didnt need to do it , im sure it wasnt cheap and im sure he could have used the space for more tanks but he had an idea in mind for a comfortable area with the couch facing the display and a play area for the kids:)


and its not like he has some warehouse facility he runs a small store front...he just pre planned and utiized the space better.

Do you really have a dedicated play area? OMG. I could actually leisurely browse your store. :eek:

haha he does , and theres a big comfy couch too .

lets face it sometimes in the family were the only ones in the hobby , i know my gf use to make good use of that couch while i talked for hours lol it was much better then her waiting in the car...in which case that wouldnt be had lol

i also noticed steve you offered fragging seminars a while back and thought hey its nice to see a store offering to educate others.

seems like you want to work with the public, while others are working the public...get it lol ??:P:P

I have an abundance of quality used toys that I will happily donate to ANY local LFS that wants to set up a playarea.

Can't help in the sofa department, though. Ours are all ratty.

Anyone else here a scuba diver? If so, then you know the system of continuing education at dive shops to keep you engaged, keep you diving, and keep you as an active customer to keep you from dropping out of the hobby. Courses go from Open Water > Advanced Open Water > Rescue Diver > Dive Master > Instructor > > master instructor > coarse director (instructor of instructors)

Always thought that there would be some transfer-ability to aquarium retail.

Imagine, you have an intro to aquarium course, then specialty courses like planted tanks, breeding & rearing angelfish/dwarf cichlids, then intro to marine tanks and reef basics, followed by coral propagation, clownfish/dottyback/goby breeding and rearing, then master aquarist, and instructor... the hardest part is drafting/writing curriculum materials.

reefschool??


i get %50 of all profits for mentioning it before it was pantended:)

I've thought about this for a few years... to do this right and go big, you're really talking about being author to a series of books... one set is the instructor version, and the other set the student version with exercises and quizzes... once published, could be adopted/sold/used at any LFS. So really, it's first to author the books and sell the idea to a publisher... which I have no time for... I've been sitting on a draft of my next article for about 4 months now... so someone else run with it!

OMG that play area is brilliant! Also, I tried to sell Kevin on the idea of a big comfy couch too! When will you be expanding the franchise into Calgary?? And also...

http://soshable.com/wp-content/uploa...e-my-money.jpg

<--- advanced diver..... Padi certified in Australia..... Highly recommended

Steve

Steve I think the real problem here is that after Denny seen your store he realized how much the Calgary stores pale in comparison and was so sadden by this he felt the need to start this thread in a desperate attempt that someone in Calgary would follow your lead :wink:

haha ok its true its true lol:P


alright so how about this then:


what about dislay tanks.

i dont know about you guys but i love to see a store dislay, one of the things i like about one of the box stores here is they always have a nice large dislay......bonus points for showing off your skills!!

True its nice to see a great display but..... If the only nice stuff is in the display and nfs minus points

haha i know how that feels lol, yeah i like to see the "professionals" work , same as if i were hiring someone to do work id want to see references and pics or see their work in person is even one better.

if im going to accept advice from a guy or girl who runs a lfs i would think it would be nice to see some of their practises put into play:)

So it occurred to me tonight that I seem to have a WAY better idea of when shipments are coming in, what's in a shipment, and the stuff in said shipments are interesting ... for a handful of Edmonton LFS's but not a peep from any Calgary store.

I think the topic was brought up already but I'll just a "+1" to it now. As I look at the livestock list of AI's pending shipment. Must .. not .. be .. jealous of Edmontonians!! :lol:

Very surprised to hear this about that location. Every time I've been in there I have seen rotting fish or fish with some sort of disease. Both of which put me on edge when I'm looking to stock a large tank. Anyways, I digress.


RC really was my go to place and I shopped 99% exclusively there. Now that I'm getting back into the hobby and they are not around (locally), and my favorite tank builder has yet to start selling livestock, I'm going to have to go out of my comfort zone and shop at places I've never been comfortable going to.

That big box store has gotten much better since Andrew started working there, just wish Ryan was there more often & Megan didn't leave. I have never had any issues there either.

Myself personally I would like to be able to get list of available livestock that I can order & not wait a month to arrive. But most of all I also agree with Tony, I like to see what's coming in on shipments with prices on here or website.