What do YOU want from your LFS?

[Jaws]

Alright everybody. This is everyone's chance from the island to let their LFS know what they're looking for in a fish store. Don't leave out any details and try to be as polite and open as possible. Keep in mind that prices will and should be slightly higher than the mainland due to additional shipping costs and the inability to do mass orders because there are less consumers on the island than the mainland. If you don't mind, I'll go first:


I would like my LFS to be polite and helpful when I walk through the door. I want a knowledgable, trustworthy staff that asks questions about what I'm buying and my setup so they can offer their opinion if they think I could be doing something differently or making a wrong decision. I realize that most stores only have one, maybe two, employees who know enough about the topic to give a proper answer. If you're not one of those people, simply say "I'm sorry, I'm the wrong person to answer that question and I don't in any way want to give you a wrong answer so hang on and I'll go get someone who does know the answer".

SELECTION - Now this doesn't mean I want every item that's available on the planet, but I want the option to look through an order book or something similar and special order things that a store doesn't normally carry on their shelf. I don't expect a store to carry a $1500 skimmer because if they get stuck with it for a while, that's a big hit to take. I'm particularly more interested in the high end stuff and eventhough most stores will order this stuff for you, most people don't know that and most stores will jack the price when doing so. Which brings me to my next point...

PRICE - Like I say, if we all don't understand that prices on the island are always going to be slightly higher then I pray none of us open up our own business because it's going to be a struggle. However, what most LFS don't realize is that by jacking the prices on high end stuff, they are losing a lot of business on the little stuff too. I know that if most of us buy something expensive from a Vancouver supplier then we're usually going to add a few extras into the order while we're at it. Most stores make their money on fish, corals, food, supplements, etc. If you can bring locals into your store with attractive prices on high end stuff (slightly higher than the mainland due to additional expenses to the store) then they are going to buy everything else from you too.

ADVERTISING - I love the idea of having a monthly special. Maybe just to Canreefers, maybe to everyone, but I know that if I saw my LFS name every month, promoting their company and what they have to offer, they're going to be one of the first places I think of when I'm looking to buy something. I know advertising is very expensive and I don't believe in radio advertising. Canreef however, is a fairly inexpensive method of advertising and everyone that sees my tank or I even have a related conversation with, I always recommend going to Canreef to check it out. I've given out this address hundreds of times. Nothing speaks to a person more than a visual display too. Whether it's in a newspaper (must be colour of course), in a brochure or setup in someone's front window in an office, nothing's going to attract someone more than an achievable setup that they can see in their own place. And get involved with your community! Hold frag swaps, hold seminars or clinics for your customers, explaining the hobby better to them so they can ask questions and you can answer for everybody to hear. Just a thought.


The only other thing I'd like but is kind of hard to ask for is a chargeable transaction for someone who can come out to my location for a consultation or assistance if needed. You want something to help you pull away from the competition, there it is guys.


Well, that about sums it up for me. I just want everyone to know that this is my polite opinion and in no way is it meant to criticise anyone or their way of doing things. Everyone is welcome to agree or disagree with my statements but please don't bash me if you feel I'm wrong in any way. If you disagree, don't use quotes from me to point out things I said that are wrong, just say you disagree and type how you would like things. And don't single out any store using names either. Just say what you want in any LFS. I really hope that everybody from the island posts on this because I've got a pretty good feeling that all the LFS monitor this site. I look forward to seeing everyone else's opinions.

PS - Be Polite.

[Johnny Reefer]

I think I've said enough in other threads and choose to opt out of this one, beyond this post.

As every CanReefer probably knows, by now, I've talked directly to the LFS I choose to shop at. I think they (LFS) already know what I'd like to see and that's good enough for me.

Sorry J.

Cheers,

[HimSelf]

What do I want?.........COMPETITION!!!!

Why Vancouver has the lowest prices around Canada? Well just count the number of stores. The LFS on the Island are making a killing!! Lets look at Nanaimo. How many places can I buy fish? Petcetra, My fish tank, maybe Wal-mart? Now what is the population of this town? That's a lot of business. Of course you might say there is more people in Vancouver then in Nanaimo but at the same time how many stores do you have in Vancouver? Second what is the over head cost for a fish store in Nanaimo? You would think that alone will off set the high shipping cost!

Let’s look at a fish store in downtown Vancouver. How big is their target market? Maybe 5 or even let’s say 8Km range. Why can they offer cheaper prices, better selections when they are paying hug rent and facing many competition. Now lets look at Nanaimo again. There is almost close to a monopoly here. With a target market that is far greater then a 8km radius in downtown Vancouver. What is going on???

No competition!!!!

Can you tell me why the LFS should get better prices, more selection, or any other things you want? After all you will be in that store if they had it or not. You don't have a choice!!

If I own a LFS in Nanaimo I would just sit here and laugh at you. I would just say to you "see you at the store" (That is why I don't own one!)

When you have a monopoly the focus is not about service, product, or the well being of the customer. Is about revenues and how I can keep this monopoly!!!

I'm only using Nanaimo because I just moved here and I don't know the LFS in other parts of the island. One thing I'm sure now is that I will be buying lost of hardware on E-bay and other online shopping sites. But I will still be going to the LFS......what other options do I have?

I miss Vancouver and all the LFS over there. The closes thing of looking at some fish other then my own is from my screen saver

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Somehow, I think this last posting misses the whole point of this thread.

This thread is about what the existing LFS can do to improve customer satisfaction. More competition means your comments are targeted at other (new) people considering going into the industry, not existing businesses.

Things like well maintained tanks that make customers want to buy a fish or coral to put into their own tanks or proper lighting over reef tanks so the customer can see the corals in a healthier environment are what I would like to see in any LFS I plan to buy from. If the LFS doesn't put in the effort to take care of the fish/corals, then I am less likely to frequent that establishment. These are steps that Island LFS can do to increase their biz because customers will buy more & product turnover will be faster & so they can order more frequently, which will lead to more sales.....

Poorly maintained or lighted tanks hurt sales because you end up keeping the corals/fish for a long time or until they die due to the tank conditions.

Anthony

[Jaws]

Good point. Thanks. I know for one that walking into a store with a tank covered in algae is not the most appealing thing when I'm looking for a healthy supplier of corals. Equipment's a big thing. The store should be setting an example of their knowledge by using the proper equipment.

I know there's more people out there with opinions on what LFS can do to improve customer satisfaction. And like I say, this is not intended to bash LFS but moreso inform them on what people would like them to do to become their number one choice and therefor benefit the store as well. Again, please don't single any places out, this is a friendly post.

[Scavenger]

Though it is a long shot due to time and manpower used for a cost efficient store, I'd like to see some LFS's run up to date websites. They could use this to announce what livestock they have, are getting, and estimated arrival dates, costs, ect.
It would be nice for those who have to travel a bit to at least have some idea of what is in stock and when the best time to travel for a wanted specimen is. I find if you phone a LFS and give them a 2 page wish list of wanted things, they understandably aren't to keen on checking stock during busy periods.

[leslr]

I would like to see some Pic's or a picture file(similar to J&L website) by the tank's with a brief discription of what you are looking at. Besides the cost/price, what it's basic needs are ie: Min Tank size reg'd, Feeding, High/Low water flow,Min Lighting Req'd, does it like to be near the top/middle/bottom area of the tank. What does it look like closed/open.Is it in fact Reef Safe. A lot ot us or our mates do not know everything and are / can be easily misled at times. I know when I go into the LFS with my wife (she has the money) to look at something that might be future addition to our tank I have to remind her of that at times. I've even had to go and find someone to ask ,which may be to some a silly question,but when you are paying top $ for a piece of something that is alive you want the best for it fish or coral it dosn't matter.
I had a LFS sell my wife a very pretty snail. She was told it would be a perfect addition to our little nano. It turned out the purfect, pretty little snail was in fact a murix? And proceeded to eat our favourite turbo's.
Anyway thats my 2 cents worth.
dave.

[Troy F]

I like to see a website. J&L's began as strictly an on-line store and I still preferred them to anyone else. It's nice to see products on-line and be able to research and what not.

I like to see decent display tanks and healthy livestock that are given the requirements needed.

Decent prices. I got soaked on my first Icecap 660 compared to prices nowadays and yet it was the best price I could get locally so it didn't really matter.

I don't really care if someone gives me attention until I'm ready to pay or point out the particular livestock I want. I've yet to find a place that won't answer questions when you ask. There have been places where I didn't really want to hear the answers but that's besides the point.

I think J&L's did a really good job of raising the bar and other stores have had to work hard to stay in the same ballpark. It's nice that there are now a few stores that offer competition.

My biggest pet peave is seeing tanks full of pacific host anemones wasting away. Won't mention the store but my last few visits were pretty depressing.

[HimSelf]

Is very nice to read some of the things people like to see in their LFS.

However the most important thing is how are we going to make the LFS implement these suggestions? We have to look at the root of the problem here on the island! There is lack of competition therefore lack of incentives for improvement!

The reason why I did not post what I like to see at a LFS because you have to get to the root of the problem and that is how you can get results. You can’t get to C from A unless you pass B and I'm not going to wast my time telling the LFS on the island what would be nice to add when it is not going to go any where.

P.S:
Anthony if you are still not happy with me not buying your hood and lights I hope you can get over it by now. If you have a problem with me then call me. You got my number and I can try to work it out with you but don’t follow me around on the forum and try to bash me ok?

Cheers

[Chaloupa]

My Ideal Store;
I would like to walk into the store, see some nicely set up tanks with them lit up like our own tanks at home are (or could be with your help), using the products that they sell and recommmend, and CLEAN...that means glass inside and OUT, substrate, ornaments, and floor area around the tanks, I also want the right fish or animal on the glass so that at no point do I have to ask the price (to some people asking the price is embarassing)...I should be able to see it on the glass. Lets face it, if we see a beautiful setup online, and then go to the LFS and they have a beauty set up...we want to mimic THAT tank...we want to own that....provide us with the stuff to do it!

-I want a store that the employee just says HI so that I know someone saw me whether they have people in front of them or not a quick "HI" is easy, and lets me browse uninterupted. I do like to see name tags and if you are a pet store that sells more than reef stuff indicate on the name tag which area that employee specializes in (a big thing for me so I can directly ask for someone) I don't like to be pestered, but I don't like to be ignored because I don't look like I have a ton of cash ready to spend..the person who drove up in the Lexus could have $10.00 to spend and the person in a T and shorts could have $1000.00 to spend as their grandma just left them some cash....every customer has potential and needs to be seen as such

-I am also big on selection. Some stores have really good stock levels and variety-that is important. I do travel to the South Island on a regular basis and don't want to have the trip wasted because there was nothing to see or buy....it is still an impulse sort of hobby at times...we know what we have room for in our tanks but we also know the fine line that would allow that extra Goby or such to come home with us...if there is no stock we can't buy it. Having a bit of information is very very handy too. A lot of us are newbies and don't know each behaviour or quirk that a fish may have so info on tank size, habits, reef or not, etc would help.

-pricing...well thats a tough one, some of us (myself included) would rather pay a few dollars more so that we don't have to travel to Vancouver to purchase things and we have a bit of a relationship with the LFS staff who can let us know how things are eating and behaving etc....but to not scalp us, I understand the extra shipping issues etc BUT if we reefers can bring in an online order for ourselves and onlyourselves and the shipping isn't horrendous why would it be for the LFS?

-a web site that is updated OFTEN would help so we can all see what arrived and how fast we have to drive to get there first! a good website says alot...I visit J&L often to just look at stuff

That is my 2 cents (ok with the length of it maybe my several bucks!)...I can't say the # of times that I have come back from a fish shopping expedition and am disappointed....give us service, give us stock and all will be well!