LFS that lie.

[Slick Fork]

I have a bit of a hard time with the image of the big bad retailer picking on the poor sweet honest consumer.

Most of the bad advice I see in LFS's is just that. Bad advice from employees who have great intentions but limited experience. No single person can know it all and ultimately the onus should be on the consumer to check several sources and make an informed decision. I think the actual instances of something more sinister going on, like deliberate misleading of a customer, are very rare.

So, do your own research... take everything ANYBODY says with a grain of salt because everybody has their own opinion even if it's not a particularly qualified one. Give the sales guys/employees the benefit of the doubt, 99 times out of a hundred they're just trying to be helpful and yes, they should know when to say "I don't know" but sometimes pride does get in the way. As for the rare occasions when someone is deliberately mislead, those are unfortunate, but the stores are digging their own grave.

And really, when we hear a story like Sharuq's about a woman who dropped $1000 on a strip light and cannister filter we all shake our heads and curse the LFS that sold it. But when you give it a moments thought, any waterhead who will drop that kind of money without doing even the most basic research, probably shouldn't be keeping fish in the first place. They should maybe stick to hamsters or sea monkeys or something like that.

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

I have a bit of a hard time with the image of the big bad retailer picking on the poor sweet honest consumer.

Most of the bad advice I see in LFS's is just that. Bad advice from employees who have great intentions but limited experience. No single person can know it all and ultimately the onus should be on the consumer to check several sources and make an informed decision. I think the actual instances of something more sinister going on, like deliberate misleading of a customer, are very rare.

So, do your own research... take everything ANYBODY says with a grain of salt because everybody has their own opinion even if it's not a particularly qualified one. Give the sales guys/employees the benefit of the doubt, 99 times out of a hundred they're just trying to be helpful and yes, they should know when to say "I don't know" but sometimes pride does get in the way. As for the rare occasions when someone is deliberately mislead, those are unfortunate, but the stores are digging their own grave.

And really, when we hear a story like Sharuq's about a woman who dropped $1000 on a strip light and cannister filter we all shake our heads and curse the LFS that sold it. But when you give it a moments thought, any waterhead who will drop that kind of money without doing even the most basic research, probably shouldn't be keeping fish in the first place. They should maybe stick to hamsters or sea monkeys or something like that.

+1

Two words: Caveat Emptor.

No one is putting a gun to head and forcing you to buy something.

[Aquattro]

Personally, I'd like to hear from all the vendors on the horror stories dealing with us customers!!

[BlueWorldAquatic]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Personally, I'd like to hear from all the vendors on the horror stories dealing with us customers!!

Honestly since I took over Blue World June 1st, I have had only 1 "customer" (not really a customer) that I would really not want to see again. Everyone else has been so open and accomodating it is amazing. I thank you for your patience in our time of crazyness and adjustment, we're just trying to get everything in place for the fall rush to server everone better.

As for the "Customer", I was suprised in the fact that she didn't want help from one of my employees since he was a "kid" (Taylor), this kid has more knowledge and heart than most teenagers I see know-a-days.

I was helping another customer, Shannon had her hands full with the Seahorse tank, and Taylor became avaliable. This customer asked Shannon for her help, but since she was preoccupied, and that she saw Taylor finishing up with someone else, she aske him to help the customer.

This "customer" demanded that Shannon help her, and didn't want a "Kid" to help her, and stormed out. Screaming that we just lost her sale. SHannon followed the "customer" out and tried to diffuse the anger to no avail.

Unfortunately we lost our fist "customer", but with "customers" like that, I don't care if you want to buy out the whole store, I can do without.

If this is the worst I see, I can see myself in this business for a long time.

Ken - BWA

[Aquattro]

Ken, give it a bit, your collection of stories will increase . A friend of mine used to run a really cool little freshwater boutique type store, and one day this guy comes in with what is obviously a year old or more powerhead. He wanted his money back. Steve asks him what's wrong withit, guy say nothing, just don't need it anymore. lol But he won't accept the fact that he can't return the used PH for a refund and starts getting cranky about it. It took over 30 minutes to get this guy to leave.

But there are the customers that always want a deal, you're making too much, and the fish died that you sold me 6 months ago, I want a new one etc....And talk about lying...sir, how did your fish die? Idunno...(knowing full well that little Billy dumped dish soap in tank).
I've spent a lot of time in fish stores, and trust me, I've got more customer stories than employee stories

[muck]

Originally Posted by BlueWorldAquatic

Unfortunately we lost our fist "customer", but with "customers" like that, I don't care if you want to buy out the whole store, I can do without.

If this is the worst I see, I can see myself in this business for a long time.

Ken - BWA

Hmm. I haven't been to your store yet Ken...OBVIOUSLY.