Wow. someone rescue these fishes

[BlueWorldAquatic]

It's not the small LFS that are the concern. I refuse to sell a lot at my store to people if they don't have the proper setup.

Its like 20 questions when I get a new customer in, they almost feel like I'm stalking them somethimes.

Anyone that know me, knows I know about your tank. muhahaha

It's the Box stores that sell everything and anything to the customer.

Ken - BWA

[kien]

Originally Posted by BlueWorldAquatic

It's not the small LFS that are the concern. I refuse to sell a lot at my store to people if they don't have the proper setup.

Its like 20 questions when I get a new customer in, they almost feel like I'm stalking them somethimes.

It is for this reason that I certainly do not envy fish stores. It must be very difficult to walk that fine line between running a profitable business while at the same time telling a lot of people that they can't buy something in your store.

I'm sure you get tonnes of wide eye people into the store that just want to jump right into it because they saw one of your awesome display tanks, or a friends tank, or Finding Nemo. They want this and that and ooo, look, a Moorish Idol, I saw that on Finding Nemo! (as my son would say), want it! These are the people that you want because they are eager, excited and interested, but unfortunately, you have to dash their hopes and crush their dreams by telling them that they have to spend 3 weeks to a month first cycling their tank, then adding a clean up crew, then some damsels, then maybe some clowns and other small fish and that's it, they are done. Or you have to have the other tough conversation with them about getting a larger tank than they originally had planned which means larger skimmer, lights, $$$$$$$.. Ouch! Just so that they can keep that one tang that they saw from Finding Nemo. You want to keep them interested and excited, yet teach them and start them off on the right foot. Ya, a tough business.

[BlueWorldAquatic]

The "wide eyed" customers are the easy part, they are willing to learn, and they learn to be disappointed for the cost, time & work required.

I guess that is why "maintence" is so profitible right now.

The hard ones are the ones that won't listen or consider new advice, for those, I just recommend a "box" store so their opinions won't be challenged.

We are all learning, newer technologies, biological information, etc... I'm the first to admit I don't know it all, and not ashamed to tell the customer I'll look into it.

And I think most regular customers respect that from smaller LFS.

There is a vast amount of information out there online, but how much of it works for you?


One customer comes to mind, which is a regular also, they wanted a small passer angel for a RSM250, we refused to order one in for him, and explained why we wouldn't sell it if we had one. So he went to a BOX store and paid $100+ for it, 3 weeks later it died. Hate to see stuff like that.

Ken - BWA

[Jfish]

Yeah I don't think smaller LFS are to blame at all. Im sure customers get turned away because they don't have the right setup fairly often. Any good store tries to help and inform customers so they can have a successful aquarium and keep the customer coming back. But, in larger centers I think it would be pretty easy to repeat said information at another store or find one that might not ask as many questions until they get what they want.

[liz_au]

Looks like I kicked an ant hill here, but glad to see my point is shared.
Ken is 100% correct, the awe struck customers are the easy ones to help, its the 'its just a fish, if it dies, i can just buy another one. I don't need those lights, its near a window. I don't need a filter its just 5 goldfish my friend had them in a bowl and they lived over a month, thats ages!' ones that make me want to bash my head against a wall.
I lived in 2 parts of Australia when I was there Muck, Queensland - Airlie beach, and Victoria - Melbourne. Highly recommend Queensland, not so much Victoria.