what makes a good lfs ? - Page 2

StirCrazy · #11 01-10-2005, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigger

I like it when you post pictures of your new corals so that I have an idea of what you have. It saves a long drive for nothing.

In bigger stores they will be gone be for you get there anyways. Might even be gone be for they get them on the net. this is a nice to see thing but a waist of manpower in my opinion unless you are doing a lot of mail order business, but then you also need some sort of reservation system.

Steve

Nemo · #12 01-10-2005, 05:15 AM

No I agree with Steve pics would be great. If I want one I can call and ask them to hold it untill I get there.
If the LFS is worried about loosing a sale they can simply ask for a credit card

Robert

Samw · #13 01-10-2005, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

In bigger stores they will be gone be for you get there anyways. Might even be gone be for they get them on the net. this is a nice to see thing but a waist of manpower in my opinion unless you are doing a lot of mail order business, but then you also need some sort of reservation system.

Steve

They could take pictures of the entire tank. So if there are 25 corals per tank, you get 25 corals per picture. I know that seeing stuff I want online, definitely makes me take a non-scheduled trip down there. Happened many times.

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #14 01-10-2005, 05:28 AM

Must agree with the positive pix comments. It's not wasted manpower because it's a good marketing tool & helps generate interest in your stock. Smart consumers will still call to make sure the coral is in before they come, but at least you've peaked their interest.

StirCrazy · #15 01-10-2005, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

unless you are doing a lot of mail order business,

Steve

let me rephrase this, "unless your doing a lot of mail order/ Internet business"

the problem with this is Most stores don't have a Internet page, some stores like OA never update it so you stop looking, and most that have one use it for sample pics (that don't resemble what the produce is but would it could be.)

the problem with showing actual pictures is that after you get an order in everything looks like crap from shipping. It is going to take 2 or 3 days for the corals to look good (maybe longer). So, by the time you take pictures and put them up most will be gone already.

Pictures will only benefit the consumer and not the store in most cases. If I run a store and put all my new arrivals up on the net if you don't see anything you like you won't stop by. A good portion of sales in a store are incidental sales, the ones where you stop by to see if there is any good fish/corals and you go "Oh ya I need some more food", or "that gizmo looks cool" so by not posting pics you have to come look around to see whats there. Also with the ease that pictures are doctored to look better than they are a lot of what you see isn't accurate anyways.

Steve

DEAD_BY_DAWN · #16 01-10-2005, 07:17 PM

thanks guys for all the ideas that you have posted we will be working on alot of them in the very near future the starter kits should be done by next week,both myself and steffan are not saltwater gurus by any means but were constantly learning as mush as we can are main goal is to make a lfs that is friendly and has fair prices and can provide honest advice even if that means that we lose a sale repeat custermers that are happy with the pet gallery is a main focus please keep posting any other ideas..

sumpfinfishe · #17 01-27-2005, 01:53 PM

In my books customer service is what brings me back every time!
I have only a few favorite stores in the lower mainland, all of which thrive on customer service. In my opinion, customer service is on a decline at most retail levels in order to stay competitive. When I first started reefing and knew very little, it was the friendly, informative, and free advice that kept me going back again and again, and it still does to this day!

Zerandise · #18 01-27-2005, 03:26 PM

I agree. I will pay a bit more (at time much more) to a shop that treats me right. It is very much worth it.

Another thing is doing what you say you will. This is my big one. I am NEVER late and HATE when you show up to a store and they are not open on time. Or even worse they dont hold up on thier end of a deal. nothing worse than making a plan and then have it washed away.

BCWolfen · #19 01-27-2005, 09:27 PM

I've liked what I've read in posts not only from customers but also from the staff at Denmans. Its nice to see a store, dare I say, reverting back to the old ways of making sure customers are happy. I will be stopping in on Saturday for my 1st trip and will glady provide some feedback upon my return home. I'm VERY new to the SW scene (getting tank on Sat LOL) so I will be able to provide some input from a 'green' customers perspective.

Posting the list of new arrivals, even without photos, is a great marketing tool. You know that you are targeting a customer base of people that are actively seeking those products. I googled each coral to get a picture of what they would look like and started to read about them. Knowing at least whats available gave me a better direction to go seeking information. As we all know there is TONS of info on SW. This way I am able to educate myself on keeping the species that I know I can aqcuire locally.