Vic Trip

[BCWolfen]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

Egad! You didn't like Safari Pets? That's a first.
That's one of the nice things about Safari Pets. Low pressure. Personally, I hate it when sales people jump all over me the minute I walk in a store. But that's just me.
Also...they are usually soooo busy in there, (with customers), that any time they get a slow spell is the only time they have a chance to tend to maintenance and shelf stocking. This could also be another reason for their reluctance to offer assistance. They have lots to do! (They are understaffed).
Did you bother to ask? You say they didn't talk to you, but it sounds like you didn't talk to them either.

I'm sorry you were dissappointed. I still stand by Safari Pets as the best LFS in Victoria.
I happen to be going there today. I will discuss your concerns with the manager on your behalf. Happy to do it.
Hopefully, you will have a better experience next time.
Did I mention they are understaffed?
It's crazy in there when they are busy.

Cheers,

I didn't say I didn't like it. The store was very nice and I'm sure were I to go on a day thats not after a long weekend there would be much more stock (I'm completely out of hard drives and motherboards at my shop till tomorrow myself so I know what a long weekend can do) I was just a little disappointed after hearing so much good. I will defiantely go back next time I am in Victoria for another look.

Your right I did not ask for help, but thats just my stubborn side coming out. I also hate pushy sales staff but I expect to greeted with a hello and at least a "If I can be of any help just give me a shout, my names Fred" or something. If I don't get that I tend to walk the Isles as if I'm looking for something to see if I ever get noticed LOL. But its all good. I'll be back and I'm sure it will be a different experience.

[Arise_Osiris]

First of all...BCWolfen....
If you own a retail store, I'm surprised because you obviously don't know a whole lot about sales. Questions like "Can I help?" or "Anything we can do for you?" often lead to closed ended responses thus terminating your sales pitch. They usually teach you this on your first day in retail. Keep in mind that there are probably hundreds of people that wander through a shop like Safari on a daily basis, who are just looking at fish or other pets. Also you should consider that people that make minimum wage in a very busy store cannot be expected to be enthusiastic about it at all times. If you are truly the "Retail Master" you claim to be , you should understand. It also strikes me as strange that you were so timid that you could not approch the staff on your own. I would also advise you, should you have the courage to return to Safari, to open your eyes and realize that Safari is not just a Reef store. It also happen to be the most respected reptile shop west of Edmonton, some say west of Toronto. The cost, maintenance, level of knowlege and experience required to keep some of the stuff there, dwarfes the reef hobby. Ever consider that the two guys who were "standing around" could have been taking a quick breather after a massive rush in sales or maybe from hauling in a hundred buckets of sea salt or maybe just from cleaning a mountain of rabbit and rat crap.
As to the rest of you...
So quick to judge...are you so wise? What you see as standing around, perhaps it's theft prevention, after all reef supplies do tend to be very expensive. I can only guess that while Japarto is holding your hands, guiding you through YOUR hobby, his store is getting shoplifted blind. Speaking of blindness, realize that there is much more happening in the world that what is immediatly in front of your eyes and realize that Safari PETS is more than just a reef tank.

[Delphinus]

I love vendor rating type posts. By "love", of course, I mean, "don't love."

I'm officially calling this thread "on simmer." I.e., it's a little warm in here. If it gets anymore heated or if I see any other kind of personal attack, the thread will be closed, and warnings issued.

Please be nice. Thanks

[Angie]

A few friends of mine are big on Aquatic stuff, and told me about this posting. They were pretty upset about it, and so am I. I found your posting to be extremely ignorant. The shelves are NOT almost bare- you did little more than whine about things that aren't even true to begin with!
I am a frequent customer at Safari and thus am quite familiar with both the store as well as the staff. I have always felt comfortable shopping there, and have never been treated the way that you described. Since you were VISITING from Nanaimo you probably don't know that they are almost ALWAYS insanely busy, and are severely under-staffed as well. I find it hard to believe that you have your own store, but have difficulty aprroaching people in another?! Did you ever think that maybe you and your wife may have walked in after a busy period, and the staff were trying to catch their breath? Or maybe they were watching to prevent theft? You would think, working in retail and all, that these possible factors would have crossed your mind.
I personally despise being jumped on as soon as i walk into a store- in fact, it makes me want to leave. If i need help with something, i will ask. That is what most grown adults would do. Next time i am in Nanaimo, i will come visit your store and we will see how it fares compared to Safari....don't forget, there is a reason that Safari Pets And Aquatics is considered to be the best Pet stores on the Island- because of the staff, and their collective and extensive knowledge. A business is only as successful as the people who run it. You claim to be an expert, but you might want to take some notes.

[Aquattro]

OK, enough. thread locked, insults removed.