Wow. someone rescue these fishes

[gobytron]

uh...no
pretty sure you're thinking of playgirl....

[liz_au]

Hey guys I work in a fish store here and there is NO WAY we would let anyone walk out of our store with a tang, for a tank like that.
Problem is though, you get know-it-all, but know-nothings, coming in claiming that they want tangs, nemoes, seahorses and corals ALL IN THE ONE LITTLE TANK. you spend an HOUR explaining to them exactly how to do things, and what each animal requires to keep it, and how they can only have one or two of the things they want in any one tank, and you send them off with some live rock to start, and tell them you will see them in a few weeks after they have done some more homework.
Next thing you know the person is back less than a few days later asking for some fish, you explain AGAIN how the system works, and that they need to wait for everything to mature, and they let something out like "but the other fish i put in there yesterday aren't dead yet!" This happens more often than you would think.
It breaks my heart but some people are their own worst enemy, they learn exactly what to say to a store in order to get what they want on the day, with absolutely NO forethought of the animals well being.
Very few store owners, and even less store workers, are in it for the money. And even if they were, its not in their best interests to sell people things they aren't equipped to look after because it would only ever result in angry customers and a lot of money lost in returned products and refunds.
Sorry for my rant, but I hate being blamed because some selfish heartless people see animals as possessions, not living beings.

[muck]

on a side note... WELCOME TO CANREEF LIZ!!!

[liz_au]

Ha ha, thanks, way to make a first impression eh?

[muck]

Originally Posted by liz_au

Ha ha, thanks, way to make a first impression eh?

I know exactly where you are coming from and agree with you. What all LFS's want are repeat customers and a quick impulse sale of a fish/coral to an ill equipped tank rarely facilitates that.

P.S. What part of Oz are you from?

[Chaloupa]

Originally Posted by liz_au

Hey guys I work in a fish store here and there is NO WAY we would let anyone walk out of our store with a tang, for a tank like that.
Problem is though, you get know-it-all, but know-nothings, coming in claiming that they want tangs, nemoes, seahorses and corals ALL IN THE ONE LITTLE TANK. you spend an HOUR explaining to them exactly how to do things, and what each animal requires to keep it, and how they can only have one or two of the things they want in any one tank, and you send them off with some live rock to start, and tell them you will see them in a few weeks after they have done some more homework.
Next thing you know the person is back less than a few days later asking for some fish, you explain AGAIN how the system works, and that they need to wait for everything to mature, and they let something out like "but the other fish i put in there yesterday aren't dead yet!" This happens more often than you would think.
It breaks my heart but some people are their own worst enemy, they learn exactly what to say to a store in order to get what they want on the day, with absolutely NO forethought of the animals well being.
Very few store owners, and even less store workers, are in it for the money. And even if they were, its not in their best interests to sell people things they aren't equipped to look after because it would only ever result in angry customers and a lot of money lost in returned products and refunds.
Sorry for my rant, but I hate being blamed because some selfish heartless people see animals as possessions, not living beings.

I so totally agree Liz. Thank you for saying it. I also work in a fish store and end up with many UNHAPPY customers because I won't sell them a large Mandarin for their 14 gallon biocube, or a Purple Tang for their 34g RSM. But in the end we get blamed...because that's easiest and there are some, but in my opinion FEW, the will sell whatever fish or coral just to sell it.

[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.