FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I don't quite understand why LFS don't have better info on their product (*EDIT*). I mean u go into these stores & they tell u something that when u look it up online, is almost always untrue. Why don't they have some type of system that gives some prelimanary facts about a species & not just the standard: tempermant, size, & water quality . Which sometimes they get wrong also. I mean if I tell u I have a 10 gallon tank don't sell me something that grows 8-9". I dont know how many times I have gone into someone house & seen a fish that is obviuosly too big for its home. Just the other day I saw like a 7" Bala shark in a 10 gallon tank, dude said he had it was his son's & had it for like 5 yrs. Plus there were 2 other fair size fish in there that I don't remeber what they were because I was so amazed at the size of the Bala. I'm sure they just went to a store & said I want that fish & it was sold to them w/o being told that this fish requires a school & a very large tank. This I believe happens to most people when they start. I guess its about sales like anything else.

PLEASE DO NOT USE STORE NAMES WITH ANY NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

Last edited by acidrain at 28-Dec-2004 01:10

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

Different stores, management, employees...I agree with some it's just sales, with others it's truly a lack of knowledge. Some stores are choosy about hiring people who are currently involved in the hobby. Others will hire 'fish newbies' but expect them to learn a certain amount over a period of time. And still others simply don't care.

Even between chain stores there is a huge difference. We've often talked about Wal-Mart fish on the forums here, people mention them having cichlids. My local W-M doesn't even have angels and personally I wouldn't buy any of their fish.

With one of the other 'Pet' chains there is a location ~3 miles from me and another just over 10 miles. The longer drive is worth it...the tanks are much cleaner, I never see dead fish, and there is one employee in particular who has been in the hobby quite some time and is willing to share his knowledge.

On the other hand I have a complaint about this store-and others-who use 'creative' common names and not scientific names on their tanks. An example of this happening I wrote about [link=here]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Tetra%20Talk/52099.html?200412271733" style="COLOR: #FF9933[/link].



~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Exactly...people want to make money, that's what it all comes down too. And the fact that a lot of pet stores hire ignorant kids who just want cash. I try to change that...but it's hard. You can't tell people that they can't buy a goldfish because 10 gallons isn't enough room, it just doesn't work that way. It's sad, but you can't do much about it.
[/font]

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

I will be perfectly I never buy at any of the so called pet shop stores.
All the Aqu stores I buy from are owner operated. It is in their interests to have all the facts. I have seen them give customers the correct advice to some but they choose to not listen. Also I have seen some customers just walk in say I want that because it looks pretty.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

I go to a fare few that the owners or the people who work in the place actually have tanks and know quite a bit on alot of different species of fish.

so far I have visited 4 lfs + 2 chain stores in my area. I have found only one that appears to be truly knowledgable, With another one being borderline. I just think its simple to get a stat sheet for a specific species that is for sale if a customer ask something. Whether they get it online or they have some books available, its really not that hard. I do understand that some people will buy fish no matter what u tell them but, thats another argument. I will say that I will try & stick to the two LFS that I feel are best, when it comes to actually purchasing fish.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher