Best way to talk to the LFS

[rudeanduncouth]

In my area, there is one LFS that carries SW. However, as of yesterday, I no longer go there. They have proven to me time, and time again, that they don't know anything about husbandry. I don't think it will be as simple as just talking to them either. I would just boycott them right off, except I am starting a reef club within the next week or so, and I think I will need them. What finally set me off yesterday, is when I walked in and saw a Moorish Idol. Had it been ordered for somebody, I may have just ignored it but it had a hold sign with two different names scratched out. I know they can survive in some cases, but I seriously believe in my area, its fate is sealed.

so I guess my question is, what is the best way to go about talking to them about this? I don't want to call them idiots, but I really feel they are.

 

[Pandora]

Congrats on starting a reef club, BTW.

What kinds of other offenses have you noted? Or is it just ignorant, incorrect advice on more than one occasion? The moorish idol thing is tough. I personally would not get one, but I don't know if I could damn all pet stores who sell them into that "bad LFS, BAD" category. There are just so many of them.

On how to talk to them, I think you would really have to approach the manager. They may have uneducated employees, and that is an issue; if you tell just the employees, in most cases you will get just bad attitudes and no action. If you talk to the manager, he may care about your patronage of his store and try to make changes, like telling his employees not to sell XX fish to someone with a tank less than XX gallons. Then again, he may be the source of the ignorance, which is sad; it trickles down. You could bring in a book which contradicts things you have heard at the store, and that would give what you say some more credibility. Hopefully he will be reasonable. It would help if you did it not in a personally accusatory way but rather list specific examples and as tactfully as possible, say why they aren't appropriate. I'd also lead with saying you are doing this because you are starting a reefing club, this will give him the idea that you have the potential to influence a lot of his future and current customers.

 

[Blown 346]

Usually what I will do if I see something or hear wrong advice or something I dont like, I just walk up and gingerly say I thought that this or that etc.
I do it in a manner like I am asking a question and wait for their answer, then I will say I dont see how that could be and then I explain my reasoning. This way you and them wont have a huge disput about it and they wont think you are underminding them.
Seems to work everytime and ussually they listen, unless they dont care..

 

[zukihara]

Try one of those letters where you cut out each letter from a magazine to hide your handwriting

Silence of the Clams!!!

 

[Pandora]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6564945#post6564945 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zukihara
Try one of those letters where you cut out each letter from a magazine to hide your handwriting

Silence of the Clams!!!

:lol:
I think the NSA & FBI have better things to do than try to foil terrorist plots by us geeky reefers!

 

[jjjimmy]

What you are trying to do takes a long time. first you need to start a relationship (friendly) with the owner and/or manager. While you are doing that, the conversations that the two of you have will let each of you know what the other knows and doesn't creating a mutual respect for each other. That in itself is crucial before laying out any constructive criticizm.

Once they know that you yourself are not an idiot (no offense, nothing inplied) then you can talk more freely and they will understand that you are just trying to help.

JMO

Jimmy

 

[rudeanduncouth]

The two owners are very active in the store, so as far as I know they are responsible for the wrong doings.

Another example of there idiocy is they housed a Blue Spotted Ray in there show tank along with a Niger Trigger, I.O. Sailfin Tang, and large green eel. They tank is probably about 250 gallons. Had the eel been by itself, the tank still would have been poor for it since there is also about 200 of LR in there as well. Needless to say they ray died. The tang, and the trigger, both ripped the ray apart.

They have also had wobbegong sharks in there. I live in a small area, and I still don't know all the reefers in the area. However, I think I would know if some had atank large enough to house such a animal.

 

[Ti]

a gun.

 

[ERICinFL]

I'm pretty fortunate, there are about 5 LFS that "specialize" in SW within 20 miles of my home. The store I prefer is very close and I have built a friendly relationship with the owner. Like jjjimmy said, that's the best way to feel out what kind of guy/gal the owner is. The owner of this particular store has kept SW tanks for a few years, but is new to the business end of it. I drop in about 3 times a week and help change water, feed fish, clean up, hang out, whatever. It's gotten to the point where I can walk in and if something doesn't look right, I'll pipe up and say so (in a friendly way of course) and 9 times out of 10, I can move livestock around if certain fish aren't compatable with each other, or need to be in a larger tank. He appreciates the help and I feel better knowing his livestock will be healthier and happier. Get to know them on a personal level and you may find yourself having a positive influnence on the place.

 

[cutsupremetrib]

Id go in there and turn an electric eel loose in someones shirt LOL

 

[AquaReeferMan]

Hey you just need to find a LFS that cares. I work at a LFS and we wont sell you something if you cant house it. Before I even get a fish I will ask them all the questions how big is your tank how long has it been running and so on. I do not want any fish/coral/inverts that leave my store to die. Even if someone has a problem we will go fix it. Me and Mishap even started setting up/running peoples sw tanks just so they could enjoy it without killing everything. You just need to find a good LFS.

 

[egdevilboy]

Either find a well educated employee or dont talk to them at all.

Remember they're trying to sell stuff, its a business. Also many LFS higher uneducated people (lower pay wages)

I recommend doing your research priore to any purchase then go to the LFS.

Remember, im a LFS employee, i know when i hear bs or not. Luckily where i work they higher well-educated (marine biologists) experiences employees.