I overheard at an LFS
- Thread starter Paul B
- Start date
Wizzard~Of~Ozz
New member
I don't think that is the point. Loyal customers are the ones that actually know what they are looking for before they go in and are generally unaffected by ignorant staff.
My local store "chain" is one that refuses to be competitive, If I change .ca to .com on their site to check pricing, things are ~ 1/2 the price on the US site ( exchange rate is par ). I am generally that person that doesn't care about a few dollars difference, if something is 70$ online and 75$ in a local store, I will go to the local store, but if they want 120$ and I can buy it from a LFS on the other side of the country for 70$ shipped, then I will. I have a budget and I don't feel like burning up 50% of that on markup over what the reasonable price is.
gone fishin
New member
I still bring one of my books (Old School) to the LFS when shopping. Nothing like a quick reference. I have had other people ask to look up something. I have never had a LFS ask me to leave because of it.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Price is only one of the reasons I shop online. I haven't bought any livestock at a LFS in many years.
1.)I don't live within 3 hrs of a decent LFS, and their selection is lousy and fish often have parasites.
2.) The online site I use most is staffed withe knowledgeable people. The owners contribute in many ways to ,our hobby.
3.) Fish are bagged and transported one less time that LFS fish. (Most folks don't know this).
4.) I get a 14 day, no questions asked guarantee.
5.) My online supplier gets the pick of the litter at the wholesaler.
6.) I know instantly what is available.
7.) I pick my fish up at 9AM, 10 mins. away.
8.) Customer service is the best I've seen, in any business, anywhere.
9.) I don't pay our states extremely high sales tax.
10) I have no obligation to support any business. They have an obligation to earn it. I can remember when they did.
I know there are a few good LFS left. But not everyone lives near one.
Michigan Mike
Freedom costs a buckofive
The last 3 times I've walked into petsmart I've left with customers for my fish or last time a family that I insisted to buy the products & fish there & I will give you a 5g tank, light/hood heater & filter with gravel for the cycle for that betta your daughter wants instead of a bowl.
The employees always support me & even come look & my fish.
Its become a win - win for both parties.
Too bad they not buy fish from local breeders like a couple other LFS around here.
The employees always support me & even come look & my fish.
Its become a win - win for both parties.
Too bad they not buy fish from local breeders like a couple other LFS around here.
Paul B
Premium Member
Luckily for me, there are probable 7 or 8 LFSs with in 5 miles of my house so I don't have to travel far. I do visit the same one every week for worms, and another one I go to for fish and still another one for fish.
I never bought any livestock on line.
I even go to that one I started this thread about for the prices. A copperband for less than ten bucks is great as long as I can deal with the paracites and the fish is eating. I would not recommend it to anyone else but that place gets very unusual stock that I don't see anywhere else because he imports them himself, but you really have to know what you are doing as many of the fish are not in the best shape.
I also don't have to take any advice from anyone in the store.
I mainly go there for blackworms as sometimes the other places are out of them and they give you a nice portion, while I am there I look around.
I never bought any livestock on line.
I even go to that one I started this thread about for the prices. A copperband for less than ten bucks is great as long as I can deal with the paracites and the fish is eating. I would not recommend it to anyone else but that place gets very unusual stock that I don't see anywhere else because he imports them himself, but you really have to know what you are doing as many of the fish are not in the best shape.
I also don't have to take any advice from anyone in the store.
I mainly go there for blackworms as sometimes the other places are out of them and they give you a nice portion, while I am there I look around.
TheAquatard
New member
I live on LI too, if we are thinking of the same store I agree with you completely. When you see yellow tangs and copper butterfly fish going for less that 20 dollars you know somethings up. Everything looks like it's on the verge of death.
ctazmartin
New member
+1 Those were the good old days!!!
With respect to the other issues... Stupid Sales Staff vs. Stupid Customer.
Just remember, you can't fix Stupid.
And we are out numbered.
pontiac
Member
i was in one of the lfs last week and overheard an employee tell a customer that he didnt need ro water for his new saltwater tank, all he should do is fill up buckets with regular water and let them sit out for a few days and all the bad stuff will evaporate and then he can mix his salt and put the water in his tank. must be a magic spell he says with that as well i asume lol
jrp1588
New member
At least you guys have an LFS in your area. There is one store in my town that sells SW fish. Stuffed in a small corner of their fish section they have 6 10gal tanks. Each tank has maybe 1 fish in it, and always the same stuff. Couple clowns, some damsels, a goby. Once in a while they'll get a half starved mandarin in. Once in a blue moon you'll see a tang.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
I can't imagine
opening a LFS today. They simply cannot compete with the online dealers and big box pet shops (shudder!). About 10 years ago, I was on the board of a little local bank and a great guy applied for a business loan. His application and business model were well presented and his credit and work history were great. The real economic members of the board just called it a classic "I want to work doing what I love" application. His application was DOA.
IMO, unless you have a family to work free or own the business outright; the only to succeed would to have a thriving maintenance business on the side. Drs. F&S (et al) can sell most hardgoods for less than the local Mom & Pop LFS pays for the stuff. Distributing livestock from the wholesaler and shipping direct to the consumer was a brilliant idea. Cheaper of course; but it also means the fish are bagged & transported one less time.
I'm afraid, as the current generation of LFS owners retires (or goes broke); the days of a lfs in all but the major metro areas is going to be a thing of the past..
opening a LFS today. They simply cannot compete with the online dealers and big box pet shops (shudder!). About 10 years ago, I was on the board of a little local bank and a great guy applied for a business loan. His application and business model were well presented and his credit and work history were great. The real economic members of the board just called it a classic "I want to work doing what I love" application. His application was DOA.
IMO, unless you have a family to work free or own the business outright; the only to succeed would to have a thriving maintenance business on the side. Drs. F&S (et al) can sell most hardgoods for less than the local Mom & Pop LFS pays for the stuff. Distributing livestock from the wholesaler and shipping direct to the consumer was a brilliant idea. Cheaper of course; but it also means the fish are bagged & transported one less time.
I'm afraid, as the current generation of LFS owners retires (or goes broke); the days of a lfs in all but the major metro areas is going to be a thing of the past..
Squidmotron
New member
I've talked to some LFS owners and managers, and actually the primary source of revenue these days is service. The storefront is secondary. It turns a small profit and it's just a central hub for people to come into.
That is one thing that the big companies in California or Wisconisn probably cannot do efficiently -- service your tank.
Admittedly, the people who frequent this forum are much less likely to actually use that service so probably forget it's the biggest part of the business.
That is one thing that the big companies in California or Wisconisn probably cannot do efficiently -- service your tank.
Admittedly, the people who frequent this forum are much less likely to actually use that service so probably forget it's the biggest part of the business.
popebosephus
New member
I just don't go into LFS anymore. It avoids this situation entirely.
Bilk
New member
They are in business to make money and if they were smart business people they'd want their new customers to have success keeping their fish instead of selling them stock thats half dead or the destination tank isn't capable of supporting. Then they'd get repeat business instead of a lost customer because that customer got frustrated and gave up the hobby.
Oh it's also called doing business in good faith. You know, where you try to help the customer make the better choice rather than what's just good for a one time sale?
Dr Colliebreath
New member
I understand what you are saying, but if they are not providing value added in the form of quality advice then they should not complain if customers decide to purchase at a lesser price from the internet. Either there is a value add or they need to be the low cost provider.
Dr Colliebreath
New member
I imagine most people buy online to get better quality livestock, a better selection of livestock, and a 14 day guarantee. Price isn't the sole motivator.
I know the owner of a LFS (that's been around for years) who tells all of his customers that he's never had Ich in any of his tanks. He also gets pretty :mad2: if you point out to him a fish in the shop that is showing symptoms. (He doesn't run copper, so it's not hard to spot.)
One day I caught him in the shop after hours, so I just had to ask: "What's the big deal? I think most of your customers understand you can't control it if you get an infected fish from your wholesaler." He really didn't have much of an answer for that. I just don't understand lying about it; everyone knows **** happens...
One day I caught him in the shop after hours, so I just had to ask: "What's the big deal? I think most of your customers understand you can't control it if you get an infected fish from your wholesaler." He really didn't have much of an answer for that. I just don't understand lying about it; everyone knows **** happens...
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Very true. And customer service.
I know (or know of) many long time aquarists who buy all of their fish online. I can never remember reading from a RC member that they tried one of the better online dealers and won't go back. (Yeah, there's an exception somewhere.) LA hasn't built such a huge customer base because of price; they've done it by being the best there is at what they do.
