Never Again at Aquarium Creations

[psychorugby]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9218011#post9218011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
Holy Crap...I live in a town of irate self righteous customers...I'm going to have to move!!! Ok I'm back from the restroom, that move is over. It's just no big deal to let someone use the restroom at an LFS. It's not like the mall where there are people who want to use the restroom, but not patronize the store. If someone is in a LFS, they are there for the LFS. If they set merchandise on the counter, I kind of think that they are patronizing the store. That's called $$$, and if you have to spend 5 minutes MAX to clean up after someone who leaves $$$ in your store, then what's the big deal???

You know as well as I do that there are just as many people through that store on a weekend as your average mall store. As a regular customer like myself, I am also sure that you know the type of customer that I am referring to. Brandon is full of people that think they have money and think they should be treated like they have money. I don't see anyone boycotting a store in the mall because they have to go somewhere else to use the facilities. My parents always told me, "You should have gone before we left the house." I understand that there are emergencies, that's what the McDonald's next door is for. Your shop handles a large number of people on a regular basis; I'm sure that your shop has the infrastructure to handle that influx, this store does not. I don't see what the big deal is with being told that the facilities are for employees only.

 

[hyperboy]

malls have public restrooms in the food court, they're available for use....this lfs isn't in a mall is it?

 

[GregDoug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9217943#post9217943 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psychorugby
How is it that only one person here took the side of the LFS? All but one of you took the word of an irate, self righteous customer (as this town is full of)...

I think me and Big T both took that side of the argument first? That makes two of us. Granted, I wrote a little more tastefull but implied the same type of things

I have never been to the store in question but if she would like to not visit the store again because they do not have a facility, I see nothing wrong with that. If the store looses thousands in sales because they do not have a restroom, I see nothing wrong with that either

 

[Sailor_jon]

I was under the impression that all public business must offer a retroom for customers. I know its the law for a restaurant.

 

[ReefArtist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9218176#post9218176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by psychorugby
I don't see anyone boycotting a store in the mall because they have to go somewhere else to use the facilities. My parents always told me, "You should have gone before we left the house." I understand that there are emergencies, that's what the McDonald's next door is for. Your shop handles a large number of people on a regular basis; I'm sure that your shop has the infrastructure to handle that influx, this store does not. I don't see what the big deal is with being told that the facilities are for employees only.

You didn't get the point. Lets see, as a business owner of a shop that people aren't just in for 5 minutes and then out, I think it would be good to keep these customers in the store as long as possible - RIGHT? Well if I have to "Go", I will not look around the store I'd get what is on my list and then leave. Visit the McToilet and go home. This happened to me this weekend. It may be a long drive and I really don't like going into a business, use the restroom and then leave - why should they pay for the water etc and not gain anything? And no I don't want to drink or eat anything at McToilets. Well my LFS has a restroom that by the way they keep clean for their customers. If that wasn't available they would have lost about a hundred dollars of my total purchase - get the point? Keep the customer in the store and they will purchase more.

I have a lot of people come to my house to see my art. If someone asked to use my restroom and I said no, they had to leave to relieve themselves, do you think they would come back? Not a chance - keep the customer in your place of business as long as possible! Just good business practice.

That all said - would I not go into a store because they don't have a restroom? They would have to be better as far as product, service (Which they already have a minus) etc.

 

[mrferrit]

mctoiletthats freakin hilarious
reefartist you have a very good point of view and as a consumer that is what i expect .
if i was at a restaurant say red lobster for x. i ate and asked for a BR and they told me to go to the amaco next door i would go and not return not paying my bill .
so if anyone else goes to this LFS please ask to use the mud monkey depository if not allowed leave .
also posted if you spend money in a business then a fraction per customer should go towards janitorial services
you make money by spending money

 

[BlitzK]

So you're saying you're ok with them raising their prices on everything to pay for a public restroom?

I rather have them keep the overhead low and give me a better price.

 

[ReefArtist]

Now you would make a good business person .

 

[ReefArtist]

Not care about the customer = not caring about what they are selling. Lets see I think they made a HUGE profit off my flush. don't they need to go - some where? Or does everyone "When in doubt - whip it out?" - just to let you know not all of us can .

 

[poknsnok]

ive been in that bathroom.. he was looking out for your well being...trust me..

 

[ReefArtist]

Well I guess this thread has gone down the toilet . I just had to put that in. We are all different and some of us are willing to pay for conveniences and some of us aren't and that's OK as long as you don't have to "GO" really bad . And No do not stop in my store just to use the restroom - it costs me millions to keep up and I know all you fish people pee on the floor and watch all those little things swim around. I just use the out house in the back the overhead is way to much for me - TP does cost a lot you know and then you have the water - that will put me out of business. What did someone say I could make more by having a restroom - don't believe it.

I spend at a minimum an hour in my LFS, if I have to leave to use the restroom - I'm headed home. With or without getting what I needed - it's that simple. I think a good business person and I need to say good, would see that having a restroom is VERY much worth the cost of maintaining it. Have you noticed that if you clean something often enough it doesn't get that dirty? Don't you think a small LFS will know how made the mess?

 

[RuskinReefer]

Wow....you guys are all fueling the notion that reefkeeping is a "snob hobby". over 300 views of a post about the lack of a freaking bathroom? You have got to be kidding me....you must have more free time than you know what to do with. Normally, I dont get involved in these dorky message board battles, but this one really got my goat. I am an employee at a LFS, and i make about 7.50 per hour...I could make more being a burger flipper at McDonalds, but I choose not to because I absolutely LOVE this hobby, and will work for peanuts just to be around fish all day, and to help people learn about it. Peanuts do not pay, however, for cleaning up after all of the people who pee all over my bathroom floor....not part of my job description. MFlamb, to afford that tank you are building, you must make more than I do, thus your willingness to clean up pee. Enjoy. I have personally been in this store numerous times, and because i am a big boy, I know how to control my bladder enough to plan my trips accordingly. With regard to the staff and the livestock, both have been top notch. If a restroom is so important to you, go to PETCO...you will be able to relieve yourself whenever you want in clean facilities.......but when you ask a question about a fish or coral, I hope that dumb look you get back is worth your potty time.

 

[poknsnok]

What a rediculous topic. does anyone have anything constructive to this forum like where is the next meeting??

 

[RuskinReefer]

Amen to that my friend....ridiculous topic!!

 

[tacocat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9221737#post9221737 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poknsnok
ive been in that bathroom.. he was looking out for your well being...trust me..

X2

I've been in a couple of LFS restrooms. It was a mistake every time. Where do you think all the dead fish go? The one closest to my house breeds his crickets and mice next to the head. It's pretty foul. I feel bad for the people that work there. I bet they go to the McDonald's next door.

 

[ReefArtist]

Man we were just having fun and now this has gotten nasty - hit a nerve? Geesh! JUST HAVING FUN!!!!!!!!!

 

[ReefArtist]

RuskinReefer - got a chip? If you don't like the topic stay away and with only 8 post and thinking you own the site with personal attacks. Please stay in the store I'll never be seen in. What store do you work at?

 

[mflamb]

Do you work at Aquarium Creations???
I've spoken to a younger guy from Ruskin that works there...
Is that you???

 

[saltwater2642]

Come on guys,, this should not be getting personal. Mflam I agree with you, sounds like you have a great business/customer service policy, read raving fans. If we don't help them they will go somewhere else. Its all business. People have a choice. I spend my money at places that like my business. I talk to the employees and the owners. Sure I "test" them. DO they know what they are talking about or are they trying to sell me something? If they are busy I wait. Then I talk to them.

To Ruskinreefer... "I am an employee at a LFS, and i make about 7.50 per hour..." great everyone has to work where they want to and have fun doing it. I commend you for that but as a business you have to cater and give people what they want. They will spend money. When I was a mechanic I had a guy come in and spit on the floor. I have to work there, on the floor, and I told him It cost 20.00 every time he spit on the floor. He continued to spit and he paid the price. He liked the service. He was a good customer and I gave him perks.

I learned early "a cheap tattoo last forever" quality and service is number 1.

We all have to start somewhere and I'm sure several of us cleaned "pee" to get to where we are. Now we can pick where we want to go and spend our money.

 

[RuskinReefer]

To all concerned: No, I do not work at Aquarium Creations, which i should have specified..I work at a store in the Bradenton area, and since i have apparently offended a few people, i wont metion which one, because i wont drive business away from my owner because of my personal opinions. Second, nothing i said was meant personally, or to offend ANYONE! There are just two pages of people complaining about a bathroom, and only about two posts of people who actually defended the employees on the other side of the counter. We are people too, and at least deserve to be treated like it. I was a customer of LFS's long before i worked at one, and aside from a few rare instances, was always treated well by most everyone i met. If I was to ask an employee if they had a restroom and they replied "no we dont," I would simply say "Oh well, I guess I have to hold it for a while". End of story..no big deal, especially nothing for ANYONE to get bent out of shape about! I have just begun to use this website and forum, and have found some great information, which is exactly what it should be used for. I don't believe it should be used for one or two people, who want to make a mountain out of a molehill, to make the store seem like a horrible place where all customers are treated like they don't matter...that simply isnt true, and it isn't really fair to the people who work hard to provide people with good service and information. When I was a customer, I choose the stores I shopped at for the quality of livestock, and most of all, the attention and information given to me by the staff. I make an effort to help everyone that sets foot in my store (regardless of money spent or level of experience) courteously and intellegently, and moreover, to form a personal relationship with anyone I see more than once. I hope i speak for the employees of all LFS's...we all want to help our customers, and try very hard to make every customer a repeat customer. Please don't beat us up too hard! Can't we all just get along?