tpdpercula
New member
Well I have recently reached the point where it is time to serioursly start purchasing rare/unique corals, inverts, fish, etc. for my display tank. As many of you know I am always working and have come to a point in my life where I actually have funds set aside just for these purchases. In the past three weeks I have made my rounds to every LFS in town and one outside of the city limits, which I have done for years. On a few of those visits I have encountered the owners of the shop who obtained my curiosity and eager interest in their livestock. When I asked about the asking price the majority of the time the responses have been, "they are not for sale".
I have worked in the LFS and been a hobbyist close to 20 years and have come to the point where I am fed up with LFS. Back in the day and this is from the way I was brought up in this industry of trade, a shop had a display tank of items the owner had collected over the years from shipments and placed in a tank to show customers what was out there and what a well stocked reef tank could eventually look like. These items were clearly displayed along with either writting on the tank it self or a sign next to it stateing, "Livestock Not For Sale, Display Only". Times have change apparenlty.
First thing in my quest: the past few weeks I have encountered a couple of LFS which will bring an item to my attention, hook me in (to the point of reaching for my wallet) and then state, "it is NOT FOR SALE". If its not for sale and you cant get another order of them, then dont place them in a tank where they are the only item(s) NOT FOR SALE where everything else is. I am not talking about items that are currently sold or were ordered for another person either.
Second thing: the past few years I have encountered a few LFS which will special order items stateing either, "it might take time" or "Im placing an order tomorrow and will try to get one on that order". To many times I have been asked for my phone number and observed as the OWNER placed my name along with my contact number on a magical notebook or piece of paper next to the register which the OWNER stated Ill call you when it comes in. Thank god I have not held my breath or I would have died a long time ago. I understand that in this industry that it takes time and nothing happens over night. When you build a relationship with an owner or business and they keep filling you with horse crap and fake interest in obtaining items for you, a person gets tired of the same routine received from the same person over time. Let me state that though some items I have requested and willing to be patient and wait for were rare, but the majority were common things that I know are available with in any 6 month time frame on any distributors list.
Recently I had an OWNER order a fish for me, stated that the item is always available and I explained that I would be in the following week to pick up the order. I left my contact information with that person and they stated, "I will call you when it comes in". Well low and behold, I received no phone call. Not only did I not receive a phone call but the item did come in, but was seen by a close friend who knew it was ordered for me and was told by my friend that it had come in. It doesn't bother me in the least that no phone call was made to inform me of its arrival, hell I go to this shop once a week but when I go in and the item had been sold to someone else that bothers me. When I did ask if someone else had requested the fish and they walk up to the register and look in their magical order book with your name, phone number and item requested on it and they state, "no looks like only you did" for a calm person I almost blew a head gasket.
I am a patient person, and have become more so in the past 7 years performing the duties my job requires of me. I have come to a point in my life where I have come to the conclusion that Customer Service in the LFS industry is not even half of what it use to be. Current trends have shown themselves to be nothing more then people blowing smoke up your butt and making a instant sale and not maitaining loyality and constant sales with customers over time. For these reasons I have to put my foot down.
Many of you who have read this entire post are saying,"I understand, I relate" and others might be saying, "deal with it and stop whinning". Well after years of going through the BS, I have finally dealt with it and I moving on. So with this long winded post I have finally stopped biting my tongue and stated what has been on my mind for the past few years. This is just my expierences and frustrations.
I wish everyone in the hobby as much happiness and joy that I have received from my tanks and none of the hassle and BS I have received from LFS.
Ian:beer:
I have worked in the LFS and been a hobbyist close to 20 years and have come to the point where I am fed up with LFS. Back in the day and this is from the way I was brought up in this industry of trade, a shop had a display tank of items the owner had collected over the years from shipments and placed in a tank to show customers what was out there and what a well stocked reef tank could eventually look like. These items were clearly displayed along with either writting on the tank it self or a sign next to it stateing, "Livestock Not For Sale, Display Only". Times have change apparenlty.
First thing in my quest: the past few weeks I have encountered a couple of LFS which will bring an item to my attention, hook me in (to the point of reaching for my wallet) and then state, "it is NOT FOR SALE". If its not for sale and you cant get another order of them, then dont place them in a tank where they are the only item(s) NOT FOR SALE where everything else is. I am not talking about items that are currently sold or were ordered for another person either.
Second thing: the past few years I have encountered a few LFS which will special order items stateing either, "it might take time" or "Im placing an order tomorrow and will try to get one on that order". To many times I have been asked for my phone number and observed as the OWNER placed my name along with my contact number on a magical notebook or piece of paper next to the register which the OWNER stated Ill call you when it comes in. Thank god I have not held my breath or I would have died a long time ago. I understand that in this industry that it takes time and nothing happens over night. When you build a relationship with an owner or business and they keep filling you with horse crap and fake interest in obtaining items for you, a person gets tired of the same routine received from the same person over time. Let me state that though some items I have requested and willing to be patient and wait for were rare, but the majority were common things that I know are available with in any 6 month time frame on any distributors list.
Recently I had an OWNER order a fish for me, stated that the item is always available and I explained that I would be in the following week to pick up the order. I left my contact information with that person and they stated, "I will call you when it comes in". Well low and behold, I received no phone call. Not only did I not receive a phone call but the item did come in, but was seen by a close friend who knew it was ordered for me and was told by my friend that it had come in. It doesn't bother me in the least that no phone call was made to inform me of its arrival, hell I go to this shop once a week but when I go in and the item had been sold to someone else that bothers me. When I did ask if someone else had requested the fish and they walk up to the register and look in their magical order book with your name, phone number and item requested on it and they state, "no looks like only you did" for a calm person I almost blew a head gasket.
I am a patient person, and have become more so in the past 7 years performing the duties my job requires of me. I have come to a point in my life where I have come to the conclusion that Customer Service in the LFS industry is not even half of what it use to be. Current trends have shown themselves to be nothing more then people blowing smoke up your butt and making a instant sale and not maitaining loyality and constant sales with customers over time. For these reasons I have to put my foot down.
Many of you who have read this entire post are saying,"I understand, I relate" and others might be saying, "deal with it and stop whinning". Well after years of going through the BS, I have finally dealt with it and I moving on. So with this long winded post I have finally stopped biting my tongue and stated what has been on my mind for the past few years. This is just my expierences and frustrations.
I wish everyone in the hobby as much happiness and joy that I have received from my tanks and none of the hassle and BS I have received from LFS.
Ian:beer:
