LFSs': Up their own arse?

[tintin]

OK. You'll see from my fish count that i'm a relative newbie at this and perhaps the local fish suppliers need slightly more patience with all my questions but I can't help noticing that with one exception (stand up the nice folks at Ark Aquatics, Canterbury), all the LFSs' near me appear to have SUCH an attitude problem.

No matter what time of the day I visit I feel like in the way. If that isn't bad enough I'm made to feel completely ignorant while the East Kent version of Jaques Cousteu pontificates about whay that particular fish "couldn't possibly be kept in a community tank - what was I thinking?!".

I don't mean to tar all LFS with the same brush. Hopefully, I've just been unlucky. In fact, I'd be intrested to know if i'm the only one who has this experience (?)

TT.

 

[shrimpster97]

some are bad some are good.

 

[canarsie11]

Sorry to hear that.

I dont know, my lfs's are great

 

[parker313]

Sorry you've had bad experiences with your lfs...

I'm lucky, I have a great one right around the corner.

 

[tintin]

Maybe its just a UK thing?

=)

 

[melleth]

Hmm well I purchased two blue goramie's at Wal-Mart. Yes I know what was I thinking. But they looked really healthy so I took a chance and they are doing great.

Anyway the guy that caught them for me was really acting like he was not happy to be helping a customer. I got the feeling he figgured he was selling fish to someone who would kill them within a week and was telling me in detail everything I needed to do and how to return the bodies. I was not in a happy mood by the time I went to check out but here is what I think.

These people see so many people who buy fish based on looks, on impulse, and without thought to what the fish might need to live a happy and healthy life. After seeing so many fish return dead or having complaints about trouble I'm sure the poor people might be a bit tired of sending fish off to die in the hands of some ingnorant newbie.

This post is not in anyway a reflection of you

Anyway perhaps he had a bad day, or is just feeling tired of the whole thing. If the fish apear healthy, and the staff knowlageable I'd give them another chance. Try being very polite and thanking them for their help. Take their advice seriously. You could find them being more friendly and willing to talk to you. The LFS I go to is always happy to talk fish with me since I have been open in sharing with them my fish interests and ideas and asking for their input which turns out very helpful.

Dealing with the public is not easy and those who do tend to get jaded. Be sensitive to this and you might have better experiences in the future.

 

[CFC]

Count yourself lucky, in most places they would have sold you the incompatable fish and let it destroy your community tank without any warning. A knowledgable lfs employee is a rare and wonderfull thing.

 

[Bangin]

It seems certain local fish stores have a problem with being snobbish. I have experienced similar problems with attitudes in stores in my area (US).

 

[jasmine]

Thanks Melleth, you have it just right there. I work in the lfs and sometimes it seems a waste of time giving advice because you just know the people dont care, and if we dont sell them fish they will go elsewhere and probably lie about water conditions, mature tank etc.
Thankfully not all customers are like this, some are actually nice and they are interested in any advice which they are given, makes the job much nicer.

 

[bunjiweb]

On the whole I have recieved a very good experience from the local fish shops I choose to use (Maidenhead Aquatics In Swindon & Aquatics Habitat in Brockworth).

However, not all the staff are great and some of the younger staff particularly will pretend to be accurate in their knowledge to try and get the sale.....

I think it really varies, theres no way you can say all fish shops are up their own arse, as the majority arent.

Ben

 

[Jimmy927]

i live in the UK and i have got great LFSs they are about 5-10 miles away but when i visit i get honest help from them. one of them can sometimes be ignorant but not always.


James

 

[ad_smith]

my story is not quite the same but its do with a fishing tackle shop...

they think they are the Rex Hunt's of bexley, they think they are the front of all knowledge about fishing... i hate them so much.

there all like mid 20's 'geezers'... 'yeah i hooked a 400 pound perch whilst having a pint' sorta stupid stories they all tell time and time again at the counter.
they give you evils as if they don't want you in the shop. they are always trying to be better than everyone, they are so rude. once i was in there about to by some new gear and the bloke was being rude to me so i told him where he could shove his carp floats. another time i was in there a woman was buying a reel for her son's birthday and she said 'have you got a 'browning 100 ball arm' (along those lines) and the bloke sniggered at her like she was an utter fool and sneered 'nah love you mean bail arm'.

danson angling, Bexley... DONT GO THERE

 

[jacblades]

Thanks Melleth, you have it just right there. I work in the lfs and sometimes it seems a waste of time giving advice because you just know the people dont care, and if we dont sell them fish they will go elsewhere and probably lie about water conditions, mature tank etc.
Thankfully not all customers are like this, some are actually nice and they are interested in any advice which they are given, makes the job much nicer.

so true.
we can refuse to sell fish to people if they dont have an adequate home but theres a petco just a block away that they probably go to when we turn them away. since petco doesnt care what kind of homes their animals go to, i bet they get a lot of money from our "rejected customers"

i try not to be rude unless maybe someone argues wiht me about keeping a goldfish in a bowl or something...

i love my job. i love to help people that want ot learn about fish

 

[tintin]

I don't want this to come across like Im just going to go in and buy an Oscar playmate for my guppies and then be offended when the LFS tells me thats not a good idea (that was an example btw, I didn't really contemplate that!)

The point I was making is the way that they impart the advice. Bangin hit on it (pun not intended) when he said that he'd found some snobbish. I got to an LFS because I want (need) their advice. What I don't go there for is to be made to feel like i'm generally in the way of whatever it is they think is more important than offering friendly and helpful advice. Cool?

 

[jacblades]

I don't want this to come across like Im just going to go in and buy an Oscar playmate for my guppies and then be offended when the LFS tells me thats not a good idea (that was an example btw, I didn't really contemplate that!)

The point I was making is the way that they impart the advice. Bangin hit on it (pun not intended) when he said that he'd found some snobbish. I got to an LFS because I want (need) their advice. What I don't go there for is to be made to feel like i'm generally in the way of whatever it is they think is more important than offering friendly and helpful advice. Cool?

if you need advice, you are better off asking here because there are very few lfs employees that can give you as much info as the variety you will get here.

i have several coworkers that just make things up when they dont know the answers to questions. you never know how accurate the lfs info is so its best to at least get a second opinion.

there are rude people everywhere but i think i at least know where the lfs workers are coming from (not meaning you but others who dont care about fish like melleth said)