Rant!

[oddball_lover]

I do agree about chain pet shops in general.

I guess that they *must* attract people who want to get into the pet care business, simply because it's an easy way to gain animal experience. I would assume they must attract a lot of the "ahhh, a cute fluffy bunny" brigade, who don't like nasty slimy fish

But, of course, i'm sure we all know, that people will say LOTS of things in an interview just to get the job.

Such as:
"Yes, i'm happy to get involved in all departments and willing to learn what is necessary".

It is all well and good sounding enthusiastic and willing to learn in an interview....but when hired, on the assumption they might actually do some good work, they may turn around and say 'oh, but I don't like fish...'

Which, unfortunately, is no grounds to fire someone

Luckily, the pets at home i've been to most recently is pretty awesome with fish...actually one of the better fish shops around! The fish department is totally separate to the rest, so the people on fish are dedicated *only* to the fish. They really should apply that to every store.
Though of course, there are good and bad shops in all chains, including MA. I guess it just depends on who you hire, and how willing they are to learn.

 

[linda1503]

One thing always puzzles me about LFS employees who know next to nothing about fish. Presumably they had a job interview. Why didn't the employer ask some relevant questions about fish health/stocking/water conditions before giving them the job?. Unless the owners themselves don't give a toss, either.

I actually went for a job interview at a branch of maidenhead aquatics. I started to tell the 2 interviewers that I know a bit about community fish but absolutely nothing about cichlids or marine but would love to learn all I could. The interviewers cut me off and said that they were not looking for someone who knew a lot about fish because they were fed up of employees being more interested in the fish than the customers they serve and they wanted someone who was good with people!!

Ok, they would have to enjoy talking to people but I thought that a knowledgeable fish person is what they needed, or at least someone who was interested in learning and passing on their advice and getting the store a good reputation!

Sadly I didn't get the job, must have looking too gobsmacked when they said they just wanted a people person and not a fish person!

Didn't go back to that store for a while but when I did I didn't see any of my 'interviewers' around, hopefully they had left because Maidenhead Aquatics is usually quite good.

 

[Darkstar]

One thing always puzzles me about LFS employees who know next to nothing about fish. Presumably they had a job interview. Why didn't the employer ask some relevant questions about fish health/stocking/water conditions before giving them the job?. Unless the owners themselves don't give a toss, either.

I actually went for a job interview at a branch of maidenhead aquatics. I started to tell the 2 interviewers that I know a bit about community fish but absolutely nothing about cichlids or marine but would love to learn all I could. The interviewers cut me off and said that they were not looking for someone who knew a lot about fish because they were fed up of employees being more interested in the fish than the customers they serve and they wanted someone who was good with people!!

Ok, they would have to enjoy talking to people but I thought that a knowledgeable fish person is what they needed, or at least someone who was interested in learning and passing on their advice and getting the store a good reputation!

Sadly I didn't get the job, must have looking too gobsmacked when they said they just wanted a people person and not a fish person!

Didn't go back to that store for a while but when I did I didn't see any of my 'interviewers' around, hopefully they had left because Maidenhead Aquatics is usually quite good.

No Maidenhead Aquatics still has it's fair share of idiots.

Someone I know recently bought a two foot tank from MA and the same day they sold him along with a couple of angels, 2 bn's, a few other topical fish...and wait for it.................3 black ghost knife fish!
I saw him last week, ready to tell him once again that he needs to take them back but they were already all dead. So he went back to MA and they sold him 4 clown loaches, 2 common plecs and another bn for his 2 ft tank.

MA are just after your money like all the other lfs chains.

 

[linda1503]

I guess you're right Darkstar, I used to think Maidenhead were quite good. Mind you saying that I do remember being in the same store many months previous to my ill-fated interview and a customer was being served with 4 clown loaches for her 90ltr tank! At the time I didn't think anything of it cos I didn't know anything about how big they can get.
Thats such a shame about those fish your mate got, he should have come to you for advice before going back for more!
I suppose they are like any other major retailer, there are good and bad stores, maybe dependent on having a good manager who will insist on his staff looking after the fish and the customer while at the same time making a profit for the company.

 

[Darkstar]

Thats such a shame about those fish your mate got, he should have come to you for advice before going back for more!

I tried, but like some people on the forums he just didn't want to listen. He seems to have it in his head that because they survived the first night that everything is fine and I'm just over-reacting...I guess it won't sink into his head until he's lost a few more, which is a shame.

 

[Teelie]

That is how some people learn. Repeated failures and ignoring those who know what they're saying. I used to work at an LFS and they usually are quite good with telling you what is and is not good to do but then I've been to so many pet stores that the employees knew nothing.

As some of the comments pointed out, these are businesses and a business is out to do one thing: make money. Sometimes they are unethical or unconcerned about the consequences but that's life. You can't always expect it to be fair.