Should You Say Something?

[sheffieldlad]

No cycling questions, existing stocking questions or anything like that asked.

Actually the chain you mention does check how long the tank has been running, how many fish are already in the tank etc. Not every assistant will know what to do with the info you give them, but they DO ask.

I can verify this.
My local pah has 1 good assistant.
Buying fish from this guy is harder than applying for a passport.
The rest of the assistants don't know anything.
To be fair, it's not their fault. They should be better trained.

 

[TomShootsPhoto]

Well, listen to this:

I went to Sweden last summer to continue upon my research, and jumped into a fish store. They had a 700L tank with a small baby shark in it. I started looking at the fish, and one of their employees came over and asked if I wanted him. (After convincing him that i don't speak swedish... ) I said no, and besides, I only own a 60L freshwater tank.

He told me it would be "just fine".
From that point on, I was so angry and frustrated. I'll probably never go back to sweden.

 

[pablothebetta]

My local pah has 1 good assistant.
Buying fish from this guy is harder than applying for a passport
To be fair, it's not their fault. They should be better trained.

That's good to hear, I haven't had much success myself. I do completely agree with you though, they should be better trained (a few months on here would probably do the trick )

 

[mark2109111]

I dont defy the store clerks but i will ask some friendly questions about their set up and tell them about mine, and then i recommend some good fish. I have only interfered once when a store clerk told the people to ignore me because i didn't know what i was talking about. i promptly told him how i was keeping and breeding discus and how i have been in the hobby for over 5 years, and then when he still gave me a bad attitude i asked to see the manager. Lets just say he does not work in the aquatics section anymore lol.

Hmmmmm, I can't even imagine the face a customer would have when a 12 year old corrects the seller

Im am 15 and hate it when the store clerks at chain pet stores look down on me lol

 

[Fishy friend2]

The store clerks love me! They think I'm awesome

 

[Akasha72]

I got a baby peppered cory on Friday and the staff member said to me "I've no idea what these are or how big they get" ... I just smirked and said "it's a good job I do then isn't it"

Thinking about it now, if she didn't know what she was selling me she should've asked more questions really as it was a bit irresponsable.

I went with my Dad to my other lfs on Saturday to get his first fish for my old 2ft tank that he's set up (he kept fish when I was a kid so he know's about fish keeping) He asked for 5 orange barbs (they were only babies). The staff member there didn't ask any questions about the tank either - having said that, they know me well so that may be why.

To answer your question - I have said stuff in the past, especially in p@h and got dirty looks so now I don't bother. I'm not cruel to my animals as they're my responsability. I'm not responsable for anyone else's animals or for the bad advice they're given

 

[lloyd]

all i no is when i own my own fish shop il be looking to recruit some of you lot

 

[Blubble37]

YESSSSSSS! FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT!!!!!