Tips For A New Pet Store Employee

[Langi B]

So, about a month ago I started a new job at a small local pet store and even though reptiles are my specialty, I really enjoy working with the fish and helping people with them. I've had my own fish tank for about a year but the fish I've had is very limited. So my question to you is, name a few of the top things that you with pet store employees knew and would tell people. I know some of the basics, like don't mix gold fish and tropicals, S. American and African chiclids, oscars and plcos will out grow your 10gl tank and they don't call them angle fish because if their personality.

 

[abzorbd]

I have a tip for you. If you don't know the answer. Don't lie.

Petco sold some fish to my cousin today and he brought them here. I have to bring them back tomorrow. Because they lied. Damn petco.

 

[Langi B]

I have a tip for you. If you don't know the answer. Don't lie.

Petco sold some fish to my cousin today and he brought them here. I have to bring them back tomorrow. Because they lied. Damn petco.

That is a good one, but do not fear, I don't do such things. I agree, petco sucks.

 

[abzorbd]

I don't go there for fish anymore. They're ridiculous.

 

[dthoffsett]

The biggest knowledge lacking in pet store employess IMO is cycling. There are countless members that have joined in a panic because all of their fish are dying, only to find out that the LFS employees advise of let your water sit for 2 weeks and then add fish did absolutly nothing.

I'd highly suggest reading up on cycling here.

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/Tropical-Chit-Chat/73365/How-to-Do-a-Fishless-Cycle/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/Tropical...Fishless-Cycle/[/URL]

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/175355/Arrrggghhhh-Whats-Cycling-New-Tank-And-Ive-Already-Got-Fish/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/17...ready-Got-Fish/[/URL]

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah definatley read up on cycling, i've seen lfs's where they prepare a handout explaining how to cycle a tank and give that to customers wanting to set up a tank for the first time. it's one of the best practices i've ever seen and will make a big difference, so if you can, then do that.

couple of tips which is what i always look out for

1 - always ask the customer what's in their tank, what size the tank is and how long it's been set up
2 - if customer's come in asking why their fish died, don't sell them medications, if they've not got one then sell them a decent liquid test kit, virtually all common aquarium problems are caused by water quality issues
3 - keep a good fish reference book in store, and instead of going and looking up fish info and telling the customer, encourage them to use the book adn research themselves before buying
4 - don't be afraid to say no, if you think someone can't look after a fish properly or doesn't have the right tank, don't be afraid to say no to them and don't sell it