Funniest LFS statement you ever heard?

reefsquared · Aug 24, 2015

I had a LFS employee tell me that RO units are great because they remove all minerals and then told me that he drinks the RO water at the store because it is better than tap water because it has more minerals than the tap water

Wiz · Aug 24, 2015

Looking at a nudibranch thy had for $10.
Me: what kind of slug is that?
Lfs: an orange one.
Me: I can see that, what's the name?
Lfs: not sure, came in under assorted seaslugs.
Me: assorted seaslugs?? That's pretty vague. How do you know if they are reef safe or what to feed them?
Lfs: they usually eat stuff in the tank. No food.
Me: and reef safe?
Lfs: its a slug, what's the worst that could happen?
Me: -blank stare

Turned out to be a starry mouthed nudi. Which I want now to help with hydroids. But really??? Lol

melypr1985 · Aug 24, 2015

these are too funny

RareEarthCorals · Aug 24, 2015

I love them all. I dont know if it was cause we didnt know better or some of these belong in salesmen of the year.

luxauterna · Aug 24, 2015

I can't tell you the amount of times I have given some advice to a customer after hearing the advice given by the LFS employee. Fortunately now it is run much better.

Humblefish · Aug 24, 2015

These are all great!

But being serious for a moment, owning a LFS is tough. I think a lot of people think it's going to be "fun" turning their beloved hobby into a business. Then they get into it and start losing money like crazy. That causes them to get desperate, and when faced with financial ruin many people will resort to being dishonest/unscrupulous. Even if they know better.

jhwku · Aug 24, 2015

These are pretty funny. Had a few of these experiences along the way as well. But now its my turn as I work part time at the LFS. I hear so many stories from customers about what they have been told and you just look at them like you have to be kidding.

I get so many questions about why are my nitrates so high? why do I lose so many fish? like dozens of them? I'm looking for a bigger tank but what should I do different to not have problems? Of course you ask about their husbandry and what steps they took to set up the tank. They always say the tank has been up for a while and that they know what they are doing. So you try to trouble shoot all the problems that could cause abnormalities in their set up. But once you ask how long the tank has truly been set up for. The answer is always less than 2 months. Face palm. Your tank is not stable enough for a huge bio load of tangs and angels and anthias' and wrasses.

Its a shame that there are stores that are focused on sell sell sell. But Ive had great lfs store experiences that has made my tank thrive for 2+ years now and try to pass on that same kindness and knowledge to my customers.

steve&mari · Aug 24, 2015

Humblefish said:
These are all great! But being serious for a moment, owning a LFS is tough. I think a lot of people think it's going to be "fun" turning their beloved hobby into a business. Then they get into it and start losing money like crazy. That causes them to get desperate, and when faced with financial ruin many people will resort to being dishonest/unscrupulous. Even if they know better.

Agreed totally with this it's not a easy task to turn it from a hobby to a lfs. As my buddy who owns a lfs said he doesn't have money it's his wife's career that allows him to have his lfs. Yet he has a very large a successful lfs with great reputation and zoos across state purchase from him ect. Says he sees people start up thinking it's easy and short time later they're closed.

fripclaksid · Aug 24, 2015

oh man this can go on forever

james lance · Aug 24, 2015

My lfs said she can't catch the fish so she can't sale them.

mochaclownlover · Aug 24, 2015

Me: This anemone doesn't look good.
LFS: Oh, whats wrong with it.
Me: Its foot is torn and its mouth is gaping.
LFS: Oh, just leave it in there some one will buy it.

P.S. i worked at my LFS at the time

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 24, 2015

Overheard another customer talking to his wife while looking at some corals:

"$49 for a plant, that's ridiculous."

Presumably he was there for the freshwater fish.

RAD01 · Aug 24, 2015

i was told I could start adding fish after 3 days of setting my tank for the first time and went on trying to sell me half the store lol didn't want to be rude so i just stayed and listen and walked out with nothing. Good thing I had been reading a lot before I started and knew it took more then 3 days.

marissas47 · Aug 24, 2015

When I first started I was told that I could keep 5 clownfish in a 29 gal long-term. When I found my go-to lfs a few weeks later they set me straight before I had any deaths thankfully

Cleo642 · Aug 24, 2015

lysaer said:
Me: "I'm thinking about setting up my 55g tank as saltwater. What do I need to do first?"
LFS: "You can't have a saltwater tank in anything less than 200 gallons, so you're going to need a new stand, and tank, and canopy.."

I would have said sorry, I like open top.

dylanmegyptian · Aug 24, 2015

Me: (looking at a beautiful pricey looking frostbite clown)

LFS: Do you need any help?

Me: Yea, how much for the frostbite?

LFS: (confused and points at a toadstool) This thing?

Me: ....No (points at frostbite) this thing...

LFS: Those are called white clownfish not frostbite........never even heard of that.......but it's $70...

Me: (scratches head to the ignorance) oh i must be mistaken yea right "white clownfish" is what I meant....(this fish was easily $130) I'll take him for $70...

kidzaac87 · Aug 24, 2015

Nice score there dylanmegyptian lol.

Cleo642 · Aug 24, 2015

dylanmegyptian said:
Me: (looking at a beautiful pricey looking frostbite clown)

LFS: Do you need any help?

Me: Yea, how much for the frostbite?

LFS: (confused and points at a toadstool) This thing?

Me: ....No (points at frostbite) this thing...

LFS: Those are called white clownfish not frostbite........never even heard of that.......but it's $70...

Me: (scratches head to the ignorance) oh i must be mistaken yea right "white clownfish" is what I meant....(this fish was easily $130) I'll take him for $70...

Your from New Orleans? That's awesome. St. James parish here.

Humblefish · Aug 24, 2015

Oh man, @dylanmegyptian just reminded me of another good one.

Back when I was just a pup, my dad & I walked into this LFS. They had 6 fire shrimp in this one tank but no price. Even back then fire shrimp were around $20. They also had some peppermint shrimp in this same tank and those were $3-4 back then.

Dad: How much are those fire shrimp?
Kid at LFS: $4
Dad: Son, those are fire shrimp and they normally go for around $20. (Calling him "son" probably riled him up.)
Kid at LFS: Sir, I work here and those are called peppermint shrimp and they sell for $4.
Dad: Ok skippy, put all 6 in a bag.