LFS Frustrations!!!

[Walleye34]

I am relatively new to the hobby and have been frustrated with my local fish stores lately. I understand that they’re in business to make money. But this hobby is very expensive and a little bit of Bad advice or misinformation can cost you a lot of money. When I do a remodel job for a customer I don’t try to sell them things they don’t need. Like if they Want 2x6 construction instead of 2x4. I would Inform them that it’s not necessary . But if they still want it after I’ve given them the option then yes I will sell it to them. I hear a lot about supporting your local businesses and mom and pop stores. I’m willing to spend a little bit more at a mom and pop store for the knowledge that I get from places like this. But if I’m Going to receive bad information then I’m better off shopping online or at a big box store. Anyone else feel this way?

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Yes, It is common. I suggest not relying on them for advice. listen to them but verify everything here. r2r will give you less biased advice from more knowledgeable people. That is not to say you shoudnt support your LFS and build a relationship with them. You may need a bulkhead in the middle of the night or want a difficult fish ordered in. I have been grateful for my LFS for both these reasons, and many more, over the years.

Many LFS just dont know they give bad advice. Some just say whatever to make a sale, but most try to do the right thing. Use your own judgement and the experience of r2r before all LFS purchases and you wont make many buying mistakes.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I am relatively new to the hobby and have been frustrated with my local fish stores lately. I understand that they’re in business to make money. But this hobby is very expensive and a little bit of Bad advice or misinformation can cost you a lot of money. When I do a remodel job for a customer I don’t try to sell them things they don’t need. Like if they Want 2x6 construction instead of 2x4. I would Inform them that it’s not necessary . But if they still want it after I’ve given them the option then yes I will sell it to them. I hear a lot about supporting your local businesses and mom and pop stores. I’m willing to spend a little bit more at a mom and pop store for the knowledge that I get from places like this. But if I’m Going to receive bad information then I’m better off shopping online or at a big box store. Anyone else feel this way?

I believe In supporting local LFS as much as you can, with a caveat, know what you want or can have before buying. Call in advance to see if they have it before making the trip Or research on your phone while in the store. If it takes a great deal of time to do so, leave and comeback latter.

As far as advice from the staff, I only ask questions when I already know the answer. (In other words, I don't ask them.) Some places have very knowledgeable staff, others just have unknowledgeable kids working for them. I'm okay with either type places.

 

[Walleye34]

Yes, It is common. I suggest not relying on them for advice. listen to them but verify everything here. r2r will give you less biased advice from more knowledgeable people. That is not to say you shoudnt support your LFS and build a relationship with them. You may need a bulkhead in the middle of the night or want a difficult fish ordered in. I have been grateful for my LFS for both these reasons, and many more, over the years.

Many LFS just dont know they give bad advice. Some just say whatever to make a sale, but most try to do the right thing. Use your own judgement and the experience of r2r before all LFS purchases and you wont make many buying mistakes.

Very well said. Thanks for your responds

 

[Walleye34]

I believe In supporting local LFS as much as you can, with a caveat, know what you want or can have before buying. Call in advance to see if they have it before making the trip Or research on your phone while in the store. If it takes a great deal of time to do so, leave and comeback latter.

As far as advice from the staff, I only ask questions when I already know the answer. (In other words, I don't ask them.) Some places have very knowledgeable staff, others just have unknowledgeable kids working for them. I'm okay with either type places.

I have learned the hard way on a couple of purchases unfortunately. Thanks for the response

 

[DibsOnMcRibs]

At the end of the day, it’s ultimately our responsibility to make responsible purchases. Look up the livestock before you make that impulse buy. There are a lot of decent LFSs out there with great employees. But it’s a bit unreasonable to expect them to be the expert on everything. The more you learn beforehand, the more money you’ll ultimately save yourself.

 

[Zionas]

My LFS told me “both the Singapore Angelfish and the Xanthurus Cream are easy to keep”. They are right about the Xanthurus Cream after cross checking with you guys and other sources, but they’re not so right about the Singapore Angel.

It would be best for you to do your own research and seek answers from more knowledgeable people like the ones here rather than blindly relying on what your LFS tells you. You could also try WWM, though Bob Fenner passed away recently.

 

[Walleye34]

My LFS told me “both the Singapore Angelfish and the Xanthurus Cream are easy to keep”. They are right about the Xanthurus Cream after cross checking with you guys and other sources, but they’re not so right about the Singapore Angel.

It would be best for you to do your own research and seek answers from more knowledgeable people like the ones here rather than blindly relying on what your LFS tells you. You could also try WWM, though Bob Fenner passed away recently.

I made a similar mistake here recently. My wife wanted to be more involved with picking out some fish. So I took her to the fish store and she saw one she liked. I asked them about it and they told me it would work for what I was looking for. Turns out I might have to end up trying to rehome this particular fish

 

[Walleye34]

At the end of the day, it’s ultimately our responsibility to make responsible purchases. Look up the livestock before you make that impulse buy. There are a lot of decent LFSs out there with great employees. But it’s a bit unreasonable to expect them to be the expert on everything. The more you learn beforehand, the more money you’ll ultimately save yourself.

I I agree with you. I’ve never been in a hobby with so much on the line. And so much misinformation floating around.

 

[Auquanut]

But if I’m Going to receive bad information then I’m better off shopping online or at a big box store. Anyone else feel this way?

I feel your pain. There is only one LFS local to me that deals in SW. It's not a place I want to do business with. I've learned over time to listen to the employees talk to other customers as I shop. In my opinion, a knowledgeable, responsible vendor will ask questions and dissuade customers from making irresponsible purchases. In the long run, it's just good for future business.

I now have a couple of "go to" LFS's that are a couple of hours away. I don't know how many times I've entered these shops looking for that certain something, only to leave empty handed just on the advice of the staff. And yet, they always welcome me back as a valued friend and customer when I come back.

Moral of the story: There are some AWESOME LFS's out there, and they deserve our business. I guess it's up to us to find and support them.

 

[Thespammailaccount]

I feel your pain. There is only one LFS local to me that deals in SW. It's not a place I want to do business with. I've learned over time to listen to the employees talk to other customers as I shop. In my opinion, a knowledgeable, responsible vendor will ask questions and dissuade customers from making irresponsible purchases. In the long run, it's just good for future business.

I now have a couple of "go to" LFS's that are a couple of hours away. I don't know how many times I've entered these shops looking for that certain something, only to leave empty handed just on the advice of the staff. And yet, they always welcome me back as a valued friend and customer when I come back.

Moral of the story: There are some AWESOME LFS's out there, and they deserve our business. I guess it's up to us to find and support them.

My experience exactly

 

[Zionas]

Letting someone who has no interest in the maintenance / biology of the actual fish, only the looks of the fish, choose fish for a tank is like letting an average COD or Starcraft player command a real field battle. Forgive me for the poor analogy. They want the thrill but lack the skills.

I know she’s your wifey and you love your wifey, but If it were my wife in the future, unless she’s a fellow aquarist or very interested and willing to learn, I’ll consult her opinion but I’ll still have to make the final decision for the good of the tank.

There are some really bad LFS out there that deliberately mislead or are just really poor on their knowledge, but then there’s a reason why you’re already not the “average” customer by being in a place like this.

 

[spfahnestock]

I guess I am the lucky one. I have two great LFS that i frequent. One is 45 minutes from the house and the other is about 1.5 hours. Both places go above and beyond and are staffed by knowledgeable individuals. While I may pay a little more for some items there than online I have the advantage of seeing exactly what I am getting.

 

[najer]

I have been using the same lfs for nearly 10 years now (England) and only order online (not livestock) if they can't get something for me and they order livestock in if there is something I want.
To this day they will still stop me from buying things if they don't think it is suitable for my tank. (Except a lemon peel and one of the staff raised his eyebrow, I should have taken note!)

 

[Marsh980]

I have been using the same lfs for nearly 10 years now (England) and only order online (not livestock) if they can't get something for me and they order livestock in if there is something I want.
To this day they will still stop me from buying things if they don't think it is suitable for my tank. (Except a lemon peel and one of the staff raised his eyebrow, I should have taken note!)

Hi, which one in the UK do you use? I'm also in the UK and intrigued whether its nearby. cheers

 

[najer]

Hi, which one in the UK do you use? I'm also in the UK and intrigued whether its nearby. cheers

I'm in Bristol so Southwest Marines is my lfs, about 6 miles away!

 

[Marsh980]

I'm in Bristol so Southwest Marines is my lfs, about 6 miles away!

Ahh nice, my brother lives in Bristol. I'm near Cambridge so that's quite a drive haha

 

[najer]

Ahh nice, my brother lives in Bristol. I'm near Cambridge so that's quite a drive haha

If you are ever passing it is about 4 or 5 miles from the old Severn crossing!

 

[Marsh980]

If you are ever passing it is about 4 or 5 miles from the old Severn crossing!

Next time I go see my brother I'll pop in on the way home and may treat myself.