London LFS idea?

Humblefish · Jun 20, 2015

Hello all,

First off, I apologise if I'm posting this in not the appropriate forum. I tried posting this in the UK forum, but didn't get any feedback.

My wife & I, having previously lived in London for 3 years, are keen to move back. My wife works in the IT industry, but I have been thinking of trying a LFS somewhere in the Greater London area. The shop would specialize in selling disease free fish... akin to what Liveaquaria Diver's Den does in the US but much more thorough.

You see, I believe I am closing in on a concoction of medications that I can use on SW fish to eradicate just about any & all diseases. For the past year or so, I have been finding fish with active infections of ich, velvet, etc. and then experimenting on them. The fish would be treated with my "all inclusive" QT treatment protocol before being put up for sale. I hope to publish my findings soon, once experimentation has been complete. I have been in the SW hobby, worked retail, maintenance, etc. for 35+ years now and fish diseases has sort of always been my thing.

Does this sound like a business model that would work in the UK? All fish would come with a 2 week guarantee, just like Liveaquaria Diver's Den. I haven't decided if I should try a retail shop or online service. Input? Thoughts? Comments? TIA

143MPCo · Jun 20, 2015

I love the idea, will you be exporting to US or is this a UK only operation that you are considering?

143MPCo · Jun 20, 2015

Humblefish said:
I haven't decided if I should try a retail shop or online service.

I say both, this would give you the maximum exposure needed to maintain a retail endeavor, retail is by it's very nature a tough business and you should take every opportunity to stand out from the crowd!

reefwiser · Jun 20, 2015

You might make more money selling the med's than getting in the LFS business.

143MPCo · Jun 20, 2015

reefwiser said:
You might make more money selling the med's than getting in the LFS business.

Why not both, I agree with you the selling of the med's would be another avenue?

Humblefish · Jun 20, 2015

143MPCo said:
I love the idea, will you be exporting to US or is this a UK only operation that you are considering?

If I was based in the UK, the import tariffs to the US would make it cost prohibitive.

I'm still mulling this over. Who knows, I may end up setting up shop inside the US before it's all said & done.

4FordFamily · Jun 20, 2015

So much market research to be done!

I like the disease free business idea and positioning!

reefwiser · Jun 20, 2015

Having worked with many local LFS's over the years I know the struggles of running a LFS. It's not all sunshine and roses. [emoji3]

Humblefish · Jun 20, 2015

reefwiser said:
Having worked with many local LFS's over the years I know the struggles of running a LFS. It's not all sunshine and roses. [emoji3]

Oh, I know where you're coming from. In most cases, the maintenance side of a LFS has to support the retail side. And I'm starting to think more & more that if I do open a LFS, I will have to have a lot of maintenance accounts... especially in the very beginning.

But I also know the "weakness" of this hobby is keeping fish alive long term. I've watched many great coral "farmers" and DIYers walk away from this hobby because of fish dying, disease wipe outs, etc. There is nothing more disheartening & frustrating than having to deal with an out-of-control disease like velvet in your tank, having to tear it all apart to catch the fish, going fallow, etc. etc. So I have to think there's a need, a "niche" in the business to sell truly disease free fish, and so the customer does not have to bother with QT. And have someone else take all the risk for you when it comes to delicate or finicky species like CBBs.

4FordFamily · Jun 20, 2015

Humblefish said:
Oh, I know where you're coming from. In most cases, the maintenance side of a LFS has to support the retail side. And I'm starting to think more & more that if I do open a LFS, I will have to have a lot of maintenance accounts... especially in the very beginning.

But I also know the "weakness" of this hobby is keeping fish alive long term. I've watched many great coral "farmers" and DIYers walk away from this hobby because of fish dying, disease wipe outs, etc. There is nothing more disheartening & frustrating than having to deal with an out-of-control disease like velvet in your tank, having to tear it all apart to catch the fish, going fallow, etc. etc. So I have to think there's a need, a "niche" in the business to sell truly disease free fish, and so the customer does not have to bother with QT. And have someone else take all the risk for you when it comes to delicate or finicky species like CBBs.

Do you open yourself up to possible litigation if that one in 1,000,000 infects someone's tank? My only concern is that someone adds one of your fish and a petco fish at the same time and claims you gave their tank velvet and severely damages your reputation. Imagine how frequently you'll have to explain to people that manage ich that if they add your fish to their tanks they will get sick like any other.

Not saying it's a bad idea, I really like it, but so few people in the hobby value, appreciate, and understand. Just something to think about. I would buy from you!

Humblefish · Jun 20, 2015

3FordFamily said:
Do you open yourself up to possible litigation if that one in 1,000,000 infects someone's tank? My only concern is that someone adds one of your fish and a petco fish at the same time and claims you gave their tank velvet and severely damages your reputation. Imagine how frequently you'll have to explain to people that manage ich that if they add your fish to their tanks they will get sick like any other.

Not saying it's a bad idea, I really like it, but so few people in the hobby value, appreciate, and understand. Just something to think about. I would buy from you!

Yeah, sounds like I'll have to come up with a legal disclaimer and maybe even a little pamphlet.