Worst LFS Story (Cat scratch Fever)

[DrufusReef]

So we're at a time when online retail is taking over our LFS's, and I don't want to take anything away from them. But... I think we can all agree not all LFS's aren't created equal. For ****'s and Giggles I want to hear your stories. Here's mine.

I walked into an LFS a few weeks ago (not in the best part of town). From initial view nothing seemed well kept, but at this point I was just looking for a local dealer for a custom tank (not looking for livestock). When I entered the store it smelled musty and there were no employees in sight. This was a fairly large space with no clear direction where anything was so I walked left. This happened to be the fresh water portion of the store. All of the tanks seemed dirty, but all fresh water tanks look dirty to me so I reserved judgement. I then noticed 3 large parrots sitting over the tanks that had no covers (should have walked out then). Eventually, the owner walked out and I had a conversation about what I wanted in a tank, how/if they quarantined fish and if they would buy coral frags or fish from me for store credit. The owner told me yes they would, but it was not their policy and made it clear that they would not be helpful. I noticed when I was at the desk most saltwater tanks were empty. On my way out a giant Emperor Angle fish caught my eye so I walked around the corner. To my surprise the owners cat was perched on top of the tank, paw fully extended slapping at the Emperor. I asked the owner immediately why he had so little fish in stock. He said "I don't know. They just keep dying. That's why we're changing out all of our water". If your LFS thinks they have a water problem over a cat/parrot problem don't shop there. LOL!!!!!

 

[Crustaceon]

I had an owner that couldn’t help but vent his disdain for Trump the moment I walked into his store. Support who you want, but just let me look at some corals. I ended up leaving empty handed because he was nearly frothing at the mouth after 45 minutes of this. I feel bad for him because his store was completely empty and I think I know why that was.

 

[Copingwithpods]

I completely agree not lfs are created equal, some are horrible, other are fantastic. It is very important to support the good ones!

When ever I visit a new lfs I ask the make it or break it question. It could be anything but the answer will always tell you everything you need to know about that store.

I'll say

"hey I have a mixed reef will this chocolate chip starfish be a good fit?"

"I have a puffer will this shrimp be ok?"

"I have a 5 gallon tank will these 2 tangs be fine in it?"

And so on, questions that the obvious answer is no, if they say yes, it's simple, I walk away.

In my experience there are 2 types of lfs, those that are just product pushers like a wallmart and others that are run by highly experienced owners that have a true passion for the hobby that just happen to own a store. You'll know almost instantly when it's the latter.

 

[DrufusReef]

I had an owner that couldn’t help but vent his disdain for Trump the moment I walked into his store. Support who you want, but just let me look at some corals. I ended up leaving empty handed because he was nearly frothing at the mouth after 45 minutes of this. I feel bad for him because his store was completely empty and I think I know why that was.

Wow! That's pretty bad. Good Share. To me this hobby is a way to get away from all the social madness regardless of your beliefs. Hope you have another trusted LFS in your area to keep your passion going!

 

[Dom]

I had an owner that couldn’t help but vent his disdain for Trump the moment I walked into his store. Support who you want, but just let me look at some corals. I ended up leaving empty handed because he was nearly frothing at the mouth after 45 minutes of this. I feel bad for him because his store was completely empty and I think I know why that was.

Obviously, his store is in a Trump-supported neighborhood. LOL

 

[DrufusReef]

I completely agree not lfs are created equal, some are horrible, other are fantastic. It is very important to support the good ones!

When ever I visit a new lfs I ask the make it or break it question. It could be anything but the answer will always tell you everything you need to know about that store.

I'll say

"hey I have a mixed reef will this chocolate chip starfish be a good fit?"

"I have a puffer will this shrimp be ok?"

"I have a 5 gallon tank will these 2 tangs be fine in it?"

And so on, questions that the obvious answer is no, if they say yes, it's simple, I walk away.

In my experience there are 2 types of lfs, those that are just product pushers like a wallmart and others that are run by highly experienced owners that have a true passion for the hobby that just happen to own a store. You'll know almost instantly when it's the latter.

You are so right.! Those were to advanced of questions for me to ask at the time (I wouldn't have known the answers) , but I have a couple of them under my belt now as well. I would still like to know your worst LFS story though.

 

[Copingwithpods]

You are so right.! Those were to advanced of questions for me to ask at the time (I wouldn't have known the answers) , but I have a couple of them under my belt now as well. I would still like to know your worst LFS story though.

Oof I have a few, I'll share my most recent. Walk into lfs to buy salt and maybe a coral as we all do. As I'm browsing I over hear the owner selling a guy on a tank, pump, light and media and so on for the guys build. All seams normal and I think to myself *hey this is a great sale for this guy sounds like a solid build he is putting together for this client* that is until he starts walking him around the store asking him what he wants to stock the tank with. At this point I'm suspicious but figured probably getting a sense for the guy so he can hold some live stock for him when the tank is ready.

I should add I liked this lfs and the owner, they have always done right by me.

So as he is walking this guy around the guy starts picking stuff, a tang, then another, 2 clowns *I'm still thinking yeah that makes sense* then he sees a snow flake eel and a mated seahorse pair next to it, asks the owner hey how much for these 3? *at this point I'm praying, bro do the right thing* owner goes hey if you buy the eel and the horses I'll throw in their food for free *my heart sank* guy agrees and walks towards me by the frags tanks. The dude starts picking corals! *I'm still trying to give the owner the benefit of the doubt, I'm hoping he is putting all this stuff on reserve for the guy, surely he won't let him walk out the door with a dry tank and live stock*......... HE STARTS BAGGING UP THE LIVESTOCK! He was so happy with the guy he tossed in a Niger trigger and a few gobys. Guy walked out with everything..... I didn't know if I should throw up or cuss him out or call the cops or what, I was stunned so... I spoke up, "that's alot of stuff for a new tank" to which the customer responded "yeah but I have everything I need for them", owner then says "yep you're all set!".

Honesty I don't think I've ever been that mad, I wanted to help the guy out but at the level of rage I was at I couldn't. I didn't have anything nice to say so I didn't say anything. I was past the point of reason and into the realm of just screaming and cussing. I walked away and never went back.

 

[DrufusReef]

Oof I have a few, I'll share my most recent. Walk into lfs to buy salt and maybe a coral as we all do. As I'm browsing I over hear the owner selling a guy on a tank, pump, light and media and so on for the guys build. All seams normal and I think to myself *hey this is a great sale for this guy sounds like a solid build he is putting together for this client* that is until he starts walking him around the store asking him what he wants to stock the tank with. At this point I'm suspicious but figured probably getting a sense for the guy so he can hold some live stock for him when the tank is ready.

I should add I liked this lfs and the owner, they have always done right by me.

So as he is walking this guy around the guy starts picking stuff, a tang, then another, 2 clowns *I'm still thinking yeah that makes sense* then he sees a snow flake eel and a mated seahorse pair next to it, asks the owner hey how much for these 3? *at this point I'm praying, bro do the right thing* owner goes hey if you buy the eel and the horses I'll throw in their food for free *my heart sank* guy agrees and walks towards me by the frags tanks. The dude starts picking corals! *I'm still trying to give the owner the benefit of the doubt, I'm hoping he is putting all this stuff on reserve for the guy, surely he won't let him walk out the door with a dry tank and live stock*......... HE STARTS BAGGING UP THE LIVESTOCK! He was so happy with the guy he tossed in a Niger trigger and a few gobys. Guy walked out with everything..... I didn't know if I should throw up or cuss him out or call the cops or what, I was stunned so... I spoke up, "that's alot of stuff for a new tank" to which the customer responded "yeah but I have everything I need for them", owner then says "yep you're all set!".

Honesty I don't think I've ever been that mad, I wanted to help the guy out but at the level of rage I was at I couldn't. I didn't have anything nice to say so I didn't say anything. I was past the point of reason and into the realm of just screaming and cussing. I walked away and never went back.

See now that's a story lol. My mother also taught me if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything, but if you had I bet everyone on this forum would have had your back in that situation. And, OMG. If the bio load wasn't enough already he threw in a trigger lol. Your restraint amazes me, . Thanks for your share!!

 

[Copingwithpods]

See now that's a story lol. My mother also taught me if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything, but if you had I bet everyone on this forum would have had your back in that situation. And, OMG. If the bio load wasn't enough already he threw in a trigger lol. Your restraint amazes me, . Thanks for your share!!

To be honest I hate this story because I wasn't strong enough to restrain my feelings and argue calmly. I feel partially responsible for no speaking up. I was so rage filled it took me out of a position to render any help and I'm sure all that livestock suffered because of it. Had I been calm I may have been able to talk the guy out of it but I wasn't, I was furious at him for not doing even an ounce of research and livid with the owner for knowing better and doing nothing to make a big sale. Not my proudest moment.

 

[Crustaceon]

Obviously, his store is in a Trump-supported neighborhood. LOL

Oh this in the quasi-San Diego area so visible Trump supporters are like unicorns or leprechauns here (I’ve spoken to quite a few “secret” Trump supporters here. Most are like everyone else. Some are really out there). I’m actually really into politics and enjoy talking policy with people regardless of their political beliefs because both sides can make great arguments for most everything if they try. I’m secretly an alien and find human reasoning fascinating. I try to keep an open mind for that reason. This owner though... He was speaking unverifiable nonsense as frantically as possible and if I could roll my eyes any harder I’d be a great white shark. Some people really need yoga or maybe a gigantic hamster wheel in their lives.

 

[Plecosam]

Well my answer without reading OP's unformated post is "awww didums"

 

[jazzfisher]

Oh this in the quasi-San Diego area so visible Trump supporters are like unicorns or leprechauns here (I’ve spoken to quite a few “secret” Trump supporters here. Most are like everyone else. Some are really out there). I’m actually really into politics and enjoy talking policy with people regardless of their political beliefs because both sides can make great arguments for most everything if they try. I’m secretly an alien and find human reasoning fascinating. I try to keep an open mind for that reason. This owner though... He was speaking unverifiable nonsense as frantically as possible and if I could roll my eyes any harder I’d be a great white shark. Some people really need yoga or maybe a gigantic hamster wheel in their lives.

I’m in the San Diego area hope I do not find him!

 

[Crustaceon]

I had another store here that was clearly having a viral outbreak in their chain of display tanks. Specifically, every moray eel in the store was having serious issues with many of them convulsing and some laying dead on the sand. I pointed it out to the owner and got a cavalier “I know” in response. I don’t know about you guys but I would be frantically QT’ing stuff and not displaying the dead. A week later, I watched the same store drop a traded-in mandarin into a display with another mandarin. “Excuse me, your dragonets are going to murder each other”.

 

[Crustaceon]

I’m in the San Diego area hope I do not find him!

We really do have an enormous reefing community, lol.

 

[DrufusReef]

To be honest I hate this story because I wasn't strong enough to restrain my feelings and argue calmly. I feel partially responsible for no speaking up. I was so rage filled it took me out of a position to render any help and I'm sure all that livestock suffered because of it. Had I been calm I may have been able to talk the guy out of it but I wasn't, I was furious at him for not doing even an ounce of research and livid with the owner for knowing better and doing nothing to make a big sale. Not my proudest moment.

Don't take anything away from yourself. In this hobby it is our responsibility to care for our live stock and spread knowledge where we can. Above that it is the LFS responsibility as the "experts" to take that job further. You knew something was wrong, but you were sound of mind enough to know your emotional state was in no place to make a reasonable argument. You could have said something, but if you were that mad you could have pushed the situation away from your goal. In that situation I think you did the right thing. Maybe now that you are clearheaded polity ask the owner to change his ways. If he is indignant then let your local fish club (if you have one) know and all the other LFS know. I would hate for an LFS to go out of business, but if they are harming our potential pet forget them. lol "You handled this correctly"

 

[Copingwithpods]

Don't take anything away from yourself. In this hobby it is our responsibility to care for our live stock and spread knowledge where we can. Above that it is the LFS responsibility as the "experts" to take that job further. You knew something was wrong, but you were sound of mind enough to know your emotional state was in no place to make a reasonable argument. You could have said something, but if you were that mad you could have pushed the situation away from your goal. In that situation I think you did the right thing. Maybe now that you are clearheaded polity ask the owner to change his ways. If he is indignant then let your local fish club (if you have one) know and all the other LFS know. I would hate for an LFS to go out of business, but if they are harming our potential pet forget them. lol "You handled this correctly"

I appreciate your kind words, thank you.

I don't want to judge this lfs for the actions of that one day, I only know my side of the story and like I said they have always done right by me. Maybe the guy was short on rent and really needed that sale and somehow justified it by selling the guy everything under the sun to quick cycle a tank, who knows what the true motive is. But.... I know I will never ever return there again and will never recommend that store to anyone who asks.

 

[DrufusReef]

I appreciate your kind words, thank you.

I don't want to judge this lfs for the actions of that one day, I only know my side of the story and liy me. Maybe the guy was short on rent and really needed that sale and somehow justified it by ske I said they have always done right belling the guy everything under the sun to quick cycle a tank, who knows what the true motive is. But.... I know I will never ever return there again and will never recommend that store to anyone who asks.

I completely understand. I do not want to condone that stores actions at all. One thing to keep in mind though is that the LFS is running a business. The best one's protect the fish, but at the end of the day it is a business. They also don't always have a choice of what's in stock. Some times they are sent more fish than they order or different fish than they order. It is very possible he moved product just to make space for new stock he was forced to take. But, if this LFS is just pushing sales then I fully support your decision.

 

[KrisReef]

Don't take anything away from yourself. In this hobby it is our responsibility to care for our live stock and spread knowledge where we can. Above that it is the LFS responsibility as the "experts" to take that job further. You knew something was wrong, but you were sound of mind enough to know your emotional state was in no place to make a reasonable argument. You could have said something, but if you were that mad you could have pushed the situation away from your goal. In that situation I think you did the right thing. Maybe now that you are clearheaded polity ask the owner to change his ways. If he is indignant then let your local fish club (if you have one) know and all the other LFS know. I would hate for an LFS to go out of business, but if they are harming our potential pet forget them. lol "You handled this correctly"

I can't stand it when I'm at the LFS and someone comes in with their dying fish in a bucket and starts screaming Freight, Fantastic, Functionally Fbombs as you never know who is in the store to overhear the language. Same goes on here. We're not supposed to use veiled curse words and as mcuh as I like to drop them I struggle to keep all that in.

San Diego, I know a store where the owner is ok with Trump but one of his employees has not gotten over Hillary losing. I can easily imagine that @Crustaceon was at the same store LFS I frequent. The store has been empty since the fear broke out.

My worst story can't be shared since the statute of limitations hasn't run out.... and I'm too tired to figure out what story I can tell. Let me think about it a bit.

 

[S.Pepper]

Did someone say Cat scratch fever? Well, i think i will.;Hilarious

 

[DrufusReef]

I can't stand it when I'm at the LFS and someone comes in with their dying fish in a bucket and starts screaming Freight, Fantastic, Functionally Fbombs as you never know who is in the store to overhear the language. Same goes on here. We're not supposed to use veiled curse words and as mcuh as I like to drop them I struggle to keep all that in.

San Diego, I know a store where the owner is ok with Trump but one of his employees has not gotten over Hillary losing. I can easily imagine that @Crustaceon was at the same store LFS I frequent. The store has been empty since the fear broke out.

My worst story can't be shared since the statute of limitations hasn't run out.... and I'm too tired to figure out what story I can tell. Let me think about it a bit.

I here you Kris. People need a little bit of Candor when they are in public. I curse like a sailor in my own home, but that's just for me lol. That being said if I lost a $300 fish you might hear a few choice words from me at the LFS, but I can vent pretty quick

I really don't understand the dynamic of Trump/Hillary when it comes to reefs (please no one explain it to me) I was just trying to make a light hearted fun post where we could vent about funny/odd things that we all might experience at out local LFS. I realls hope this thread doesn't turn into a political sounding board.