anthryn Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Hello all, what are people's opinions on the staff at your local fish shop? we ask because there is one in particular that we no longer go to because of the rudeness of the staff. But today decided to stop in for a look. Walk in past 2 staff, neither of them say hello or anything at all. While we had smiles on ready to greet them. Started looking around the store, almost ran into a staff member (who didnt say anything) even though we had to stop to let him through the aisle. Looked around for 10 mins. None of the 4 staff approached and asked if we needed help. Decided to buy a couple of fish to see how the staff were in a sale. Same ****. We felt like we were getting in the way of their day, that our presence in their store was a burden. I wont name the store, unless people want/need to know. But we just dont understand their attitude. And it has been like that for years, hence why we stopped going. They work their because they are passionate about fish (one would presume), so why not strike up conversations with customers and share knowledge and enjoy your time at work. Anyone have any other opinions on customer service in our LFS?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter m Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 My lfs is very helpful does free water checks gives good advice and stocks good range of fish at usual lfs prices. Their name is gold Coast pet center at burleigh. One staff member is very knowledgeable about bristlenose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilo1 Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 4 staff members in one shop, must be doing something right , go figure lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Netto14 Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 I've had a similar experience at a lfs. I bet I know which shop you're referring to. In fact anyone reading this will know. Ironically everyone rags on Pet barn, but my local has some great knowledgeable staff who are great to chat to. That said there is one of their staff member who I avoid as she's very presumptuous and rude. Funny enough one of my friends told me a story about the same person being obnoxious to them. I guess it boils down to how happy that person (or people) are within themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthryn Posted August 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 4 staff members in one shop, must be doing something right , go figure lol Haha. Yep. Although it did look like a maintenence day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbunamad Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 When I enter a lfs I am usually greeted with a "hi can I help you"? If I say I am there to have a look they usually leave me alone until I approach them. If the store you speak of has been there for years with the same staff they must be doing something right to keep their doors open. Is it a pet shop not an aquarium? It sounds like it may be a "chain store" and if so that helps explain what is happening. I only frequent "true lfs" because I know staff there know what they are talking about and I would rather support a family business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatSalvatore Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) I've had a similar experience at a lfs. I bet I know which shop you're referring to. You're at Browns Plains, they're at Auchenflower, I'm at Forest Lake, so will say middle'ish, I have no idea who you are talking about... Edited August 25, 2015 by FatSalvatore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthryn Posted August 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 When I enter a lfs I am usually greeted with a "hi can I help you"?If I say I am there to have a look they usually leave me alone until I approach them. If the store you speak of has been there for years with the same staff they must be doing something right to keep their doors open. Is it a pet shop not an aquarium? It sounds like it may be a "chain store" and if so that helps explain what is happening. I only frequent "true lfs" because I know staff there know what they are talking about and I would rather support a family business. Its an Aquarium. Not a pet shop or a chain store. No hello, no acknowledgement. And i agree, i love a hello and then to be left alone for a lap of the whole shop, and then a check in from staff. But to have to go and ask for assistance from someone who hasnt even said hello, its just weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix230197 Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 I had the same experience at one of my locals on Sunday. Walked in prepared to buy, stood there looking bewildered at the price of their pearlscale goldies and pondered their pricing on other fish as well. I eventually left after 15 mins of walking around looking at and pointing at certain fish in tanks and eventually walked out. Here's the kicker, as I left someone yelled out thanks, pffft yeah thanks for wasting my time guys. there would have been 6 staff on with probably 4 feeding the fish in the aquairum. After leaving there I went to the guys I have bough all my other fish from. I was there 30 seconds, the owner walked past said "hey mate, will get someone with you as soon as possible" less than 2 mins later I had someone with me and a 1 of 6 fish in the bag. Even though the place is a bit of a hike form my place, I will always be gong back to the same place to get my fish. Probably again this weekend as one of the new golds jumped out of the tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billfish Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 My local haunt is smiths aquariums and mark and the guys in there are awesome info at the ready if you need it ,leave you alone and dont hound you if youre just looking . My local petbarn has 1 guy there that is a fish keeper not just an employee , his knowledge is pretty sound ,the rest of them not so much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lofties Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 My local haunt is smiths aquariums and mark and the guys in there are awesome info at the ready if you need it ,leave you alone and dont hound you if youre just looking . My local petbarn has 1 guy there that is a fish keeper not just an employee , his knowledge is pretty sound ,the rest of them not so much Mark is good, but Andrew is excellent. Always interested in what's going on in our tanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billfish Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Not sure which one Andrew is but they are all top notch in my opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbunamad Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Does Stace still work at Smiths? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix230197 Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Smiths is now my place to buy, I wasn't going to name but as others have why not... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix230197 Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 I think it was Stace that got me my new "babies" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pk333 Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Can't beat Smiths, AOA or Tech Den for customer service. I must be getting old (or jaded) in my middle age, as Smiths is the only aquarium store I really like, yet it's so far from me. Most others have slowly gone down hill (or out off business) over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbunamad Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 [MENTION=3878]pk333[/MENTION] Annerley Aquarium is still going strong Pet City ditto Exotic Fish Connections Pet Country Now Downstream Aquatics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pk333 Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 [MENTION=3878]pk333[/MENTION]Annerley Aquarium is still going strong Pet City ditto Exotic Fish Connections Pet Country Now Downstream Aquatics Ahhhh, this where the jaded part of me comes to the fore. Pet City is a shadow of its former self. Annerley is looking tired and there's just "something" that puts me off about the store. I've only been to Exotic a couple of times, and never been that impressed. Where is Pet Country? I really like Steve & Edwin and hope Down Stream Aquatics grows. I really want a Southside version of Smiths. I guess when you grade all LFS against Smiths, well... The only other store I really like is a specialist store, and you can't compare a specialist to a full LFS. I primarily like dwarf South American cichlids, Eartheaters, Discus etc (as well as wild and fancy bettas) and I like Quality. And that's the big thing for me, so hard to find quality (and variety) these days. And that falls back on the importers, size of the hobby in Aus, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefan.jsp Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Smiths is the one store i love going to. i like the huge displays up the top it really inspires you and also give you a fair idea on how to keep certain fish. Always helpful and explain the ins and outs of each fish. City farmer on gympie road was good too there is one guy there who knows his stuff too. if you look in the display tank there are quite a few large plecos that i donated when someone i knew closed down his tanks....they are huge didnt know how much they are worth until now!! plus i only had a three foot tank back then and they would not have fitted they are seriously huge . Annerly needs a revamp and rethink imo, it seems they have lost the passion that you find at smiths... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slipshodman Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 My LFS is getting better and better, its only been round for a few months, i don't go to any of the others near me now as the service there is so much better A "hello" as soon as you walk in the door even if they are serving someone they will pop out a " Hello, be with you shortly" Offer any assistance but leave you alone if you tell them you are just looking round, but will touch base with you again after 5 to 10 mins to see how your tanks are going or if you need help They also seem to know everyone by name (including me) which is a nice touch but probably means they don't have as many patrons as they would like, or dam good memories They are expanding into marine as well and have a new employee who seems really knowledgeable so as a group happy to chat and offer advice Happy to name them - Ofishal Pets Emu Plains NSW Sean is the owner and him and his family are great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvlyLisa Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Ahhhh, this where the jaded part of me comes to the fore. Pet City is a shadow of its former self. Annerley is looking tired and there's just "something" that puts me off about the store. I've only been to Exotic a couple of times, and never been that impressed. Where is Pet Country? I really like Steve & Edwin and hope Down Stream Aquatics grows. I really want a Southside version of Smiths. I guess when you grade all LFS against Smiths, well... The only other store I really like is a specialist store, and you can't compare a specialist to a full LFS. I primarily like dwarf South American cichlids, Eartheaters, Discus etc (as well as wild and fancy bettas) and I like Quality. And that's the big thing for me, so hard to find quality (and variety) these days. And that falls back on the importers, size of the hobby in Aus, etc. Annerley Aquarium is going to be revamped very soon and you wouldn't find anyone more pleasant and helpful than Sandy and Matt. Pet Country is at Slacks Creek in the Argonaut complex and is owned by Phil Casey. Exotic Fish Connections people are always polite and give assistance when [f.....g] needed lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
none Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 I feel sorry for the owners and staff of these shops that deal with ignorant, arrogant and downright rude customers all day then are complained about when they may not greet you on time. Standing on your feet for 8 hours plus a day catching out fish, mopping floors, listening to absolute BS that people have learnt from FB or Gumtree, having to endure the speech "but I can but that fish for $3 online" (despite the fact you know its a mongrel hybrid for $3) - it's a wonder there are any shops left. Having the privilege of knowing the owners and staff of many, many stores Australia wide I can say these are great people who have an incredibly tough job. Economically unviable in this climate - being pushed out by large chains - shafted on wholesale discounts and then - to top it off copping this kind of thread. None of us can be polite and happy all the time. If you are unhappy nobody is making you return. This venting is unnecessary and may just be the nail in the coffin for yet another shop. Too late when they are all gone. Then we will have whinging that they are no longer around - go figure.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
th3f0rg0t3n Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 sounds like the exact same speech that comes from said type of LFS mouths when confronted on certain items, products, services time's have changed, the internet exists and you can no longer charge "x" for products & fish because a person has the ability too spend 10seconds online and find it cheaper or better and else-where more conveniently, Be competitive , sell quality and you will have customers that flock far n wide for these 2 reasons alone, a little please & thank you goes along way. The old "we have over-heads" doesn't cut it when every single person here has over-heads and they are mostly just trying too enjoy a hobby and not be pillaged for doing so. I don't want too see any LFS shut down because i like too imagine they all have a place, I dont buy or have ever used facebook or anything and i personally try too support my own local LFS's as much as possible at any given chance but they sure do make it hard with attitude issues similar too what you said above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
th3f0rg0t3n Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 p.s not having a dig at you [MENTION=8516]none[/MENTION] , i really enjoy your knowledge and input on these type of issues as you are obviously very much more experienced than myself, just my 2c worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
none Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 p.s not having a dig at you [MENTION=8516]none[/MENTION] , i really enjoy your knowledge and input on these type of issues as you are obviously very much more experienced than myself, just my 2c worth. No worries [MENTION=6988]th3f0rg0t3n[/MENTION] no offence taken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
