[hosser]

Jim (aquasalt) are you by any chance a member of any reef clubs or know of any close to us. Id love to pick the brain of others while I can at the same time see specimens to ask about.

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by holiday

I also found out that most LFS don't know what they are talking about and are just trying to make a sale. Many here on RB will agree with me on that statement. Which is very unfortunate. So if you found one of the good stores you are one step ahead of the rest.

Here's a little story, my LFS, the fish people are alright, they have to make sales, it's their business, they do (hint-hint) point out stuff, and don't pressure to buy. But..... I purchased something, and was talking to the checkout girl, and she has two 75 gallon tanks, and gave me more info than the people who worked in the fish department. I had to wonder, why was she a check out girl, and not working in the fish area? Perhaps she wanted to make sure potential customers check out other resources? Anyway, she was pretty cool. I have never seen her working in the fish department, and I've been there a bunch of times.

[hosser]

I went to a LFS just to look around and I was amazed three teenagers under 18 a mom a dad and a grandma. They had an incredible store and crazy prices, very informative though. The had some of the most beautiful frags Id ever seen. I wouldnt buy from them simply due to prices but there is good LFS out there just search for them.

[jimw369]

Yup. I think Hosser is right. You search for one you will find it!

[hosser]

Im wondering how many on here have shops devoted to strictly SW. Uvajed mentioned the checkout girl knew more than the ones in the fish department. meaning there must have been other animals intrests. Lucky she was there and Im sure she will be looked for next trip there.
I wonder if the bad taste in the mouth about LFS is that they dont cater directly to SW. just a thought but I figured Id ask. Down here Ive seen SW stores that sell collars for dogs but know nothing about dogs, as Im sure more often than not dog and cat stores with SW fish know nothing of fish,of course this fish is healthy everything looks healthy when youve never seen one of them in real life before haha.

[aquasalt]

Originally Posted by hosser

Jim (aquasalt) are you by any chance a member of any reef clubs or know of any close to us. Id love to pick the brain of others while I can at the same time see specimens to ask about.

I'm not a member of any club, but am interested in possibly becoming one at some point. I do know of some good local sources if your are interested.

[hosser]

Yeah I would love some info, Im really not looking for freebies, or to spend a bunch in membership fees all I want is to see what people do , how they do it and be able to ask questions. Thanks

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by hosser

Im wondering how many on here have shops devoted to strictly SW. Uvajed mentioned the checkout girl knew more than the ones in the fish department. meaning there must have been other animals intrests. Lucky she was there and Im sure she will be looked for next trip there.
I wonder if the bad taste in the mouth about LFS is that they dont cater directly to SW. just a thought but I figured Id ask. Down here Ive seen SW stores that sell collars for dogs but know nothing about dogs, as Im sure more often than not dog and cat stores with SW fish know nothing of fish,of course this fish is healthy everything looks healthy when youve never seen one of them in real life before haha.

My LFS has a great percentage (35% of floor space?) devoted to fresh water and salt water tanks. They also do birds, reptiles, rodents, (ferrets, hamsters, and such) and have a supply of dog and cat stuff, but don't sell dogs and cats. I'm pretty happy with their knowledge, they don't really pressure, take the time to explain what they know, and are very helpful. I have to wonder about that check out girl though. Perhaps she's new and learning the store business and was stuck on the register for awhile. I hope that's the case. From what I'm reading on this forum, I'm pretty lucky to have them. I went to Milwaukee last week to check out their lfs's and I was appalled. It was sell, sell, sell (felt like I was at a car dealer). One was selling LR was 9.99 a pound. I'd never go there again. And the petco across the street that just opened up is selling their LR for 17.99 a pound. I guess they're catering to the finding nemo crowd.

I've been really happy with my lfs, they are honest, and willing to discuss, I think they WANT to discuss tanks. For example, I was talking to a gal about damsels, and she told me about their aggressiveness as they get older, and suggested Chromis's as an option.

[hosser]

Good to see someone else has a good LFS to deal with, phew now I wont be barraded for going to mine haha

[Uvajed]

Perhaps because this is small city, >30K? I like the folks there, I imagine they are people with tanks, taking a job to get discounts on supplies. And they aren't young kids, one guy has 120 FW tank, and is probably 65 years old. He's been a great help with me starting this project. And, he carries my heavy stuff out to my truck! What a guy!