I agree with your comment, to a point. It is more, I guess, about the lack of openness by a retailer when asked about "specific" animals.

We all know most fish are ok. But why support the purchase of specimens that are not aquarium suitable? Many Mandarins die to the inexperienced. Copperbands, Parrotfish, etc. A lot of people do not know about the special requirements some possess and some retailers do not educate.

There are many, MANY knowledgeable people in this hobby. BUT, there are also many who know nothing. There are also retailers who fall into both categories. If a retailer cannot be open about legitimate questions, then they probably also do not educate the less knowledgable of us.

I do my best to research the proper animals for my system and will personally never buy one I know has high mortality or one I am not advanced enough to support. So when I ask a retailer... it is BECAUSE I do not have the answer and expect they should. If they do not want to answer, or answer with ignorant comments.... wow. That is my point.

My only real concern... Factual and fair advice and answers from the retailer or lack there of.

I guess the difficulty here is you removed all your comments and we can only see the replies, which skews the context of the conversation. The "too much time" comment was probably out of line, but without the background, we can't tell.
As for the LFS, it's their job to sell stuff, it's our job to research it. In fact, I would never ask a question at the LFS that I didn't already have the answer to.

Yes Cale... this thread has gone many ways and may seem confusing by the time you read on.

It has gotten a little off topic but has made for an interesting discussion. Which I do appreciate. There are many points of view, whether or not we all agree it appears.

But to clarify Cale.... if you ask a retailer/owner a question, and they do not answer... or they choose to become defensive about your question... what would you do? What would this indicate?

Have you experienced this? Do you find it more with online retailers or the LFS?

This is based on an earlier experience I had today with a Specific sponsor. I am not going to mention his business as I am not here to cause a vendor back lash or what have you. It is merely about conflicting info he posted and was very ignorant in his answering of the questions I had...

I removed my comments as I do not want to be part of that conversation any longer.

Based on his manner of replies... I do not want any association to him.

Fair enough, but without both parts, it's hard to tell where to draw the line.

In general, I would expect that a vendor would sell a fish only if he thought there was a reasonable chance someone could keep it alive. Depending on how the topic was approached would dictate the type of answer returned. I've actually gone to the LFS and had the manager tell me I'm nuts. And he was right, and I'd rather he told me that than just smiled and agreed with me.

This is my EXACT OPINION and I can be very opinionated and very vocal. As a business owner I feel it is my job to know all about the things I do and services I provide. But as a SW hobbyist I try to research everything I want to add to my tank as much as possible. It is not up to us as hobbyist to question what LFS do or bring in because they are in business to make money.

BUT if I have a problem with a certain shop I WILL NOT RETURN to that store and I do have my favorites and I will say that RED CORAL Calgary and BLUE WORLD in Edmonton are my favorite to visit. I don't expect to them to know everything but if they don't know and I don't know then it is research time for both. There are a few questionable shop out there one being here in Red Deer ( opps there I go again :surprise:) and a few with questionable pricing but who are we to tell them what to do. I just say don't go back if there is an issue.

Just my 2 cents worth.

ummmmm so how bout that local sports team huh??:):)

Agree they will make money. They say the easiest money is made dishonestly ha ha!

Blue Water = Blue World I assume.

What I like, as Ken BW mentioned earlier... as a retailer he does not know it all and will not claim to... but he will find out.

Whether or not the retailer likes your questions, they should be respectful and just answer. Again I feel I need to reiterate... It is not about telling the retailer what to do or what to order.... it is about the lack of willingness to be straight up and simply answer direct questions.

If a retailer will not answer... then they MUST be hiding something.

And yes... I will not frequent stores that have a closed door policy or provide poor information or service.

Or ......... they don't know the answer and are not willing to admit they don't know it.

Come ON DENNY!!! STAY ON TOPIC ALREADY!!!! HA HA!