This really steams me.

[Black Phantom]

So I decide to go into one of the "big box" LFS in the northeast (which I don't usually do). And as I'm walking around the salesperson is adding up a list of all the new marine fish (8 to be exact)that this gentleman is picking out. When I mention he must have a large tank he says that he is just starting a 28 and is picking it out today.
When the salesperson mentions he will need live rock he asks "what's that".
The salesperson says he will need it to balance the system and with the right additives he should be able to put his fish in the tank in about 3 days. Now I'm mad. This is just wrong.
So while the salesperson is off getting "stuff" I quickly jot down the URL for Canreef and convince the guy to hold off on the fish at least for a couple of weeks. Hopefully by then he will come online here and start to gather some knowledge of what it really takes to have happy critters and not kill a ton of stuff getting there.
I realize the bottom line for these stores is sales but a little more information to the customer would sure go a long way.

[kien]

That customer has probably been watching 'Tanked' ...

[xtreme]

You're not the only one that gets steamed. Anytime I am in either of the box stores in the NE I usually leave shaking my head....

[Ross]

I'd confronted staff at both of the stores about the lack of concern over sick fish in their tanks, and the typical responce is that "the fish are all qt'd at the wholesailer and that they are all in pristine shape".

So that white fuzz and spots all over those fish is a sign of health then?

Red Coral, Golds and Ocean City for me thanks.

[Parker]

I often wonder if the management at said establishments are directing the employees to sell, sell, sell or if it’s just a general lack of knowledgeable employees, or the lack of proper training and education. If they don't know what they are doing is incorrect, is it the employee's fault? I don't believe so.

[cityreefer]

i agree parker, educating staff is the one on problem for stores like this. its hard to keep employees as i image the wage is just not where it needs to be to live in Alberta.
How do you keep good staff for long, the box stores in Edmonton seem to be doing good with staff for the most part.

[Aquaria]

If u didn't know already most big stores are about profit do u really think they care? I mean buddywill kill his fish and come back for more after instead of seeing him one time they get to see him many times. It's a sad realization that people just don't care. I'm waiting to see something like that on a bad day lol I would make them feel like complete idiots for the obvious disregard for basic life

[parkinsn]

Originally Posted by Parker

I often wonder if the management at said establishments are directing the employees to sell, sell, sell or if it’s just a general lack of knowledgeable employees, or the lack of proper training and education. If they don't know what they are doing is incorrect, is it the employee's fault? I don't believe so.

I worked for a big box store in my FW days years ago. Thats all it was.... Sell, sell, sell. I would send people to other stores to be sure they were getting what they need not what we had on the shelf. I figured that if your going to buy something and have half a head on your shoulders buy what is proper. If you help a customer out properly the first time they will remember that and come back to you when then need something, at least I remember customer service like that. I quit shortly after management gave me a talking to about not sending people away and just making a sale.

[daniella3d]

yep...that's probably it!

good one

Originally Posted by kien

That customer has probably been watching 'Tanked' ...

[naesco]

Originally Posted by Black Phantom

So I decide to go into one of the "big box" LFS in the northeast (which I don't usually do). And as I'm walking around the salesperson is adding up a list of all the new marine fish (8 to be exact)that this gentleman is picking out. When I mention he must have a large tank he says that he is just starting a 28 and is picking it out today.
When the salesperson mentions he will need live rock he asks "what's that".
The salesperson says he will need it to balance the system and with the right additives he should be able to put his fish in the tank in about 3 days. Now I'm mad. This is just wrong.
So while the salesperson is off getting "stuff" I quickly jot down the URL for Canreef and convince the guy to hold off on the fish at least for a couple of weeks. Hopefully by then he will come online here and start to gather some knowledge of what it really takes to have happy critters and not kill a ton of stuff getting there.
I realize the bottom line for these stores is sales but a little more information to the customer would sure go a long way.

It is great to hear that you involved yourself in this situation.
We as reefers owe it to the critters that remove from their home to do everything we can to protect them from this kind of abuse.
Good job!