I had a bit of a fallout with my LFS today, and I guess I'm just looking to vent. I've been going there for years, but they kind of made me feel bad today. I message them on Facebook because it's the quickest way to contact them, however I don't have a Facebook. My friend or kids will let me use theirs when I need to ask something, but I always state that it is me. Apparently this confused them and made them uneasy. They also told me I am no longer able to trade things in there, because a lot of what I traded in has died. I am not sure how this is my fault, when I bring healthy specimens, and they have the right to observe them before credit is given. It's awkward now, and I feel like I've been criminalized when I've done nothing wrong. Thanks for letting me vent.
LFS Falling Out
- Thread starter Jim C
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Hmmm... I always like to face to face for lfs stuff. There's always an a level of detachment over the internet, so I would go in and see if you can set things straight. They might just not want to take trades for other reasons and had to make something up?
Today I went to a different LFS and the owner would not share his AI hydra color settings because I did not buy the lights from him. I guess the fact that I bought all of the plumbing from him and was planning on buying coral through him wasn't good enough. I'm done with the fish stores near me, everything I order will now be online.
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2015
- Messages
- 6,514
- Reaction score
- 6,400
Horrible luck. What is with these LFS's? I have one similar to that near me as well. I have to travel 3 hours round trip for a good experience.
ReeferBob
Valuable Member
Pretty sad I deal almost exclusively with online stores. I think a lot of B&M stores know they can't compete financially with online stores but where they could beat them is customer service. They simply don't seem to want to do this.
Some LFS are victims of circumstance (online shopping), while others are victims of their own undoing.
Tuffyyyyy
2500 Club Member
As suggested above, I think I'd go in there and try to clear it up in person. Also might consider buying something cheap with your own money on this visit. No matter how the conversation goes I'm sure it'd be frustrating to them if you go in to argue about something and then walk out with free stuff. I'd do a 2nd visit to use your store credit. Try to remember that this hobby is filled with anti-socials, including LFS owners. I know that having good service is something we all expect no matter where we go, but remember that these are normal people just trying to run a business. I'm sure Ryan from BRS even has days where he's cranky with customers...probably why he hired others to deal with them lol. If he doesn't want stuff from you anymore then so be it. But personally, I don't think that's worth not going there anymore.
As for the 2nd LFS visit...I'm not sure what's up with that.
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2015
- Messages
- 6,514
- Reaction score
- 6,400
Agreed. There is one store I like most and they always go above and beyond to please customers. They've fragged from their own DT to satisfy me once. I couldn't believe it. From what I overheard, one of the employees is active or stays up to date here on R2R. They really keep up with whats going on. It's nice to be able to share new info with these guys and having them give insightful input as well. The good ones really stand out.
IME; every LFS becomes an extension of the owner's personality because they are so intimately involved with running it. At least in the very beginning.
For example, I know this very nice, knowledgable man who owns a LFS but he's a total recluse. No way this guy should have started a business where he has to interact with the public. Most people avoid the shop because of how awkward he acts or they say he gives them the creeps. He even hired an employee, but she tends to be quiet & shy I think because she learned it from him.
But when I go in there, I'm like his long-lost brother, and towards me at least he's one of the most helpful, knowledgable people I've ever known in this hobby. The kind of guy who can't do enough for ya. But that's only because I identified him as being an introvert early on, and then took the time to get to know him so I could break down those barriers. And I think he knows and appreciates that about me.
Little long-winded here, but what I'm trying to say is sometimes you have to look through the "business face" of a person and see the human being which lies within. Only then will you begin to find common ground. Try to get to know them on a personal level, even put yourself in their shoes (knowing how they must struggle as a business owner); so that you can gain a greater understanding of just who you're dealing with and how you can get on better with them as a customer. ;)
TritonsGarden
Coral Farmer Wannabe
Also keep in mind brick and mortar stores get a lot of window shopping and the customer ultimately goes online for a better price. This wastes their time and can be quite flustrating.
Also trades are rarely profitable for a store.
Also trades are rarely profitable for a store.
littlebigreef
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2016
- Messages
- 2,086
- Reaction score
- 2,370
- Location
- Batavia IL
- What state or country do you live in
- Illinois
How much is the relationship with the LFS worth to you? Everyone has off days and I deliberately avoid online interaction because things can go sideways very quickly. This is especially true if you're using someone else's Facebook account. Someone above said it best. Go in there and if they seem receptive then try to clear the air. Otherwise. drop a little coin and then comeback next time and cash in that lovely store credit.
For my part I empathize with LFS owners because the landscape is only going to get more and more competitive. As someone who grows, trades and sell stuff I realize that I'm competing with them to a degree. So, when I trade stuff in I try (within reason) to make it a "win" for them.
For my part I empathize with LFS owners because the landscape is only going to get more and more competitive. As someone who grows, trades and sell stuff I realize that I'm competing with them to a degree. So, when I trade stuff in I try (within reason) to make it a "win" for them.
Hogan
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2015
- Messages
- 1,290
- Reaction score
- 529
- Location
- Utah
- What state or country do you live in
- Utah
Man, I feel lucky to have the best LFS near me! Aquatic Dreams is the best!! Great prices, great stock, great people. Always helping out and donating to the Local Fish Club. And I had some tank troubles with a controller (that I didn't buy from them because they sent Neptune and it was a different brand) so the owner came over to my house and helped me figure it out free of charge! They always have my business.
Similar threads
