What do you wish Big Box Store workers knew?

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sinibotia

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I'm about to start as an aquatics specialist at a big box store. I know freshwater pretty darn well but only the very basics of saltwater. I'm doing my research- some the old fashioned way, but I'm also curious what information experienced hobbyists might want getting out to those who know less in the hobby (besides "don't buy fish from big box stores" :lol:)
 
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I wish all pet stores would have pamphlets on proper care for the different species of fish. Heck pamphlets for any animal they sell.
 
Really I'd work on basic care. I know in my particular big box store, they consistently have dirty tanks, dead fish, sick fish and even aggression from mixing species that don't belong together. The labeling of fish is also either vague or flat out wrong. The employees have limited knowledge on fishkeeping and give people poor advice on what to do with thier tanks, stocking numbers and mixing species you shouldn't.

The biggest issue for me is running all tanks off the same system. This might be okay if they medicated the tanks when stocked with new fish but they don't.

My personal feeling is that big box stores intentionally misinforms people about fishkeeping because if they really broke it down to the average/beginner person what all it entails it would turn a lot of people off to the hobby before they ever spent a dime in the store.
 
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Good afternoon.

So everyone is aware that these threads are always, special. Please keep in mind that we do have a set of community rules and that they need to be followed in all threads here in the forum.

Everyone has an opinion on the stores that they have visited. So keep in mind that we aren't to be bashing on a specific store, but it is ok to talk about these big box stores in general.
Please remember to keep the language family friendly.

Thanks for understanding.
 
A couple of the big ones are know about the

nitrification cycle

How big the fish actually get in the grown up stage not the tiny fish they might be in the store. I discussed this with a manager, having the outline of the adult fish on the tank so people know what size they will become.

Pictures on the fish tank boxes are just for piquing interest.

Saltwater takes some additional time as in RO water and making SW for the tank, to always have some Marine Salt on hand in case of a midnight emergency.

Be aware that some SW creatures can be toxic and sting you.
 
Where I could buy 6ft fish tanks in easily-transportable flatpacks (really feel IKEA needs to lift its game here :) )
 
"How big the fish actually get in the grown up stage not the tiny fish they might be in the store. I discussed this with a manager, having the outline of the adult fish on the tank so people know what size they will become."



Kinda a training issue. When someone asks to buy a fish the employee should be able to give the proper information and ask the question, how big is your tank.
 
It's your duty as a consumer to make responsible decisions when buying "stuff" and "things". Not everybody has the luxury of choosing the job of their dreams. Sometimes spetko is the most reasonable decision for employment based on location and transportation abilities. Maybe they have no idea what they're talking about?? Maybe you should know better?? I dont buy cheap dog food because it's on sale and they say its "fine". I know better. Call it lazy? Make a stupid purchase and blame it on someone else.... I know some who bought a $40,000 mini van that didn't even fit in their garage.. talk about buyers remorse haha. Its 2019... if for some odd reason you do not have the entire world of information available on the little device in your pocket than sorry, otherwise pull out your freaking phone and Google something.. simple as that. No good excuse for bad lfs purchases anymore other than you're lazy or ignorant (or do not have a smart phone, I'm sure you have your reasons and I exclude you from my rant).
Ps- I've made a few stupid impulse buys but I only blame myself;)
 
This particular location of big box store is actually extremely good with fish and has a team genuinely trying to change the reputation of at least their individual store. (I've been buying fish from them for years). Otherwise I wouldnt have applied (y) thanks for all the replies!
 
It's your duty as a consumer to make responsible decisions when buying "stuff" and "things". Not everybody has the luxury of choosing the job of their dreams. Sometimes spetko is the most reasonable decision for employment based on location and transportation abilities. Maybe they have no idea what they're talking about?? Maybe you should know better?? I dont buy cheap dog food because it's on sale and they say its "fine". I know better. Call it lazy? Make a stupid purchase and blame it on someone else.... I know some who bought a $40,000 mini van that didn't even fit in their garage.. talk about buyers remorse haha. Its 2019... if for some odd reason you do not have the entire world of information available on the little device in your pocket than sorry, otherwise pull out your freaking phone and Google something.. simple as that. No good excuse for bad lfs purchases anymore other than you're lazy or ignorant (or do not have a smart phone, I'm sure you have your reasons and I exclude you from my rant).
Ps- I've made a few stupid impulse buys but I only blame myself;)
Lol. Good points. But there's a consumer and a professional involved here. I fully understand that people do what they're gonna do but it would be nice to have someone in the trade by profession explain to the uniformed a bad idea. A lot of people ask these employees questions because they want to make the right decision then they're given bad information. No different than someone coming to this site wanting help and us giving bad info.
 
Lol. Good points. But there's a consumer and a professional involved here. I fully understand that people do what they're gonna do but it would be nice to have someone in the trade by profession explain to the uniformed a bad idea. A lot of people ask these employees questions because they want to make the right decision then they're given bad information. No different than someone coming to this site wanting help and us giving bad info.

I think in addition to this, from a business perspective, consumers can buy their fish and supplies from the internet too. So having good information becomes a reason for people to go to a big box store rather than ordering off Amazon.

Not that I care about that part. Yall know I'm in it to save the fish ?
 
First and foremost asking consumer questions to find out if what fish the are buying are appropriate selections. Too often people buy fish not knowing anything about them and when they get home putting them in the tank and they die.. My first question to anybody would be has your tank cycled? I would want to get a feel for their knowledge level and then steer them in the right direction as far as how many fish to put in their tank what kind of fish they should be buying how knowledgeable they are.
 
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