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04-24-2011, 05:52 PM
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#1
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Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Courtenay, Canada
Posts: 14
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Anyone ever thought about opening a LFS?
I'm curious if anyone here has ever done, or thought of doing this?
I've always had the dream of owning my own LFS, ever since I was a little kid, and I'm now in a position where I may be able to do it soon. If I do it though, I want to make sure I'm prepared...
What kind of things do you guys like and don't like to see at your LFS, what would you like to see more of, what makes you go where you go?
Anyone have ideas and suggestions?
There isn't really anyplace that has that "wow" factor around here, just a generic box store and a small pet shop. But then again, I feel this place may be a little small with only 21,940 people. However, I do have the advantage of being able to live with very little expense here.
What kind of things do you guys think need to be done or considered?
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04-24-2011, 06:21 PM
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#2
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Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: US, Washington state
Posts: 4,449
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I've been thinking about that for along time as well and everything that would be involved is mind boggling to me. Would pretty much be my dream come true if I could do that or work in/ co own a store.
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04-24-2011, 06:22 PM
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#3
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Dividing by 0
Community Admin



Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13,932
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We do have a few members who run some level of a lfs...
I think you would have a difficult time with that small of a population, unless you really try and focus on internet sales--and even then fish only is a tough business.
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04-24-2011, 06:30 PM
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#4
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Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Courtenay, Canada
Posts: 14
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That's exactly what I think fort. I'll probably relocate to a bigger city, even if it costs more initially I think it'd be worth it.
I'm conflicted on the fish only side of things, and sometimes wonder if a better idea would be a general pet shop. But then the past shows that pursuing synergies tends not to work out.
I've made an interesting note that most privately owned businesses that have been successful chose only one section of the market to specialize in. I think this may be because they don't have to juggle so many things, and are free to completely master one section of the market.
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04-24-2011, 06:35 PM
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#5
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Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Dawsonville, Ga
Posts: 1,285
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here's the only thing I can tell you that's the main reason lfs's go out of business around here.
If you go into this in debt, you'll barely survive. One lost shipment could cost you your shirt. Make sure you will be financially stable enough to be able to get everything you need and still buy fish before you start.
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04-24-2011, 06:37 PM
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#6
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member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Alpharetta
Posts: 5,873
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Send severum mama and HN1 a pm. They've done it, and chances are they've got a few pointers.
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04-24-2011, 06:39 PM
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#7
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Dividing by 0
Community Admin



Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13,932
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That makes a lot of sense. There is a such an enormous startup cost to undertake something like this... and really the market is not huge, so if you are paying down a bunch of debt, it could make it very difficult. The internet has really hurt small brick and mortar businesses in that regard... the amount of markup you can get away with on equipment has dwindled significantly.
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04-24-2011, 06:45 PM
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#8
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Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Courtenay, Canada
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flake
here's the only thing I can tell you that's the main reason lfs's go out of business around here.
If you go into this in debt, you'll barely survive. One lost shipment could cost you your shirt. Make sure you will be financially stable enough to be able to get everything you need and still buy fish before you start.
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I wouldn't go into debt, or even consider going into debt.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homedog98
Send severum mama and HN1 a pm. They've done it, and chances are they've got a few pointers.
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Thanks, I'll direct them this way. ^_^
Quote:
Originally Posted by fort384
That makes a lot of sense. There is a such an enormous startup cost to undertake something like this... and really the market is not huge, so if you are paying down a bunch of debt, it could make it very difficult. The internet has really hurt small brick and mortar businesses in that regard... the amount of markup you can get away with on equipment has dwindled significantly.
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I think the best way to prepare for this would be to acknowledge that the internet has no borders, and you're in direct competition with every site out there.
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04-24-2011, 06:57 PM
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#9
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Aquarium Advice Activist
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 150
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This business is very competitive. I would guess it is the biggest reason you find all the terrible advice from pet stores.
It is much like the computer industry. If you are well educated in computer hardware, building your own computers etc.. just listen to the sales person talk to someone who has no clue about computers. I feel bad everytime I see someone walk out of a big box store with some overprcied junky computer.
Like the person walking out with a fish bowl and 2 goldfish.
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04-24-2011, 07:01 PM
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#10
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member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan
Posts: 4,219
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Another way to help upon start up is to buy stock from local breeders and such, cutting out stress(on both you and fish) from shipping and all the handling, it helps your local economy and you can pretty much hand pick your fish instead of placing an order and crossing your fingers.
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04-24-2011, 07:03 PM
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#11
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Dividing by 0
Community Admin



Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13,932
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One of the more successful fish only places that I used to frequent actually had a large wearhouse/lab separate from the store front where they bred a lot of their own stock. If you have the space, I would think that could cut down on cost. Although, it seems to me that most of the money is in equipment, and not livestock, at least if you are going to have a storefront. I could be wrong on that.
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04-24-2011, 07:13 PM
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#12
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Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Courtenay, Canada
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by j2112j
This business is very competitive. I would guess it is the biggest reason you find all the terrible advice from pet stores.
It is much like the computer industry. If you are well educated in computer hardware, building your own computers etc.. just listen to the sales person talk to someone who has no clue about computers. I feel bad everytime I see someone walk out of a big box store with some overprcied junky computer.
Like the person walking out with a fish bowl and 2 goldfish.
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I'd like to think an honest approach could work. I'd rather build clientele based on excellent product and service.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gillie
Another way to help upon start up is to buy stock from local breeders and such, cutting out stress(on both you and fish) from shipping and all the handling, it helps your local economy and you can pretty much hand pick your fish instead of placing an order and crossing your fingers.
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That's an excellent idea! Locally 'grown' stock is always a great sales pitch too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fort384
One of the more successful fish only places that I used to frequent actually had a large wearhouse/lab separate from the store front where they bred a lot of their own stock. If you have the space, I would think that could cut down on cost. Although, it seems to me that most of the money is in equipment, and not livestock, at least if you are going to have a storefront. I could be wrong on that.
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That's what I planned to do. Space is more the concern there. But yes, I think the equipment would bring in a lot of the profit, but you never know.
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04-24-2011, 07:14 PM
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#13
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Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 5,210
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hm following and where are you located?
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---------------------AA---------------------
Almost as addicting as the hobby itself
Thanks for joining AA, Welcome to the Fold. Buy the way Your doomed.
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04-24-2011, 07:18 PM
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#14
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Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Courtenay, Canada
Posts: 14
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hm following?
I'm located on Vancouver Island, on the west coast of Canada.
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04-24-2011, 07:20 PM
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#15
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Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 5,210
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well talkk about a ways away
__________________
---------------------AA---------------------
Almost as addicting as the hobby itself
Thanks for joining AA, Welcome to the Fold. Buy the way Your doomed.
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04-24-2011, 07:52 PM
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#16
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Aquarium Advice Activist
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Talz
I'd like to think an honest approach could work. I'd rather build clientele based on excellent product and service.
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I agree and no doubt your customers would be much happier.
I have 2 local independant stores nearby but they both said the bulk of their sales come from dog and cat food lol.
They just cannot compete with the big chains (In my area anyway) when it comes to fish, especially FW.
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04-24-2011, 08:07 PM
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#17
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Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: US, Washington state
Posts: 4,449
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To bad you're in canada Talz I'd come buy from/ work for you. I live about 1.5 hours from the border. Pretty sure they wouldn't let me bring fish across.
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04-24-2011, 08:23 PM
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#18
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Aquarium Advice Addict


Join Date: May 2009
Location: Ga
Posts: 8,168
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We're still working on it, no store front yet. My only advice is to research, research, research. You need to be the best at one or more things. Price, quality, a specialty. The internet is the greatest resource of all. Youtube LFS tours, visit every store you can, work in an existing shop if possible. Don't be in a hurry. You'll need a good business model and plan.
Start here... WWM DWT Aquatic Business
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Question everything you see on the internet. ~ George Orwell
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04-24-2011, 08:38 PM
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#19
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Aquarium Advice Regular
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 58
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You definitely can use the honest approach. My LFS gives nothing but honest advice. Some hometown not-big-chains do take that approach. (of course, I'm not advocating doing what ANY LFS says blindly)
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04-24-2011, 11:59 PM
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#20
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Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Courtenay, Canada
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mogurako
To bad you're in canada Talz I'd come buy from/ work for you. I live about 1.5 hours from the border. Pretty sure they wouldn't let me bring fish across.
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I got no idea how that works, maybe...
Quote:
Originally Posted by HN1
We're still working on it, no store front yet. My only advice is to research, research, research. You need to be the best at one or more things. Price, quality, a specialty. The internet is the greatest resource of all. Youtube LFS tours, visit every store you can, work in an existing shop if possible. Don't be in a hurry. You'll need a good business model and plan.
Start here... WWM DWT Aquatic Business
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Thanks for the link, I'll have a look at it.
I've been researching tirelessly, what I'm having trouble with is the actual business plan part. More so with regards to putting it in writing.
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