What would be good response to LFS owner?

[Megatrev62]

Hello, was at the store last night and a discussion ensued about quarantine, size of tanks for certain fish....you get the idea. Well I touched a nerve when I mentioned Reef Central and all that is good here. Owner rolls eyes and said "Reef Central, don't believe everything you read there", and cotinued about the Net and all the BS there.. Anyway I think I got my point across, but dang it was frustrating without insulting him.

Any ideas what to say when the store gets its back up? Cheers

[mm949]

if you like shopping there, i wouldnt mention RC again....

[Megatrev62]

Probably right. lol. Do you own a store?

[ajcanale]

You could have replied: "That's funny! On RC they say 'LFS, don't believe everything you are told there'"

[IridescentLily]

I would say "on RC they have so many people (220,000) that have literally decades of experience, and I like to make decisions based on all of this available information."

[IridescentLily]

oops duplicate post

[f3honda4me]

I would want to know what specifically he thinks we are wrong about.

[Misled]

You must remember. The store wants to sell you something. They have to make money to stay in business. I'm not making a dime by posting what I know, and it doesn't matter to me whether you buy something or not.

[MrTuskfish]

Don' believe "everything" you hear any where. Most questions on RC will get many replies. Some are great, some ridiculous , and some make you think. Our hobby just has many areas that don't have definite answer; just options and experiences. . Get opinions and make decisions based on who says what.....and add some common sense. Sadly, the knowledgeable LFS is a thing of the past, in most cases.
IMO, and there are exceptions, the average LFS guy knows very little about our hobby, doesn't keep up with all the changes, bases his answers on what he has in stock, and wonders why so many people buy everything online.

[Khemul]

Don't argue with LFS owners. Don't even argue with LFS employees. And never, under any circumstances, argue with chain-store employees (it isn't good for your sanity).


They will all drop the experience card on you. Their information source has A LOT more experience. Whether it be corporate HQ, the owner of business or something else. They will bury any response you have under the concept that they have much more experience then you. And technically they'll be right. Which is the best type of right. Trumps actually being right all the time. All you have to come back is "well someone I don't even know online said...".

[sponger0]

Im sorry but experience doesnt always trump true knowledge. You can be experienced using the same techniques over and over....but those techniques dont mean they are the right way. Business or not.

Ive actually test LFS employees and saw them shrug their shoulders lol. I love that feeling.

If I was to respond the the OP, then I would say I guess I shouldnt believe everythign this store says. There is one store close to me that I wouldnt beleive what they say.....and if they had an agruement all I would point out the tanks full of ick, aiptasia and hair algae

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by MrTuskfish

Don' believe "everything" you hear any where. Most questions on RC will get many replies. Some are great, some ridiculous , and some make you think. Our hobby just has many areas that don't have definite answer; just options and experiences. . Get opinions and make decisions based on who says what.....and add some common sense. Sadly, the knowledgeable LFS is a thing of the past, in most cases.
IMO, and there are exceptions, the average LFS guy knows very little about our hobby, doesn't keep up with all the changes, bases his answers on what he has in stock, and wonders why so many people buy everything online.

Exactly.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Misled

You must remember. The store wants to sell you something. They have to make money to stay in business. I'm not making a dime by posting what I know, and it doesn't matter to me whether you buy something or not.

Likewise.

[mm949]

not all stores are looking to take you for a ride.....a good LFS should have your best interests in mind unlike online vendors or people selling things they dont want on forums

[sponger0]

Originally Posted by mm949

a good LFS should have your best interests in mind

This=rare

[jasonrstewart79]

I think maintaining a good relationship with your LFS would be a good thing. They may have had a bad experience with an RC member and formed an opinion based on that... just be the example of what an RC member should be and watch them change their tune over time

[bobears03]

I actually don't even want the confrontation at all. I usually fail to understand why some of us feel like we need to respond to comments and answers from LFSs we all know may be incorrect. Is it really that important?

I guess I could see for the benefit of someone new and not exposed to places like RC we would want them to have credible information. Other than that, I would just leave it alone and let them have their own opinion about RC. I have enough trouble controlling my own fish tank let alone winning the hearts and minds of the LFS.

[sponger0]

Originally Posted by bobears03

I actually don't even want the confrontation at all. I usually fail to understand why some of us feel like we need to respond to comments and answers from LFSs we all know may be incorrect. Is it really that important?

I guess I could see for the benefit of someone new and not exposed to places like RC we would want them to have credible information. Other than that, I would just leave it alone and let them have their own opinion about RC. I have enough trouble controlling my own fish tank let alone winning the hearts and minds of the LFS.

When it comes to knowledge....I think that is the most important factor above all. Over water husbandry, technique or skill. Knowledge is going to influence all these

[Misled]

Originally Posted by sponger0

When it comes to knowledge....I think that is the most important factor above all. Over water husbandry, technique or skill. Knowledge is going to influence all these

That!!!!!

Think of it this way. You are the one shelling out your hard earned money on something. If you can't spend the time to research it "BEFORE" getting it, and you decide to rely on what someone anywhere is telling you, it is your mistake. I'm not saying to just rely on RC. There's a vast amount if info here on the web. Figure out what you want. Get all the info you can find and see if your system is even compatible with what you want. Then and only then, get it. I say get it, but most store will hold something for a few days. Let them hold it. If a fish, stop in a couple times. Have them feed it and watch it eat.

[jcw]

I just smile and nod.

[jasonrstewart79]

Originally Posted by bobears03

I actually don't even want the confrontation at all. I usually fail to understand why some of us feel like we need to respond to comments and answers from LFSs we all know may be incorrect. Is it really that important?

I guess I could see for the benefit of someone new and not exposed to places like RC we would want them to have credible information. Other than that, I would just leave it alone and let them have their own opinion about RC. I have enough trouble controlling my own fish tank let alone winning the hearts and minds of the LFS.

Yeah, I'd tend to agree that we place too much importance on other people's opinions of us.

[sponger0]

Originally Posted by jasonrstewart79

Yeah, I'd tend to agree that we place too much importance on other people's opinions of us.

I dont........

[jasonrstewart79]

Originally Posted by sponger0

i dont........

lol

[devildog999]

While I wouldn't trust most LFS, the one I frequent most I have the luxury of actually trusting.... at least the luxury of trusting the manager there. Doesn't mean he doesn't give other customers BS but I go there so often I have gotten to know them quite a bit and they don't really run the BS anymore.... though I still like backing up the opinions I get there with the opinions here. Better safe than sorry.

[NMC]

There's lots of opinions out there. Some good, some not so well thought out. Just take it all in, form your own, and don't try to sway people at all. With a LFS, if you disagree with something they are telling you, just thank them and disagree with your wallet. I think most folks mean well, and I can't imagine the pressure of trying to make a go of my own small business like they do....mostly a losing game it would seem with lots of desperation. I give props to anyone trying to win at that game, but I do understand that what's best for my little 28 gallons may not be their prime motivator.