I work part time at one of the better stores in the Twin Cities. It has it's perks and drawbacks. The main drawback is you have to deal with a lot of people who are basically animal abusers. They think a fish tank is live decoration and will do just about anything to avoid work. They don't want to clean algae, feed more than one kind of food, change water, medicate fish, or test their water. On the other hand, I have gained much knowledge and get ridiculous discounts. You have to take the bad with the good.
Are you in the Aquatic trade????
- Thread starter Bogwoodbruce
- Start date
I have been working at my lfs for about 6 years now. It has its rewards, discounts, working with animals you love, and you lern hell of a lot to help urself in the hobby. But as people stated befor you deal with alot of idiots and ingorant people who either wont listin or dont care. I dont think its spoiled the hobby, im looking for new work because lets face it the pay isnt good, but im sure glad to have worked there and gained the experiance. also helping people who want to lern and the good regular custies make it worht the wile.
part of me wants to take a part time job at my local petsmart to replace the people there who only know that you cant mix community with semi-aggressive, and african with south american. but so far looks like the consensus is that i made the right choice, and i just go there for fish food.
This past summer, I worked retail for a small chain pet store. Some of the Ohioans probably know the chain. Working retail does have its benefits and drawbacks. I also would rather have not worked for a chain, as while the store management are really great people (at the store I worked at, it's sadly not a chain-wide statement) who are trying to do what's best for the animals, the upper management doesn't seem to care that much about the animals or even their lower employees. If I don't find a higher paying job this next summer, I really wouldn't mind going back, but no way would I make a career out of it to the point where I'd have to personally interact with the upper management. While it really sucks knowing the fish your selling is probably going to die at the hands of the idiot you're selling it too, I like the discounts. My favorite is 50% off all fish and plants one day a month.
I've worked weekends in a couple of LFS since I was 14, I was at the first place for 9 months and have been working at my current store for around 8 months. I have learnt alot of things, but like everyone else said trying to educate ignorant people is one of the less fun parts of the job. On the flipside, I do get crazy discounts on stuff I want, so I can't really complain.
Zoodiver;2255395; said:
I am a Reptile keeper at the zoo. I do not have to work with retail but we do get calls that make you want to pull your hair out. So many people just buy first and research later. Other than that, I love my job. How many people can say they have their dream job..I work at the best lfs in the Dallas area if not Tx. We have clients drive from all over to get there stuff from us. I like it ALOT. Like just tonight I picked up a nano 14g already cycled and a peacock mantis shrimp for 100.00 that's an awsome deal. So yeah I really like working in the industry.
Bogwoodbruce;2255133; said:
Have been in the trade for about 15 years now , Its good to get stock @ wholesale prices , but you also spend all day with fish to come home to fish so i guess it spoils it a bit , like most hobbys that turn into a bussness it has its ups and downs
