Making friends with the shopkeeper

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CoryWM

CoryWM

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 13, 2008
368
11
48
Everett, Washington
www.tankgeek.com
I just wanted to share my experiences with other people. In my experience, I get way better deals and harder to get fish with the stores I am friends with. All I do is send customers their way and bring them some plants every once in a while.

I wrote an article about it for anyone else wanting to buddy up to their local fish store.

http://www.tankgeek.com/2010/10/15/do-yourself-a-favor-and-make-friends-with-the-shop-keeper

Anyone else had luck with this approach? Or anyone strike any awesome ongoing arrangements?
 
I visit my LF commonly...one of the staff hates me thankfully me and the owner seem to get along well, i was a shopper before she owned it :)
 
After reading that article everything felt very obvious but I've never donated fish before, alway tired to swap or something. I get that the donation creates greater good will between parties.
 
kamikaziechameleon;4565315; said:
After reading that article everything felt very obvious but I've never donated fish before, alway tired to swap or something. I get that the donation creates greater good will between parties.
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Aye, I'm doing a little research to view general customer base. From a shopkeeper standpoint. Trading fish can be very time intensive. I know I reward my customers much more who donate, then reap the rewards later. Even the fish breeders I work with, tend to come out better at the end with scheduled drops offs, and then figuring out how much we owe etc on a slower day where fish arn't waiting to acclimate into tanks.
 
CoryWM;4565289; said:
That's interesting. He just won't cut you deals? You'd think that the owner of the shop wouldn't let stuff like that go on.
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There are a few staff members, ones a female who hates me and ones a male who doesn't know a lot about the fish.

The owner sells fish for 105% of the cost she gets them so I don't ask for deals. Just happy that theres a fish store in town here.

But, the girl who hates me just doesn't like that I come in and ask about the fish and stuff, I guess. She started there as a co-op student and I think the owner/manager knows her mom/dad kinda deal... :screwy:
 
That's an amazingly LOW mark-up on livestock. Most places - in order to cover overhead (staff, heat, electric, food, losses, etc.) - charge 250 to 300% on most fish...

Matt

TheRealAndyCook;4565330; said:
There are a few staff members, ones a female who hates me and ones a male who doesn't know a lot about the fish.

The owner sells fish for 105% of the cost she gets them so I don't ask for deals. Just happy that theres a fish store in town here.

But, the girl who hates me just doesn't like that I come in and ask about the fish and stuff, I guess. She started there as a co-op student and I think the owner/manager knows her mom/dad kinda deal... :screwy:
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I know most of the owners/managers of the LFS that I go to. Most of the owners will give me deals on things I buy, just because they know me. I think I know about 5 LFS owners/managers in my area. Most are friendly towards me since I go to their store a lot.
 
Yep with two one down the road one an hour away but he can import fishso we made good friends with him!!! we get discounts and in return we help his bus. By spreading the word bringing in fish, mice, feeders we have spare but we are very loyal customers and spend quiet a bit there regularly
 
dogofwar;4565370; said:
That's an amazingly LOW mark-up on livestock. Most places - in order to cover overhead (staff, heat, electric, food, losses, etc.) - charge 250 to 300% on most fish...

Matt
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I believe shes partnered with the breeder, tho Its too personal to ask IMO.

I believe there money is in there dward rabbit sales. They have about 10 of a breed of fish at max. Normally one or two of a type is typical.
 
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