Your Dream LFS

[reefing102]

If you could create your own LFS what would you have in it?

[Freed]

Employees that knew what they were talking about and that could give good advice that would keep the customers coming back. Not just to make a sale and then whatever happens is your tough luck.

[corals b 4 bills]

ME.

[OnoIgotICH]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11421102#post11421102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed
Employees that knew what they were talking about and that could give good advice that would keep the customers coming back. Not just to make a sale and then whatever happens is your tough luck.

Thats a dream come true for me than.

Its a family run buisness though. And they have sister stores that are run by uncles/cousins.
Pretty interesting actually.

[hottuna]

rare clownfish and anemones- done right.

[kar93]

a 5000gal display

[stevelkaneval]

dido the employees that know what they are alking about. and dido the 5000 gal dt.

[reefing102]

a 5000 gal show would be nice. the employees is a good thing too. other than those two there are some interesting options

[Zestay]

a frag it your self and save section....

[reefkoi]

Rare SPS lots of them at roughly the same prices as online, a little higher is fine
A store that actually stays in business for more than 3 years
Clean tanks with always healthy quarantined fish
Basically a store that is run with money from somewhere else and therefore a "dream store."
C

[Lucky-rc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11421458#post11421458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zestay
a frag it your self and save section....
LOL......lol excellent

[wabio]

A store that doesn't put all it's nicest specimens in the display (AKA not for sale) tank.

[AMIFL]

Killer display tanks, specimens and lots of customers.

[shootist]

Lucky to say that Premium Aquatics is our LFS so the prices are all just like online with tax but no shipping. I guess for it to truly be my dream LFS they would have to be open 24/7.

[KyleO]

I just found my dream LFS in my area! I had 2 local stores I had been going to that were alright but this new one rocks! 3000ga display (big cylinder done right) with plenty of coral and frag tanks. They actually frag and grow coral their systems are so clean and healthy! All the coral tank have the Tunze wave boxes. Lots of healthy fish and inverts........and tons of equipment.
I even commented to my wife that if I was to put together a LFS, this is exactly what I would do.
Anybody in Northern Calif. (Bay Area) that hasn't checked out Aquarium Concepts in Dublin is missing out (like I was)

[OneDayMatt]

A store that did not sell red bugs with my acro, aptasia on my rocks, ich and black spot on my tangs, nudibranch on my zoanthids and oh the list could go on. In my opinion, if you don't have permanent QT systems for corals and fish in your home, you're living in a dream world where your LFS actually maintains a healthy system.

I know they can't choose what they get from their suppliers, but everything mentioned above can be cured or fixed or whatever but among the three top stores in Houston, I have had an endless supply of bad luck with livestock and live rock.

[hahnmeister]

Ever been to Cappucinno Bay, Atlanta? Take notes.

[reefing102]

Wow, some interesting things, but all very truthful things that would be really nice. The 24\7 would be cool to have but then you'd have to have a day shift and a night shift which would get expensive thus causing the online priced corals to rise in cost.

[Ritten]

A big selection of small fish, gobies, etc. Reasonably priced shrimp.

[andrewkw]

I don't really have problems with any of my local reef shops, set business hours is the only thing I'd really ask for.

a dream shop would have both an indo and an aussie shipment every single week even when the weather is bad, but thats just impossible.

[dendro982]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11421085#post11421085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefing102
If you could create your own LFS what would you have in it?
There was thread about one year ago, with post about low survivability of the LFS, that were more like clubs, with competent and willing owner. But lets daydream:

1. LFS with online ordering of livestock and dry goods.

Photos of tanks are posted, time of arrival of the new shipment is known (regular or email notification through mailing list), prices are posted, it is possible to buy immediately or place hold on them. Personal pickup in the closest weekend, if in the same city, mail order of livestock - if in another city.

2. Taking wish lists from the customers for livestock, with roughly known prices, email notification, hold until the closest weekend pickup. There is market for everything, including damaged and dying corals, instead of letting them die at the full price.

3. Posting available tanks online - dimensions, price, availability, delivery.

4. Wish list with ordering for particular equipment, chemicals, food, including specialty food.

5. Do not keep offensive personnel, or at least give an option on not facing them - online.

Not going to happen :rolleyes:

Even with offensive personnel, what does not depend on suppliers and is purely the choice of the management.

[andrewkw]

it's normal here for all stores to announce when their shipments come in. They do so on a local message board. I mean how else would you know when to go? There's always a lineup before they open too.

[dendro982]

I know, that every Thursday there most likely will be something in all chain stores.
And, from my experience with this bulletin board, the answer about availability, color and price will be: yes, we have it :D

If standing in one more line is acceptable for many people, I would not follow this route. This is expected to be a hobby, after all.

BTW, your opinion, why there are many big stores in Mississauga, but not in Toronto (I do not mean GTA): taxes, or all customers are there? Just curious: such a big city with such small supply.

I know, that demand is much higher, than supply - why I said: not going to happen ;)

[onano]

I have my dream LFS here in Orlando. They have healthy livestock, knowledgeable staff, send emails when new shipments are about to arrive and post on their website, place special orders for their customers, allow you to hold items on the incoming order. They have it all and if they don't the owner will work hard not just to get you the item but if its livestock she will wait for the best her suppliers can get not just for the first available....Asking anything more from this LFS would be selfish on my part. I won't even have to post the name of the shop. I guarantee the first person in Orlando that see's this will know where I am talking about.

[andrewkw]

The dream reef shops do exist.

dendro I think they are here because a) its cheaper b) it's closer to the airport c)closer to the owners homes

[Mattmcf]

onano, i know where you are talking about!

[dendro982]

andrewkw:
I thought so :p

[AquaKnight]

Here's an idea, one not even so much a dream and totally implementable. How about a LFS with a used equipment section?!? They would take in used equipment, skimmers, pumps, light fixtures, etc, and in turn for store credit (all be it however much discounted), then they would sell the equipment. This is an educated guess, but I don't think very many LFS's sell lots of equipment these days. And even what to do, it would be to people who'd want new equipment anyway, or equipment cheap enough to buy new. They would move much more stuff and draw customers to check the store much more often so they find that 'right' piece of equipment for them.

[xtm]

An LFS that has a huge flatscreen TV so your wife can watch Lifetime channel or TMZ while you shop......

"Sorry honey, (points at the sign) All Sales are Final." "Did you like the show?" :lol:

[reefing102]

Those are all good Ideas.

xtm - very funny

[J.R.L.]

theres one here in Baton Rouge, La thats been open for 15 yrs now!

[Zoa Girl]

Or possibly sell used equipment on cosignment.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11425820#post11425820 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AquaKnight407
Here's an idea, one not even so much a dream and totally implementable. How about a LFS with a used equipment section?!? They would take in used equipment, skimmers, pumps, light fixtures, etc, and in turn for store credit (all be it however much discounted), then they would sell the equipment. This is an educated guess, but I don't think very many LFS's sell lots of equipment these days. And even what to do, it would be to people who'd want new equipment anyway, or equipment cheap enough to buy new. They would move much more stuff and draw customers to check the store much more often so they find that 'right' piece of equipment for them.

[Saiyan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11425959#post11425959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtm
An LFS that has a huge flatscreen TV so your wife can watch Lifetime channel or TMZ while you shop......

"Sorry honey, (points at the sign) All Sales are Final." "Did you like the show?" :lol:

Funny.

I like the no aiptasia on the frags. That would be nice. One of the stores I go to is pretty good about this but you still have to check pretty good. The other LFS I wont support because they are only in it to make a buck and suck at customer service.

[dendro982]

An LFS that has a huge flatscreen TV so your wife can watch Lifetime channel or TMZ while you shop.
Our LFS has small TV with fish presentation - ventilation would be better.
My better half gets allergic reaction each time, so waits outside, and makes me choose faster, if there are -10C outdoors. Computer store across the street helps a little, but nothing interesting is there.

[reefing102]

Ah yes good ventilation. That is must so that the pet store smell doesn't get to ya. It doesn't bother me but I know it bothers my dad and some others.