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Anonymous

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Most hobbyists still find value-added in paying a few dollars more for dry goods, and when you factor in shipping, it's not always cheaper to buy livestock online, and one can see and observe what one is buying before one takes it home. They get more after-sales service, develop a personal relationship with their LFS staff, we know their name, their spouse's name, their kids' names... their dog gets a treat when they bring him in to the store-- more people still appreciate good old-fashioned customer service, and while they may try the "new way" a time or two, I can't say I've lost a customer to the online game. Many have dabbled, and I don't begrudge somebody saving a few dollars on a piece of equipment - if I can match a price when someone asks, I will for their convenience, but sometimes I can't, and I'm honest about it. It hasn't driven anyone away yet.



This is the kind of store I would like to go to in New Jersey, heck, if it was close enough I would be come more than a weekly visitor.
:D
 

JennM

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Thanks. I'm by no means unique, especially in this area. There are many good stores in the ATL, each with fiercly loyal customers. Many hobbyists make the rounds regularly, and each store has its strengths and weaknesses, but I'd like to think that we compliment each other. Want softies and LPS and good bread and butter fish? That's me. Want SPS and clams? That's Jeff. Want anything and everything in stock now, and not worried about price? There's a store for that too. Want a showroom full of tanks for sale? There's another one for that.

My store is not big, not small, and as much as we try to keep it clean, tanks can be grubby on a good day but the livestock within looks decent. I've got pet parrots (I don't sell birds - got 2 as pets and people started giving me their unwanted avian pets...) and one even found me as a flyaway last week. Even the birds have their regular visitors!

I've only lived near 2 major centers in my lifetime, but in both I had more than one good store within reasonable distance. I guess I was lucky and learned by good example :)

Jenn
 
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Anonymous

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I think the reason there are no good stores around here is because we are way out in the sticks. Plus its new jersey....
 

JennM

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I've seen some good stores in unlikely places... I guess it depends who hangs up their shingle and where. No sense opening a place if there's no market to support it, and sometimes the best intentions fall short when one ventures out there only to find out the customer base isn't there.

I'm 4 years in, and still seeing some red ink in the ledger - but slow and steady wins the race, or so I've heard :) There's a lot of chicken-and-egg philosophy, that's for sure. If you build it, will the come?!

I used to drive about 35 miles to a good store when I lived in the boonies, I ventured into the city to get stuff. Even contemplated opening a store in the boonies, but once we started looking into demographics and such, it would have been an effort in futility - there just wasn't the population or the money or customer base to support the store and make it work.

Jenn
 
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Anonymous

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knucklehead":3dm3adli said:
I think the reason there are no good stores around here is because we are way out in the sticks. Plus its new jersey....

there used to be one fairly close to you :P :wink:
 
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Anonymous

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Yeah I know.

I just haven't found someone there that likes to talk and knows stuff....

Maybe if I went in all the time and hung out it would be better, but its an hour to an hour fifteen away, and you know how I love driving...
 

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