Rant on customer service!

Im fairly new to saltwater reef, had freshwater for about 20 years. I have been reading websites and all the books i can get my hands on. About 2 months ago i dove in and bought a AquaNano 29. I have always been a patient shopper and love to do what i call fishing on the weekends. Devoting a total day to hopping fish stores around the state. Today i made my way to 9 different stores in he central Jersey Shore area. Heres my rant. Out of all of these stores only ONE even noticed i was present, I am well dressed and scream dumbass with money. So i gather my questions and hit the atm for fill my pockets with cash. Throughout the day my question is, What has happened to customer service?! No one said hello when i walked in the store. No one asked me if i needed help or anything of the sort. I actully approched 3 store owners to buy products from them and i was ignored flat out ignored by them. I wont mention names of these store, i find that tacky. The most local store to me is the worst. It was the last i went in for the 4th and final time. Never has this husband/wife helped me even when asked. Lets just say its a Kingdom in Toms River, NJ. All said and done, i would like to HIGHLY recommend Fishtales in Brick, NJ off route 88. I have been there 2 times now, there is always someone present and with in listening distance to help you with every dumb question you may have. It is the cleanest store i have been to, very organized, huge selection and a beautiful display tank i would die for. So heres my new LFS, 20 miles away, as i pass 3 other stores to spend my stack of cash somewhere that actually NOTICES THEY RUNNING A BUSINESS!!!! I am setting a 75 gallon total coral tank, i have a budget of about 5 grand. Fishtales will get ever dime of it!! Thank you for knowing customer service is everything in bussiness.

 

Welcome to 3reef it's everywhere, not just lfs's! Customer "Service" is not what it used to be! Now, when you come into where I work, that's a different story! We greet everyone and the customer is ALWAYS right(even when they're wrong)


I have cousins in Brick!!! I remember when it used to be called Bricktown lol I also used to live upstairs of a punk rock bar across the street from Babyo's(not sure of the spelling as I was usually unconscious back then) That was way back in the early 80's..... ahahaha

 

G'Day mate hows ya day going ,can I help ya with anything in particular.....sounds crude.
But some times its all it takes to make the difference.
I only shop at one store here , they struggle to understand me, but do their best to help .
customer service is every think in buisness.

welcome to the 3reef----- always happy to help and with a smile;D

 

Welcome to 3reef. Too bad you are not in Indiana because Premium Aquatics is an online store that opens to the public on friday evenings and saturdays and their customer support is superb. If you need anything online I would look them up and they are even a sponsor here at 3reef.

 

Welcome to 3Reef>>> I lucked out, my buddy own a lfs. So for me, its a good old gab session when I visit.....

 

I am lucky that the LFS's in my area are good about greeting and sometimes offering more information than i want. Sometimes i just want to say bag the darn fish and let me move on. However in general most places that I go customer service has really taken a dive.

 

I'm a sucker for a good pun!



But you're right, the level of customer service seems to be sinking. You stand around in a store for 15 min's before someone can help. It's like you're all wet! When it comes to greeting a customer, or giving a customer a minute of your time to help them, something's fishy out there!

 

To 3Reef!!! ​

Salutations! Glad to see you found way here!

Unfortunately a good LFS is hard to find. One that is just as interested in health of your tank as making money. Keep looking. When you find one, give him all the business you can.

Otherwise do all your business online. A number of good sponsors here on 3Reef that will take good care of you.

You also will get all the good advice you need here!

Good luck.


;D ​

The Tao of Marine Aquaria
Tips for Our Hobby and Life

© 1997 Adam H. Whitlock
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan 11/25/00 ​

 

Thanks for agreeing with the rant. Sadly it is the mentality i have discovered when moving to Jersey a year ago from Arkansas. In the south everything seems just more laid back and friendly. Thank you all for the warm welcome. I have found this site very useful and i must say i REALLY LOVE the id this section. It has become my frist stop everytime i sign on, i find so much wierd stuff in my tank and its its been going a few months. I have desided to make a goal to start pointing out to some of these store owner the business they will loose because of poor customer service. I mean how hard is it to say hello. When i go places where people depend on tips i have no problem explaining to them why i choose not to tip more then 10%, if at all. Why should a LFS be any different. Sadly i think this is a decline in the attitude of store owners that people will spend money no matter how they are treated. This is true for some people. For me, im a southern boy and expect more. A reference goes a long way, and how someone is treated will deside which reference they share. Ive already done my part to spread the word about 3reef. Thanks all.

 

I have family in Arkansas. It does have a different feel down there.... Again, Welcome to 3Reef>>>>>