How much extra would you pay to have your water pumped?

Better and worse is inherently a 2-way dichotomy. You can't be worse without the other guy being better, otherwise you both just exist and there's no differentiation.

 

Yes, Peredhil, I get your point. But tell me something, if the quality of the water Curt sells is better than the ones at other LFS's, wouldn't you pay the difference?
Specially you, that as you stated do not trust and test the water on your own when you get home... what do you do when you see the other LFS's has phosphates, for example? Think again... you won't buy their water anymore. Of course, the quality does matter IMO. But, that's just me.

About the frag picking and bringing your own bag, I would think nobody would let you do this yourself. And you would be making the wrong call when judging the whole store for just the water. They're not making any money on water or barely making any if the price goes up a bit, with the frags, they do make money. A bag won't stand in the way of that. Again, all that judging would go away if there was a sign that briefly and accurately express the reason of the price increase. We're living in a country where inflation is on a day to day basis. It's just a matter of time until all LFS's transfer the cost of the water or testing to the customers. It's a business

 

A lot of the stores here.... and there are a lot on my area.... have their water in staff only areas.

 

Sorry didn't read all the posts and don't know if this was already stated.. But isn't this part of your job?.. I mean you work in a fish store people need water.. If I worked in one I wouldn't want customers doing it themselves.. Water can over fill causing more time being used to clean it up.. Every store down here in Florida won't let you "do it yourself" for this very reason.. We all have things at our jobs that we hate and if just holding a hose to fill up a bucket is one of yours, consider yourself lucky.. just my .02.... Now testing the water is an entirly different story.. I know that takes way more time and if you are doing these tests for free then I understand your grief.. Just start charging.. time is money..

 

What you consider being petty, I consider making a profit and keeping a lot of people employed. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

I do double-check. I would encourage people to double-check as well.

I don't advertise our water is better. I do it just because it's important to me. The average consumer doesn't have a clue what we do and they think that water from XYZ is the same as the water from ABC.

 

Great customer service goes very far, i would gladly pay 10cents extra per gal to get Curts expert advise,his well maintained water supply,water testing,helping me select the right fish for my tank,etc.But excellent service is all alot of businesses have going for them these days,i can see where it would be hard to stay above the bar and be fair/reasonablly priced at the same time.

 

I wouldn't pay more. Nor would I pump. You pump, I browse. I browse, I buy. I buy, you profit. We all smile.

Hobbyists are hurting for money themselves.... as is my back.

But it really depends on the local competition. If there isn't much competition, I guess one can do whatever they want. If there are a plethera of stores in your area, I wouldn't risk it personally. You don't want people driving by your store that would otherwise stop. Maybe to please everyone you could put up a sign that reads "Please feel free to get your own water. If you need assistance, we are happy to help you, just ask". It's a "Feel Good" solution.

 

You want me to clean up the water you spilled while bagging my fish? Should I start bringing my own bags for frags? I mean, you already make me provide my own water container

I think you're being petty... I would judge the whole store on it.

sorry this was quoted off another post....cant figure out why it did not post like that!

First.....you are really stating that a fish store should supply you with a container to carry water in and store in your house!

Second..... he was asking opinions on the topic. Is it his job.....yes it is. But people have lost common sense and deciency these days! If you go to a store and see every salesperson with someone else, dont sit there and demand that you get immediate service! If you are going to judge the store on this one aspect....... customer service is the best in this one store. The knowledge alone of all the employees there is amazing. And yes, I would pay 10cents more knowing that the water has 0 TDS even if it ment I drove a little more! I do test all my water also when I buy it, even at that store!

When I say people have lost their deciency...take this for example. A man in his 20's came into the store and threw the cans at my feet. I gladly went over and filled up his containers and went to have him checked out, and the was asked IF I COULD CARRY THE WATER OUT TO HIS CAR which I did! Now mind you I am a woman and this man was very muscular!

People have called the owner because they expect to come in and buy their water at 9am when the store is not open until 11am. Sadly this is not a rare occasion, if they dont call to complain then they are on the local reef clubs complaining!

I know, getting off the topic :} my views are a little bit jaded as I have my own RO/DI and have my own test kits.... but respect your store employees a little!

and here is my advice, raise the prices up 10cents, you are already the cheapest store for water in the area!

 

good grief. I was giving other views. Not necessarily saying other views are correct. Just how it can be seen.

That is not true. It is not inherently 2-way.

You start at a baseline. Just because store A loses a point (I'm calling it a point when I mean did something bad) doesn't mean you gain a point. You are not better. You are the same as you were yesterday. But they are worse.

And when you do something good (i.e. gain a "point) that doesn't somehow equate to them losing a point. They are the same they were yesterday.

What you reference is more similar to market share where a point gained is someone else's point lost. That's not how good and bad work though.

You must not have kids.

P

 

sadly in our area having zero TDS is a bonus! :} That is why I have my own RO/DI (along with the many hundred gallons we have!)

But I do agree with alot of the points that are being said, and can see both sides!