The other job!

So, after a month at the new, part-time job at the local pet shop, I thought I should report back to you guys as to how it is going for me and the livestock we maintain at the store!
It is definitely a fun filled job and a rewarding one as well. Being able to help fellow aquarists by making the right choice and offering them advice and knowledgeable tidbits makes my job more rewarding. The one thing I must say is that I am not oppossed to telling someone that they should not buy this fish, that invertebrate or coral, JUST TO MAKE A SALE!
Unfortunately we have had our share of pitfalls, such as a beautiful Tessalatta Eel jumping ouit of the tank(2feet long) combined with the ocassional death of other fish and corals. Granted much of this is no fault of our own and often is the case of shipping and handling techniques and the stress associated with that on the fish, but you hate to see something die, monetary factors aside.
I have purchased some nice corals, clams and blennies especially, since my start date a month ago.
I have done alot in the fragging department, plus the feeding and taking care of the livestock at the store is an enjoyable experience.
I have been able to experience some of the personalities and traits of some of the more interesting fish at the store such as the 7" Volitan Lionfish who come sup to the top of the tank when I stand in front of him hoping for a snack. Then their is the Porcupine Puffer that follows me back and forth in the tank as if he wants me to keep him company since he is in a tank by himself. And who could forget the beautiful and elloquent Brazillian Dragon Eel that searches me out when I show up in the morning for his daily feeding. He has a hard time getting food largely in part to the large Picasso trigger that quickly confiscates everything I place in the tank!
On the whole, all is going well and the job is alot of fun...
Stay tuned for the next part of the chapter!

 

Cool, sounds like your having a lot of fun, do you get to influence what is being ordered in? Do you get a staff discount?

 

Glad your enjoying it

How many things have you claimed for yourself?
are you in credit there at end of 1st month or do you owe them ?

if it where me, Id probably owe them money after 1 months work

Steve

 

If it was me, I would be working for them for free for a long time.;D Luna

 

I probably have broken even, plus I have traded alot of livestock as well.
I don't order specifically, but I can influence what is ordered based on popularity, hardiness and restocking of our tanks...
Yes, great discount!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thats one thing about the store here the guy that owns it will not sell you what ever you want He will ask all the questions of people how bigs the tank whats in there and if any thing is wrong he straight up wont sell them what they want. I have heard him tell people you cant put that in there itll just die then he has to explane but if keep people from wasting there money and they will most likely return to the store.

 

This is a business model that works very well. People do come back because they know you aren't going to "sell" them something they don't need or shouldn't have. My sales were higher every month than all of the other employees and shareholders put together. I never sold anyone anything. They wanted what they wanted and sometimes I said, "No". A trusting relationship builds quite quickly that way.

 

That is great to hear that you are loving it !
I bet you increased the customer base with your honesty!

 

Absolutely! Your job sounds great, Coral Reefer. We have a LFS guy that I trust. He's been even known to get in arguments with other LFS employees over whether I can have something in my tank or not! He knows me by name and tank size. I used to give him a hard time about putting an Achilles tang in my tank - just to watch him break out in a sweat! He was very helpful when we were setting up the tank and also gave us good direction on how many fish to add, what to add, and what order to add them in.

We appreciate the LFS guys like you, Coral Reefer! Keep up the good work. I think if I worked at a LFS, I'd have negative income!

 

Thats awesome to be able to get new experiences with a great discount!!!!!!!!!