sschind
New Member
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- se wisconsin
In my other thread I dealt with complaints about bad stores. In this one I will deal with another common complaint I hear and see a lot in forums like this one.
Where have the good pet stores gone?
Intermixed in the threads about the bad stores I will often see comments like this. "There used to be a really good mom and pop store in our town. They had real good animals, took real good care of them and they really knew their stuff. I wonder why they closed?" When I ask "what was the last item you bought from them" I usually get a response like "oh, I didn't buy anything from them. I get my stuff cheaper online. I just went in to ask their advice on how to care for animals and to look at all the neat reptiles they had. It was better than a zoo." Well, there's your answer. Stores can't stay in business with lookers, they need buyers. I agree that most of the time you can get your supplies cheaper online. That's fine, we are in a period where we all, well, most of us at least, have to stretch our dollar as far as we can. That is understandable. I do not want to turn this into a debate about online vs BAM stores. What really is inexcusable (and this ties in with my other thread) is when you buy stuff from the "bad store" across the street rather than from the "good store" across town because it saves you a buck or two on gas or because the prices at the store across the street are a little cheaper. It costs more money to keep up a good shop than a bad one so the higher prices should be considered a reasonable trade off for animals being kept in decent care.
If there is a good store in your area and you want them to stay in business, support them. You don't necessarily have to buy everything from them but try your best. If you are contemplating a major purchase ask them about it. Don't just assume they are higher priced. Give them a call, or better yet, stop in. Explain what you are looking for and see what they can do. I just sold a UV sterilizer to a guy for the same price he could have gotten it for on line (don't forget shipping costs). It was a $200.00 sale and I made a grand total of $15.00. Why, because he is a good customer and if he would have bought it on line I wouldn't have even made $15.00. If you come in off the street however and brag how you buy all your stuff on line but you need something today and you will buy it from me if i match the price, well then, I'm sorry, the price is the price. The point is, most "good stores" got that way by having a willingness to work with their customers. It's a two way street though. You have to be willing to show that you aren't just there to take advantage of the tough economic times and the store owners need to make a lease payment.
Bottom line, if there is a good store near you then you should be thankful and you should do what you can to support them. If you don't, don't "wonder why they closed?" when they eventually do.
Where have the good pet stores gone?
Intermixed in the threads about the bad stores I will often see comments like this. "There used to be a really good mom and pop store in our town. They had real good animals, took real good care of them and they really knew their stuff. I wonder why they closed?" When I ask "what was the last item you bought from them" I usually get a response like "oh, I didn't buy anything from them. I get my stuff cheaper online. I just went in to ask their advice on how to care for animals and to look at all the neat reptiles they had. It was better than a zoo." Well, there's your answer. Stores can't stay in business with lookers, they need buyers. I agree that most of the time you can get your supplies cheaper online. That's fine, we are in a period where we all, well, most of us at least, have to stretch our dollar as far as we can. That is understandable. I do not want to turn this into a debate about online vs BAM stores. What really is inexcusable (and this ties in with my other thread) is when you buy stuff from the "bad store" across the street rather than from the "good store" across town because it saves you a buck or two on gas or because the prices at the store across the street are a little cheaper. It costs more money to keep up a good shop than a bad one so the higher prices should be considered a reasonable trade off for animals being kept in decent care.
If there is a good store in your area and you want them to stay in business, support them. You don't necessarily have to buy everything from them but try your best. If you are contemplating a major purchase ask them about it. Don't just assume they are higher priced. Give them a call, or better yet, stop in. Explain what you are looking for and see what they can do. I just sold a UV sterilizer to a guy for the same price he could have gotten it for on line (don't forget shipping costs). It was a $200.00 sale and I made a grand total of $15.00. Why, because he is a good customer and if he would have bought it on line I wouldn't have even made $15.00. If you come in off the street however and brag how you buy all your stuff on line but you need something today and you will buy it from me if i match the price, well then, I'm sorry, the price is the price. The point is, most "good stores" got that way by having a willingness to work with their customers. It's a two way street though. You have to be willing to show that you aren't just there to take advantage of the tough economic times and the store owners need to make a lease payment.
Bottom line, if there is a good store near you then you should be thankful and you should do what you can to support them. If you don't, don't "wonder why they closed?" when they eventually do.
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