getting a job at a local lfs.

dan3345 · 08-01-2010, 12:17 AM

So I am getting a new job. Quitting work at gamestop. I like games but I like fish more (and animals in general) so, I have an option. I can apply at petsmart and work weekends and some after school days (I am only in high school so Im not totally sure they would even hire me) or I could work at a guy I know's fish store. The last option is fine and dandy but I would prefer to work at petsmart. Anyways, if you were in my posistion where would you go?

Thanks, I really dont know what more to say. I want to someday open up or manage a fish store. Because you know what they say, work isnt work if you love what your doing.

KevinP · 08-01-2010, 12:49 AM

if you really want ot work at Petsmart I say do it and if they don't hire you then fall back on your friends LFS. If you do get a job at Petsmart make sure they are treating the fish good in there!

foo4sho · 08-01-2010, 01:12 AM

If you like fish, then don't go to petsmart. You will just get frustrated on how bad their fish keeping protocol is. everytime i go into one i see practically one dead fish per tank. and they have over 10 fish in the little 5 or 2 gal tanks, and worst of all the bettas are sometimes just sitting in plastic bags on a shelf all day waiting to be bought. the fish section of that store scares me... im sure it would just piss you off working there haha

**emc7** · 08-01-2010, 02:06 AM

For the fish, I'd say choose the LFS. LFS close for lack of profit and lack of cheap employees. Working there could help it survive. But around here, most LFS are salt-only. If you love fresh, you may out of luck.

But PetSmart could be a better "career choice". More employees means more choice of hours, more chance of promotion, and more people writing you "letters of recommendation". "Management experience" looks good on a resume or college application. Surviving the "policies and procedures" of a chain would certainly be educational.

dan3345 · 08-01-2010, 10:34 AM

Yeah the lfs I was talking about is fresh only. Well actually they have one aisle that is only salt. But the majority is fresh. So my petsmart fish area is always kept really well, except for of course the bettas. But I know all of the people there that manage the fish tanks, and they all work pretty hard on the tanks. Except there was this one guy who was kind of a jerk, and we told him about some dead fish we found in the tank and he just yeah ok so? Anyways he has never been back. I think he either quit got transferred or was fired. But thanks guys for the help. I may go with my friends lfs. Its also a problem though because it is located near LAX. So kind of a drive away from me. But it may be worth it who knows.

PuterChickFL · 08-01-2010, 11:59 AM

i'd say the LFS. there's stuff I learn more at the LFS than petsmart. I would say goto petsmart simply because they need people there that care about their stock. I was there yesterday and a tank full of silver dollars was covered in Ich. one of them had rotting fins. they tried to act like it was nothing but then they kicked into action. My huge infection in my tank was because of the infected platy I got from them (he's still living).

In any case, good luck with whatever choice you make.

Chaos553 · 08-01-2010, 10:43 PM

I would honestly go for the Mom and Pop stores, generally they have the best customer service and knowledge about all their fish. We used to have a really good Mom and Pop down the road from me and they were awesome. They did special orders, took care of their fish incredibly well, and knew a lot about what they had.

IMHO, Petsmart/Petco wouldn't be that great of an experience. The Petco I have in my town throws a random person in the aquatics department every time I've been in there (which hasn't been often) and they know nothing about fish. I've even asked questions regarding specific fish they have, already knowing the answers, and listening to them give me false information.

I'd say go with your friend's store, it's way better off in the long run, trust me.