Okay, this is my chance to stand on my soap box for a minute...

I can definatly understand that fish keeping is a expensive hobby, and with the internet stores poppin' up everyday, Walmart, Petsmart and Petco with their big discounts it is hard to justify not buying from them over your family owned local pet store. Remember, that your lfs is going to have more chance of finding and getting that rare fish for you, is going to develop a relationship with you, and give you discounts where they can. That is worth something. Please support your local family owned pet store and thanks to all of you that already do!

You know what?

I'm going to agree here IN PART. Not because Kisskiss my LFS lady...but because she's right.

Here in Omaha there are several big chain pet stores. And to be honest - they are nice. SOME of their chemicals and actual hardware are cheaper sometimes.

But try to ask the teenage fish department employee how to treat a condition your fish is having - and you may or may not get an answer that could cost you a fish. (I know that from experience)

Try to get a cool african cichlid. Try to find a discus at all. The livestock is 100% better at a GOOD LFS. They'll special order for you - and you will definately find more unique, non-standard fish.

I'm treated so well at Pet World that at this point I don't want to save the $4 on a heater from my big chain store anymore. I have friends and trusted experts at my LFS.

That being said...I can also say that there are a few LFS's that I avoid. Not all of them have the friendly atmosphere or the knowledge to make a LFS a special experience like Pet World does.

In other words...a small space does not always make a small, intimate, friendly place.

For those of you locally - go see Haley at Pet World. For all you others - spend some time at your lcally owned LFS's and get to know what they're about. I'll bet you can find at least one in your local community that will make you feel the way I do about my LFS. It's worth it!

i agreed!!!

the owner types pet stores is the best place to buy from.

they(we) will go out of our way, for to help you with any problems you are having .

i had even been know to drive 20 miles or more for to help peoples with their fish. and done that for free.

there was alot of peoples going to these box types store, buying fish and then coming to me to help them to keep it alive. i would tell them what they needed and guess what? they would not buy from me, they went back to these box types store and got what they neeeded there. why it cheaper.

some of them done it for over a year, to me. so then i said okay, i would only help the peoples who brought from me.

i even had some of these bigger petshop and box stores come to me for help with their fish. i told them i could not help them because if i did i would be putting my store out of bussiness by doing that.

this is just my 2 cent worth, for what it worth.

i own "UNCLE ROLLIE TROPICAL FISH AND SUPPLIES" here in the annapolis valley of nova scotia.

I have some ok LFS's here....wish I had one like you guys are describing. I guess I just need to get to know them better.

Melonhead...
Your new avatar is.....um.....creepy.

I support my LFS both in ordering and in giving them fish for store credit on an as needed basis. Summertime seems like a slow period for them. I guess most folks are outdoors doing stuff.
regards
mike