Does your LFS offer refunds?

[Liz Sagara]

Most of the LFS in my area of the UK offer a refund if the fish dies within 24 hours as long as you take a sample of water to the shop with fish,and at least two of these shops have been in business around 20 years so obviously they have not gone out of business by refunding genuine fish deaths.Having used both these shops for a number of years and never having a death it seems that they have confidence in the stock they sell and the advice they give re acclimatising new fish to customers that are unsure.

x2 I've never had a fish death from my LFS either so and they've been around for 20+ years (since before I was born). But then again they take excellent care of their fish and give mostly solid advice to people who have questions. They always ask "How big is the tank? How long has it been set up for? What else is in the tank?" and go from there.

 

[ozzyboo]

That is why I don't own a fish store I have no patience to deal with people. Most don't care to learn, they want the fish they want, and that's it. If you won't sell it to them, they'll go somewhere else.

I have just noticed my error,you did state that if you owned a LFS,not that you do.Thats what you get for not reading the thread correctly.

 

[Liz Sagara]

That is why I don't own a fish store I have no patience to deal with people. The vast majority don't care to learn, they want the fish they want, and that's it. If you won't sell it to them, they'll go somewhere else.

This is very true. But if the fish were housed and cared for well at the store then they probably won't die before the 24 hour mark is up.

 

[JteSchertz]

My LFS has the policy that you can get store credit for 1/2 the value of the fish if brought back within 48 hrs with a water sample.

I agree with the 24hr timeframe others have stated....you are spending your hard earned money on a fish you want to live, not die before a day is up. Not everyone is an idiot fish keeper either, some of us have been doing this for decades and know a little about water chemistry.

 

[Hwom91]

My lfs gives a week for you to return a dead fish. Iv never had a problem with his fish. They are always health.

 

[Liz Sagara]

My LFS has the policy that you can get store credit for 1/2 the value of the fish if brought back within 48 hrs with a water sample.

I agree with the 24hr timeframe others have stated....you are spending your hard earned money on a fish you want to live, not die before a day is up. Not everyone is an idiot fish keeper either, some of us have been doing this for decades and know a little about water chemistry.

x2 I haven't been doing it for decades just picked it up again in July of '10 but I'm one of the ones that cares. When I don't get a lot of money from my job I want the 10 dollar fish I just bought to survive the night save my error. But then I see a TON of people go in there and pick up a fish bowl take it to the counter with a goldfish... and they tell the person "this isn't going in that bowl right?" Some people want a fish because they think they're the "easiest pet in the world" put it in a tiny bowl and feed it and that's it. Heh...

 

[jcardona1]

This is very true. But if the fish were housed and cared for well at the store then they probably won't die before the 24 hour mark is up.

A healthy fish wouldn't die when being placed in a new tank. Most of the time it will be user error. Improper acclimation can kill a fish, even though your water parameters could be perfect (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates). The problem lies in your water's hardness level (kh and gh). Floating the bag in the tank for 15 minutes isn't gonna do much.

 

[bigbadfish711]

Refunds for a fish that dies? No way, never seen a place that does that. Petco/Petsmart only do it to maintain the corporate image, and they can afford to take the hits.

If I owned a LFS, my refund policy for fish would be 30ft or 30 seconds, whichever comes first. Given that we're dealing with fish, that rely 100% on their environment to surive (water), there is no way you can offer refunds for dead fish and hope to stay in business. Too many idiot fish keepers out there that don't know the first thing about water chemistry and what it takes to keep a fish alive. And you expect me to eat the costs for that? I don't think so!

If you buy a fish and it dies right away, that means you didn't acclimate properly and sent the thing into osmotic shock, simple as that.

I beg to differ with you statement. All of the LFS around me give at lest a 72 hour guarantee on fish. Most pet store have huge markup on live fish. And if I was to ever find that a LFS told me "30ft or 30 seconds" I would never shop there in the future. I really do not care what you are selling if you customer service is not at least good I will not spend my money in your establishment. And I am sure many of you have this happen to you. A family member or friend calls you up and asked where is the best place to buy a new aquarium and fish. I would defiantly say stay away from jcardona1's place.

I personally never return a fish that I buy if it dies. I feel its my responsibility to keep it alive and not the stores after I take it home.

 

[JteSchertz]

x2 I haven't been doing it for decades just picked it up again in July of '10 but I'm one of the ones that cares. When I don't get a lot of money from my job I want the 10 dollar fish I just bought to survive the night save my error. But then I see a TON of people go in there and pick up a fish bowl take it to the counter with a goldfish... and they tell the person "this isn't going in that bowl right?" Some people want a fish because they think they're the "easiest pet in the world" put it in a tiny bowl and feed it and that's it. Heh...

Unfortunately I see this as well. I always try to say something if the worker doesn't and help one person(moreso the fish) at a time.

 

[jcardona1]

I feel its my responsibility to keep it alive and not the stores after I take it home.

That makes no sense. If you acknowledge it isn't the store's responsibility after the fish is sold, then why would you avoid shopping at a place that doesn't offer refunds for dead fish? LFS in my area don't offer refunds, and they're business is just fine, and they have a huge customer base...