Time for a rant

[Rastapus]

Hey everyone.
Firstly I would like to thank all the members that support our locations faithfully and appreciate any help they have received from our team.

The recent post regarding Bettas hanging on a rack in our stores led me to thinking that perhaps I can explain a little bit about why certain posts can trigger negativity. This has little to do with the above noted post specifically but more to do with how random posts can have implications and perhaps unnecessary negative outcomes.

To use the Betta post as an example, the post was referring to one of our locations. The light above the display rack had burnt out, likely that evening when the Bettas were seen. With the lights out, the Bettas would likely not appear very active as our stores are very dark to begin with. The member who posted the question did not name our store specifically but since to my knowledge we are the only ones in the LML who display Bettas in this fashion, it would not be difficult to figure out.
Here is where the problem lies. If this member had questioned what they saw with a manager on duty at the time, any concerns would have been addressed and the member would have been informed with facts at that time. Unfortunately this was not the case and a post started a public debate. I love a debate as much as the next, however lets consider the possible scenario where perhaps I did not notice the post and did not comment. That particular post could have been misconstrued and could have led to my stores somehow being unethical or at the least careless. Putting fingers to keys is the same as pen to paper people. The difference is on the internet we can remain anonymous. What is said on a public forum can affect a potential customer's opinion of an operator without them even having the opportunity to visit the store themselves.
The what could have been in this situation is what I am addressing. I ask that if a member has a concern or question regarding anything that we do at IPU that it kindly be addressed with a manager at the time in order to eliminate the need for posts such as this. Some members are wondering why I seem agitated over these sorts of posts, this is why. Most of you are aware that I am always available by pm or by email on our website if you wish to pose a question to myself directly.

Most threads like the one referred would be meant to harm. In this case that was not so but could easily be misconstrued as being so. Most sponsors do not generally contribute to forums directly but use them as a marketing tool. IPU however uses forums for the exchange of information for the betterment of the hobby in this province and for our customers. For this reason I do take things said about our operation perhaps more seriously then others would. I welcome any comments regarding this post.

[tang daddy]

Grant I missed that post about bettas on the racks, so cant comment directly on the subject, however I have seen pics of fish being sold in bags in asia and it is quite a common site.....whether or not this is fair for the fish I wouldn't know but I do understand where you are coming from being a store owner....sometimes thing are better addressed through pm or email rather than public!

[effox]

I and many others have always appreciated your openness to discussion on confusions towards any aspects of the fish trade and LFS industry.

Thanks Grant.

[josephl]

Grant I missed that post about bettas on the racks, so cant comment directly on the subject, however I have seen pics of fish being sold in bags in asia and it is quite a common site.....whether or not this is fair for the fish I wouldn't know but I do understand where you are coming from being a store owner....sometimes thing are better addressed through pm or email rather than public!

Agreed 100%. Its amazing to see giant gouramis and tinfoil barbs pre packaged in plastic bags for sale in rush hour in hong kong, and goldfish being shown for sale in shallow plastic tubs in other parts of Asia. From a business point of view, if this practice were killing the fish, no retailer would be taking this pre bagging approach because profits aren't exactly made from selling dead or sick fish.

Sometimes...posts are more a reflection of the attitude and judgement or possibly lack there off of the op...just my 2 cents

Hang in there Grant, as always, there always seems to be a vocal minority that likes to create trouble. Would also like to take this oppourtunity to thank you for taking a chance and bringing in some fish that no one else has been bringing in lately, hump head glass fish, checkerboard chiclids and red line wrestling half beaks to name just a few..

[Ursus sapien]

hey Grant,

just to be clear, my posts in the 'betta rack' thread were not directed at you or your store specifically. I strongly oppose the industry-wide practice of betta cups, and by extension, bettas in bags.

Your comments in that thread made me think that the bags may indeed be an improvement over cups (less handling, no foreign objects dropped in to the cups, etc). In that regard, it was a good discussion. You represented the retailers position well.

It's wrong, however, to take that discussion as a condemnation of local fish stores in general and your store in particular. I am doggedly loyal to my lfs, betta cups and all. I am critical of the cups, something the owners and I have talked about it a few times, but it's a good shop overall, they look after their animals and I continue to support the store.

To suggest we shouldn't talk about and/or criticize a common industry practice because it will upset a sponsor is chilling. As a community of enthusiasts, discussing these sorts of things is exactly what we should be doing. And the forum is a perfect place for you to articulate your position to the community in general. Rather than being threatened by it, use it as an opportunity to express your view point.

[Morainy]

Hi Rastapus,

As you say, the post about bettas was written in good faith and your store wasn't named. Many of us learned something about betta care through that dialogue.

However, I do wholeheartedly agree with your concern.

The internet has a long memory and when one of us leaves a critical comment about a store, that post will turn up when anyone does an internet search. A store's reputation can be damaged accidentally or maliciously, too easily.

We should try to remember this when we post questions of our sponsors, especially when we're trying to resolve a disagreement over a specific purchase that has gone wrong. The conversation isn't private -- the whole world is watching. Livelihoods and reputations are at risk, and the reputations most at risk are often those people who spend their whole lives helping us enjoy our hobby.

[Rastapus]

Hi Rastapus,

As you say, the post about bettas was written in good faith and your store wasn't named. Many of us learned something about betta care through that dialogue.

However, I do wholeheartedly agree with your concern.

The internet has a long memory and when one of us leaves a critical comment about a store, that post will turn up when anyone does an internet search. A store's reputation can be damaged accidentally or maliciously, too easily.

We should try to remember this when we post questions of our sponsors. The conversation isn't private -- the whole world is watching. Livelihoods and reputations are at risk, and the reputations most at risk are often those people who spend their whole lives helping us enjoy our hobby.

Exactly. Well stated, thank you. If the post was about Betta care in general and concern about Bettas being kept in bags, cups, bowls etc. in general, it would have been a general enquiry more then anything. Again this is just an example that sparked the issue of posting, nothing more. The mention of every 5th Betta being dead, and I did not buy any fish that day is more of a direct criticism. Of course in this example I changed the bulb myself and the Bettas were all fine and there were no dead Bettas. I doubt if there were, they were removed in the dark.

[Rastapus]

This post is a general one brought on by a particular thread. That thread is not the purpose of this one. Rather to consider getting facts before posting. Or posting a more general thread regarding a particular practice in this hobby.

[neven]

to be honest though, the net has been around for a long time for people just to take the negative comments in. When i look at reviews of restaurants for instance, do i go by the few 0's and 1 stars? or the hundreds of 3s,4s, and 5 star ratings? Does a HORRIBLE NEVER GO THERE comment hold equal weight to a comment that has been well thought through and explained?

If someone cared about the responsibility of the shop, wouldn't they put more effort into researching the shop through the same source they found the negative publicity? On BCA theres plenty of positive feedback for the sponsors here that a couple less pleasant comments our vastly outnumbered. Plus you got to take into account not everyone will be pleased and theres always a few who just like to stir the pot

[skrick]

Hi Rastapus,

As you say, the post about bettas was written in good faith and your store wasn't named. Many of us learned something about betta care through that dialogue.

However, I do wholeheartedly agree with your concern.

The internet has a long memory and when one of us leaves a critical comment about a store, that post will turn up when anyone does an internet search. A store's reputation can be damaged accidentally or maliciously, too easily.

We should try to remember this when we post questions of our sponsors, especially when we're trying to resolve a disagreement over a specific purchase that has gone wrong. The conversation isn't private -- the whole world is watching. Livelihoods and reputations are at risk, and the reputations most at risk are often those people who spend their whole lives helping us enjoy our hobby.

Very Very well put my friend as stated if you dont like it PM the person I agree totally