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 #1472541

 What would you like to see in a pet store?

This post is to get as many ideas and opinions as possible. It is not meant for people to argue or debate. It is simply "opinions".

My husband recently told me I should open my own pet store. He said that with as much passion as I have for all animals he thinks it would be self full filling for me to work with animals in the since of a pet store. Not to mention the closest one is at least 50 miles from our town.

So the questions are- What do you to see more of in pet stores? Less of? In general what would make a pet store the one you always wanted to go back to?

I have many ideas but here are just a couple to get every one started.

1. For people selling reptiles they should give out care sheets made for that reptile. Just so not to insult any one maybe just put it in the bag and mention "There is a care sheet in there and if you have any questions call me".

2. Pet store owners should be knowledgeable about the pets they sell. Not know every thing but at least the basics of care and breed.

Please feel free to add to these or give more advise on them. I have to start drawing up a business plan soon and would love to have every ones ideas.

Thanks every one!!

 #1472631

 What would you like to see in a pet store?

 #1472647

 What would you like to see in a pet store?

 #1472669

 What would you like to see in a pet store?

Wow, how exciting, Becky! What animals would you be thinking of selling?

My advice would be to build up your business slowly, start with a few things. That way you won’t be biting off more than you can chew. I’d also start with something you’re familiar with and knowledgeable about, and that depends on your experience. I’m a bad example to take because snakes are all the pets I’ve kept for many years, so if I were starting up a business I’d begin with various corn morphs and some Eurasian and American ratsnakes, but I’d try to sell everything for someone starting with one of these snakes - bedding, frozen mice, water bowls, hides, vivs, smaller plastic containers, books, a personalised care sheet as you mention, heating devices, thermostats, light bulbs, a few incubator boxes etc. I’d then see how that went for a bit.

If you have experience in keeping other animals too, you could start with several types of animal - but I’d only go for what you feel very comfortable with and I’d sell everything for those animals. For example, when we bought our Russian ratsnake we went to a small, very friendly shop but they’d run out of plastic kritter keepers so we had to go home via a larger pet shop to get one. It’s best to have enough of these types of things in stock to avoid things like that, as if people are worried you won’t have enough stock they’ll go elsewhere. Of course that has to be weighed up against the cost of buying all the things in. But that’s where your business plan comes in!

I think it will be challenging but very exciting, and I look forward to hearing more about it and hope we can all support you in it!

Jessica

 #1474903

 What would you like to see in a pet store?

Well if you want good advice maybe talk to someone that owns their own store.?
LIKE ME! Maybe?

I happen to own T.Reptiles(and inverts;not in the name,because it kinda messes it up)
Even though I’m ditching the store,and just working out of my home from now on....

(btw I highly recommend you don’t listen to me;)
Just my dollars worth hear,I know you didn’t ask for it most of,but.................

I deal with alot of experienced people,and most wouldn’t like it If was to throw care sheets at them(put them in their bag).
Mainly because once you get so far you have your own way of doing things...
And even if your not meaning to do it,it can come off as,"this is the way I do it,and so should you".You know?
When it come to the inexperienced,witch are generally pretty easy to spot,those are the ones you want to go the extra miles with....People are funny,you just have to work with them as they come,and as individuals.....
Just put it out there that your there if they need help,not to boldly though,maybe with just a "call if you have any questions.........

Another thing,if your going to sell the animal,You DO need to know everything about it......
You can lose customers if they come in and ask you a question and you don’t answer it to their satisfaction......I personally love going in to pet stores,and not letting on that I do know a bit more then they think,and getting the old,"yes corn snakes eat crickets"............

If I was to walk into your store:
I want to see spotless tanks.
Perfectly healthy animals.
Id want to know that at the very least you know what your taking about..but don’t flaunt it too much!
That your animals are appropriately priced(or a bit lower )...
And That I could see your feeders!I hate it when stores don’t display their feeders,because it often means they’re in bad shape.....
If you had all that,Id come back!


It takes alot to run a store if you want anything decent to come of it....
I recommend you breed your animals yourself,you can make more $ that way,and assure that they are indeed the best.....
And don’t start to fast,take your time,work it out,and make sure you have the animals to sell,and a few show animals help.......

Good luck!!!!

 #1475127

 What would you like to see in a pet store?

 #1475209

 What would you like to see in a pet store?

Thanks for all the information every one. I definitely want to sell corns but I will do the usual ie: kittens, puppies and ferrets etc. Fish are out of the question for now. They take so much to deal with and fish just don’t sell very well around here . I would also like to deal in adopting out older pets not just the cute little babies. Older pets need good homes too.

I agree that breeding my own reptiles and feeders would be the best way to go. The past week I have been researching a lot to get the information needed. For now I am definitely going small. This is going to be baby steps for a while. I have a degree in computer information systems and web site development/design so I will build my own web site. Save some money there. And would like to start off with pet supplies first selling on line.

But in the mean time I have 6 weeks of real estate classes left then have to take my state and national test. God I will be glad when its done this stuff is hard. LOL

I will keep working on the pet store. For right now it will have to be slowly until this class is over.

Wish me luck every one! For the pet store and the class. LOL

 #1475344

 What would you like to see in a pet store?

 #1475393

 What would you like to see in a pet store?

 #1475673

 What would you like to see in a pet store?

Dragoneyes those are great ideas. The viv being set up with what it should have is a great idea. Too often I see vivs with the bare minimum in them. Matter of fact I saw a few today. There was a milk snake in a bowl of water that was way to small for it to be in, in a 5 gallon tank. There was no hide or fake plant to make it feel safe under. There were 3 baby corn snakes in a 10 gallon tank with no hides or water bowl. Even the boas tanks were just as bad. All only had the green astro turf on the bottom. And is was dirty. I wish there was a way to turn that pet store in to some one because except for the fish, every animal in there was living in filth. Sorry got on the soap box. LOL

Froggy you are absolutly right. What I just said to Dragoneyes is exactly why people should be educted on the animals they work with and sell.

Thanks guys!

 #1475718

 What would you like to see in a pet store?

 #1480929

 What would you like to see in a pet store?