HELP? Common Knowledge for Reptiles in Pet Stores

[absinthe_616]

wow, thanks andie! thats a whole gold bars worth of useful information there!

i will keep all of this in mind, and i think a bio sheet is a fantastic idea. ive already memorized the 'im not a vet line', my friends and their friends come to me with scaley bitey fanged little ones problems when i was living in brisbane n i was always telling them, well it LOOKS like THIS, but im not a vet so take it to one!' lol :lol:

 

[Andie]

You're welcome. I kind of fell into reptiles and learnt everything I know (which is still not a lot!) as I went.

You'll have to tell us if you get the job.

 

[Bob2]

Build a collection of care sheets to give out, be they your own or others, with permission. Don't be afraid to refer to these if faced with a curly question. Direct customers to a helpfull website such as APS for study/ advice. Don't pretend to know things if you don't. There is no quicker way to ruin the reputation of yourself or the store.
Hopefully the store will not buy animals that are not feeding, surely that is the breeders responsibility.

I hope you get the job. People with a passion for reptiles can only be a good thing in pet stores.
Don't forget to treat it as a paid hobby, not a job.
GOOD LUCK

 

[bigi]

lol penny turtles

well if your the best they got that will have to do at least you will learn getting thrown in the deep end,it is a shame that there is no requirment to have knowledge of reptiles to have a licence to sell them.
you need to read,books,lots of them.Every book on the husbandry of the species they sell.Keeping and breeding Australian pythons edited by mike swan is a great one that comes to mind.
You wont be able to tell the age of reptiles from there size reliably.

i agree with this, also having reference books, care sheets and books for sale in store.
you can get books on the internet delivered or try your local library, the library can also bring books in from other library's if needed, Good on you for wanting to know more, and by the way a pet store employee once told me the stimpson python came from the stimpson desert, this in incorrect

 

[Jungletrans]

Aps home page - sxr link - Doc Rock articles . everything you would ever need to know .










































































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[fritzi2009]

i didnt think qld pet shops were allowed to see morelia, i though they could only sell antaresia

 

[Twin_Rivers]

Read your reptile magazines, know what articles are in each, many of these answer all the questions you get asked, point out good articles to people, we find people are more willing to buy a magazine then a book it also brings repeat sales back to your store to get new editions.
Never make up an answer, we often get people telling us advice they got from a store in the next town which is just completely wrong (someone was sold a 10% UVB light for a MD?) and other incorrect advice.
Know your products make sure people get the right thing for their pets.
Make sure when people leave they feel like they have gained something from you, maybe information, a care sheet (we give out heaps of care sheets for all different animals), a magazine or book, a product or even just a website where they can get the right advice, do not let people walk out feeling that coming to you was a waste of time or more confused then when they came in or they will not come back.
We also give out with each food, tips on using/thawing/keeping just a small piece of paper placed in with the product, little things like to thaw you medium rat remove from freezer place in such and such blah blah blah, thank you for shopping with ---------- insert shop name here ------ hope to see you again soon. same with woodie meal worms crickets etc
Have fun let people know you enjoy reptiles they are a passion your excitement will rub off.
Good Luck with it and enjoy your new job.
Phil.

 

[shellfisch]

Read your reptile magazines, know what articles are in each, many of these answer all the questions you get asked, point out good articles to people, we find people are more willing to buy a magazine then a book it also brings repeat sales back to your store to get new editions.
Phil.

Yes, make sure you have plenty of copies of 'Scales & Tails Australia' magazine available for your customers

 

[Akasha81]

lol at "herp retarded'

im sure you will do fine... there will be lots to learn, but if its what you love doing, you will never think of it as a job.

Go for it!!!