From: pjs@gvgdsd.GVG.TEK.COM (Peter J. Stonard)
Newsgroups: rec.aquaria
Subject: Re: selling young
Date: 3 Sep 92 00:32:06 GMT
Organization: Grass Valley Group, Grass Valley, CA

In article <1992Aug28.160343.29574@cis.uab.edu> patton@phy.uab.edu writes:
>
>How does one go about selling fish to the local pet stores. Those of you who
>have experience with selling back fry you have raised please respond. I am 
>having quite a bit of success breeding cichlids and would like to sell 
>the young. Any suggestions as to how to approach fish stores about buying
>them is appreciated. Thanks!!!
>
>patton@phy.uab.edu

David,

I have had sucess by simply phoning the local stores and asking to
speak to the person who buys fish for the store. In a small store
this is usually the owner.

Tell them what you have to offer "I raise Angelfish and has some
that are the size of a US quarter, do you want any?"

They may so no. Try again next week. Phone on Monday or Tuesday, their
tanks will be emptied by the weekend traffic, increasing your
chance of sucess. Once the weather improves (May?) fish hobby 
shoppers go over to the garden centre, business is slow in the
summer.

Know ahead of time what you want for them. Figure that fish sell 
for five times the wholesale price. If you see $5 angels in their
store expect $1 for equivalent quality. Most store owners are
fair, honest, and good friends to have. If the store has poorly
kept tanks or dying stock that will reflect on how they treat you.

On your first sales call expect the buyer to want to see what you
have. Always understate the size, you don't want to haul a bucket
load over there to hear "well we can't use the small ones". Give
them a couple of free samples: "I'll bring you a pair to look at"
or "They're smaller than the last lot, I threw in a half dozen on
me" etc.

Suggest to the owner that you could work out a special deal for 
a sale: "It's Labour Day weekend soon, are you having a fish
sale? I'd like to clear out one of my Angel tanks". Offer them
two for one or something similar. To keep regular customers
you must be in this to establish long term relationships. Offer
replacements if fish die the next day, etc.

Many store owners will want you to take 'Store Credit' instead of
cash. This is nice if you are equipping a new tank or buying 
live food, but won't make you rich. I like the thrill of dropping
of a bucket of young fish and coming home with a new glass tank
or frozen brine shrimp. This is not good for all of your hobby 
purchases as Mail Order dry goods are a better deal.

The price will fluctuate, both by buyer and by seller. I hate this.
Some stores have flash cards with sellers names and prices, etc.
The same fish may get more at the store across town, depending
on the buyer and how much tank space they have. Some stores
go high on their selling price and if the fish don't move they
have a sale or 'second fish for a 1C' promotion.

Fish buyers usually deal in **dozens**, are you ready to deliver
24 - 60 fish of the right size and good health? Larger specimens
move slower, so getting an order for six breeder size fish is 
good.

Some species are more valuable than others. I don't raise Zebra
Danios or Swords anymore now that Angels generate more $$.

Well good luck, hope your not planning on selling around here :*) :*)

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Peter J. Stonard        +                                /^\  /^\
Grass Valley Group      +                       /^\     /   \/
Grass Valley, CA. 95945 +                     /     \ /    /  
pjs@gvgspd.gvg.tek.com  +     Fish keeper in the Sierra Foothills
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If it looks like; sounds like; quacks like; an Opinion. It's mine.