Easy access to Bettas

As some of you know, I work at a large retail store that has a fish department.
You may also remember that tomorrow will be 3 months ago that I rescued a male betta that was put into a cup with another betta, left beaten badly and scared for his life.

Well fast forward to today, I was asked for help with another betta (from work) who was taken to another department, and left on the floor flopping around and left to die.

The point of this thread is to gather ideas on what I can suggest to prevent the easy access to the bettas from heartless people who do these things.
I was thinking about suggesting maybe a locked cabinet.. Thoughts?

But its not just the solution.. How should I present the idea?

Sometimes I feel like I am the only one who cares about the fish area..
I need to show my superiors how bad something NEEDS to be done..without sounding like the broken record I have been.
I need one more last push.

So all thoughts and ideas are welcome!

 

One of the wire cabinet doors might work. It would depend on the furniture they are already in though. I would say management isn't likely to invest in furniture unless there is a cost benefit

 

This is an AWESOME post. Good on you for caring so much about those poor fish! Also I agree you have to figure out how to do it in the most cost effective manner along with possibly astheticly pleasing so it intices people to splurge buy them. Maybe just see if you can use one of the tanks you sell and you do the maintenece for free or if they have any out of use cases then put the locked cases near the front of the store which would more likely trigger an impulse shopper to buy one. Just make sure there is a betta tank, food, prime, etc. on or in the case too because impulse buyers don't need to have time to stop and think about it or they may change their mind. That's how I'd phrase it. Sell it to the impulse buyer and make it pretty while putting it in a case.

 

My goal isn't to get people to buy bettas.. people around here don't care about fish. "Theyre just fish"
I just want them to at least be protected while in our store.
Unfortunately they won't let me do maintenance on the tanks, as it isn't my department. There was once that they let me do the main fish wall.. but the glass was so thick with algae, honestly it looked like I hadn't done anything.

I was thinking maybe a hard acrylic case where you can see the fish, but have to have help from someone with a key to purchase one. That would also give someone like me a chance to help explain the Nitrogen Cycle and suggest a proper tank setup.
Maybe I can mention upselling. A 10 gallon tank instead of a fish bowl. Heaters, filters, and general equipment.. that makes the store more money, and ensures all of the fish a better chance at a longer life

 

that's what I meant when I said put them in a case near the front. Bettas are 75% impulse buyers and that's the only way you could present it to your superiors where it will make them money esp w the heat its kind of a summery thing even fish and water. But yeah I was talking about a locked glass case near the front of the store with all the supplies and the fish in it to spur the interest. Kids love em so put them right when they walk in and the kids will beg mom and dad the whole time they are in the store for a fishy lol

 

that's what I meant when I said put them in a case near the front. Bettas are 75% impulse buyers and that's the only way you could present it to your superiors where it will make them money esp w the heat its kind of a summery thing even fish and water. But yeah I was talking about a locked glass case near the front of the store with all the supplies and the fish in it to spur the interest. Kids love em so put them right when they walk in and the kids will beg mom and dad the whole time they are in the store for a fishy lol

Impulse buys screams 'dead fish walking' don't you think?

 

Yes but if you go in there with the whole bleeding heart fish lover deal they won't take you seriously. Its purely business so you have to give them business terms. You are responsible for educating people when they buy the betta as to what they need and what they need to do to let it live a decent life. Put urself in a busy managers shoes. All you care about is making money and making corporate pat you on the head. So appeal to what they know the way they think.

 

Yes but if you go in there with the whole bleeding heart fish lover deal they won't take you seriously. Its purely business so you have to give them business terms. You are responsible for educating people when they buy the betta as to what they need and what they need to do to let it live a decent life. Put urself in a busy managers shoes. All you care about is making money and making corporate pat you on the head. So appeal to what they know the way they think.

I get what you're saying. But what I'm saying is supply and demand. If a bunch of people buy them on impulse, when their fish die, they'll come back and get more and itll die. Never ending circle.
I seldom get to help people with fish. Not only because it isn't my department, but I work 3rd shift.
Luckily for me, the people directly above me know how much I know about fish and send me over there when a customer needs something. So that's good.. But I'm just a drop in a barrel.

I like your idea don't get me wrong. I just don't like the idea of having the case up front.
Besides, fish aren't much of a profit.
Its really a waste of time, money, and poor little fishy lives

 

Where are the Bettas in relation to the cashiers and the fish tanks?

 

Yeah exactly but IMO that would be the only way they would take you seriously because whatever the case may be it has to be "to cause more profit in the betta fish department" not for the wellbeing of the animals. Sadly but truly.

 

If in store management isn't paying attention perhaps upper management (ie corporate) is the root to go.

Express your concern backed by facts and perhaps evidence that there is mistreatment going on.

 

Where are the Bettas in relation to the cashiers and the fish tanks?

The pet dept is on the back side of the store..big store. Theres a wall of fish tanks with a sink on the side..its basically like a cubby. The sink has two or three small shelves above it where the bettas are kept in their shipping cups

 

If in store management isn't paying attention perhaps upper management (ie corporate) is the root to go.

Express your concern backed by facts and perhaps evidence that there is mistreatment going on.

I think this may be my only option.. I sometimes wonder if they would even care. Its been very discouraging

 

A few years ago I was very distressed to see the way a certain store kept their bettas.
Store management seemed sympathetic but basically unable or unwilling to help.
I went the corporate route.
The store stopped carrying bettas altogether. I have no illusion that this change was made because of complaints from just one customer so I assume there had been many many others.

Good luck, I hope things change for the better.

 

The pet dept is on the back side of the store..big store. Theres a wall of fish tanks with a sink on the side..its basically like a cubby. The sink has two or three small shelves above it where the bettas are kept in their shipping cups

I thought you worked in a dedicated pet store. Because of the "self-serve" nature of Bettas they're very easy to pick up without much consideration and all of the pet stores I can think of around here keep the Betta display where it can be seen at all times.

 

I thought you worked in a dedicated pet store. Because of the "self-serve" nature of Bettas they're very easy to pick up without much consideration and all of the pet stores I can think of around here keep the Betta display where it can be seen at all times.

I wouldnt mind it being out and displayed. Just not freely accessible.
In addition to the problems ive already mentioned, I have found bettas shoved in the back of merchandise and left alone. We've even had a massive over feeding problem.

I just woke up from a nightmare about it. Its really bothering me. I will probably just call corporate and try to have the entire fish section removed

 

Yes, the cabinet is a great idea. What about placing a poster about proper betta care there? And putting filters and heaters nearby, perhaps creating a "betta starter kit" for a good price but still profitable for the store?
Each customer could also get a simple betta care sheet to take home but I wouldn't make it longer than half a page of text.

 

Yes, the cabinet is a great idea. What about placing a poster about proper betta care there? And putting filters and heaters nearby, perhaps creating a "betta starter kit" for a good price but still profitable for the store?
Each customer could also get a simple betta care sheet to take home but I wouldn't make it longer than half a page of text.

Ideally yes that would be a good idea.
But like I said, I don't run the department. The person who does, doesn't seem to care about the problems. Everyone else, well.. "they're just fish"

Ive suggested care sheets and demanded better maintenance (or any for that matter) for the tanks, but it basically boils down to not enough time.
Really what it is, is the fish aren't profitable whatsoever. So the time to care for them isn't priority.

And me? Well..I'm just the crazy fish lady.

 

It's very sad :-( I guess your only chance is persuading them that they could make money by selling larger tanks, heaters and filters. That would be the only way to go.
But I can't give you an advice how exactly you could do it :-(

If you can't do more, you could make small care sheets yourself for your own money and either place them nearby or ask the management to allow giving them to customers at checkout.
But I don't know how many bettas are sold daily and how much would it cost you.
It's very sad, but I come from a country where there's almost no money in the third sector / voluntary activities and whatever you want to do you have to do our pay for it yourself. So maybe the fastest solution would be to find someone who can make the cheapest glass cabinet for you. If you are willing to pay, of course. I worked in a local volunteer organisation and we had to pay for everything ourselves, too. Also, when I taught at school I had to print worksheets for my own money if I wanted to give the students something more :-/ I wasn't allowed to use school paper or printer. it's so depressing and it made me so frustrated!

 

It's very sad :-( I guess your only chance is persuading them that they could make money by selling larger tanks, heaters and filters. That would be the only way to go.
But I can't give you an advice how exactly you could do it :-(

If you can't do more, you could make small care sheets yourself for your own money and either place them nearby or ask the management to allow giving them to customers at checkout.
But I don't know how many bettas are sold daily and how much would it cost you.
It's very sad, but I come from a country where there's almost no money in the third sector / voluntary activities and whatever you want to do you have to do our pay for it yourself. So maybe the fastest solution would be to find someone who can make the cheapest glass cabinet for you. If you are willing to pay, of course. I worked in a local volunteer organisation and we had to pay for everything ourselves, too. Also, when I taught at school I had to print worksheets for my own money if I wanted to give the students something more :-/ I wasn't allowed to use school paper or printer. it's so depressing and it made me so frustrated!

Yeah my job is pretty much the complete opposite lol
All fixtures (meaning the cabinet) have to be supplied by the company itself. Not just our store.
And the care sheets are considered somewhat propaganda and are against policy. Even regular people aren't allowed to hand fliers out or anything.

Persuading people to buy larger tanks and whatnot is what I do already. I just recently helped customers stocking their tank appropriately. Talked them out of a 1 gallon "tank".. by the time they left they had spent ~$65 more than they originally would have.. AND had fish appropriate for their tank. Which, as we know, gives them a better chance at a successful tank.

I just wish I could help them understand, if the employees were knowledgeable, that's all it takes to make more money

 

Yeah, it's complicated and you are in a difficult position.
I can't imagine what it is like to talk to managers in a business like that. Did you explain how you persuaded those people to spend more money?
Please let us know how things are going. I'll be thinking of you!

 

Yeah, it's complicated and you are in a difficult position.
I can't imagine what it is like to talk to managers in a business like that. Did you explain how you persuaded those people to spend more money?
Please let us know how things are going. I'll be thinking of you!

Of course I did ^.^ I was excited that I helped a fellow fish keeper and showed that I'm good at my job. Even if its not my department.
I will take it one day at a time

 

I hate that it comes down to money, but if the fish department isn't profitable then showing the powers that be how much more money they can make through upselling might get their attention! And even though it is technically upselling it's also better for the fish

 

I hate that it comes down to money, but if the fish department isn't profitable then showing the powers that be how much more money they can make through upselling might get their attention! And even though it is technically upselling it's also better for the fish

That's what I'm thinking! I wish they would just quit selling live fish. It would make it less probable to interact with the customer about proper stocking and whatnot, but that's where it comes down to people doing their own research before buying a pet.
Hopefully I will be around to at least share what I know and give them a better chance of succeeding..maybe even learn something new myself :>

 

If in store management isn't paying attention perhaps upper management (ie corporate) is the root to go.

Express your concern backed by facts and perhaps evidence that there is mistreatment going on.

Do not do this out of the blue. Try to get local management involved and be able to prove you talked to them. Use official correspondence if at all possible. If it falls on deaf ears then go to corporate. Give the local management a chance even if you know it won't help. This will protect you if corporate likes your idea and starts asking the store why they didn't already do it. You have to have to have to make it more profitable to get traction though.

 

Do not do this out of the blue. Try to get local management involved and be able to prove you talked to them. Use official correspondence if at all possible. If it falls on deaf ears then go to corporate.

Read my second post in this thread.
Of course one should go through the chain of command.

 

Of course I would have to take it up the chain. What I fear is effecting my job.
As I said.. I am the crazy fish lady lol! They will know I was the one who called corporate.. no one else cares enough to have something done about it.
I love my job. I just need someone else to care about the blatant irresponsibility.

I knew my FishLore family would care. I thank you guys so much.

 

If corporate doesn't like the idea they won't usually pass it on the your store. They will just tell you thank you and file your idea in the circular filing bin. If a simple suggestion gets you retaliation I would instantly take THAT to corporate. Nagging would get you in a little trouble most likely.

I've had family make local suggestions at their jobs that fell on deaf ears. When corporate heard the ideas they either ignored them, or, if they liked the idea they asked the local store why they hadn't implemented it yet. From what I've seen amongst my family is open communication in a store is usually highly welcomed. Even if you are the crazy fish person, they likely know you are helping them even if it irks them.

I keep referencing my family as I don't have a typical job, nor am I ever working in a store. However open communication is paramount, and tactful responses even more so. I've seen some crazy penny ideas save hundreds of thousands of dollars, so no idea is too small, especially when it's a corporation.

 

I ran my idea to one manager.. was told the message will be relayed. I will wait to see what I hear. If nothing, I will be going further up.

How long would you say is an adequate amount of time?

 

Great to hear that! I hope they will listen. Especially if it's going to be presented as a new way to make more money. Keep us updated!

 

Okay I have some updates for you guys.
The betta that was left on the floor:
The cameras were reviewed and apparently a child had left the cup on an unstable surface (after presumably being told he couldnt have it) and the cup fell. The poor betta wasn't found for about 2 hours in just a tiny puddle trying to breathe..
Anyway..the poor thing died (SIP)
Still waiting on decisions to be made. Hopefully it works out well

 

Good grief! Don't parents supervise their children anymore??? How old was the child?

I was recently in a pet store and there was a tiny little girl with a fluffy puppy on a leash. Mommy had put her phone in the girl's hands with a cartoon playing while she went to the cashier to have an argument. The girl started screaming for her mommy in total panic because the puppy decided to poop on the floor and she didn't know what to do. Luckily I carry a doggy bag dispenser on my keychain and I was able to reassure the girl and clean up the mess. But I mean really, for all the attention mommy was paying, I could have been a predator and carried her daughter away! I was so upset I had to just leave. Otherwise I would have said something nasty but when you don't have children yourself you're expected to keep quiet about such things

 

I know what you mean. I just heard about a young couple who left their toddler at home alone while they went out searching for pokemon.. People really have no sense of responsibility anymore.
I'm not sure how old the child was. The plan was to take legal action, but after reviewing the tapes, decided not to because it was accidental.
I asked about finding out who put my newest betta into a cup with another betta, but it had been too long ago. But now I know I can do such things, so that's good.

 

I think it's great that the management actually did something about your complaint. The incident recorded on the camera was shameful, but at least their will to investigate gives us hope that they will take your suggestions into consideration.

I don't have children either, but the neglect of some parents that I saw during the one year I taught at primary school (grade 1-9)... One has to ask what will become of those kids. I don't mean this as a rant but as a genuine concern.

 

Ive actually suggested something else.. but I'm going to wait to see what (if anything) happens.
Then I can fill you guys in ^.^
My hopes are high..but trying not to let them get too high

 

I'd slap everyone's ideas on here along with your own on a power point presentation and present it to management. Two bettas in one cup is ruthless.