Pro Keepers Lobby seeks further information, the focus is on knowledge, staffing and the reptile store.

Are the staffs of the stores in the UK today trained?

If so is this by a recognised body or is it carried out by the owners/managers of the stores itself? What are your views on the staff within reptile stores?

Of the following which do you consider more important?

1] Knowledge
Regarding basic care elements of the stock they have?

2] Cleanliness
Are the vivs, animals clean and healthy?
Does the staff wash their hands after they handle the animals?

3] Helpful
Do they seem happy to talk to you?

4] Understanding
Do the staff in store have a level of knowledge on requirements of the species and do they appear to know what the buyers’ skills may be?

5] Passionate
Are they dedicated to the hobby, or just shop-selling reptiles?

6] Appearance
Is the overall state of the actual vivs and species themselves presentable?

7] Welcomed
Do you feel at ease in store or feel like you have walked into the ‘slaughtered Lamb’?

Is the store itself friendly or closed to you?

8] Informative
Is there sufficient care information available? From the staff themselves to care guides. Can they advise you on vets in your area, or insurance companies etc.

Do you feel that the store is offering genuine advice or are they just fobbing you off for the sake of a sale?


9] After Care Service
Once you have made your purchase, gone away. Will they be there for you at a later date for more information?

10] Range
Is the store different – as in they carry a different selection of species or are they the usual species that all stores carry. Do they carry basics to rare and unique?

Tick as many as you wish.

And please add your comments at the bottom.

Many Thanks

Rory Matier
Pro Keepers Lobby

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Range is what attracts me! Something different from the normal beardies and leos or a wider ranger of them such as high end morphs. A few different types of agamids, chameleons, geckos that sort of thing

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2.7.0 Crested Gecko - Rhacodactlyus ciliatus
0.0.2 Mossy Gecko - Rhacodactlyus Chahoua
0.1.0 Chinese Water Dragon - Physignathus cocinci
1.1.0 Saharan Uromastyx - Uromastyx geyri

I go for knowledge and informative, as I like to get advice form someone who knows their stuff. After-care service, as I love those shops that care about their stock after they've made a profit, and passionate, as the best shop keepers are those that do it because they love it, and not just for the money.

The other choices are still important, but those are my deciding factors.

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Feed Me!



1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa - Sausage
2.4 Corn Snakes - Cynpher, Frosty, Squishy, Fisk, Callisto & Phoenix

Honesty is the big one for me, id sooner hear them say they dont know but will found out rather than make something up on the spot.

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I'm the first mammal to wear pants, yeah.....I'll do what I want but irresponsibly!!!

Well I could tick all of them! However, the in house care of the animals is the most important to me. Also, Good basic knowledge is a must, I think it is irresponsible to sell any animal where the correct care information is not be passed on.

I also really hate seeing lots of reps out and being handled, particularly by those who are unsupervised. Oh, and the lack of hygiene and washing.

I have ticked all, for l do feel that all of the elements displayed are a must in todays retail market.

But l think that this applies to most animal retailers in the UK, as indeed many of the same elements could be seen to motivate the universal retail unit.

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I have also ticked all the above as I feel that each element is a strong pointer for any shop.

I must say after voting, i am a little surprised at how behind the others appearance and welcome have been chosen.

Is this because people feel form a customer's point of view it is better for the staff to be able to deal with the stock they sell rather than the people they sell it to?

With regards to appearance - did people vote before they read Rory's openeing post or do they feel that the appearance of the housing for the animals' and the animals' general condition are less important than the knowledge the shop's staff show?

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http://dragcave.net/user/brittone05

Nobody???

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http://dragcave.net/user/brittone05

I primarily base my judgement on how welcome I feel. I have spent many a day sat in someones shop having a chat about pretty much anything, and met many wonderful friends as a result. Welcoming shops tend you treat you seriously if you do have a suggestion also.

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Not that l feel that either of my two polls have or should have offended any retailers.

But if any within this forum do wish to pm, email me, contact me or post here with your views on this poll or indeed the other one, please do not hesitate to contact me.

The purpose of the two polls is to research the answers supplied and view how your buyers, current and potential view in an overall term the retail reptile scene. This is to aid the Retail Aid campaign.

However as said, if, there are retailers out there that do feel threatened by these polls? Then do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks very much

Rory Matier
Pro Keepers Lobby

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