Ok folks.... I know it seems like such a simple question but in the planning stages of a shop now and want to know your views.

I want your top 5 things when rating a shop in order!

To me it's:
1. Healthy animals
2. clean viv's
3. Knowledgable staff
4. Stock selection
5. Decent selection of related materials....viv's suppliments bulbs etc

Whats way would you rate it?

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I'll do this the order it would work if I walked into the shop...

1. clean, tidy shop that isn't too cramped (this includes clean vivs)
2. seeing healthy animals
3. pleasent, knowledgable staff
4. range of equipment, accessories and decor
5. stock selection

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1.0 Anery Corn Snake
2.4.3 Stenodactylus stenodactylus
0.2 Mourning Geckos
1.0.60+ Shark & Ray Fossils

1.0 Boyfriend



The Natural World Forum

Cheers SS....it's just I know alot of people have differing ideas and want to see what everyone expects out of a reptile shop in general.

As for the not too cramped aspect that could be one of the main problems.... most reptile shops are relatively small due to to the relatively small captive market and having to balance that against rent/rates etc.

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Yeah I know its not easy and its probably more of a personal thing but I find it irritating being cramped in a small shop especially when there are lots of other people there I find it makes it more difficult to look at the animals too as there is always someone wanting to be passed. If its cramped in the shop I usually only go in to get something specific and then I'm straight out again

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1.0 Anery Corn Snake
2.4.3 Stenodactylus stenodactylus
0.2 Mourning Geckos
1.0.60+ Shark & Ray Fossils

1.0 Boyfriend



The Natural World Forum

You have a more than fair point. What i was aiming for was something close to the center of the town..... that drives rent and rates up as well.....

Would many of your out there object to having to travel a little to get to a slightly larger store?

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I know I wouldn't object, if all the other points were covered as well. If there was 2 rep shops, one close in the town but tiny and cramped but one further out which was larger and more spacious I'd chose the further out one. Not only that but in town centres there is heavier traffic and it is difficult getting parked sometimes, so that in itself would be a factor to take into account when it comes to location.

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1.0 Anery Corn Snake
2.4.3 Stenodactylus stenodactylus
0.2 Mourning Geckos
1.0.60+ Shark & Ray Fossils

1.0 Boyfriend



The Natural World Forum

Ok in order of what i want to see

1. Clean, organised vivs
2. healthy reptiles homed appropriately
3. Helpful, happy, working staff
4. good range of accessories and books
5. Small descriptions of the reps under the vivs
6. (wishing here) VERY VERY cheap reptiles..

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This is the best market research I can do....get opinions direct from the captive market!

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Oh if its in N I im not going to help as i won't be buying anything But yeah they use descriptions on the vivs in the local rep shop and it helps alot.. says the temps needed.. their diet and their latin name and country of origin... good luck with the shop mate.. hope it all goes well. .. oh and on the good looking staff.. haven't seen you but don't flatter yourself..

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LOL..... hey at least you know the staff will have a sense of humour ( will post a pic sometime and you'll see what I mean LOL)

And ALL advice helps..... N.Ireland seems to be way behind in the Reptile shop front at the moment and I'm hoping at the least to bring it into line with the mainland!

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