Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It looks like my family might be in the position to open a family pet store in a few months or so. I was wondering how many of yall, if any, have a store front for your animals to the general public. Do you deal with just bp's? snakes? herps? or are you an out and out pet store? To make a long question short, if the event ever actually happens for me and my family (you see my family loves animals, but I am the reptile nut in family) to open a store I would like to see a full traditional pet store, with all the works, but also a place where I could carry out and expand my collection. Now I know that actual sales of reptiles at stores is a small percentage, and furthermore, I am not one to sell an iguana to a family that I dont think will take proper care of the animal. The idea that I have been pitching is that while mom is next door getting her hair cut, or shopping or what ever, and her kids come in to our store and see a full grown pied, its going to attract business. It may not be the sale of a 2k snake, or even a $200 snake, but mom might settle on getting a gerbil, or even just a cute collar for fluffy.

I guess I want to know how many herpers out there can vouch for a good quality pet store that offers a full line of supplies for all animals (ok, I wont be selling tigers or anything....), but still places an emphasis on reptiles.

My idea is, provide something different from your run of the mill superpet stores (names which shall not be mentioned, I dont know how mods feel about that), provide good customer service, and quality products, and you will get good repeat business.

Let me know what you guys think, any and all suggestions are welcome. If its a stupid idea, please tell me, I would rather find out now then down the road.

~Johnny

P.S. The family has decided not to carry puppies and cats, as a majority of these are from puppies mills, and that is a horrible thing to support. Instead, we are trying to work with local animal shelters to adopt out these pets, which I think works out well b/c if you adopt a new kitten at a pet store, you will more than likely buy it kitty litter, box, etc, while at the store.

P.P.S I know this is a long post, I just wanted to hear from you guys about it first. I have done a lot of research on this online, and to say the least, I feel the people on this board will give me the most level headed and clear advice regarding this issue. Thanks again, and good job reading the worlds longest post, haha!

We have a couple of "reptile" pet stores near us. It's always fun to take the kids to Prehistoric Pets but after about 10 minutes there I start to feel bad for the snakes - on any given day that I've been there - you can see half a dozen kids/adults tapping on the glass and screaming at the snakes, lizards, etc. trying to illicit some kind of response - can you imagine the stress - now we know why they keep the high end stuff hidden. On top of that - you gotta think every reptile nut in the county has been through there - not all have clean collections - just what you want someone whos just gotten done handling his mite ridden snake coming into your store and wants to hold your pied. Could be worse maybe he's carrying some kind of reptile virus - just had something die on him and he's shopping for a replacement - who knows. That and if you've got high end animals you might as well paint a big bullseye on your storefront saying please come rob me. Even worst are the ones kept at your local big name pet super store - they get twice the traffic and have worse caging, husbandry skills - oi.

But I'm paranoid - it could be a good thing - lots people do it.
-----
Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

10.35.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.1.0 Bredls Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.1 Lizard rescued from feline
0.0.0 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

Very good points as always! I did over look the part about being robbed, now that you mention it, I has happened in the past, and I am sure it will happen again. As far as high end stuff, my general idea is (and like I said, this is still really fresh in the works, and hasn't even hit the drawing boards yet). Keep your average pet store reptiles out, corns, kings, normal bp's, that sort of thing. But have a different location where I could expand my collection and start the breeding projects I have been thinking about. The rest of the store will have other standard pet store stuff, dog food, small animals, etc, etc... I know that trying to sell a VPI axanthic or 0 het ghost to the general public would be pretty hard. Basically, expanding my collection with the intent of breeding, and then pairing that with a pet store. Thanks again everyone.

~Johnny

I worked for a pet store for 5 years here in Kansas City when I was going threw college. I think you mentioned it but don't sell puppies or kittens, plenty of reasons why..... Anyway, specialize in a couple categories that the big chain stores don't mess with alot. We did reptiles and salt and fresh water fish mainly. You will sell alot of dog and cat food so stock up on that. As far as the reptiles go, its REALLY hard to sell anything over 200-300 dollars let along 800 so don't focus on that at all. We did breed albino, pieds, clowns, and some other higher end stuff but that stuff wasn't even on display we just took that stuff to our local herp shows. If your in the mind set of "I won't sell an iguana to just anyone" or any other reptile for that matter then you probably won't sell alot of things!! I would say about 75% of the people that walked through the doors to get a reptile weren't really qualified to have one regardless of what I would tell them, teach them, show them, etc etc etc so you should get used to that!!! Also, if you can make your store kind of like a zoo as far as display animals, do it!! We were well known for the big snakes we had on display. We had 2 or 3 big retics 14 feet, one of which was barely under 20 feet when we got rid of it, to Bob Clark actually. We also had a couple good size Albino Burmese pythons on display (13-14 feet) This also helps in showing people that you should think twice about getting a large python or boa. Find good breeders/wholesalers for all your animals (reptiles, fish, small mammals) so you can have good prices for them. Most large chain pet stores have crazy animal prices, they usually have good prices for there supplies but the animals is where we would attract people because we had better quality at a better price!! We would get 200-300 ch ball pythons a year at like $6 so we had very good prices compared to about $90-100 you would see at the large chain stores. Anyway, this is all kinda bumbled together because I'm trying to type fast because I am at work so bare with me!

Anyway, definately try to get some unique things in your store, even if they aren't for sale (large constrictors) because we would get people comming in to just see some of our stuff which then would get some people to then buy something for there dog or whatever before they leave. Anyway, I'll try to end this, but there is alot of stuff that still can be said. Email me at jkwjarvis@hotmail.com if you have any specific questions. The store was a pretty darn successful store so it all worked for us.

You definately have to bite the bullet on a few of the "good" husbandry practices and the thought of "I'm only selling to knowledgable people" idea. Email me if ya want reasons why. If you can do all of that and still be successful then that is awesome and I would say by all means do it but I think you would struggle. Anyway, enough of this mumbo jumbo, back to work.

Jason

Thanks a whole bunch Jason,
You nail what I was thinking about a "zoo" of sorts to attract business. That was exactly what I was thinking. I will keep your email handy if I have questions or want to run something by you. Take it easy,

~Johnny

Hey no problem Johnny!

I actually would really like to own my own pet store. I think I could make it a successful buisness as I managed the one I worked at. The owner and I were pretty good friends as well so I knew alot of the ins and outs of what all he did. His store was pretty successful and there were some things that I would do if it was my store that would make it a little more successful I'm sure. One other thing you should really consider is store location! I think that store location is probably one of the most important things to think about when getting your pet store up and running!

Anyway to touch on what some others have said..... We bred our own mice so we could sell pinkies, fuzzies, hoppers or whatever size anyone wanted. We would also buy from another local breeder to keep adult mice and rats on hand at all times. As far as f/t goes we just told people to give us a call a day or so before hand and we could freeze however many rodents they needed and they could pick them up later that day or whenever. Feeder rodents of all sizes and types is a good thing to have as the big chain stores usually didn't have a good variety and some won't sell them to ya if they know your going to feed them off! Some other marketing/promotional stuff we would do is have field trips to our store where we would let kids come pet some stuff and we would talk about our big snakes and all the other thngs in our reptile room, it was usually a pretty big hit!

I could go on all day about this subject because like I said I have thought about it alot also and I really like working for the guy I did. He was actually in People Magazine in the late 80's because he had a big collection of albino burmes and other things when they were a few thousand dollars a piece. I guess one last thing I will leave you with and it holds true for most all small buisnesses, and that is "CUSTOMER SERVICE"!! You must have very good customer service and preach it too your employees ALL the time. You CANNOT beat nice, friendly, knowledgable, happy to help employees. You could have the best store in the country but if you have crap for employees, it will fail!!

Anyway, i will shut up now!

Jason

One local store that does alot of business also goes by making poeple want to come in route. They have all the walls lined in fish tanks, salt and freshwater kept immaculately clean. Main floor area is birds-exotics mainly, most of which are not for sale but the owners personal collection- alot of which perch on the cages instead of being kept locked in them. The reptile wall has a rather large variety of different reptiles, most never get seem to get sold but turn into semi-permanent pets of the store. Main thing they sell? Cheap freshwater fish, and was also told they do prett well on their retile feeders.

Well put Jason.

I owned a pet store for 6 years before I sold it and moved. You will devote a ton of your personal time to it. Don't think just because you own it others will do the work for you. It will be hard work for you and your family until it takes off or goes bust.

Having a special display of oddities to attract others from Petco, Petland, and the other multitude of mom and pop shops will help you get traffic in your door.

Husbandry as you know it will no longer exsist with employees. They will take the short cut every time you are not around. Unless you are lucky enough to get one that really cares. Your suppliers of live animals have no idea what real husbandry is, so isolate all new animals and get a good cleaning ajent for all your cages. Even practicing this, will cost you animals from bad suppliers. Loss of live inventory is sadly inevitable and that translates into lost revinue.

Dog and cat "stuff" will be your staple if you can beat Kmart and Wall Mart in prices. Advertise the snot out of being able to beat the advertised price if you really can. That will attrack the money you will need to fund other projects you want to explore.

Don't grow to fast and only supply what your customers need. Waisted inventory hanging on the wall, no matter how cheap or cool you think it is, is still waisted money. Let your customers tell you what they want and stock that.

Advertise to your customers, that if they dont see it in hte store you can get for them. Get phone numbers and call them with updates. They love the one on one touch.

Good luck, it can be done but over 75% of new small business's fail in the first 1 or 2 years.

I was lucky that I only had to compete with Petland in my home town. After I sold it the new owner ran it in the ground the first year and shut the doors. She was one of my best employees too.

I didn't see any long post. I thought your post was a good size. When I finished reading, I had a clear idea what you intended and what you were asking.

We have a store in Baton Rouge that matches the description that you give pretty well. They sell a variety of reptiles and fish. They sell mice and rats for pets, but they also keep a stock of feeders for people who own reptiles. They have rabbits and similar moderately small fuzzy things. They also sell birds. In addition to these animals and all of the stuff that goes with them, they sell the usual dog and cat stuff.

They have a good reputation, and their animals appear to live in pretty good conditions. A few of their snakes are really in enclosures that are too small, but things are clean.

I assume that they are doing very well financially, but I don't know. They have a great selection of stuff, but there are some things that they don't sell. If they expanded in these areas, I'd never buy at the big chain stores. The things that they are lacking are:

1. F/t rodents - I don't know whether they just think that they can't make money in this area or whether they object to feeding f/t on principle. Their employees recommend feeding live, but again, the store may tell them to recommend live feeding because that's what the store sells.

2. Cages other than aquariums - While they have all kinds of reptile stuff, the only cages that they sell are aquariums. Maybe their supplier gives them a better price not to sell any other kind of cages, but I wish they sold better cages for reptiles. I could order online, but I'd pay extra to be able to buy locally.

3. Thermostats/rheostats - They sell heat mats, but they don't sell any kind of control devices that I've seen. Maybe they have some kind of exclusive representation package with their supplier, and their supplier doesn't have these products. I don't know why, but they don't sell thermostats or rheostats. I think they'd have a market for those products among their usual customers.

I don't really have a clue why I told you all of that, but it might give you a picture of what one place does.

Bill
-----
It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

Just my take on a few statments you made. If you have a good variety of animals you won't need the "zoo" aspect. Most non herp people will be as impressed by a medium size boa or python or some medium size lizards. You have to remember that you are paying rent for all the retail floor space. The more you devote to display the less space you have to use for products for sale.
You stated you would not sell puppies/kittens because of "puppy mills". Not to argue with you but try & look at it from a different angle. A dog/cat person may say they will not sell birds because "they are bred in small cages & it's inhumane" or I won't sell reptiles because they are all dangerous & don't make good pets. What I am saying is sell whatever you care about & can take the best care of while in your posession. Check your sources, buy from reliable breeders. There are just as many "bad apples" in the herp business as the fish, bird, dog, cat, etc. Just do the best you can with what you have. I don't carry dogs, cats or birds in my store. Why? Because neither I nor my staff has a personal interest in them, therefore we may not be the best people to offer them for sale. Our specialty is reptiles, but we also carry a large selection of fish & small mammals. Along with all the supplies we can offer. We also carry food & supplies for dogs & cats. Hope this info helps. One last thing. Be prepared to work LONG hours for very little return at first. Good luck.
Bruce Delles c/o Twin Cities Reptiles
CELEBRATING OUR 27TH YEAR IN THE RETAIL REPTILE BUSINESS

Any shop that can further incourage peoples interest in any animals and properly supply them with the correct information is a great idea.
If you are worried about putting your 10k snake on display b/c people will treat your shop like a petting zoo, which trust me they will. then try what Kevin from NERD has done. He has a gorgeous shop open to the public where you can see a varity of all different animals you cant see at most places. He keeps it extremely clean which is a big plus in this industry exspecially when you have mothers taking there kids in to see the animals, or thinking about purchasing one. Presentaion is everything. He also has knowledgale staff. When people come in with a "stupid" question, (a question that seems to be commen sense to a reptile enthusiast) answer truthfully with out rolling your eyes. Also Kevin had his facility seperated from the shop. He will only take interested buyers or friends to the second level where he keeps his breeders and so forth. This way his animals are not stressed by crowds of people and if someone is interested in a higher end animal they are still at the shop just sectioned off. Ma and Pa pet shops are great. Id much rather see them then the corporate Petco. Large petstore cant focus on quality of their animals and the happiness of their customer. I know cause i worked at Petco for years. Well good luck in all you do and i hope you and your family build a spectacular shop.