What You Can Do
Send Letters. Stay on topic. Help us focus on retailers one at a time. We are starting with PetSmart. Hopefully you will join in.
It takes work to effect change. When things are broken and people don't realize it, those things are rarely fixed. Send letters to help PetSmart realize that their POP signage is badly broken.
For many hobbyists, the issue of accurate information being provided by retailers has passed them by. The people that stayed in the hobby learned the hard way. They discovered that what they thought was right was actually wrong. They began utilizing other, more reliable, sources of information as they became more experienced. The retailer-supplied "facts" were often ignored and even more often ridiculed. The hobbyist came to realize that in order to keep fish healthy and alive they needed to unlearn what they thought of as valuable information provided by most retailers.
That was good for the experienced fish-keeper. Unfortunately new buyers walk into stores every day. They look, they read, they think they learn. Then they buy. Unknowingly squandering not only their money, but also the life of the fish they buy.
There has to be a better way. We think the first step in getting to that better way is for retailers to provide accurate information -- truthful advertising -- to the consumers they have as customers. As it exists today it is often a different case. Today inaccurate and incomplete information is being provided by people that should know better to people that don't. It is "caveat emptor" taken too far.
We have a simple starting point. POP signage, the in-store advertising. Why start here? That information is what a consumer bases a purchasing decision on. It is the information the endless stream of young employees use to discuss fish with buyers while "helping" them decide what to purchase. Information used at such a fundamental level of the purchasing decision should be correct. Retailers have an obligation to provide honest, accurate information when selling a product.
Are You a Hobbyist?
Send letters to your retailer. Demand they fulfill the most basic of obligations. Ask them to tell the truth.
If you have the time please visit our discussion forum. Read what others are thinking. There may be an idea you like. There may be an opportunity for you to do more. We are always looking for additional people to volunteer their time to this effort. Take a look at our on-line communities page. Find a community of fish-keepers that you enjoy discussing fish with. It may be that these communities are actively participating and supporting the "Accuracy in Information" campaign.
Are You a Member of a Club or An Association?
Check the aquatic organizations page. Look at downloadable materials for your use. (Please be patient, we have many things in the works for this page that will start to appear in the future).
Talk to the officers and other members of your group. Discuss the topic. Encourage others to join in with letters. Think about ways your club can get the message out locally. Register your club with us. We will keep your group up-to-date on our latest efforts and how you can help. We may be able to help provide content for your Web site.
