I also like the local wannabes who wander in and drop wholesaler names... they've obviously either worked someplace scrubbing algae or they've peeked at somebody's invoices so they think they are all impressive and fish for info to see if we buy fish from *R* or *D* or whomever. I haven't actually had anybody drop the name of the place(s) that I deal with - but then most are off the beaten path. And anyone who's astute can see boxes from one or two of my suppliers, clearly labeled with their names.
I also laughed a few times at the airport, when one of the Delta counter guys asked me if I knew a particular individual from another shop. I replied in the affirmative - and the Delta dude informed me that this individual had quizzed him about where my shipments were coming from... he was fishing to find out who my suppliers were. At that time we were both using one of the same suppliers, so the next time I spoke with that supplier, I asked them to say "HI" to that other LFS owner for me
The Delta dude did not disclose where my shipments were coming from - he probably doesn't recall as he processes dozens of shipments anyway but he thought I should know that somebody was snooping (and I thanked him!).
Another time I was waiting for my stuff to be brought out and yet another LFS owner was parked beside me, waiting for his stuff. So he asked me where I was getting from. I can play the game, so I said, "West Coast" (hehehe) he said, "Los Angeles?" so I said, no, Oregon (which is where that particular shipment was coming from). He said, "Freshwater?"... I said, "No, saltwater." and just let him hang. He tried to crane his neck over to see the sender's name on the boxes but I just hustled them onto my truck quickly - I knew darned well what he was doing and I wasn't going to "share my gold" with him
I suppose he thought I was dumb enough to just blurt out the name of my supplier... nuh-uh!
That's what a lot of people just getting started in this biz don't understand - even if you aren't in direct competition with me in the same city or state, it's unlikely I'm going to share my livestock "trade secrets" with anyone, because that just increases the competition among us for what we consider to be the best stuff. Took me a while to forge good relationships with suppliers I consider to be superior, and while I wish those suppliers all the prosperity in the world, I'm not going to tell others who to buy from so that I reduce my chances of getting a good fill.
Dry goods is another story - I have a great rep and I send her all the business I can - there's not much risk of a shortage of salt or powerheads, so I'll share that info with anyone and everyone who can use it - as long as they meet the criteria of the vendor - that they have a legitimate retail store front.
Jenn
