Local Fish Shops Are Daft.

[Aviici]

I agree that the fish shops should know the vast majority of what they're stocking in an ideal world, but surprisingly this world is in fact not ideal I do believe that people should know what they want before even going with the intention of buying fish, and know what the fishes traits and requirements are already. If your LFS isn't providing enough information on a fish that you like the look of, you can always ask them for any details they may have, and then go home and use the internet to research.
Luckily my local MA is really good, and the people who work there are really helpful! MBOU, when are you getting your new fish delivery?

 

[This Old Spouse]

Well, this guy didn't know the difference between a Chinese algae eater, Siamese algae eater or otocinclus (which he spelled on his tanks without the "l"!!) He's really into lizards more than fish, but I'm thinking if you're going to do fish, at least know what you're talking about, eh?

 

[frapadoodle]

Yeah, if it's a chain store I ask easy questions to gauge the knowledge of the help. After all a car salesman needn't be a mechanic. But I do expect basics. And if they are not a fish only store, fish are not thier big money maker. So hiring fish experts isn't thier highest priority. And has been said, they order wholesale from a supplier.
One of the local chains has fishkeepers running the fish department, and quite unafraid to say they are not familiar with a species of fish, rather than say it will be fine with 10 other fish in your 5gal.
My local fish only store is run entirely by fishkeepers.
In most you find common names and scientific names. Mostly they are right, but sometimes it's just a matter of needing to move the placards, and sometimes untrained help, going by 'well it looks like this', and as has been said, supplier error.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Well, it was the owner of the store I was talking with today. He wouldn't know a gar from a guppy. He's got a bit of a Napoleonic complex going too, so nothing is his fault. I lost count of how many people he blamed for the dead fish, arrangement of the rocks and algae in the tanks. 
 
There is a NSLFS that I think we'll do business with from now on. Two hour's drive each way, but I still have fish that he sold me going on two years ago. Great guy, knows his stuff, and I haven't seen any algae yet on his tanks. Now, if he would only move his whole operation to our town I'd be happy.