Is It Worth Putting In A Complaint?

[ollyhtafc]

Today i went to Pets At Home for some plants to add to my 20 gallon community tank.
I got home rinsed them in water and planted them.

An hour later i have at least 40 cherry shrimp dead, my amano shrimp and ghost shrimp also dead. Not a single shrimp left in the tank.

Now i'm assuming that they washed the plants in copper to kill any snails. But surely they should have warned me?! Or a sign should be put up somewhere. Im extremely annoyed as these shrimp had retail value of £40+ certainly. And also a sentimental value and from an animal wellfair perspective.

Am i to blame? Should i complain?

Also i have a nerite snail purchased online still in the tank at the moment, i've done a %50 water change he seems to be happy enough. What are the odds on him surviving? Also 1 freshwater clam fine so far but im not holding my breath.

 

[Keithoms]

That really sucks

 

[ollyhtafc]

I'm gutted. It's the worst thing to hit me whilst i've been fishkeeping..not a single shrimp is living...and watching my ghost shrimp (the first thing i ever bought) that i've had for about two years now lying upside down but still moving isn't nice.

 

[LauraFrog]

I would complain... go back and tell them that they have a responsibility to customers to warn them that adding the plants to their tanks is likely to result in invertebrate death. You might not get the value of the shrimp back but they may well give you some credit.

That's absolutely awful...

 

[ALW]

I would complain... go back and tell them that they have a responsibility to customers to warn them that adding the plants to their tanks is likely to result in invertebrate death. You might not get the value of the shrimp back but they may well give you some credit.

That's absolutely awful...

I doubt it, Good Luck mate!

 

[stang1]

You are best finding out first what they do use with their plants before making a complaint. If you go barging in accusing them, they are more than likely going to deny using anything. Find out first and then, if necessary, make a complaint.

 

[joshrm115]

I would cause a seen for sure.

 

[Schmill]

This is one of those things that I would tackle 'in reverse' to obtain the outcome that you want.
Rather than go all guns blazing, ask them if they wash / store their plants in any sort of copper solution, as you are concerned about snails on them. If they confirm that they do store them in copper stuff then you have it...

 

[rdd1952]

I hate to hear that you had such a problem. I would say it has to e related in some way to the plants. I would also tend to agree with Schmill that you need to get a couple answers first and then tell them the problem. Once they say that they use a copper based product, then you can say "Well, we have a problem then as that would explain why all my shrimp died within a few hours of putting your plants in my tank." Simply going in and starting to throw accusations around would bring up their defenses and they would most likely not ever admit using anything. Good luck.

 

[Repeat]

Sorry to hear that

 

[ollyhtafc]

To be honest i won't get anything other than maybe an apology from a massive chain like that anyway.

 

[Spishkey]

perhaps a written letter or a nicly thought out email to their head office may be better?

even if you dont get store credit/shrimp it may well make them aware of the problem and they may put up signs if they do use a copper rinse on the plants. it may save someone elses pets in the future

 

[kenny fish fanatic]

firstly olly,sorry for your loss,but you go and complain,i would they are good at people filling forms in to cover there backs. anyway they sold me 2 silver dollars,last year,there was a nick here and there on there fins,i wasnt bothered about that i could put it right,as they were good sized fish for the money.after a few days in my tank all my fish looked awfull,whitespot finrot,i went back to p@h they were brill i told them it was there fish that coused the problems in my tank,anyway they gave me a few treatments free,it worked out a few pound.i didnt loose any fish thank god i havent been in since and i wouldnt buy a fish out there again.i would put all the dead stock in a bag along with the plants and showed them let us know the outcome,sorry again,,kenny

 

[Schmill]

Totally agree, although people seem to like bashing P@H and they are a large chain, the people that work their are totally unreasonable, (depending on your branch of course).
When I wanted an airpump my local P@H had one that was about 25% cheaper than anywhere else I could find it, instore or online, (even at another P@H - hmmmm....), so of course I went there to buy it. When it went through the till it went through at the same price as elsewhere, and I pointed out thats not what it said on the shelf. They were quite accomadating and checked the shelf, and sold me the pump at that price, (they also promptly went and removed all the shelf labels - lol)
All depends on who you speak to I think, and what mood they are in, hence the reason it's a good idea to go in 'gently'

Good luck, let us know how you get on!

 

[raptorrex]

You are best finding out first what they do use with their plants before making a complaint. If you go barging in accusing them, they are more than likely going to deny using anything. Find out first and then, if necessary, make a complaint.

walk softly

This is one of those things that I would tackle 'in reverse' to obtain the outcome that you want.
Rather than go all guns blazing, ask them if they wash / store their plants in any sort of copper solution, as you are concerned about snails on them. If they confirm that they do store them in copper stuff then you have it...

carry a big stick.

i was a retailer for many years (none fish) the above are the two best comments for achieving the outcome you want!

get THEM to tell you what they use. and know your rights before you ask for anything.