WOW!!!!!!

[Never2Bknown]

Unlike a lot (most) of the petshops that I go into, my local petsmart never ceases to amaze. Once and a while, I see a sick fish--but considering shipping/quality of breeders/type of fish, etc. that's to be expected. However, they keep the tanks impeccably clean; I have yet to see one dead fish in that store. I have yet to see an outbreak of ich--not even the Clown Loaches ever seem to get it (excellent coloration, too).

But the most impressive thing is the employees themselves. Once, I pointed out a tiny treefrog in the with bigger ones that was about to get eaten; I didn't really expect them to actually do anything--probably just shrug it off--but instead, the person helping me (I think her name was...Charmayne? ) moved the little frog to it's own tank.

Then, the other day, I came in looking for a Dojo Loach (man, those things are sooo cool!!!). "Charmayne" was helping me again (I couldn't find them). This is roughly the conversation that followed:

"Are these what you're looking for?"
"Oh! YES!!! How much are they?"
"2.50"
"Only 2.50?"
"Yep."
"Cool! I'll take one!"
"You have a goldfish tank you're going to put it in?"
"No; it's a livebearer tank. 30 gallon."
"Well, these are coldwater fish. It wouldn't do very well in a livebearer tank; it's too warm. But if you turn down the temperature, it wouldn't be very good for your livebearers."
"Oh."
"Do you still want to get it?"
"No; I guess not. Sure are cool, though, aren't they?"
"Sure are!"

Needless to say, I was pretty disappointed--but I was also very impressed. For once, the fish section person clearly cared more about the fish than the profit! For that reason, that particular PetSmart is easily my favorite place to go! None of the advice I have ever gotten (from Charmayne in particular) has been bad.

It's just SO refreshing to see petshop that cares!!!

 

[coryd]

My Petsmart is great. I used to shop at a non-franchise LFS but recently have noticed too many tanks with ich and just all around poor upkeep. I bit the bullet and went to Petsmart today in search of some cories. The tanks were immaculate! All fish looked healthy and they had some hard to find species. I did'nt test the employees knowlege but she was pleasant and I will be going there first from now on.

 

[gale]

I thought dojos were tropical fish. The lfs here used to sell them as tropicals and I had one in my tropical tank (before I knew they were shoaling and got big).

 

[steppy104]

our petsmart here also has great service they're the best

 

[sammydee]

Our LFS is awesome too. They have big signs in the fish department saying *WE DON'T SELL ANY DYED/PAINTED FISH* , *WE NEVER SELL GOLDFISH BOWLS* and *WE NEVER SELL FISHTO TANKS WITHOUT FILTRASTION*. They are extremely helpful and always enquire to the type of tank a fish is going in. They have the water conditions perfect - I never see any ill or dead fish ever - and they keep there tanks relatively understocked with plenty of decorations.

 

[SMSBrunetteGirl]

Well that`s really cool

 

[endilliteracy]

Petsmart is also my favorite LPS to go to as well. They have signs below every tank with a little picture of the fish and a small description; if they are aggressive, what they eat, their scientific name and how large they get. They also know quite a lot about their fish. I've never seen them carry a dyed fish before either. Although they do sell the ever-so-famous Spongebob Betta Bowl. But I suppose it really isn't their fault 100%.

Incredible Pets on the other hand...Let's just say I will NEVER shop there again.

1.No hospital tanks
2. Don't treat sick fish
3. Algae everywhere/no algae eaters in tank
4. Sometimes put bettas in with guppy/swordtail tank (the bettas chase them around all day and nip at them)
5. They don't give you ALL of the information or right information at all. One time I was told I could keep a "small common plec" in my 10 gal and it would have a very happy life. Oh yea, and a peacock eel would do good in my 10 gal. with tetras and stuff like that.

 

[canarsie11]

Thats terrible, dont they realize how much more business would be generated if they did simple small little things to improve and protect thier stock?

 

[endilliteracy]

Thats terrible, dont they realize how much more business would be generated if they did simple small little things to improve and protect thier stock?

I suppose not. I made the mistake of working there. I quit in one week due to the wrong information being given to customers and the sick fish not being treated. They truly only care about the birds in that place because they are so "expensive" A life is a life, whether it be a bird or a fish.

 

[pahansen]

Our local PetSmart is also very good. All of the people who work in the fish department have actually kept tanks in their homes, and they seem to enjoy their work -- at least, they love talking about the fish! I have yet to talk to someone who doesn't seem knowledgeable and friendly. I frequently walk my toddler past the fish tanks when we're picking up filter stuff or food, and even if I'm not actually considering buying anything, they're still happy to chat about the fish and ask if I have any questions. It's definitely refreshing to see a chain store with this level of care and service. And yes, their tanks are always spotless too.

-- Pamela

 

[Salt Freak]

At my petsmart they have a bunch of kids working it don't really do a good job. But the petco the that works there does an awsome job he has a coral tank and saltwater fish tank. there are no dead fish. and the tanks are very clean.

 

[Nyte]

I'll agree that the Petsmart employees are usually very nice, but at my petsmart their fish stock is one of the worst I've ever seen. Sad. Everytime I got a fish from them it was dead within' 3 days.

But I don't blame petsmart 100%, we're kinda out in the boonies here and their supplier is the one that is the problem. I suspect that not many other suppliers will make the trip up here.

I used to worked in a petstore for 6 years and we used to get fish from the supplier that this Petsmart does too, until they put me in charge of ordering fish. These fish we're constantly problematic and the majority would die within a week.

But this is just the petsmart in my area, when I lived in other places the fish there were most excellent!