FYI: WalMart phasing out fish . . .

rosita

rosita

Here
Jan 11, 2006
1,080
0
0
Cape Fear River Basin
So, I was at WalMart yesterday getting some recording dvd's for a horse show, and as usual went to give the poor fishies some healing energy. Whilst standing there wondering what happened to the 20 million firemouths they'd had in a tank last week, the person working the pet area came up and started talking to me. He informed me that ALOT of the WalMart stores will be phasing out the live fish over the next 6 months, as they were losing alot of money. Apparently the tank system set-up costs $30,000.00, they buy $500.00 worth of fish a week, and sell maybe $600.00 a week. You could have knocked me over with a feather!!! And, he added, the store across town had all of their fish reduced (can you imagine? "I'll take 3 of the pacus, 5 plecostomus, and 5 silver dollars, and that 29g tank set, please.")

They'll still be selling all of the supplies, but fish will be going. Wow. Just thought I'd share. :eek:
 
I'll believe it when I see it. I hope it's true (even though a few of them around here have nice fish)

I read that walmart makes somewhere between $30-$50 on other "stuff" every time someone returns a dead fish. IMO that's part of the reason that most of them are crap......just a way to get people back into the store. I know when I go in there I buy crap that I didn't initially intend on purchasing.

I'll be rooting for them to get out of the fish part of it so I have a chance to get their fish systems:thm:
 
Interesting post. We have been tracking the rumor for about 2 months now. Have not bothered to call them and ask--too busy with other stuff. But, there are several new WalMarts that have recently been opened sans live fish and tanks. There are other comments coming back to us just like the one made to open the thread.

If they are getting out I can only applaud the decision--eliminates one retailer for us to chase. one that is well versed in how to ignore public advocacy. and, more importantly, Wal-Mart quits needlessly killing fish.

If we get to the responsible retailers that know how to care for the fish in transit, provide accurate information, and provide good customer service that would just about be nirvana. stores are allowed to make profit. just hate to see them do it irresponsibly.

YAHOOOO!
 
clayt101 said:
It's probably just the one store, not a company wide thing.
Click to expand...

From what the employee told me, and info I have from other aquarists across the States, it is INDEED a company-wide venture. They're just losing too much money (it's not a viable loss-leader) --although they will keep selling bettas by the billion . . .

Levi, I'd keep my eyes open and chat up some employees who often work the aquarium section, find out how they will be de-accessing the tank systems. They're pretty new around here . . . very nice for that seriously tanked fishkeeper!!!! :laugh:
 
What are they doing with all the tanks?
 
It would most likely be demographic dependant.
Certain locations might do well in the fish dep't while other locations it could be a loss.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom