has anyone ever had any good experiences with petsmart/petco stores or do you all go to local non corperation pet stores. I was just at Petsmart and they tricked me into buying some mondo grass which apperently isnt a reall aquatic plant. Some of there tanks looked ok, but some where bad. The petco near my house seems pretty good though. There tanks were all clean and the guy who worked there seemed to know his stuff(although maybe he was just a good actor). I might go bad to the local store i used to go to, but they seemed expensive and all of there tanks arent that clean.
PetCo?Petsmart?Good?Bad?
- Thread starter BlackDragon1012
- Start date
They aren't to bad if you go in to look for what catches your eye, write the scientific and common names down, or brand names and sizes, then go research on the net so you know what will work/fit and what won't. Or research first then go see what they have.
If you plan to use them for fish, I would only shop there if the tanks look clean and healthy. In general, they are more expensive, therefore can afford to lose more fish (for whatever reason) and are less inclined to take the best care of the fish. I tend to avoid them, I don't care for the big corporate stores, and I've heard horror stories of how alot of the other critters are treated. But its up to you, use your best judgement 
The dry-goods are way too expensive, but I have little complaints with the live-stock at the Petco/Petsmart closest to me. Not much of a variety fish-wise, but if they have what I want I usually buy it there. One thing I've never gotten there was good advice.
Ask questions and learn on forums like this and then go buy what you need. Make a list and take it with you. And keep in mind, the aquarium hobby is a personal experience and as such you can be creative in what you do. Many sales people will insist on what they are familiar with. Much better advice will be had here from fellow aquarists interested in the hobby.
I've got nothing against whole chains, just individual stores. Our Wal-Mart carries decent fish for instance in decent tanks. The employees don't know anything about them, but hey, that's my job anyway as the pet owner.
I've been to a petco near my location, and they have pretty much decent livestock. I've only bought a few fish, and they were okay, not the best quality, but certainly not really bad either. My petco has some plants, but they are just labeled as "rooted" or bunched with no names whatsoever. I'd only buy at PetCo if they have something that I need that my LFS doesn't carry, or if I can get dry goods cheaper.
I've never been to a petsmart, but I think I will go in a few weeks b/c people say they are like the only stores that carry dwarf puffers.
I've never been to a petsmart, but I think I will go in a few weeks b/c people say they are like the only stores that carry dwarf puffers.
It all depends on your location and the employees
Two wal-marts by me have horrible fish tanks and I have never bought fish there, and also have never met an employee who knew much about aquatics at walmart. I have never bought fish from petco or petsmart but have seen good looking water and healthy fish. I have only met 1 petco aquatics specialist with good knowledge and 11+ yrs exp. Also, I had a friend\petco employee who admitted to giving bad advice on purpose to people who have not researched.
sucks but he didn't care. You just have do your own research and talk to people who care
Two wal-marts by me have horrible fish tanks and I have never bought fish there, and also have never met an employee who knew much about aquatics at walmart. I have never bought fish from petco or petsmart but have seen good looking water and healthy fish. I have only met 1 petco aquatics specialist with good knowledge and 11+ yrs exp. Also, I had a friend\petco employee who admitted to giving bad advice on purpose to people who have not researched.
sucks but he didn't care. You just have do your own research and talk to people who care
BlackDragon1012 said:
What do you mean by they tricked you? You should know what you are buying before taking it home.
Yes never buy mondo grass anywhere. Although, it will last at least two weeks.
The short answer to large chains is that it depedns on the individual store. I notice a difference in quality in the local petmarts. They usually do seem to have at least one knowledgable person there though. Petsmarts fish garuntee is awesome too.
I have never been to a petco.
You might also consider walmart for food and your basic hardware. Don't get fish there.
The short answer to large chains is that it depedns on the individual store. I notice a difference in quality in the local petmarts. They usually do seem to have at least one knowledgable person there though. Petsmarts fish garuntee is awesome too.
I have never been to a petco.
You might also consider walmart for food and your basic hardware. Don't get fish there.