Petsmart...Not so wonderful

[fishfreek4life]

Stores

Here is my PetsMart story:

I was a struggling college kid needing a summer and fall job. I got a job at PetsMart in the fish dept, since I knew how to take care of them and had fish since I was young. I knew I could manage them, keep the tanks clean, and help customers with their potential fish issues.
I worked about 40 hours a week, starting out as the cleaning boy and stock person. I didnt mind as I like the look of a clean tank, and when I buy I like a clean tank. I hardly got to sell a fish, as the Fish Dept manager was a jerk.
One day I was cleaning out one of the cichlid tanks, and saw my manager bring in the shipments for the day. He then laid all the bags up on the tank, took out a knife, hastily whacked open the bags, and dropped in the fish. I am not talking feeder goldies or rosys, but EVERYTHING. I looked in amazement at this, and then proceeded to ask why he did that. This is where the fun started.
I was not a regular at the store, so opening my mouth wasnt smart. I was put on a second probation for questioning the act of a manager. I simply asked if his procedure was right, and was told by the STORE manager that what the fish manager did went, as he had tenure.
I asked if I could put in my two words, not as a employee but as a frequent buyer. I was a frequent buyer as I got fish cheap. I was told I had two options: shut up with my opinions, or get the h*** out. I needed a job, so I shut up.
I hated what was going on, as the fish would die within 1-3 days because my manager was an idiot. The STORE manager was a close friend of his, and he was an idiot too.
I one day figured to make myself feel better, and I put the new fish in the tanks. I was fired because I didnt know what I was doing.

I hate PetsMart, as they are insolent in their procedures overall. I frequent a few clean ones where the people seem to know what they are doing, but I think most are out for $$, not customers.

 

[Hannys_Papa]

.... but I think most are out for $$, not customers.

Well how do you get the $$$ without the customers ?

 

[tricksterpup]

Here is my PetsMart story:
I hate PetsMart, as they are insolent in their procedures overall. I frequent a few clean ones where the people seem to know what they are doing, but I think most are out for $$, not customers.

I think again this is just one person giving a bad name. Not all managers are like this, especially in the fish department. A buddy of mine runs that area and he has done such a good job at his store that he now is the fixer. He now goes and manages some of the other local petsmarts to get them into shape. I mean when you walk into one of his shops the water is sparkling clear and fish are healthy. He has been wanting to get me to work for him for awhile now. He wants employees that know their animals, since I own and raise Geckos and other tropical fish, i am a natural. But since I already have a 40 + hour job right now, I still may take him up on it this winter, need the extra cash.

But you also need know, this is a big business, goal number 1, to make a profit, goal number 2, to please the average customer so they will come back buying more.

Me personally, I do not buy my fish at petsmart, I prefer supporting my local fish store, I live near 2 of the major ones here in the twin cities, less than a half mile away and also drive 20 miles to another local shop that I have been a regular since before they opened. I buy not just fish or equipment from him but other items as well, such as cat food, reptile items and ferret stuff. But I will say one thing, I do buy my chemicals at petco and petsmart, they tend to be cheaper than my lfs. They know this as well, they can not compete with the volume number of dry goods as the big 2 can.

Also, remember you can still register complaints against bad stores with dead fish in their tanks. Just make a compaint to the city where they are located at. Things will turn around if enough complaints are done. Complaining here does nothing, but complaining to City officials does have impact.

I know of a store that was closed due to complaints of it being dirty. They sent people over to have the owner clean up the shop. The owner never did, and they eventually shut him down.

 

[hdsportyguy]

Petsmart

We just got a petsmart. I for one am going to continue supporting my lfs, due to the amazing service I have gotten. I did check out the petsmart. People were friendly, and the fish tanks were clean and well labled. The prices were right in line with my lfs though. With all the hype they just aren't cheaper... That surprised me.. Just my observations...

 

[TommyR]

My local Walmart, on the other hand, is awful! I'd never even so mucha s looked at their pet department until last weekend, when I thought I'd take a peek and see if I could find any deals on equipment. I didn't find anything I needed, so I left empty handed-- but not before walking past their livestock tanks on the way out. Dead fish everywhere.

Which brings me to my seemly now annual Waltmart story:

Walmart sucks, next time you go go check out their dead fish! They're REALLY good at stocking those.

The Walmart in (Ironically) Fishkill N.Y. had DOZENS of dead fish when I went there for the first time last fall. Someone put soap in the water recirculating tanks. Suds were overflowing out of the bottom of the tank units. They believe an employee did it the night before. Parents and their kids and seniors were staring in disbelief. It was really sad. A few fish weren't quite dead yet but close to it. Some small frogs as well. Really horrible. I couldn't believe it, I had heard that they were bad with fish. A few of us asked them to put some tarps or something over the tanks. I'll NEVER buy fish or even fish supplies at Walmart. MAtter of fact, I'll stay away from that store all together, it's WAY over rated anyway.

Tom

 

[Owens187]

thats funny.......ive always noticed my local wal mart having tons of dead fish too...sucked into the filter n all. well i was there tonight and noticed big yellow sighns all over the tanks saying "due to circumstances beyond our controll(yea right), wal mart will no longer be selling fish untill further notice" .....they even turned off all the lights and filters so the rest will die too!!! *******s...........