FYI Pet Mart sale this weekend...

[Jfoster33702]

I've had long conversations with the owner there - he has always seemed like a very nice guy, has been doing this for a while and seems to know his stuff. That said, I'm not surprised by the pre-bagging thing - sometimes the business person gets ahead of the hobbiest. I'm starting to see that it's hard to be both (some are even more the other way)

The main thing I think of when I think of pre-bagged is that I wouldn't be able to get a feel of the health of the fish - I wouldn't buy a fish that wasn't swimming and eating.

Final point - I've been in there hundreds of times and yes, I've seen an occasional sick fish (or even dead), but all in all, I like what I see. I see mostly the same employees, which is good. I've personally heard employees recommend against a certain fish or coral based on the customers input as well. For anyone who hasn't been there, I can say that it certainly isn't as bad as some people make it seem. Being that they are also a normal pet store in addition to the marine (anyone else doing that), I think they do pretty well.

 

[college429]

Jfoster33702,
You are entitled to your opinion. My experiences at the Tampa store have not been as positive as your experiences at the St. Pete store.

 

[oceana]

My time has also been with the stpete store and used to purchase there several times a week.
Al few weeks ago I talked with the manager of the store and he seemed to truly be concerned about all the stuff being said on the forum. When talking with him he asked to be spoken to directly if this kind of stuff comes up so that he can do what ever He can to make it right. I also found out that the last time this store was bashed for there practices that the owner and manager gave the employees one heck of a lashing. They are cleaning that store up quite a bit. Less stock (which should mean better care). New tanks. New staff but a lot of the old-timers are still there and a few of them are really good. He asked that if someone is in the store and hears an employee saying something totally out of line to a customer to call them out on it and let him know so that the customer goes away with the proper information. It could have just been a manager saving face but to me it seemed like a guy that was hoping to bring the stores reputation up.

As for the Tampa store well. IMO it is the worst store I have ever seen. You canââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t even see through half the tanks and when you do itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s rare to see anything of interest or thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s not half dead. corals stacked on corals. That store can use a serious overhaul. I would think itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s the other way around since thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s the store the owners seems to spend the most time at.

Although we can pick on them all we want and point out all the crap. They must be doing something right because I have NEVER seen any store get as busy as that place does. On a Saturday afternoon you can hardly move in the Stpete store.

I dont think they are the best store thats for sure but I will say that its worth giving them a shot at getting better. I mean how long can you bash a store for something they did years ago.
I bet you can find something that was done wrong at some point by most stores.

 

[Northtampatang]

I agree with Keith about the tampa store, it is probably the worst in the area selling marine livestock.

That said, I know a different manager runs the St Pete so i'm sure is a different story. Ive never been there and If im ever in the area i'll stop in and see for my self. I wont lie either, if I see something that looks healthy, I'll buy it.

But again, its the look of the Tampa store that has stopped me from making a trip just to check out the St Pete.



Wes

 

[poknsnok]

I agree with anything negative that can be said about the Tampa store. never been to ST Pete but dealt with them about my problem witht the Tampa store and they were just as un-helpful.

I started the pre bag thread but was never contacted by a lawyer . needless to say i will never go there again

 

[poknsnok]

to add .. I will only buy livestock from 1 store and 1 persons experience doesnt necessarily mean that hundreds of people out there arent happy with the same store I am unhappy with. I know that a certain pair of stores has great tank sales from time to time and lots of money can be saved