Pet Mart

[plyle02]

A consumer has the right to be a consumer. Let's not forget that... When you handle a customer improperly, they are inclined to tell 10 people. When you handle a customer properly and satisfy them, they are inclined to tell 2-3. This is why it is so important to treat each and every customer like you appreciate their business, even if they decide to buy a small ticket item. A loyal customer is a customer for life... If all the people that coincedentally have had a negative experience with this business choose to post on a forum, or vent to a co-worker or friend, or write an article in the newspaper, that is their choice. Heck, this business owner had the right lawfully to have a customer removed from one of their stores recently, due to wearing a competitors shirt. I personally would embrace that customer, give them a discount, and hand them one of my t-shirts. I have more class than to degrade a business or person I don't know online, or in person, and choose not to. However, a mistreated consumer does reserve the right to discuss their frustrations in any manner they feel free to, as long as it's tactful.

 

[triggerfish1976]

Don't foget about guarantees. It is always interesting to hear how someone favors a business because they offer a great guarantee on a product but if you notice it is usually the businesses that expect their products to have issues thus they offer the guarantee to peak interest and promote return customers even if the most of the animals do not make it long term.
Think about this, someone walks into a store and wants to buy a Potter's Angel and put it into a 45g tank fish only tank. The customer asks if this is ok and the clerk says sure and we have this great gaurantee so if the fish dies within so many days you can just come back in the store and get another one.
In this industry this is bad business practice because it prompts hobbyists to keep going back and trying animals from that store thinking that it was the stores fault (partially true) but in fact the person buying the animal does not have the proper husbandry knowledge and the animal dies due to poor care or it was in poor health when they got it. Most stores that offer guarantees on live stock generally do enough volume that it does not hurt their pocket book enough to have to replace a few $30 fish here and there.

Sorry for rant guys, I was in a LFS yesterday and saw first hand what I am talking about and just had to vent.

 

[Kubi]

 

[mlivvy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9342076#post9342076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by triggerfish1976
Don't foget about guarantees.

A wise man once said..

"Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time. But for now, for your customer's sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality product from me."

 

[Gimplar]

LoL, he was a great man too...so what if he had a drug addiction? :lol:

 

[triggerfish1976]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9344510#post9344510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MLIVVY
A wise man once said..

"Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time. But for now, for your customer's sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality product from me."

That's funny I was thinking about that line when I was writing my post. It is so true.

 

[karmaz]

Hey guys I can 1000% gurantee about the claim that I was logged into another account and if RC wants to check, which in my opinion I would love them to, would come out with me not being under the same IP and I will stand by that. I'm with Laura on this one and I'm willing to get bashed about my opinons about the store, but you'll never here me bash another store over blatent things such as price as and I wholely agree With Triggerfish and Angelsil. As for Gimplars and GregDougs conspiracy please contact RC to clarify this issue. LONG LIVE RC!

 

[Saliki]

Long live internets flamewars!
Man......get away from the pc for 3 days and look what i miss?

 

[GreyHawk1968]

Lemme see,,, the first time I walked into Petmart,,, hmm,, 1991,, when thay were across the street in that other shopping center. First impression,, not so good. .. Over the years I have seen them move up and down the scale. One thing they always had , and still do in my opinion, is good prices on hardware.Livestock on the other hand ,,, well I've seen better,,, but at the same time every store I've encountered has ups and downs.
When it comes down to the bare bones of it all is,,, do ya research,,, and inspect... Use your resources.. This is one great resource here and there are a lot of people out there willing to help if ya don't know. None of us know it all, I still ask questions and use the net and any other means to get close to what I "think" is the right answer.
I have been in there on numerous ocassions and gotten next to no help. Other times I have been in there and ended up with all the help I could possibly want. Have I bought anything from them,,,yes. Do I frequent them,,,no.
Call it a scam ,, a gimick,,, a sales pitch,,,whatever,,, it's called business. Do I agree with it,,, no. IT's like going to buy a car.Oye, I hate buying cars. But this is America and it's legal,,, so in closing my soapbox session,, use the gray matter God put up there and make the decision.
Oh,,and if they twist your arm behind you and make you buy something,,, lemme know I'll bring the video camera,,,LOL

 

[LauraCline]

lol, the beat goes on

 

[triggerfish1976]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9349227#post9349227 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LauraCline
lol, the beat goes on

Because it is so easy.

 

[Saliki]

KICK!!!!

 

[doomicon]

Hey long time.. and I come back.. and .. this :-(

Seems like a simple solution.

a. Post in an articulate non-inflammatory manner if you do like (insert product/store)
b. Post in a articulate non-inflammatory manner if you don't like (insert product/store)

In my experience if you start quoting a post to break it down, it's probably going to be inflammatory.

I'll start...:

I have stopped going to Pet-Mart for a few reasons. Condition of Livestock (ie. I bought three fish, and didn't think to check them, one had ich while in the bag). Prices, even with their current deals, I can find better deals on the drygood I USE elsewhere. This is just on the drygoods I purchase, you may find something better.

I still pick up my Mysis at Petmart. It's close and saves me a long drive. I will also purchase dogfood on occasion, again due to convenience.

These experiences are specific to the store in St. Pete. I have zero experience with the Tampa store. So if the above aren't issues at the Tampa Store, awesome!

end PM comment.

We all have our favorite place/product, but there isn't a need to defend such place or product to the point where it results in flaming or personal attacks.

Example, I used to shop extensively at Marinewarehouse in Tampa (It was three blocks from my house, I live in St. Pete now). That is when I did African Cichlids. I still stop by for my Salt tank anytime I'm in the neighborhood. There are people here that don't like Marinewarehouse. I don't lambast them, it's there choice, and they bring up valid points and some negative experiences.

So far the best place I've found (Thanks to members of this club/board) is FAOIS. Livestock is the BEST I've seen anywhere. Clean store, nice staff, drygood prices aren't too bad.

See can't we all just get along ;-)

./peaCe
doomicon

 

[pmike25]

/\/\/\/\ Agree, FAOIS is the BEST store hands down, ive been to many over by me and even the stores near FAOIS is nothing compared to Johns place. Cleanest tanks, really nice looking livestock, great LR pieces and the equiptment is awsome, the PRICES are great also;. I just wished I was closer or he would open another store by us ....cough cough John!!!!! JK

 

[Gimplar]

^^^^^ i definitely agree with you guys, FAOIS is hands down the best and it's really the only place i shop anymore. prices are same or below as online stores. And most of all his fish are the healthiest ive ever seen. And it definitely reflects his love for the hobby and the animals. And you get the best knowledge/info on the product as well, and i dont know what everyone else thinks but i think johns actually a nice guy, lmao.

As far as marinewarehouse, i don't have anything against them really, i've gotten some really healthy fish from that place, i just think their prices can be a little steep on corals and their staff seem to ignore me a little but it's always busy in there so i understand. Their drygoods are pretty expensive or average to say the most.