Petco policy

[Docdiggy]

So I went into a local Petco last week. They had 2 purple tangs that looked like powdered doughnuts. Worst ich I've ever seen. I asked the associate if they would cut the price and I would buy one with the hope I could cure it. The manager came over and said he could not sell the fish because it was sick. I said "so you're gonna let it die in there"? He responded that a "specialist" was coming in to take care of it. I wrote Petco an email. What did they do? Instead of writing me back they had that manager call me. He said they gave it a freshwater dip and it's doing fine. YA OK. I guess it's their policy to not give discounts to animals for that reason and they can't sell an animal in that state. This is what he told me.

 

[BigCountry74]

Yeah that place is a mess. personally i think they should just shut down their saltwater section and just sell live freshwater fish. they do not have the staff/knowledge to sell saltwater

 

[Docdiggy]

Agreed. Not all their staff are clueless but, lots are. I only try to glance at their pathetic coral section because the fish section makes me depressed. I only go there to buy my cat treats.

 

[toothybugs]

Petco used to be my go-to store until I learned better. Cooler displays, less disease, better knowledge, far superior supplies, etc can be had at a decent LFS. I've come to find they are worth driving for, even if it is "binge shopping" ex. buying in bulk just once in a while.

Since having the good fortune to move to an area with a lot of local shops within a half hour or so, Petco has become little more to me than a carrier for tanks, and then only during the buck-a-gallon sales. Besides, I like knowing the guy behind the counter.

 

[eeyore357]

Petco-Where pets go to die.

 

[AdamNC]

So true at so many of them.

 

[BigCountry74]

Petco-Where pets go to die.

lol

 

[madweazl]

I feel for the guys working in the applicable sections; they're slaves to the corporate mentality of make a buck. They cant send a sick fish out the door only to have it bite them in the but later. It's a lose lose situation for those guys. Without "specialists" on hand, it's a tragic road. The only way to change it is to not support it.

 

[CafeReef]

I guess on the flip side at least the manager was not going to sell it. Imagine if he willingly let someone who didnt know better purchase it. The result could have been devistating to an uneducated person.

I used to work for Petsmart Years ago and we had a similar policy (of not selling) we had nothing against discounting an animal but we couldnt be sure the persons claim of "healing" could be accurate and was not worth the risk of a customer coming back saying an illness was introduced to their ecosystem.

So I can see where he manager MAY have been coming from, but it is very unfortunate because you very well could have saved the Tang...I highly doubt they did anything other than throw some anti-ich chemical in the tank and let time pass to see what happens, even if it meant death.

 

[OllieDog]

although on the same hand, every once in a while you can get a nice deal on a helfrici fire fish for 20 bucks because its marked as "firefish" lol. They do that kinda stuff all the time, so its worth stopping in and checking now and then.

 

[3dees]

I buy treats for my dog at Petco and to be honest I have never seen a bad looking sw fish, but their reputation still keeps my from buying from them. shouldn't be too bad if you have a qt set up.

 

[dmh41532]

I was under the impression that freshwater dips are ineffective for ich. Why would the manager use it to 'treat' the fish.

 

[NYCBOB]

only shop there if u hv a qt system.

 

[Docdiggy]

When he told me the fw dip thing I just bit my tongue.

 

[dmh41532]

I've been into enough stores to see how they maintain the animals, and I've head enough so called advice to unsuspecting customers...they should really change the slogan to petco...where the pets croak.

 

[Spartanman22]

I had a similar situation where a juvi Koran angel was clearly struggling. I asked if they'd let it go at a discount because otherwise it clearly wasn't going to make it much longer in their system. The sales person said no and that they either sell it full price or let it die in their tanks. Not only were they not going to do anything to attempt to save the fish, but they were still attempting to sell it in its present condition for full price or just let it die. I think the problem at stores like petco is that the employees do not realize or don't care to realize that fish are animals just like cats and dogs.

 

[Docdiggy]

I understand it's business but, it's strange. Either make something on a product or lose money when the product dies. I'd rather take a hit than 100% loss.

 

[vanmo92]

So true at so many of them.

Haha classic

 

[cleverbs]

Just a note not all petcos are bad. I have one that is good. They redid all their tanks and got a few new staff that have a fair amount of knowledge. No they don't sell fish at a discount if they are sick and for you to get upset about that is strange. If you think you need to save the fish then buy it at full price. They never have fish with ich or anything.

 

[Mishri]

Really comes down to lack of training. Petcos that sell saltwater fish should have required training with tests to ensure they learned about them. I can understand high turnover rates would mean wasted time/money, but everyone should have some training. Longer term employees can have more advanced training. I hear nothing but misinformation from employees at the petco here. The LFS is no better. Being able to diagnose fish disease and what treatments work should be important. Too often people depend on store employees for information on how to keep/maintain fish.