I am always amused by the threads that get posted when Petco has their $1/gallon tank sales and people wanna jump on the "great deal". Why is it that we as hobbyists will throw Petco under the bus for their bad care of fish in their stores and yet we will still shop there when we are hunting for a bargain. If we as a group want to effect any change at Petco it will start with us not buying ANYTHING from them, including a 30g tank for $30. I wouldn't expect their bad policies to change anytime soon as long as we shop there when it suits us or our cheap budget. We can't have it both ways.
Petco, yes or no? Not both ways!
- Thread starter DaveMorris
- Start date
mygsris2slo4u
New member
Preach sister!
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
Welcome to America... You have a valid point but nothing will ever change. They bought Live Aquaria/DD there is not real competition for them in either market
Well, to feed the three dogs and one cat that we have in our family, I only shop at PetSmart. They do not sell saltwater livestock, at least not here in San Diego, and their freshwater fish look great. I don't buy fish online, so I don't need any competition for LA/DD. I also have at least 8 great local fish stores here in town so the choices are plentiful without needing to support Petco.
moondoggy4
Team RC
Not everyone can afford a custom tank, some just want to go low budget as possible.
Not everyone has the benefit of having so many great LFS by them such as San Diego.
I think buying dry goods and food there is fine. I have two LFS with 20 miles of me and I have to travel 50 miles for the others.
Not everyone has the benefit of having so many great LFS by them such as San Diego.
I think buying dry goods and food there is fine. I have two LFS with 20 miles of me and I have to travel 50 miles for the others.
I don't shop there, even for their so called deals. I've found that the local fish stores often have better deals and healthier livestock. Yes, I have been into Petco stores, just out of curiosity. Their prices are through the roof, and the animals are clearly not taken care of, and the so called experts haven't a clue
dirtycontour
New member
Shaneanddawnie
New member
I had recently made a sump out of a 20 gallon I paid 20 bucks for. Seemed like the cheapest way to go. And I learned a lot in the process...
deleau
New member
With their overall volume of sales, I do not think we can affect any change at Petco with a boycott of their specials. Take advantage of it when it is available.
I do think the RC community (and pet owners in general) have a greater voice today via forums like RC, social media, etc. than ever before to expose and generate awareness/change to businesses.
I do think the RC community (and pet owners in general) have a greater voice today via forums like RC, social media, etc. than ever before to expose and generate awareness/change to businesses.
pktech
Thread Ender
You speak with "we" so are you shopping there as well or are you admonishing me & us for shopping there? This thread should be closed as you're recycling another debate of which there is no answer. There are multiple threads regarding Petco on RC.
There's good petcos & bad ones. I've seen great LFS's & horrible ones that put some bad petcos to shame. So your point is?
My point is...I see many more complaints about Petco than I see compliments. In general, it seems like "we" as a group are willing to bash the company for the horrible condition their livestock is in (in most stores, but not all) and yet "we" as a group will go in and support that very same store and department in the store that we were just complaining about. The threads crucifying DF&S for selling their operation to Petco illustrates this as well. I just find it odd that as a collective group we want it both ways. And no, I do not shop at Petco as you would have seen had you actually read the whole thread. I believe my point was made abundantly clear. Sorry if you missed it.
As a side note, this exact topic has not been brought up in any thread that I have seen. If you don't want to read or respond to this one, then don't. Calling for it to be closed because you think it's redundant isn't your call, thankfully.
As a side note, this exact topic has not been brought up in any thread that I have seen. If you don't want to read or respond to this one, then don't. Calling for it to be closed because you think it's redundant isn't your call, thankfully.
Sorry Dave, but I totally disagree. Let's not forget the average Petco is heavily setup to sell freshwater fish and products. For example, rarely do you see skimmers, but you see a ton of power filters and canister filters. Every color, including glow in the dark gravel and artificial plants, yet maybe a small bag or two of aragonite. The majority of their fish runs house freshwater fish. They're really, in terms of aquatics, setup up for freshwater and NOBODY is complaining about that. It's the small fish run with no separate qt, untrained employees that we have a problem with as they kill more fish than they sell. My local Petco finally stopped carrying marine livestock because they were killing $500 a week worth of fish and inverts. I applaud them for making the decision not to continue that insanity. And if every Petco followed suite they wouldn't get blasted on here all the time.
So to clarify, it's not that everyone hates Petco, we hate that they don't take their marine life section serious. Also, buying a tank at their $1/ gallon sale does not support them at all. They are not making any money off that sale. I don't know for sure, but they are likely buying those tanks at cost or taking a small loss and hoping you will buy everything else needed so they can turn a profit on substrate, heaters, filters, decorations, lights, food and freshwater fish. I'd also imagine the majority of the $1/ gallon sales are people setting up freshwater tanks.
So again, we don't hate Petco, we hate that they sell marine life. If they stop that, you wouldn't see the constant bashing anymore.
So to clarify, it's not that everyone hates Petco, we hate that they don't take their marine life section serious. Also, buying a tank at their $1/ gallon sale does not support them at all. They are not making any money off that sale. I don't know for sure, but they are likely buying those tanks at cost or taking a small loss and hoping you will buy everything else needed so they can turn a profit on substrate, heaters, filters, decorations, lights, food and freshwater fish. I'd also imagine the majority of the $1/ gallon sales are people setting up freshwater tanks.
So again, we don't hate Petco, we hate that they sell marine life. If they stop that, you wouldn't see the constant bashing anymore.
pktech
Thread Ender
Sorry Dave, I did read your post & you didn't say that you didn't shop there. When you use the word "we", I believe that includes you & me, which is why I was asking for a clarification (while reading between the lines).
Many threads were started regarding Petco having bad livestock & other responses I've read describe a good experience. So instead of coming right out & saying the " Petco s**ks" mantra, your statement appears to be the same rallying cry to boycott them - just worded a little differently. That's why I called it redundant.
In my opinion, it doesn't need to read "exact" to know where this conversation is heading. Here's the guy you should reach out to:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2479688&highlight=petco&page=2
tkeracer619
New member
Fwiw the $pg sale is paid for by the tank manufacturer. Hell I've made anti petco tshirts before but i gave up once they purchased dfs. I choose my battles and know when I've lost.
I will patronize both for a while. If it proves nothing changes i will stop supporting both. It's that simple. Petco has a chance to get it right this time around and they also have the ability to tarnish one of our better suppliers.
I will patronize both for a while. If it proves nothing changes i will stop supporting both. It's that simple. Petco has a chance to get it right this time around and they also have the ability to tarnish one of our better suppliers.
homer1475
New member
There are 3 PETCO's that I have been frequenting, 2 of them I would give an OK to with regards to marine care. The 1 I do frequent quite a bit actually has a nice marine setup including a frag tank. The employees there know there stuff and all the tanks are well maintained and livestock is always healthy.
With the closets LFS being over 100 miles away, I don't have much choice. I do support my LFS when its possible.
They are not all bad in my experience.
With the closets LFS being over 100 miles away, I don't have much choice. I do support my LFS when its possible.
They are not all bad in my experience.
