Petmart question... does the store suck?
- Thread starter GregDoug
- Start date
Dave,
There are other clubs that use the forums to engage and promote the LFS' that support the clubs. i.e. in my club (CMAS), one of the board members regularly comes in and posts specials, sales, club discounts, etc... for the CMAS supporting stores.
So naturally, that leads to positive discussions about those stores.
It would be a real pain to try and seperate every club forum and add an LFS sub-forum underneath it and then to shuttle only negative commentary into that forum.
I've actually seen cases where negative commentary in club forums has ultimately lead stores to clean up their act.
There are other clubs that use the forums to engage and promote the LFS' that support the clubs. i.e. in my club (CMAS), one of the board members regularly comes in and posts specials, sales, club discounts, etc... for the CMAS supporting stores.
So naturally, that leads to positive discussions about those stores.
It would be a real pain to try and seperate every club forum and add an LFS sub-forum underneath it and then to shuttle only negative commentary into that forum.
I've actually seen cases where negative commentary in club forums has ultimately lead stores to clean up their act.
cschweitzer
New member
Just out of curiosity, are you saying that I, without any affiliation, can post deals and sales for stores in our area? I know our LFS's that give us benefits would probably enjoy that greatly, but I thought that was off-limits. The reason I ask is that I am co-President of ORCA and we have been looking for opportunities to promote our local businesses. Thanks for any info on this.
YES you can!
As long as you have no relationship to the store, it's fine.
Where it sometimes starts to get sketchy is when a single person is constantly posting entire sales flyers for one store. We've actually uncovered cases where LFS were paying patrons to post things since the LFS could not. i.e. if you're getting a kickback for doing it, it's going to be trouble.
Here's a couple examples from my local club:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=912000
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=873674
TAMike97
New member
The difference with this store is that Big Greek guy doesnt give a edited. And his store has been like this from day 1. It is a shame that if this were dogs it would be different.
Good thing I dont have to go there anymore to get water because it was a convience thing... I have purchased a RO/DI unit from Icthy.
The PB Tang still has ich.
edited by mhurley....come on now....that's unnecessary
Good thing I dont have to go there anymore to get water because it was a convience thing... I have purchased a RO/DI unit from Icthy.
The PB Tang still has ich.
edited by mhurley....come on now....that's unnecessary
Gimplar
New member
Sorry to hear that TAmike, i actually used to know the owner, but he actually threatened to sue me for slander, for what reason? i honestly dont know, but i also don't really think he knows anything about defamation laws because everything i've said on this forum about petmart has been true, or just my personal opinion, nor can he prove that my sole opinion has a significant and factual statistical affect on his revenue/margin. But the point that i'm trying to express is that you cant really help a store if the store owner isnt willing to accept it. I just wish there was somethign that SPCA could do or create guidlines for the care of fresh and saltwater fish, in my opinion all organisms that have sometype of central nervous system (any pets basically) should have rights to not be abused, have the atleast the minimum healthy living conditions, and have have the right to not be neglected. Just my 2 cents.
ReefArtist
In Memoriam
Hello everyone,
I’m new to this forum and reef keeping, so I was interested in what everyone had to say about some of the LFS. What I wasn't expecting was the harsh word, name calling etc. I feel as a new reef keeper that knowing or having a little knowledge about a LFS before I enter will help me decide if they will get my business â€"œ word of mouth goes a long way IMHO. I’ve cared for FW fish a very long time and have learned the hard way - whom to trust / not trust. I would like to avoid some of these mistakes if at all possible and the major one is purchasing unhealthy fish. I also know that some diseases are not the fault of the LFS (store is clean, tanks are clean, fish look healthy etc). I need to be educated as much as possible and if I walk into a LFS which is not clean I turn around and walk out. If I or someone else I know got a bad deal â€"œ I don’t give them my business. I personally feel that very clear information about LFS are helpful, but without the hatred. These places will go out of business if everyone raise concern before purchasing - IMO.
Thank you,
CKinney (ReefArtist)
I’m new to this forum and reef keeping, so I was interested in what everyone had to say about some of the LFS. What I wasn't expecting was the harsh word, name calling etc. I feel as a new reef keeper that knowing or having a little knowledge about a LFS before I enter will help me decide if they will get my business â€"œ word of mouth goes a long way IMHO. I’ve cared for FW fish a very long time and have learned the hard way - whom to trust / not trust. I would like to avoid some of these mistakes if at all possible and the major one is purchasing unhealthy fish. I also know that some diseases are not the fault of the LFS (store is clean, tanks are clean, fish look healthy etc). I need to be educated as much as possible and if I walk into a LFS which is not clean I turn around and walk out. If I or someone else I know got a bad deal â€"œ I don’t give them my business. I personally feel that very clear information about LFS are helpful, but without the hatred. These places will go out of business if everyone raise concern before purchasing - IMO.
Thank you,
CKinney (ReefArtist)
cschweitzer
New member
Unfortuneately, not everyone has 25 years of experience, not everyone knows the signs of a clean store from a dirty one, some people just start in this hobby and gett fooled into wasting money by stores with bad practices. I'm not saying this against the store in this thread, as I have never been there. But sometimes it needs to be said. Have you gone to the store in question? I'm just wondering if you have anything positive to add in regards to the store. I am nuetral on this subject, but I have been into bad stores(clean or dirty) and I have been conned, just like many people in this hobby. These people are just looking out for us. I don't think any of them are making a dime for giving bad reviews to this store, so there must be a reason for them to say what they have. Some diseases cannot are not the LFS fault, but it is their problem. Fix a fish before sending it to its new home is the least a LFS should do(including making sure it is eating, making sure it was caught with ethical practices. The problem is not every store is created equal, not every wholesaler pactice proper handling and catching techniques, etc. All these play an important role in the health and beauty of a really expensive hobby. Why spend so much time and money if the outcome is not pleasing? Sometimes it needs to be said that "I deserve better." Once again, no disrespect to the store in question, I have never been there, so cannot judge.
angelsil
New member
Just the opposite. I regularly travel 45 minutes from home to shop at stores I know are ethical when there are several stores closer.
It's about being a responsible hobbyist. I won't support vendors who have a history of inhumane treatment towards their livestock. My fish aren't just 'things'. They are pets. They are members of my family. When I regularly see a vendor cramming a 5" trigger into a 6" box or when a store consistently has 1/2 their livestock sick, I don't think it's inappropriate to advise other hobbyists to think twice about shopping there.
cschweitzer
New member
And until they change these practices, sick fish is their fault. Vendors don't buy from wholesalers who supply consistent high sick rates. If they do, that's their problem. Buy fish from ORA and tell me how many get sick out of a hundred. I would say, on a good day, 0. On a bad day, you might find one sick fish. Cyanide caught fish will become deformed, stressed, or dead!!! Fish that did not have a depressuriztion period will have swim bladder problems!!! These are facts, not myths. Things you won't be able even tell with most fish until you get them home and have them as a pet for a month or two.
oceana
In Memoriam
some think it sucks some dont. in the end it does not matter. the store has good advertising and cheap prices on some stuff. as long as they do that they will be packed. you can hardly move in the stpete store on a saturday due to the amount of people in that place. As long as thats the case they could care less about post like this. might not be right but its the truth. if there was more of us it might matter but the power of the local fish club is not very far reaching. if anything these post might even help a store because it brings people in just to see for themself.
i have not been in the tampa store in a very long time but as far as the stpete store goes i go ONLY if i happen to be in the area. i have not purchased a coral there in a very long time due to the rather poor selection and pricing. I did by a fish there though a few months ago and it turned out ok but i will admit i was VERY worried about do that.
i have not been in the tampa store in a very long time but as far as the stpete store goes i go ONLY if i happen to be in the area. i have not purchased a coral there in a very long time due to the rather poor selection and pricing. I did by a fish there though a few months ago and it turned out ok but i will admit i was VERY worried about do that.
Gimplar
New member
The thing about the St pete store, is they basically have a monopoly there. And also alot of that area are filled with super rich people who dont have time/care about the hobby to the point where to join forum boards like this one. I know, becasue im from st pete. But to be honest, the store in St Pete is better kept then the one in Tampa. As far as products from that store, im unsure i've never bought anything (besides maybe dry goods) from the st pete store. Needless to say, Petmart's staff at tampa, consist of basically one person who knows atleast somethign about saltwater. And on St. Pete's side a few of their employees knew a thing or two, but nothing really compared to John, Finz, or any good stores around here.
ReefArtist
In Memoriam
Quote from cschweitzer:
Unfortuneately, not everyone has 25 years of experience, not everyone knows the signs of a clean store from a dirty one, some people just start in this hobby and gett fooled into wasting money by stores with bad practices.
__________________________________________
We all were new at one time and believe me there’s a lot more information available now then when I stated. I made a lot of mistakes and I still do, I just hope I don’t harm any of my pets as an end result. I think we all know a dirty tank when we see one or tanks with dead fish. I know if I’m interested in a new pet I’m going to spend some time and watch it move and if possible eat â€"œ that is my responsibility to myself and my other pets.
Quote from cschweitzer:
I am nuetral on this subject, but I have been into bad stores(clean or dirty) and I have been conned, just like many people in this hobby. These people are just looking out for us.
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I have not been in the store in question and I’m not talking about any one store, all my comments were in general. Bad practices do not bring customers â€"œ if I keep going back to that store or stores that I’m not happy with I’m the one that’s not taking responsibility.
Quote from cschweitzer:
I have been conned, just like many people in this hobby. These people are just looking out for us.
--------------------------------------------------
I think we all have been conned not just in this hobby but you will find it in every hobby. I agree that most are trying to help but there is that danger that someone would bash a LFS without justification. I’m NOT saying that this is what is going on, but you and I know it could happen.
Quote from cschweitzer:
Some diseases cannot are not the LFS fault, but it is their problem. Fix a fish before sending it to its new home is the least a LFS should do(including making sure it is eating, making sure it was caught with ethical practices.
--------------------------------------------------
I think you know that some disease do not show up for weeks and at time months. Yes I also think the pet should be eating and appear healthy when it leaves the LFS. I believe it’s as much our responsibility as the LFS to ensure our pets were caught with ethical practices. Yes, I have asked who their suppliers are and that is the reason I do not frequent LFS that are much closer.
Quote from cschweitzer:
The problem is not every store is created equal, not every wholesaler pactice proper handling and catching techniques, etc. All these play an important role in the health and beauty of a really expensive hobby. Why spend so much time and money if the outcome is not pleasing?
--------------------------------------------------
I agree completely and I also believe this forum is one way to have good conversations about LFS. But we must be very careful in these conversations and not let things get out of hand. If I was a disgruntled employee or just didn’t like someone in this store I could really cause some serous damage by using this forum.
Quote from cschweitzer:
Sometimes it needs to be said that "I deserve betterâ€Â.
--------------------------------------------------
I also agree with this statement but we are the ones that are responsible for making this happen. We can help each other by using this forum and meetings as a means to achieve this. Our pets deserve better - they are part of my family and we are responsible for them.
Unfortuneately, not everyone has 25 years of experience, not everyone knows the signs of a clean store from a dirty one, some people just start in this hobby and gett fooled into wasting money by stores with bad practices.
__________________________________________
We all were new at one time and believe me there’s a lot more information available now then when I stated. I made a lot of mistakes and I still do, I just hope I don’t harm any of my pets as an end result. I think we all know a dirty tank when we see one or tanks with dead fish. I know if I’m interested in a new pet I’m going to spend some time and watch it move and if possible eat â€"œ that is my responsibility to myself and my other pets.
Quote from cschweitzer:
I am nuetral on this subject, but I have been into bad stores(clean or dirty) and I have been conned, just like many people in this hobby. These people are just looking out for us.
--------------------------------------------------
I have not been in the store in question and I’m not talking about any one store, all my comments were in general. Bad practices do not bring customers â€"œ if I keep going back to that store or stores that I’m not happy with I’m the one that’s not taking responsibility.
Quote from cschweitzer:
I have been conned, just like many people in this hobby. These people are just looking out for us.
--------------------------------------------------
I think we all have been conned not just in this hobby but you will find it in every hobby. I agree that most are trying to help but there is that danger that someone would bash a LFS without justification. I’m NOT saying that this is what is going on, but you and I know it could happen.
Quote from cschweitzer:
Some diseases cannot are not the LFS fault, but it is their problem. Fix a fish before sending it to its new home is the least a LFS should do(including making sure it is eating, making sure it was caught with ethical practices.
--------------------------------------------------
I think you know that some disease do not show up for weeks and at time months. Yes I also think the pet should be eating and appear healthy when it leaves the LFS. I believe it’s as much our responsibility as the LFS to ensure our pets were caught with ethical practices. Yes, I have asked who their suppliers are and that is the reason I do not frequent LFS that are much closer.
Quote from cschweitzer:
The problem is not every store is created equal, not every wholesaler pactice proper handling and catching techniques, etc. All these play an important role in the health and beauty of a really expensive hobby. Why spend so much time and money if the outcome is not pleasing?
--------------------------------------------------
I agree completely and I also believe this forum is one way to have good conversations about LFS. But we must be very careful in these conversations and not let things get out of hand. If I was a disgruntled employee or just didn’t like someone in this store I could really cause some serous damage by using this forum.
Quote from cschweitzer:
Sometimes it needs to be said that "I deserve betterâ€Â.
--------------------------------------------------
I also agree with this statement but we are the ones that are responsible for making this happen. We can help each other by using this forum and meetings as a means to achieve this. Our pets deserve better - they are part of my family and we are responsible for them.
I say either we talk about LFS or we don't. There is NO in between. There never will be.
Everybody needs to judge a store based on their own opinion, by visiting a store and deciding whether that store is some place they want to shop in, based upon their own experiences.
Just my 2cents
Besides, there are better things to talk about in our forum...
Everybody needs to judge a store based on their own opinion, by visiting a store and deciding whether that store is some place they want to shop in, based upon their own experiences.
Just my 2cents
Besides, there are better things to talk about in our forum...
PelagicMagic
New member
So that guy works at petco? Is that why he was moved on? You can tell its a bad store when they call a lawnmower blenny a "algae blenny"
PelagicMagic
New member
petsmart and petco are both the same experience
Anyone remember the old petland in the shopping center on us19 and sunset point rd?
Anyone remember the old petland in the shopping center on us19 and sunset point rd?
GregDoug
Member
Petmart... not Petsmart.... Petsmart is a national chain with 1500 stores... Petmart is a name of a store in tampa... I agree the name is very similar... 
A lot of us remember Petlands national reputation with buying and selling dogs... and so does PETA
Not sure of the store you are talking about but I have been to several that caused me to walk out as soon as I walked in.
Gimplar, Fordo the Guppy was ... its on the first page
A lot of us remember Petlands national reputation with buying and selling dogs... and so does PETA
Not sure of the store you are talking about but I have been to several that caused me to walk out as soon as I walked in.Gimplar, Fordo the Guppy was ... its on the first page
