I say we Boycott Petco Fish. Who is with me.
- Thread starter Alex1
- Start date
Typically, I don't buy livestock from them because of the condition of the tanks, but if they look ok, and the price is right, I'll continue to shop there. Food and other stuff is almost always cheaper than LFS.
If you want to spend Neiman Markus prices, then be my guest. I'll go where the deals are found.
Ty
If you want to spend Neiman Markus prices, then be my guest. I'll go where the deals are found.
Ty
I will stand up for the Petco in my area. The Petco by my house at least carries tank raised clowns, and FWIW they never have a bunch of dead fish in their tanks like a bunch of the other LFS, or dead mistreated corals for that matter. So I don'r know if its just the one in my area ar what, but I would rather burn down a couple of local LFS before this particular Petco.
[ August 31, 2001: Message edited by: Keith wants a Reef ]
[ August 31, 2001: Message edited by: Keith wants a Reef ]
I have to agree that some are not too bad. I have two close to where I live and one is very poor (boycott quality) and the other is quite well setup, with very healthy specimens and a pretty knowledgable reef hobbyist taking care of the fish section.
--- Ken
--- Ken
I bought two perculas from them a week ago. I went to all the LFS in the area and they had the ones that looked the healthiest and the nicest ones too. The place is clean and no dead fish in the tanks like other stores around. No SICK fish in the tank either like some other stores around. I admit they had a tang with bleached colors a bit..(it was late just before closing could have been the reason) but another store had one with head and lateral line disease. Which is worst???
So WHY should I boycott them?? I am really happy with those 2 fishes. And I would not hesitate to buy there again.
So WHY should I boycott them?? I am really happy with those 2 fishes. And I would not hesitate to buy there again.
I was at an LFS the other week where a guy was asking some questions about his tank. Turns out he set it up the other week (30g) and was sold 2 groupers, 2 yellow tangs and some damselfish! An expensive way to cycle a tank...and of course, completely inappropriate fish for an established tank of that size! I know it was either Petco or Petsmart (so will mention the both) and he said they won't take them back, dead or alive. He didn't look real happy when the basics of the hobby were explained to him.
But of course, there are a lot of LFS that exist merely to move fish out the door as fast as possible, and won't warranty them either.
------------------
Brittlestars!! http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid
------------------
But of course, there are a lot of LFS that exist merely to move fish out the door as fast as possible, and won't warranty them either.
------------------
Brittlestars!! http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid
------------------
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Goldmoon:
<STRONG>I bought two perculas from them a week ago. I went to all the LFS in the area and they had the ones that looked the healthiest and the nicest ones too. The place is clean and no dead fish in the tanks like other stores around. No SICK fish in the tank either like some other stores around. I admit they had a tang with bleached colors a bit..(it was late just before closing could have been the reason) but another store had one with head and lateral line disease. Which is worst???
So WHY should I boycott them?? I am really happy with those 2 fishes. And I would not hesitate to buy there again.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You should boycott them because every you shop there you help support the entire chain of stores. In the past month I have been to 5 Petco's in my area and they all were evil in the fish department.
RR
<STRONG>I bought two perculas from them a week ago. I went to all the LFS in the area and they had the ones that looked the healthiest and the nicest ones too. The place is clean and no dead fish in the tanks like other stores around. No SICK fish in the tank either like some other stores around. I admit they had a tang with bleached colors a bit..(it was late just before closing could have been the reason) but another store had one with head and lateral line disease. Which is worst???
So WHY should I boycott them?? I am really happy with those 2 fishes. And I would not hesitate to buy there again.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You should boycott them because every you shop there you help support the entire chain of stores. In the past month I have been to 5 Petco's in my area and they all were evil in the fish department.
RR
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Goldmoon:
<STRONG>Well then Lefty I would boycott ALL The LFS in the area.. they all did something wrong one time or the other.. I will boycott at least one on-line store because I recieved a torch that was infected by bacterias..
I would boycott another on-line store because a friend of mine recieved his order COOKED (95F) and all dead..
No sorry.. that store did nothing wrong to my eyes.. I boycott a store when I SEE they do something wrong and REPEATEDLY.. Innocent untill proven guilty.
Oh yes.. I will go and buy elsewhere and lose my fish because the other place sells sick fishes JUST because petco ELSEWHERE are ACCUSED to have done something wrong.. makes a lot of sense to me...
</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Why the hostility? I thought we were just talking. You can shop at Petco if you want to, and I am only trying to answer a question that you asked.
Petco is not an ordinary LFS. It is a chain. A purchase at one store supports them all. If many McDonalds restaurants (but not the one near you) openly practiced racism, and the company condoned it at management level, would you feel good about eating at your local McDonalds?
If you feel that all of your local LFS are so heinous that you must boycott all of them, I commend you. It would be nice to see more of us only shopping at places that put the customer and the animals above the bottom line.
I am not advocating you purchase from any place that sells sick animals.
If you do a reefs.org search for Petco, you will find several threads discussing their extremely poor treatment of saltwater animals across the country.
RR
<STRONG>Well then Lefty I would boycott ALL The LFS in the area.. they all did something wrong one time or the other.. I will boycott at least one on-line store because I recieved a torch that was infected by bacterias..
I would boycott another on-line store because a friend of mine recieved his order COOKED (95F) and all dead..
No sorry.. that store did nothing wrong to my eyes.. I boycott a store when I SEE they do something wrong and REPEATEDLY.. Innocent untill proven guilty.
Oh yes.. I will go and buy elsewhere and lose my fish because the other place sells sick fishes JUST because petco ELSEWHERE are ACCUSED to have done something wrong.. makes a lot of sense to me...
Why the hostility? I thought we were just talking. You can shop at Petco if you want to, and I am only trying to answer a question that you asked.
Petco is not an ordinary LFS. It is a chain. A purchase at one store supports them all. If many McDonalds restaurants (but not the one near you) openly practiced racism, and the company condoned it at management level, would you feel good about eating at your local McDonalds?
If you feel that all of your local LFS are so heinous that you must boycott all of them, I commend you. It would be nice to see more of us only shopping at places that put the customer and the animals above the bottom line.
I am not advocating you purchase from any place that sells sick animals.
If you do a reefs.org search for Petco, you will find several threads discussing their extremely poor treatment of saltwater animals across the country.
RR
I don't think Petsmart has a saltwater livestock section. At least the two in my area do not sell saltwater fish - just freshwater. I think this is a much more responsible approach: don't sell stuff unless you can guarantee the consistency of the compentency of your people maintaining the livestock.
If you guys really want to do something, draw up a press release and send it to all the pet/aquarium magazines/media outlining your boycott and the reasons why - I'm sure many people here would put their seal of endorsement on some sort of public statement by the participants of this special interest group.
If you guys really want to do something, draw up a press release and send it to all the pet/aquarium magazines/media outlining your boycott and the reasons why - I'm sure many people here would put their seal of endorsement on some sort of public statement by the participants of this special interest group.
Alright I'm gonna make a confession! I work at one... YA I KNOW... flame on!
Atleast, I'm trying to make a difference.
You folks can complain and ***** to the managers all you want but guess what! They really don't give a sh*t unless they are into the hobby themselves. Most Petco's avg. about 1 grand a week in fish live stock sells. If there lucky! They also have alot of fish shrink to contend with. Overall store sales is in the range of 30g to 50g a week on average. Your boycott's will do very little to hurt this corperation!
I'll let you in on a little secret though.
If you really want to make a difference do what the managers dont want you to do. Call the *corperate office" this is what they fear! They make things happen if they are concerned about losing customers.
Right now is a very bad time to shop at Petco... Not only are they almost always understaffed, but now they are cutting available hours to schedule employee's.
(full time employees working 32-34 hours)
During a time in which there sales are thriving! All this to meet unobtainable goals set last year!
Why would the directory for corperate employees expand considerably. When at the same time there cutting hours on there laborer's. So you have the fish specialist ring'n on a cash registor and bag'n crickets! Instead of doing there job. That normally is hard to do regardless...
-IF- I didn't have any customer service. Then still, I would be pressed for time to get all needed maintance done. Unless you learn to cut corners which most employee's finally end up doing. (NOT ME!)
Every time you try to get something done you got some idiot asking you how many of those pretty fish(saltwater)they can fit in there critter keeper(tiny plastic cage)! Or some other question that ANYONE with common sense can answer themselves. Educating these folks takes a great deal of time and patience.
Plus you constantly have people comming into the department for things in other parts of the store! You can not tell them that's not your department, without being written up for it by a manager, if they complain. Which they will.
Fish specialist is not even the job tittle. Your an animal companion specialist!
Not only that but guess what your a cashier/sales assosiate/stocker etc. There are no cashiers or stockers. This is what sales assosiates and animal companion specialists are for!
If your wondering why you see so many sick fish or dead ones? Its because they have a policy against using "sick" tanks. Most the employee's vary from policy and leave them in the tanks till they die. The policy is to keep a bucket with finquel ready at all times. Any fish that gets/looks sick is suppose to be killed this way!
Granted some petco's do keep sick tanks, but if it is there when the District Manager does his check. The store manager will be written up for it!
Last policy I would like to run by you... some favor but most object. It is against policy to float bags. If caught floating bags in the presence of a District Manager then your store manager will be written up for it! If your store manager is understanding they will take the bullet and want you to float!
In no way am I trying to defend Petco. Don't take what I'm saying the wrong way. It is my attempt to give you all some insider information! Call me a spy if you like, but I'm in it for the wellfare of the fish. God only knows how many I have saved. Hopefully I wont go to hell for having worked there... Or am I already there?
HTH
Atleast, I'm trying to make a difference.
You folks can complain and ***** to the managers all you want but guess what! They really don't give a sh*t unless they are into the hobby themselves. Most Petco's avg. about 1 grand a week in fish live stock sells. If there lucky! They also have alot of fish shrink to contend with. Overall store sales is in the range of 30g to 50g a week on average. Your boycott's will do very little to hurt this corperation!
I'll let you in on a little secret though.
Right now is a very bad time to shop at Petco... Not only are they almost always understaffed, but now they are cutting available hours to schedule employee's.
(full time employees working 32-34 hours)
During a time in which there sales are thriving! All this to meet unobtainable goals set last year!
Why would the directory for corperate employees expand considerably. When at the same time there cutting hours on there laborer's. So you have the fish specialist ring'n on a cash registor and bag'n crickets! Instead of doing there job. That normally is hard to do regardless...
-IF- I didn't have any customer service. Then still, I would be pressed for time to get all needed maintance done. Unless you learn to cut corners which most employee's finally end up doing. (NOT ME!)
Every time you try to get something done you got some idiot asking you how many of those pretty fish(saltwater)they can fit in there critter keeper(tiny plastic cage)! Or some other question that ANYONE with common sense can answer themselves. Educating these folks takes a great deal of time and patience.
Plus you constantly have people comming into the department for things in other parts of the store! You can not tell them that's not your department, without being written up for it by a manager, if they complain. Which they will.
Fish specialist is not even the job tittle. Your an animal companion specialist!
Not only that but guess what your a cashier/sales assosiate/stocker etc. There are no cashiers or stockers. This is what sales assosiates and animal companion specialists are for!
If your wondering why you see so many sick fish or dead ones? Its because they have a policy against using "sick" tanks. Most the employee's vary from policy and leave them in the tanks till they die. The policy is to keep a bucket with finquel ready at all times. Any fish that gets/looks sick is suppose to be killed this way!
Granted some petco's do keep sick tanks, but if it is there when the District Manager does his check. The store manager will be written up for it!
Last policy I would like to run by you... some favor but most object. It is against policy to float bags. If caught floating bags in the presence of a District Manager then your store manager will be written up for it! If your store manager is understanding they will take the bullet and want you to float!
In no way am I trying to defend Petco. Don't take what I'm saying the wrong way. It is my attempt to give you all some insider information! Call me a spy if you like, but I'm in it for the wellfare of the fish. God only knows how many I have saved. Hopefully I wont go to hell for having worked there... Or am I already there?
HTH
Well then Lefty I would boycott ALL The LFS in the area.. they all did something wrong one time or the other.. I will boycott at least one on-line store because I recieved a torch that was infected by bacterias..
I would boycott another on-line store because a friend of mine recieved his order COOKED (95F) and all dead..
No sorry.. that store did nothing wrong to my eyes.. I boycott a store when I SEE they do something wrong and REPEATEDLY.. Innocent untill proven guilty.
Oh yes.. I will go and buy elsewhere and lose my fish because the other place sells sick fishes JUST because petco ELSEWHERE are ACCUSED to have done something wrong.. makes a lot of sense to me...
I would boycott another on-line store because a friend of mine recieved his order COOKED (95F) and all dead..
No sorry.. that store did nothing wrong to my eyes.. I boycott a store when I SEE they do something wrong and REPEATEDLY.. Innocent untill proven guilty.
Oh yes.. I will go and buy elsewhere and lose my fish because the other place sells sick fishes JUST because petco ELSEWHERE are ACCUSED to have done something wrong.. makes a lot of sense to me...
Lefty I understand your point of you. Sorry if I sounded hostile. Words on a screen don't always show the feelings of the person behind
Back to the topic:
On the other hand.. wouldn't the company wonder why a place works so well and another not? Answer: because one place takes care of their animals, the other doesn't. Let's take your McDonald reason.. if my neighborhood McDonald would prove with acts that they are far from racist, why shouldn't I show them my appreciations? One drop in the ocean doesn't change the water so they say, but you can not blame a place for trying to change things. People like Grandczar that works in those places that are trying to make a difference should be punished also?
Boycott the bad place and encourage the good ones.. they might understand what is wrong as well when they try to figure out why one place is doing great while the other is not.
Back to the topic:
On the other hand.. wouldn't the company wonder why a place works so well and another not? Answer: because one place takes care of their animals, the other doesn't. Let's take your McDonald reason.. if my neighborhood McDonald would prove with acts that they are far from racist, why shouldn't I show them my appreciations? One drop in the ocean doesn't change the water so they say, but you can not blame a place for trying to change things. People like Grandczar that works in those places that are trying to make a difference should be punished also?
Boycott the bad place and encourage the good ones.. they might understand what is wrong as well when they try to figure out why one place is doing great while the other is not.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Goldmoon:
<STRONG>Lefty I understand your point of you. Sorry if I sounded hostile. Words on a screen don't always show the feelings of the person behind
</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Swingin'
<STRONG> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Back to the topic:
On the other hand.. wouldn't the company wonder why a place works so well and another not? Answer: because one place takes care of their animals, the other doesn't. </STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I disagree. They care about the bottom line. Animals are often loss leaders, a way to get people into the store and hopefully purchase items that have a higher markup. You read what Grandczar wrote; if Petco cared they would put more effort into staffing these departments.
<STRONG> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote
Because all of the money you spend there helps support the entire chain, both directly, with cash, and indirectly, through word of mouth and advertising. Your money doesn't just stay in the local store, it goes also to the entire organization - this is one of the strengths of a being a chain. If you support one, you support them all.
<STRONG> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote
So we should give up? We shouldn't try? Cool, I am gonna buy a tiger pelt because not buying it is only a drop in the unchangeable ocean of endangered species poaching. Good for the one place trying to change things. The problem is the one place is part of the chain and if the chain is not going to fix it, the one good store just helps prop up the ones that are doing poorly.
<STRONG> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote
Kinda (sorry Grandczar). People are not divorced for the company they work for - they are responsible in some way for the actions of a company they work for. Should we shop at the KKK outlet store because we should support the cashier?
<STRONG> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote
Again, they don't care. Look at what Grandczar wrote. The income from the live animal departments is tiny, and is for the most part a loss leader. Petcos do not live or die by the sale of livestock. For individual stores I think you make sense, but Petcos are not individual stores, they are part of a larger organization.
RR
<STRONG>Lefty I understand your point of you. Sorry if I sounded hostile. Words on a screen don't always show the feelings of the person behind
Swingin'
<STRONG> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Back to the topic:
On the other hand.. wouldn't the company wonder why a place works so well and another not? Answer: because one place takes care of their animals, the other doesn't. </STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I disagree. They care about the bottom line. Animals are often loss leaders, a way to get people into the store and hopefully purchase items that have a higher markup. You read what Grandczar wrote; if Petco cared they would put more effort into staffing these departments.
<STRONG> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote
Because all of the money you spend there helps support the entire chain, both directly, with cash, and indirectly, through word of mouth and advertising. Your money doesn't just stay in the local store, it goes also to the entire organization - this is one of the strengths of a being a chain. If you support one, you support them all.
<STRONG> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote
So we should give up? We shouldn't try? Cool, I am gonna buy a tiger pelt because not buying it is only a drop in the unchangeable ocean of endangered species poaching. Good for the one place trying to change things. The problem is the one place is part of the chain and if the chain is not going to fix it, the one good store just helps prop up the ones that are doing poorly.
<STRONG> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote
Kinda (sorry Grandczar). People are not divorced for the company they work for - they are responsible in some way for the actions of a company they work for. Should we shop at the KKK outlet store because we should support the cashier?
<STRONG> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote
Again, they don't care. Look at what Grandczar wrote. The income from the live animal departments is tiny, and is for the most part a loss leader. Petcos do not live or die by the sale of livestock. For individual stores I think you make sense, but Petcos are not individual stores, they are part of a larger organization.
RR
Well *if* your serious... all you have to do is call a Petco. Any of them will do... Ask to speak to the manager on duty.
When this person gets on the phone... Say "can I please have your corperate office's customer service number". If they ask you any questions. Just repeat the above phrase sounding a little more upset. It is there JOB to give that number to you and make the customer happy!
Hope you folks light there phones up!
Lodge your complaints at the corperate level if you want action.
When you complain remember the following:
They sell lots of dog/cat food which is always conviently located in the back of the store. All the rest of the stuff, in front of this, is for the impulse buyers. Hence they dont care as much... This includes livestock!
There bread n butter is the dry foods! You ever see the price on these "premium" foods?
Sit outside in your car for bout 5 mins if you ever go there. See how many customers walk out with several $40 bags of dog food!
Pets expire there all the time! Crappy suppliers except for the tank raised stuff by ORA. Understaffing along with staffin people that dont know jack!
Dog food lasts a year unless it gets infested! You may not want to complain from the "fish" angle but do include it in your complaint! Something like:
"I spend alot money on food and stuff for my dogs/cats at your (location)store. I would really like to continue to shop at your store. But, I'm also a fish hobbist too. Frankly...."
HTH
almost forgot.. Lefty do you want me to quit Petco and let the 0 ammonia 0 nitrite 20ppm nitrate readings go back to its former(constant ammonia in stress zone.. Nitrates were at 80ppm for christ sake.)? Do you really think my quiting Petco will finally bring them to there knee's?
BTW If you folks could shutdown Petco. I would not be upset at all if I "lost" my job. As long as it was in the best interest of the fish! I have many other oppertunities that I'm always tempted to follow. Fish handler at Salt Water City(very expensive but very nice store). Just turn in resume for example if I want to stay in the hobby. This is all just to get me through my MCSE and make some real money!
[ September 02, 2001: Message edited by: Grandczar ]
When this person gets on the phone... Say "can I please have your corperate office's customer service number". If they ask you any questions. Just repeat the above phrase sounding a little more upset. It is there JOB to give that number to you and make the customer happy!
Hope you folks light there phones up!
When you complain remember the following:
They sell lots of dog/cat food which is always conviently located in the back of the store. All the rest of the stuff, in front of this, is for the impulse buyers. Hence they dont care as much... This includes livestock!
There bread n butter is the dry foods! You ever see the price on these "premium" foods?
Sit outside in your car for bout 5 mins if you ever go there. See how many customers walk out with several $40 bags of dog food!
Pets expire there all the time! Crappy suppliers except for the tank raised stuff by ORA. Understaffing along with staffin people that dont know jack!
Dog food lasts a year unless it gets infested! You may not want to complain from the "fish" angle but do include it in your complaint! Something like:
"I spend alot money on food and stuff for my dogs/cats at your (location)store. I would really like to continue to shop at your store. But, I'm also a fish hobbist too. Frankly...."
HTH
almost forgot.. Lefty do you want me to quit Petco and let the 0 ammonia 0 nitrite 20ppm nitrate readings go back to its former(constant ammonia in stress zone.. Nitrates were at 80ppm for christ sake.)? Do you really think my quiting Petco will finally bring them to there knee's?
BTW If you folks could shutdown Petco. I would not be upset at all if I "lost" my job. As long as it was in the best interest of the fish! I have many other oppertunities that I'm always tempted to follow. Fish handler at Salt Water City(very expensive but very nice store). Just turn in resume for example if I want to stay in the hobby. This is all just to get me through my MCSE and make some real money!
[ September 02, 2001: Message edited by: Grandczar ]
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Grandczar:
<STRONG>
Lefty do you want me to quit Petco and let the 0 ammonia 0 nitrite 20ppm nitrate readings go back to its former(constant ammonia in stress zone.. Nitrates were at 80ppm for christ sake.)? Do you really think my quiting Petco will finally bring them to there knee's?
[ September 02, 2001: Message edited by: Grandczar ]</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks for all the good info Grandczar. Do I think you should quit Petco? If you feel you are helping more by working there then by not, more power to you. Really. You have thought about it and litened to other people and I trust you to make your own decision.
I would not work there, and I try not to buy anything there. There are several places, not just LFS, that I have decidedI not to give my money to. It is one of the only ways consumers can fight back. I will also not perform for a big oil company again, because I don't want to help them do more business. Bring them to their knees, no. If you quit and wrote a letter explaining why and we all stopped shopping and wrote letters explaining why, they might kneel a little bit more.
RR
[ September 02, 2001: Message edited by: Lefty ]
<STRONG>
Lefty do you want me to quit Petco and let the 0 ammonia 0 nitrite 20ppm nitrate readings go back to its former(constant ammonia in stress zone.. Nitrates were at 80ppm for christ sake.)? Do you really think my quiting Petco will finally bring them to there knee's?
[ September 02, 2001: Message edited by: Grandczar ]</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks for all the good info Grandczar. Do I think you should quit Petco? If you feel you are helping more by working there then by not, more power to you. Really. You have thought about it and litened to other people and I trust you to make your own decision.
I would not work there, and I try not to buy anything there. There are several places, not just LFS, that I have decidedI not to give my money to. It is one of the only ways consumers can fight back. I will also not perform for a big oil company again, because I don't want to help them do more business. Bring them to their knees, no. If you quit and wrote a letter explaining why and we all stopped shopping and wrote letters explaining why, they might kneel a little bit more.
RR
[ September 02, 2001: Message edited by: Lefty ]
Sponsor Reefs
We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.
Click here to sponsor $10:
