Stupid Petsmart!

[givemewings]

The other day I went to Petsmart and I saw this really pretty betta male. I already had a female at home but I wondered if the needed a companion. I didnt know much about bettas so I asked a guy who worked there if it was ok to put a female with a male and he said yea. and now my female betta is dead and Ive had her for a year!

[luvnature]

Sorry that happened.
Males can be with a female when they are both ready and willing to breed with each other but afterwards they do need to be separated or he will harrass her to death.

Its a good idea to always do research beforehand when considering a new pet.

[Formula86]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I don't trust what the petstore people tell me. Plus, whenever you put a male and female together, they will breed. But yah, there are other fish you can put with bettas. But I've never put two together permanently.

[Sasami]

I'm very sorry for your loss . It's never a good idea to listen to pet store employees and most pet stores just want to sell the fish, regardless of whether it's a good choice for your tank.

[Sharni]

I would march back there and put across my displeasure, with a manager, for misinforming me leading to the death of my female.

Most (i wont say all) lfs employees are told to sell the fish regardless, and its about time people went and complained, making a point that sorta rot will not be tolerated.

[Jennicat]

Unfortunately, this is common with most of the animals sold at Petsmart, not just the fish. It's why I now refuse to stop at store that sell animals.

[Vanilla_Rat]

This is why I do not listen to what employees have to say.I do my own research.I have had to correct employees with proper info before!

I am sorry you lost your betta.

[Angelnstuff]

I'm sorry for your loss Unfortunately getting a job at most pet stores is as easy as getting a job at any store. theres very little these people know when they apply. and unfortunately they tend to make things up as they go. I'm sorry you had to find out they have no idea what there talking about the hard way, I agree with Sharni, i would go back in there and demand to speak with a manager. Tell them what happened and if they try to give you a 'replacement fish' ask them what good that would do, since you cant put it in with the other.. tell them its not about a fish. tell them its about a pet you've had for over a year and died because of one of there not training there employees properly.

[luvnature]

I agree with Sarah. I would do just what she said.

[christine]

When I was breeding gerbils I had to correct pet store employees a lot. It was so stupid! And get this! They won't hire me because I know more than what I should or some stupid reason!

[luvboyrats]

You think it's ridiculous to buy fish there try reptiles, you wouldn't believe how many times I've told the petsmart people that the setup they have a reptile in will eventually stress it out and kill it!

I've had the same trouble with bettas. I went and bought some telling the folks there I was planning to breed them. They said oh that's hard I put mine together and the male just attacked her. So I said, "well did you raise their temps to between 78 and 80 degrees, do regular water changes and feed them daily alternating pellet and frozen/live food to condition them for a couple of weeks before you bred them?" "Uh, no!" "Did you put their tanks side by side or put the female in the male's tank in a jar or separate container so that they could see eachother and get ready without getting to eachother?" "Uh No!" Okay so basically you did no research before trying to breed your fish and were surprised when it didn't go well and now I should feel comfortable about buying animals from you! Sheesh!

[pinkie1205]

I couldn't get hired in a pet store because I knew too much. I guess they think that if someone in there actually knows something then it will deter people from buying the animal because they'll actually know how difficult it can be sometimes.

Sorry about your fish.

[rockman0]

yea, the petsmart here gives a long survey and they kinda get a good idea if you know much about animals. they won't hire a knowledgeable person because it's all about the money.

when i bought my hamster, the employee was scared to touch him. she was all "oh no, he's gonna bit me." but actually there's supposed to be handled a little so that they can be socialized with humans.

but you should go in and speak to the manager. and let him know you're upset!!

i'm sorry for you loss.

[christine]

so that's why they won't hire me...not like I want to work there anymore but when I was younger they wouldn't hire me and still won't last time I tried to apply!

[spacefunk]

I worked for well known pet store chain when I was 17. I knew the "basics" about pet care. Was expected to keep my mouth shut about the care of the animals. One lizard with rot mouth (I had told management to remove and fix it...fell on deaf ears) later infected the rest and they went on selling them. Later (in a group meeting) we were asked what 3 things we would change about the store...Everyone tip toed around that one. My boss then asked me..."#1 Dont sell sick animals #2 better customer service is needed! and #3 Why do we only clean the mouse cages twice a week when there are 80 to 100 mice per cage? It should be once a day if not twice a day" well about two weeks later I was "let go" Sorry about the rant but thought it would shine a light on what happens at "some...not all" pet stores. The best thing to do when you see something wrong is to go over managements head and talk to the "big wigs" not the "manager". Thats the only way to help a company know whats important to you the "consumer" trust me. Just my 2 cents on the topic