PetSmart review: Discrimination in Aquatic Department

I attempted to purchase a tiger tail guppy today for my daughter. I mentioned that I wanted something to go with a betta fish and the sales rep said he was uncomfortable selling the fish to me and to ask someone else in the office for help. The exchange lasted less than a minute because quickly decided he wasn't going to assist me. He didn't try to show me a different fish or anything. So, I went to the office, apologized for interrupting them, and told them that I needed help getting a fish but the other rep didn't want to help me. They all just looked at me initially, then Marlana Rotolo the assistant store leader, instantly got an attitude with me and asked what fish I wanted. I didn't know the name of the fish so I had to show her. She must have overheard when I mentioned having a betta fish, and she said that you can't put any fish with a betta and she was uncomfortable selling me the fish. There are differing opinions on that point as bettas do fine with platys, mollies, tetras, and in some configurations guppies. She asked if I had a separate tank. I said I did, but she clearly didn't believe me and tried to suggest that I had previously said I didn't have a separate tank, which is ridiculous. If she heard that, that's her unconscious bias because I never said that to her or to the other rep whom I said few words to before he declined to assist me. At that point I felt like I was being discriminated against and I was feeling very angry. She then asked what type of separate tank I had, and I said it was a princess castle tank, which is the tank I originally purchased for my betta. Then she asked if I had a filter and I told her that I was just trying to get the fish my daughter wanted before she got home from school, I wasn't feeling well, and I had a day full of meetings ahead. She became condescending and started telling me that it would be a waste of money and it wouldn't be good for my daughter to have the fish die. At that point, she was out of line and I was offended. I have two tanks and the capacity to setup a different configuration that would be safe for all fish. They were too uncomfortable with me or what they perceived my setup at home to be to assist. They did not seem concerned about making me comfortable as the customer, or helping me reach a positive resolution, and quite honestly ruined my morning while I was just trying to do something nice for my 5-year-old before she got home from school.

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