Petco

I am OUTRAGED at the treatment I received at Petco #03829 (Englewood OH) culminating on 07/02/21. I entered this store right after being discharged from the hospital and was n a cane to make a simple purchase for a few fish for my aquarium to enjoy while I recuperated during the 4th of July weekend. I needed new ones as nearly all of Petco's previous fish untimely died (while the current ones did not) and were reported to one who identified herself as the manager of that section, employee #375534.

The previous purchase was one Algae Eater for $1.99 purchased from employee #3339898 on 05/25/21 and died within 2 days. #375534 told me that I had to freeze the fish and bring it in for a refund; something I consider a rather barbaric policy. Notwithstanding, I purchased more to replace on 06/23/21 from her in transaction #5095 for $9.63. Both approx 2"Algae Eaters and one Danio died within a week of purchase (while the current ones did not in a well settled, biologically balanced 20gal understocked tank).

This brings us to my release from the nearby hospital on 07/02/21. I was met by the most unpleasant and bossy young female, employee #339898, who told me what I could purchase and what I could not. Outrageous. I attempted to purchase 2 replacement small Algae Eaters for the ones who prematurely died and was REFUSED. She demanded to know the size of my aquarium (without inquiring to find it was mathematically understocked) and REFUSED to sell me replacement Algae Eaters, and upsold me to a maximum 3 tiny Catfish Otocinclus @ $2.99ea. This came up to $9.64. She then REFUSED to sell me a replacement small Danio, and said I would have to put the Catfish back in order to purchase a 2" Danio. I told her how offended I was, and she acted like she did not care, and she stated she was the manager of the aquarium section. I asked for her name, and she refused and stated it should be on the receipt (it was not, but her ID is #339898).

Noting the store #03829 had the WORST smell I recall in a pet store and had an aquarium section that looked like a fish mill with extreme overstock and dead fish in their 10-20gal tanks, I then left the store as my post-op pain was matching my anger. Of course and as is typical for this store, in a short time I found one Catfish dead, then another, now with ony one living.

I would say emphatically, if you do not have to go to Petco #03829 as the closest, do not. I have been an aquarist for over 30 years, and I have never seen rapid death rates for purchased fish as this in a well-settled aquarium. This Petco #03829 needs to do much, much better.