Just disgusted with Wal Mart and people who don't know fish.

OK-- I was at Wal Mart. I always look @ the fish but never buy b/c of how gross and horrible the tanks are. So this lady is buying a bunch of fish. 2 Tiger Barbs, a bunch of dyed tetras, 2 blue spot gouramis and some other small tetras. about 10 fish in all. I asked her what size of tank she had. She informed me she was getting the 2.5 gallon minI bow. So I said "with all of those fish-- that is way too much and those gouramis are going to get to be at least 4 inches" she replied with "oh I have a pond also" so I told her that tropical fish couldn't live in a pond. The sales associate at Wal Mart didn't even say a word! She is going to kill everyone of those fish. I tried but she didn't want to listen at all!!! DUMB PEOPLE! >

 

I hear ya. I was browsing at the PetSmart the other day (planning my second tank), and saw a man looking at goldfish and betta's. I don't know if he really wanted fish, or just wanted to chat up the cute girl who was working in the fish section. I saw them a little later looking at the betta's together, and carrying them back under the plant light to inspect.

Anyways, the betta's are getting taken out of the unheated display they're in and held up under this warm warm light they've got for the plants -- and they start moving.

So the guy says -- and the girl working there *confirms* "They don't like getting hot, do they?"

I about choked. By the time I worked up my nerve to go talk to him about betta's, and what they really need, he was gone though.

 

Even if the salesperson at Walmart did know fish, speaking up could have been costly. Walmart is most interested in raking in the cash. If they don't care about people, why would they care about fish. If this employee had said "this customer's right, that's too many fish", and a manager found out, there would have been write-ups over it.

I've seen as bad when I've been at PetCo and PetSmart. Almost every time I'm at any big chain, I see a family there, either mom or dad with kid(s), buying one of the tank kits (usually 2.5 to 10 gallons), and choosing the fish they're going to put in the tank. Either they are choosing too many fish, or they are basing the "1 inch per gallon" on the current size of the fish. Today I saw a family picking their fish "well, this one's pretty small. It will be good for the tank. They were looking at a little juvenile blue gourami barely an inch and a half long. Then they went to look at mollies, which looked barely larger than fry, and said the exact same thing. The employees weren't around, but I hope they asked questions and gave info once the family had decided what they were going to buy.

 

Even if the salesperson at Walmart did know fish, speaking up could have been costly. Walmart is most interested in raking in the cash. If they don't care about people, why would they care about fish. If this employee had said "this customer's right, that's too many fish", and a manager found out, there would have been write-ups over it.

I've seen as bad when I've been at PetCo and PetSmart. Almost every time I'm at any big chain, I see a family there, either mom or dad with kid(s), buying one of the tank kits (usually 2.5 to 10 gallons), and choosing the fish they're going to put in the tank. Either they are choosing too many fish, or they are basing the "1 inch per gallon" on the current size of the fish. Today I saw a family picking their fish "well, this one's pretty small. It will be good for the tank. They were looking at a little juvenile blue gourami barely an inch and a half long. Then they went to look at mollies, which looked barely larger than fry, and said the exact same thing. The employees weren't around, but I hope they asked questions and gave info once the family had decided what they were going to buy.

In Australia we have a pet shop called 'pets paradise'. And there is this woman and man with one child and they got a small world filter, fish food, and a air pump. Do you know how big the tanks is . It's not even a 1Gallon and they got a golfish and a zebra dino. How Dump.

 

It just upsets me that there are so many poor fish that will die for no good reason other than ignorance! It is sad.

 

One time I went to Walmart, there were these 2 idiots and they bought a dozen feeder goldfish, 3 assorted african cichlids, 1 oscar, 4 needlefish, and a bunch more but I forgot. Then 1 guy said this to the employer "Where do you sell the aquariums and filters?" They didn't plan to buy fish when they came here. I was going to buy a red-tailed shark there because Wal-Mart was getting rid of all their fish. They suddenly came to the aquariums and all were like "Wow! Do you remember those?" It's pretty sad.

 

That just proves how stupid some people can be.
Tom

 

That just proves how stupid some people can be.
Tom

: Sure can.

 

hI guys, I think it's the salesmen at walmart who r the real culprits, they should educate the newbie people before selling fish!!!!!

 

seriously, the salesman had an awesome chance to upsell a bigger aquarium. Instead he kept his mouth shut.

 

I know it is a lot easier on this forum to give suggestions, and advice, because we are not face to face, and people come here looking for help. But my feeling is that if you are in your LFS whether it is Wal-mart or where ever, and someone is making such huge mistakes, it would be worth it to try to find some nice, non-confrontational way to let them know.

We all know that people working in many of the stores are just new to the game, or as was pointed out, if they are found cutting sales, could get in trouble. So as more experienced fish folks, it really is our responsibility to spread the word. A smile goes a long way.

Fish in the Frozen North 8)