Selling plants to petsmart?

I've heard of some people selling their clippings to petsmart for store credit. I was wondering if anyone who knows about this or has experience with this can explain how it all works. I don't expect to make a business out of it or anything like that but wanted to know about how much they offered and if there were any limitations. I'm thinking about putting together a smaller planted walstad tank with only a fish or two which would grow some nice plants. I currently have ludwigia growing like no tomorrow in my main tank which doesn't even have dirt. I hope to eventually have water wisteria growing well but it still needs to switch to its submerged form. I also have broad leaf chain sword and narrow leaf chain sword that were only recently added so they are melting a bit but will hopefully bounce back.

 

I think it's going to depend on the particular PetSmart and possibly even the store or regional manager. The PetSmarts in my area do not sell true aquatic plants, but the PetCo's do.

 

I think it's going to depend on the particular PetSmart and possibly even the store or regional manager. The PetSmarts in my area do not sell true aquatic plants, but the PetCo's do.

I agree but I was just trying to get a general idea. It doesn't have to be specifically petsmart but can also be petco or any other store. I was only looking for a basic range of what has been offered to others. Like is it 25 cents per stem or what.

 

I think your best bet is to call the store and ask for a manager. Not sure anyone can really give you any specifics unless they're dealing with the same physical store you go to.

 

I don't think Petco or Petsmart would buy or take anything in from the customer for store credit. You may be able to find a smaller local fish store that would though. I think Petco and Petsmart probably have corporate policies they have to follow.

 

You are probably better of selling to non-chain stores or to other people. I earn about $10 off hornwort and dwarf hygro clippings every month but that is selling of kijijI (craiglist of canada). A pet store will only offer me like $3. Most stores do bulk orders and each plant comes down to like $2 so they will seldom pay you well.

I generally really dislike chain stores, they don't practice sanitized care for their fish or plants. Plants/fish carry parasites the majority of the time. You are way better off selling to people already in the hobby, many fish keepers sometimes will pay a little extra knowing the plants are coming from a clean tank. You can try forums or craiglist, since your in the usa, you can probably find buyers.

 

I think it's worth noting... if you choose to go with online classifieds such as CL/Kijiji, please be safe and meet in a well-lit public area. Take a friend if possible. You never know.

I have sold things on CL a few times, and also bought a few times. I would NEVER have a CL random person come to my house if it is at all avoidable.

 

You are probably better of selling to non-chain stores or to other people. I earn about $10 off hornwort and dwarf hygro clippings every month but that is selling of kijijI (craiglist of canada). A pet store will only offer me like $3. Most stores do bulk orders and each plant comes down to like $2 so they will seldom pay you well.

I generally really dislike chain stores, they don't practice sanitized care for their fish or plants. Plants/fish carry parasites the majority of the time. You are way better off selling to people already in the hobby, many fish keepers sometimes will pay a little extra knowing the plants are coming from a clean tank. You can try forums or craiglist, since your in the usa, you can probably find buyers.

Thanks. That was the information that I was looking for. As of right now my ludwigia repens is growing like no tomorrow. Unfortunately I'm in the middle of treating my tank for anchor worms so I wouldn't even think about selling any plants just yet. Spring Break is in a week so thankfully I will have a bit of time to catch up on research and have a bit of time off. There is a Pet Supermarket near me but they have terrible water conditions for their fish. I was there a few days ago when I bought the anchor worm medicine and saw 5 dead fish floating, ich, and fin rot. They have a plant list that they pick species to order so I'm not really sure if they can take plants in. I guess I'm going to have to go on a day trip of plant stores here in Charlotte.

I think it's worth noting... if you choose to go with online classifieds such as CL/Kijiji, please be safe and meet in a well-lit public area. Take a friend if possible. You never know.

I have sold things on CL a few times, and also bought a few times. I would NEVER have a CL random person come to my house if it is at all avoidable.

I 100% agree. Whenever I meet with new people, I do it in public places, typically a gas station as they tend to be well lit.

 

OP, you are in Charlotte?

I'd suggest trying to sell/trade through your local club. I went to a CAAS auction a couple years back and it was great... I'm heavily involved with the Atlanta club but was able to make the trip that one time, totally awesome and worth it.

Pretty sure your latest Prez is a facebook buddy of ours. lol

 

OP, you are in Charlotte?

I'd suggest trying to sell/trade through your local club. I went to a CAAS auction a couple years back and it was great... I'm heavily involved with the Atlanta club but was able to make the trip that one time, totally awesome and worth it.

Pretty sure your latest Prez is a facebook buddy of ours. lol

I thought about it but I'm actually going to be moving in about 3-4 months so I'm not going to join just yet. Then again, I don't really know where I'm going to be after these couple of months. I guess I will just post on here to sell/give away plants that I have to spare. Just have them pay for shipping and then give them some 5" stems.

 

I don't think Petco or Petsmart would buy or take anything in from the customer for store credit. You may be able to find a smaller local fish store that would though. I think Petco and Petsmart probably have corporate policies they have to follow.

PetSmart has a no live fish accepted policy. Unless it's dead or dying, and you return it for a refund or replacement, they won't take it back. Not even if it originally came from them.

I doubt they have any different policy for plants, either.

 

For what is worth, I trade some fry,grown out, and mostly MalawI cichlids, to my LFS;
I only bargain for a store credit, which I would otherwise be spent there in any case, so they tend to be more liberal in their credit given.--------------rick.

 

PetSmart has a no live fish accepted policy. Unless it's dead or dying, and you return it for a refund or replacement, they won't take it back. Not even if it originally came from them.

I doubt they have any different policy for plants, either.

That's odd - we've taken back live fish that are completely healthy before. We had one fish that was aggressive to its tank mates (little endler guppy cross mean to male guppies) and we've had other healthy fish returned because of changing their minds or weren't the right fish.

if your pet becomes ill during this initial 14-day period, or if you're not satisfied with your pet for any reason, PetSmart will gladly replace the pet or refund the purchase price. Please keep your sales receipt and return the pet to the store where it was purchased if needed.

Anyways, to the OP - I've never heard of one of the chain stores buying plants from people. I have LFS's nearby that would buy clippings but like others have mentioned, price varies depending on location and probably what they have in stock already. I've not had the opportunity to trade anything in but fish so far.

 

PetSmart won't buy live plants from you, or fry etc. At my store though if you bring in fry, I always volunteer to take them home. Or any other fish that aren't ours. Since the store can only take back fish that are from PetSmart. But even still it would have to go into the heavily medicated ISO tank and probably would not survive the harsh transition.


PetSmart DOES accept live fish as a return, same with any other animal. People brought in an Oscar once, guinea pigs, etc. Some people have figured out this system.. If you return your sick animal within the 14 days.. Well refund the money, and then its ours. We then have to offer that animal vet treatment. Then if the animal is well, you could totally buy it back after it heals etc. Free vet treatment

 

That's odd - we've taken back live fish that are completely healthy before. We had one fish that was aggressive to its tank mates (little endler guppy cross mean to male guppies) and we've had other healthy fish returned because of changing their minds or weren't the right fish.

When I wanted to return a fish, I called them up, they said they don't take back any fish because they cannot be certain they were not exposed to anything in your tank.

If it's an exchange for a dead or dying fish you bought from them, that's a different story.

PetSmart DOES accept live fish as a return, same with any other animal. People brought in an Oscar once, guinea pigs, etc. Some people have figured out this system.. If you return your sick animal within the 14 days.. Well refund the money, and then its ours. We then have to offer that animal vet treatment. Then if the animal is well, you could totally buy it back after it heals etc. Free vet treatment

Mine doesn't.

Bought a creamcicle Lyretail Molly last year, based on their "minimum 10 gallon tank" info on their website. Wanted to return the fish, was told they do not take back live fish.

 

Then you need(ed) to complain to the store manager or district manager. Unless there was a valid reason, they should not have refused the return. They tend to listen to angry customers :3