My experience has been very good with small, one owner stores, not the big
chain stores. The big ones usually dont care as to what happens with the
fish, plants, they want to make their money. The small ones usually have
only one full time employee who knows about everything in general for
keeping fish and plants happy, they sure are pricey but it is affordable if
you are looking for quality and a one to one talk with owner or employee.
Big chains usually have many many employees who know nothing and its like
Netmax said its usually not employees but managers fault, and usually theres
no manager around to look for and complain to or ask a few questions about
live stock.

If you have the time and are willing, go to that other town, one hour is not
that much and have a look, maybe you will be surprised. Also take a friend
with you it will make your trip much worthy.

take care.



hope this helps


"NetMax" wrote in message
. ..

"Shawn P. Good" wrote in message
t...
Hello :

I recently lost a complete 55gal aquarium of Malawi cichlids and now
I'm
thinking of switching over to a planted community tank for a while.
Due to
a recent disagreement with the owner of the local pet shop, I'm no
longer
patronizing his store and so I'm looking for another place to buy my
new
fish and plants. I live in a small town, but there is a larger town
about
an hour away with a PetSmart. I don't want to make the trip, however,
if
they're prices are high, or they don't have a good selection of fish,
or the
fish are not healthy.

Has anyone had any experiences with this chain and can offer me advice
?

Thanks - Shawn

I think the general consensus whenever this question has been asked, is
it depends. The particular manager running the fish dept. makes the
difference, so sometimes you can even have a good Wal-Mart and your
specialty shop is poor. Staffing is usually by teenagers who mean well,
but lack the experience which is really needed for the wide variety of
questions which come up. Don't judge a shop by the first employee you
encounter. Better (lucky) shops have a couple of experienced staff, and
the difference shows up quickly. Be observant, ask what their quarantine
practices are, and start judging their advice, so you can make your own
mind up.

NetMax