It would be good to see all p@h outlets singing from the same hyme sheet. My p@h store is the complete opposite to how you discribed yours.Just to say, I saw the staff at my local P@H (Tunbridge Wells) refuse to sell a goldish, stating that the tank had to be set up for 45 days (I think that was the time period, I may have misheard). Apparently that is company policy. although it seems a bit too harsh for goldfish, even to me!
It looks like they at least now have a policy in place, maybe some stores are more informed than others.
Anyway, while I do out of principle, support my small lfs's, I would not refuse to buy from this particular store, as the tanks seem clean and the fish seem OK. (shrugs)
I guess it varies store to store.
Keith.