Petsmart and their Betta Barracks

[Polardbear]

Two days ago I stopped by my favorite Petsmart to pick up some aquarium salt and decided to check out their Bettas in hopes of finding a pretty turquoise boy. The store is a fairly new one and in the few months they've been open I've been actually pretty impressed by their fish section. Their tanks are always spotless and generally healthy, the associates that work there are if nothing else, polite and friendly and honest if they don't know the answer to your question. They also have the betta barracks installed and never have bettas in cups. They probably have 50 or 60 compartments going across the wall so they have quite a variety of bettas all the time. I started at one end and was checking each one out when to my horror I came to a compartment that had 2 bettas in it. At first glance I thought it was a female in with a male and then I realized that it was 2 males. They weren't fighting, apparently that was all over with a decisive winner and looser. The one guy (obviously the winner) looked in perfect condition but the poor little looser fish had no fins whatsoever. I mean none, were talking a body wiggling around with nothing else. Fortunately before I had the chance to go psychotic, the asst mgr for the section came around the corner to see if I needed anything. I pointed out the situation and he grabbed a net as fast as he could and scooped the poor little guy out of the compartment. He quickly carried him off to the backroom and I pretty much figured that was going to be the end of the little guy. Much to my surprise, a few minutes later he came back out carrying a brand new little critter carrier with the wounded boy in it and set it down on the fish cart and then grabbed a bottle of melafix and carefully measured out a dose. I couldn't believe he was actually going to try to nurse him back to health! We talked for a few minutes and he explained that they have a lot of problems with the way the barracks are designed. Apparently each compartment's lid has a feeding hole that is much to big and the bettas are regularly able to jump out, most of the time they land in one of the tropical tanks that are underneath the barracks but occasionally they manage to find the hole for their neighbor. Some of the dividing walls between compartments have gaps large enough that a betta can get his fins over into the neighboring compartment which of course get promptly shredded. One would think that if they've identifed the barracks issues, the next step would be to fix them. I didn't really have much hope for "Stumpy" but at least it appeared that he was getting taken care of.

Yesterday, I had to run into Petsmart again for something and took a peak at the fish cart. "Stumpy" was still in his little tank and actually looked a little better. There was even care instructions for him next to his tank. I have to admit, I was really surprised to see him there. I am totally impressed with the care they are showing him! I wanted to talk to the asst mgr but he was tied up with someone else so I didn't get a chance. I'm going to go check on him tomorrow (as soon as I think of something I need to get). I hope he pulls through!

 

[MAM]

Well, its not perfect, but its an improvement. Where is this store located? I'd like to swing by and see it. Wonder if other Petsmarts will soon follow suit and install barracks type systems. Will be interesting to see.

 

[BettaMomma]

GREAT story.
Thanks for sharing.

I was very excited to click into this thread and read about how wonderful the new barracks system in PetSmart was. I never suspected they'd have issues, but I suppose as with everything, there are kinks to be worked out.


Would you mind sharing the city and state of this store?
As much as I like to call and chew butts of stores who are doing wrong by fish, I like to call and tell them when they're doing right. And the Stumpy story impresses me. I am mostly impressed that there's a little care sheet right next to him. I hope he pulls through, too. I'll be on the edge of my seat for updates on him.

I was recently told by a PS manager that all new PetSmarts will be having barracks like this installed and doing away with their horrid little cups - and then old stores will be retrofitted also. Great idea - they just need to work out the kinks I guess.

 

[Polardbear]

It's the Petsmart at 855 N. 54th Street Chandler AZ 85226 - 480-785-7526.

MAM - it's just south of Ray Rd., east of I-10 and west of 56th/Priest St. Kind of kitty corner to a Home Depot in a huge shopping area.

 

[MAM]

Ah, I know just the one! Might have to swing down there.

 

[BettaMomma]

I'll give them a call on the way home tonight

 

[hello kitty]

what a great story u should buy him - if someone wants to fly me to arizona ill buy him lol

 

[BettaMomma]

Well - i called there last night, and he was still alive and kicking as of 6:00 pm CST. Apparently he's kind of become the object of everybody's affection that works there.

Anyway - I talked to a manager there, and told them I was impressed by the story. The manager said he'd tell Matt (that's the guy who helped Stumpy out) that there had been a commendation call about him, and then he asked if I'd like the corporate compliment line number. So I called there too! Apparently when you call that number and commend someone, they get a letter written to them and send them a pin to wear around the store when they're working. It's kind of a nice big ol' pat on the back when you get one of those I guess and they're pretty coveted by their employees.

I was also told that the regional vice president and the district manager were also going to be told about this story and how Matt reacted. Little Stumpy is going to be known all over the country!

AND.... I told them that I think the betta barracks are WONDERFUL and they're going to pass that on too.

I can't tell you how many times both people I talked to said it was SO nice to hear compliments for a change.

 

[hello kitty]

aw the store worker will be really made up when he gets his pin! where i work if we get a letter in from a customer theres a big song and dance made. i have never got one though

 

[BettaMomma]

That's how it should be.
It should be a HUGE deal, and make employees want to break their necks to give good service.

Unfortunatley, though, normal consumers only call and express their feelings about the bad stuff. And I think that sucks.

 

[afireinside]

i wish all petstores were like that...

 

[hello kitty]

yeah i work in a call centre and all i get is people moaning all day however once a bloke sent me a bunch of roses i just remembered! that was nice. the worst thing is when peopple say they will write but then never do

 

[eudielynn]

I think it's verrrry important to compliment when it is deserved. This makes the employee know that his efforts are appreciated not only by the fish, but by the customer as well. It makes any job a little easier when you know your work is appreciated and you try harder to do well. Others will see his recognition and work ethic and hopefully will use him as an example.

 

[BettaMomma]

I agree!

Good stuff like that is ALWAYS contagious and envied, so everyone's going to want to work for it

 

[Bettabelieveit]

Just like we told the person at that good walmart that we loved their fish section and that it was really nice to see, we went on for a while it was deserving.