Porkins
Thu, 6th Nov 2003, 02:46 AM
I know alot of people are going to be mad about this. I was not fired from either store, I quit by choice. I have no grudge against either store or any employees that work(ed) there.
First off, I no longer work for either CB Pets or Alamo Aquatics. Second off, this is just what I observed from working at both stores. This is just a way for me to tell the good people here what I saw. I think the more stores we have, the better the quality gets at each store to compete with eachother. Also, I am DONE with working at a pet store!!! It is not the greatest job in the world, unless you like CLEANING, and since you prolly have animals, hence why you wanted the job, you get to go home and do even more Mantaining (feed, test, changes, clean, etc.). It can get old fast, trust me. Also, remember that this is a on average list, and that some times, dirty tanks, floaters, etc. just happen.
First off, my last job, Alamo Aquatics.
Pros:
Large store - Usually better prices and selection
Knowledgeable Staff
Large staff
Cons:
Tanks are not very clean
Lots of store losses
Some employees spend more time with other employees than with customers
IN all honesty, its a DIRTY store
Live rock is a JOKE!
I worked here for a short time, and while the staff pretty much knew there stuff, alot of them had outside business, and cared about that more than the store. The owner was rarely there. Most of the staff did there own thing, and not usually the best job they could. I heard alot of "Man, if I had more hours I could do so much more" or "If I got paid more, I would do so much more". My advice, stop wasting hours talking about not having enough hours, and maybe, do a great job and get a RAISE!!! The tank prices are AWESOME, and they have some very cool wet/dry filters. They have this HUGE Green Moray eel, but most of the time, his tank's glass is COVERED in algae! This store could be AWESOME if the employees took some more personal responsibility for the store. Have ALOT of unused tanks, and understocked tanks
Now, my previous job CB Pets
Pros:
Clean store
Small store (do not get a "did I just get ripped off" feeling)
Knowledgeable Staff
Richard (Great guy, still amazes me with the stuff he knows)
AWESOME LIVE ROCK!!! (better quality than any I have seen at any store and CHEAPER too!)
Tanks are always clean and nice
Good selection for the space
AWESOME Prices on alot of fish and items
Quarantine system on the way
Solid Gold (ok, its a dog/cat food, but it is AMAZING, and if you have the chance to try it, you will be AMAZED)
Cons:
Smaller store - some items have higher prices (rarely though, seriously)
Some people complain about the drive (its a pretty easy and relaxing drive, unless at rush hour, closest to me at 281 @ 1604, not counting Petland, which I do not consider a fish store, only 10-15 mins outside Loop 1604)
Richard and Mark own the store, pretty much always there, and both nice guys.
I know alot of you are wondering why I am putting Alamo Aquatics down so much, and I can answer that simply, I am being TOTALLY HONEST. Alamo Aquatics does not seem to care much about MAAST, at least from what I heard. They asked me alot of questions about MAAST, instead of just getting online and joining the fun, and wanted me to point out members when I saw them. I really wish they would spend the time to get on here and explain and listen to suggestions. They have been around for alot longer, and just dont seem to care about anything else. When I heard customers mention other stores, 9 out of 10 times, the employee's response was "We are not worried", well, you should be. I want to be able to choose from a list of great stores when wanting to purchase a item, not just one super store. I like checking out pet stores and seeing what they have and do not have, what looks good and what to avoid, and get new info on marine tanks.
That concludes my info on both stores from a employee's pov. CB Pets sounds great, well, in all truth, it is. Alamo, just care about your store and customers more.
First off, I no longer work for either CB Pets or Alamo Aquatics. Second off, this is just what I observed from working at both stores. This is just a way for me to tell the good people here what I saw. I think the more stores we have, the better the quality gets at each store to compete with eachother. Also, I am DONE with working at a pet store!!! It is not the greatest job in the world, unless you like CLEANING, and since you prolly have animals, hence why you wanted the job, you get to go home and do even more Mantaining (feed, test, changes, clean, etc.). It can get old fast, trust me. Also, remember that this is a on average list, and that some times, dirty tanks, floaters, etc. just happen.
First off, my last job, Alamo Aquatics.
Pros:
Large store - Usually better prices and selection
Knowledgeable Staff
Large staff
Cons:
Tanks are not very clean
Lots of store losses
Some employees spend more time with other employees than with customers
IN all honesty, its a DIRTY store
Live rock is a JOKE!
I worked here for a short time, and while the staff pretty much knew there stuff, alot of them had outside business, and cared about that more than the store. The owner was rarely there. Most of the staff did there own thing, and not usually the best job they could. I heard alot of "Man, if I had more hours I could do so much more" or "If I got paid more, I would do so much more". My advice, stop wasting hours talking about not having enough hours, and maybe, do a great job and get a RAISE!!! The tank prices are AWESOME, and they have some very cool wet/dry filters. They have this HUGE Green Moray eel, but most of the time, his tank's glass is COVERED in algae! This store could be AWESOME if the employees took some more personal responsibility for the store. Have ALOT of unused tanks, and understocked tanks
Now, my previous job CB Pets
Pros:
Clean store
Small store (do not get a "did I just get ripped off" feeling)
Knowledgeable Staff
Richard (Great guy, still amazes me with the stuff he knows)
AWESOME LIVE ROCK!!! (better quality than any I have seen at any store and CHEAPER too!)
Tanks are always clean and nice
Good selection for the space
AWESOME Prices on alot of fish and items
Quarantine system on the way
Solid Gold (ok, its a dog/cat food, but it is AMAZING, and if you have the chance to try it, you will be AMAZED)
Cons:
Smaller store - some items have higher prices (rarely though, seriously)
Some people complain about the drive (its a pretty easy and relaxing drive, unless at rush hour, closest to me at 281 @ 1604, not counting Petland, which I do not consider a fish store, only 10-15 mins outside Loop 1604)
Richard and Mark own the store, pretty much always there, and both nice guys.
I know alot of you are wondering why I am putting Alamo Aquatics down so much, and I can answer that simply, I am being TOTALLY HONEST. Alamo Aquatics does not seem to care much about MAAST, at least from what I heard. They asked me alot of questions about MAAST, instead of just getting online and joining the fun, and wanted me to point out members when I saw them. I really wish they would spend the time to get on here and explain and listen to suggestions. They have been around for alot longer, and just dont seem to care about anything else. When I heard customers mention other stores, 9 out of 10 times, the employee's response was "We are not worried", well, you should be. I want to be able to choose from a list of great stores when wanting to purchase a item, not just one super store. I like checking out pet stores and seeing what they have and do not have, what looks good and what to avoid, and get new info on marine tanks.
That concludes my info on both stores from a employee's pov. CB Pets sounds great, well, in all truth, it is. Alamo, just care about your store and customers more.