Aquarium Adventure Columbus — Attraction in Norwich Township

I was approached by a staff member and handed a mask and was told that per the manage my mask was no good and I could wear theirs or leave.

Per their Instagram post, the store only requires a "Face covering" to shop in the store. I didn't know that I was going to waste my time and gas traveling to this store to be singled out and discriminated against by my "Face covering".

Then insulted by being handed a mask that by someone who probably had dirty hands, could have covid, and or probably has handled his phone (Science has found that cell phones carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats) fish/fish water, or object / surface that someone else has recently touched that could have covid. I also do not know how many other people may or may not have come in contact with the mask that I was handed.

What I did notice while I was there was they did not enforce the "Maintaining 6' social distancing at all times", "Groups no larger than 4 people", and "Maximum of 25 guests total in the store" that is also posted on the same Instagram post.

"Maintaining 6' social distancing at all times". The isles are so small that that people not paying attention bump into you. I even had a staff member not even say "excuse me" or "can I get to where your standing". Instead just kept walking towards me as I back pedaled out of his way.

"Groups no larger than 4 people" Their own staff doesn't even follow this as you could clearly see groups of 5 to 6 young guys group together and to chat about something for a few moments before disbursing. This happened more then once and I remember pre covid this never happened. Store members always at least walked around and asked if you needed help or if you had questions. I felt like I was interrupting the employees class reunion just to get some help. The customer service has declined severely.

"Maximum of 25 guests total in the store" To be honest here, I didn't exactly count the total amount of people. But I was there to get a filter, rock, driftwood, and a lot of fish and did gauge the population of these areas and decide to go first that had the least amount of people. Over all if I had to guess, I would have put money that there were more than 25 guests in the store when I entered. Maybe they have a system to ensure this count, but I didn't see anyone keeping count of the total guests like you see at other establishments at the front of the store.

I was offered curbside pick-up orders as I was was being kicked out of the store. I thought this was laughable as there is a store website, but no online store where you can see all their products, descriptions, quantity or prices. Are you supposed to tell them that you want a specific type of drift word or rock and hope that what they bring out is what you were looking for? I know before I was kicked out I went through ever piece of wood till I found the one I wanted. As I spent the time to look at each piece I was wondering how many people that had coivd also touched these items before me because didn't see anyone cleaning anything in the whole store. Just the group of employees huddled up together telling each other jokes or something.

In conclusion, I was within full compliance of having a "Face covering" that this establishment advertised. I...

The worst experience ever. I drove an hour and took my three granddaughters for a fun adventure! I went with the intent of spending $60-100. My daughter and I walked in wearing our masks but my three toddler granddaughters did not have masks on, the manager immediately came over and insisted they wear masks. What?!?! Having made plans for this fun day I asked if they had masks, they did provide adult masks. We placed the masks on their faces and walked about. Not once did anyone ask if we needed help, when I stood at an aquarium looking around for help there were six employees standing behind me (including the manager) but not one would make eye contact. I finally went to one and asked for help, he looked very bothered by this. I asked if he could move the outflow of the filter because I could not see the fish that I wanted to choose from, he said that it was hard plastic and could not move and walked away . That was enough for me, I told my granddaughters that we would look at the big fish (koi) one more time on our way out. While they were watching the koi I noticed the woman who confronted us go through the check out line demanding that people pull their masks up over their nose so I asked the nearest associate if she was the manager or if we could speak to the manager. He told me she was the manager and asked if I had a problem. I told him that I did have a problem with her demanding that these young children wear a mask but I had a bigger problem with no one in the store trying to assist me with my purchase today. His response was... I can help you understand CDC's recommendations. My response was that I didn't need his help with that, I needed his help with fish. He stated that I had clearly come there looking for trouble. (You got me there! I planned this day with my granddaughters, drove an hour, simply to have a confrontation with a boy working in a fish store!) When he offered to help me with fish I felt that I needed to proceed with that (even though he was being a complete smart@$$) because I was trying to remain calm and maintain a fun little adventure for my granddaughters so I followed him and told my granddaughters that they could come pick out a fish. This boy suddenly darted off to the right and a girl came up and asked if she could help. Wait, where did he go? Oh he's an upfront manager. He could not even take 30 seconds to connect us!?!? Like, these CUSTOMERS, that pay our bills need a little assistance could you please help? No, he rudely, cowardly ran off. I'm embarrassed to say that I left with fish (because she bent the outflow from the filter and ohh we could see the fish) but again, this was a fun little day planned for my granddaughters. Thanks for your many attempts to ruin it and you lost a sale because I passed on the aquarium fish, aquarium plants and water garden plants that I had considering purchasing. My total would have doubled at a minimum had you treated us decently. I will not return to this establishment. Also as an FYI they are a Petland company, had I known that we would not have been there in the...

I decided to visit AA even though there were so many negative reviews on here. I am writing this to explain how my visit went and maybe suggest people that wrote negatively should give this store another try.

AA was relatively easy to find and sits in a large shopping mall. Going in the store was pleasing to the eye, the floors were clean and products neatly organized in an easy to understand way. I was almost afraid to go into the store after reading the reviews which claimed unsanitary conditions and dirty fish tanks. This could not be further from the truth. The place was immaculately clean. I examined every tank with a fish in it and each tank had clear water, no dirt or crud on the tanks and more importantly none of the unsanitary conditions that other people have described. I saw no dead fish in any tank and none that looked even slightly sick.

Another major complaint was the customer service offered by the employees at AA. When I first entered the store I was met by an employee who greeted me and asked if I needed help. I explained what I was looking for and he pointed me in the right direction, mentioning that employees where floating to help anyone who needed it. I found what I was looking for, but had a few questions about it. As I was looking at the fish I was approached by another employee who helped me out. What I found especially appealing was the fact the employee told me point blank that this type of fish was not his specialty, but that he could get a specialist if I would wait just a minute. Within two minutes I had a "specialist" telling me everything about the fish in question and helping me wonderfully. This employee went out of the way to make sure all my needs were met and that I understand everything I needed to know about these particular fish. I decided to purchase the fish, and the employee package the fish up and took the time to add oxygen to the bags to ensure the fish would survive the drive home. The employees were exemplary at this location and I was definitely impressed with the knowledge and ability to meet my needs.

Another major complaint was the price of various items compared to other pet stores. I tested 8 items from my local pet store and compared to AA. 4 of the items were the same price at both places. 2 of the items were more expensive at AA and one item was more expensive at my local pet store. I asked about their fish discount program, which gives you 25% off any fish in the store, and costs 10$ for a year. With this discount included only 1 item was more expensive at AA compared to my local store, and 7 out of 8 were less expensive. Please note I did not check the actual costs of aquariums, but prices on fish, food, plants and some other accessories.

Overall my experience at this location was wonderful. The store was clean, organized well and the employees were helpful and knowledgeable. Perhaps all the people who left negative reviews should go back and check out the...