Aquarium Central — Local services in Northwest Industrial

Regarding Treatment on October 4, 2024 unacceptable experience. on October 4, 2024, at approximately 11:10 a.m. upon entering the store, I held the door open for a UPS delivery person who was ahead of me, as she was carrying a large package. she was not wearing a mask. Once inside, as I approached the fish tank area, I was confronted by a male employee. Due to a hearing impairment resulting from my service in the Canadian military, I was initially unable to hear him clearly. As I got closer, this employee stating that I was required to wear a mask to remain in the store. I had not seen any signage outside or inside the store indicating that masks were mandatory. I informed the employee that, due to health conditions arising from my military service, I am medically exempt from wearing a mask. During the period when mask mandates were in effect, I had an exemption letter, though I no longer carry it, as the mandate is no longer in place. I then proceeded to look at the fish & other items I intended to purchase. However, the employee followed me, acting aggressively, refusing to let me explain anything & yelling at me to leave the store. I attempted to explain that he was discriminating against me based on my medical condition, which legally exempts me from wearing a mask. I also informed him that he was not permitted to remove me from the premises for this reason. The employee, cut me off and talked over me disregarded my explanation, continued to insult me, & stated that he didn’t care about legal implications, as he was not the store owner. He even remarked that the worst that could happen would be him losing his job, indicating his indifference to the consequences for the business. During this confrontation, the employee resorted to further degrading comments, including referring to me as a "goof," which is a particularly offensive term in Edmonton. As someone who suffers from Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), this aggressive behavior & invasion of my personal space began to trigger me. I decided to walk away from the situation. The employee then began recording me on his phone, & while doing so, adopted a slightly more professional tone. He stated that he would be calling the police, to which I responded that I welcomed their involvement & would like a file number for the incident. He walked to the front of the store, while I moved to another aisle. After approximately five minutes, I approached the front of the store & saw the employee on the phone, seemingly with the police, as he was describing my appearance & providing my vehicle’s license plate number. I asked him whether he had called the police, as I was prepared to contact them myself to obtain a file number for the incident. He refused to answer my inquiry. Shortly thereafter, two police officers arrived. I met them outside the store, where I spoke with one officer, while the other went inside to speak with the employee. This incident left me feeling disrespected & discriminated against due to my medical condition. The employee’s unprofessional conduct & aggressive behavior were entirely unwarranted, & the lack of clear communication regarding the store’s mask policy contributed to an already...

I got my first fishes there, and did not like the womans attitude, one gentleman was helping me and giving me info on the fish i was buying, and she would listen over our conversation and disagree with everything he was saying, i found her rude! She was wrong and he was right!!! I called another day, asking for bleeding heart tetras, the girl simply laughed at me and said " excuse me a what?" And i repeated myself and she giggled. I called petsmart and they knew right away what i was asking for. For a place that only sells fish, i was very disappointed, my friend recommended this place, but i don't think i will ever go back there because of that new girl they just hired.

2nd part since i cannot reply to the owner's reply...

she told me to buy 6 fish. I bought exactly 6 neon tetras and 4 black phantom tetras, i never said there was a problem with the fish to begin with, only a problem with your employees attitude. I listened, but it does not mean i liked her rudeness

I understand she may have not heard me, but you should train your employees to be more professional. And not be so rude. All she had to say is "sorry we don't carry them"

I bought the fishes, the friend you are speaking of did NOT buy any fish, she only bought food. So i really have no idea whats going on here. I WAS THE PAYING CUSTOMER!!! I bought exactly what your employee told me to buy. Yet she was a rude kid!

When i paid for my fish and food, she claimed that i had paid for both tins of food, i tried to tell her that i only paid for one. She argued with us that she had scanned both tins of food on one bill... she was wrong, my receipt only had one tin of food, so thank you for the free fish food! I love getting free products! The sad thing is i tried telling her she had scanned only one tin, but your employee was so rude to us that i decided to walk away with the free food, i won't argue with an idiot.

I actually was going to come in for your fresh live plants, but i will not, not after the sad reply you have given me. My only problem with your company was your employee, i was completely satisfied with the fish i bought from you guys. No problem with the products.

Your employee lied to you and did not tell you what really happened, instead of apologizing and trying to get to the root of the problem, you sided with your employee and now you look like an idiot.

Your right, your not a good fit for me, i like dealing with people that have common sense, and when a customer tells you they didn't pay for something, check their receipt, don't argue with the customer.

Thank your employee for me for the free food. ☺😁

3rd reply

Sir i am no thief, i still have my receipt. Please be more...

By far one of the city's best freshwater aquarium fish, plant, and aquarium supply stores. Aquarium Central has been locally owned for over ten years and is not a big box store whose profit is their bottom line at the cost of healthy fish. Aquarium Central sets itself apart from its competitors by mandatory quarantine of its livestock and preemptive medicating, effectively lowering the risk of bringing home an illness to your home tanks.

Aquarium Central also runs it's tanks in individual ecosystems. Unlike the big box stores that run on a centralized water system that share water between tanks, thus sharing diseases. Because of the steps Aquarium Central takes, putting the health of their livestock first and foremost over a sale is one of the many reasons it has been my preferred source of everything aquaria for over seven years.

Over 180 tanks filled with aquarium fish such as tetra's, rasboras, Corydoras, guppies, platys, Molly's, otto's, nerite snails, algae eaters, shrimp, bettas, cichlids, angels, etc. As well as nine huge tanks regularly filled with aquarium plants of all types. It is rare that I visit the store and don't want to take something new home.

The staff at aquarium central are usually above and beyond in their service as well. I've never met anyone working there who wasn't living the aquarist dream of having their own store. Unlike the box stores, the staff at aquarium central are super knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. Some of the team have a multitude of tanks at home as well. You'll find excellent aquarium knowledge and the local insight of Edmonton's large aquarium community.

The owner of the store is super knowledgeable as well. He is often an untapped wealth of information, as he can be pretty busy with behind-door store operations. But I recommend visiting aquarium central often, for the rare times when the store is empty, he and his other staff can be easily accessible. They can take the extra time needed to discuss your tanks and any issues you might be having. Aquarium Central offers water testing on-site for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrates.

I'd also recommend, before visiting, taking pictures of your tank and equipment, so they can see what systems you are working with or help identify what type of problem you may be having. It could just be one visit that will take your aquariums from alright to wow! Or for a new hobbyist, the difference between success and failure. Let them help you increase your enjoyment while cutting back the maintenance...