PetSmart — Local services in Berlin Township

The employees are kind and the store is clean. My issue is with the conditions of the bettas. Keeping them in cups leads the uninformed to believe they only need a small space to thrive. Selling half gallon tanks marketed for bettas is just as bad. These are tropical fish. They need a filter and a heater in a minimum of 5 gallons. They do not live in puddles in the wild as many are led to believe. Google an image of a rice paddy and you will see that they actually live in quite large bodies of water with lots of vegetation. I don't blame the employees. It's just a job for them and they probably don't get paid enough to do it. This mostly comes from a corporate level, but management must have some control. Some Petsmarts and Petcos across the country are doing better by putting their bettas in 5 gallon filtered and heated tanks. Some are putting the more mellow ones in tanks with other peaceful fish. Others have devoted a whole section to bettas in individual tanks. Managers: do research and do better! About 50% of the bettas here have fin rot of varying severity. You can usually tell which have been in the store longest because their cups are cloudy and they are lethargic. Most have dull coloring from being stressed and cold. They frequently have mislabeled bettas. I saw one today labeled a dragon scale. It was not a dragon scale, however, and had the worst stress stripes I've ever seen. That fish will die in his cup because no one will buy a dull gray looking betta. Historically, this store will discount a sick betta if you ask. Some should really be free to those willing to treat the health condition, but I realize that's a corporate issue. The last one I purchased at a discount due to obvious illness has permanent swim bladder disease. I put together an accessible tank for him and he is happy and healthy otherwise. Several months ago, I saw one that was clearly unwell. I asked them to give him to me for free to attempt treatment because I was skeptical he'd make it through the night. I was told they are unable to give them for free but could discount. I watched it take its last breath before the employee could even make it to the manager for approval. To sum it up, keeping bettas in unheated tiny cups is animal cruelty. Selling sick bettas is unethical. I pray that management will either educate themselves and do something to better the conditions of the bettas or that they will be replaced by new...

I was very disappointed in the rudness of the grooming Salon last night. Around 5pm I was on their website to make an appt for my little morkie to get groomed. I noticed there was an available appt at 7pm so I scheduled it. I arrived at 6:45pm. When I entered the salon there were two women one was grooming a small dog the other was cleaning up. They asked me if I needed help. I said yes Ruby has an appt at 7pm The girl grooming the dog became nasty. She said I dont have any appts. I was shocked at her tone and said she is sceduled for 7pm. She said I don't think so and she came to look in the computer. I am NOT taking another dog right now what did you do just jump online and schedule her now? I said no...I did it a couple hours ago. She said right..at 5pm. She said we'll I'm not doing another dog now. You can being her back in The morning but not happening now. I said okay what time she said 7 or 8 am. I said okay can you reschedule.us for 7am. She said yep and walked away. I got home and never got a confirmation of the appt. I went online to schedule it and thetre were no available appts for 7 am,8am or any at all for that next day. I wouldn't take my dog to be groomed by someone so rough and rude anyway but it's just the point of how she spoke to me. If she had said she was busy or had a long day or anything at all nicely I certainly can understand being tired at the end of the day and I did make the appt last minute but if they don't want to groom a dog at 7pm and are having a bad or busy day they should go online and block the appt out! It shouldn't be available to schedule. I'm an easy going person and would have had no proble understanding that she was tired and disnt want to add another dog at the end of the day bit the way she spoke to me was out of line and rude . It would have been nice to even hear an I'm sorry for the inconvenience anything she was just...

I would like to extend my thanks for exceptional customer service experienced at your West Berlin, NJ store. I visited yesterday (06/08/17) to view an advertised aquarium sale. There were none left on the shelf, but Spenser gladly assisted, even though he was busy doing stock-work, and found the tank. He then suggested I check the inventory number, and mentioned that I could have it price-matched to your website to ensure the best deal. After letting me examine the tank for leaks, cracks, etc, Spenser then introduced me to Mandy who was equally as professional and knowledgeable. She spent fifteen minutes explaining the various items (artificial vs real plants, types of gravel, various filters, which fish will community together, types of food and even tank backgrounds) and came back to check on me throughout. I spent a total of 45 minutes at the store, and was warmly greeted by all employees I saw. I was then offered assistance getting my heavy items to the car, which I declined, but the thought was appreciated. I was instructed to set up the tank as per the manufacturer's recommendations, wait 48 hours for the water to "cycle", and return using the included sample bottle for free analysis for ammonia, chlorine, etc. If the levels are normal, they will be available to help me decided which type, and how many fish, will thrive in my tank. As a first experience of a new fish-family, my visit was a pleasure. I have worked in the C.S industry for over fifteen years, and I know retail can be less than positive for those working "the front lines". Spenser, Mandy and the rest of the team deserve validation for their positive customer service experience. I will gladly be referring this store to family and friends...