Aquarium "rock" is sharp inside ... what to do?

Question

I should have known bettter, but I bought a large plastic tank rock that I planned to trade out with my driftwood so that I could put the wood in the sun to help prevent algae buildup. After I put the plastic rock in, my loaches (6 and 4 inches) started having knicks and scratches on them (they were going inside) I started trying to catch them both "out", but could not. Today I noticed a rather large knick and decided to get the other out. I had to break the edge of the rock w/a hammer and managed to get him out - throughly traumitized! The inside of the rock is covered in jagged edges! I am angry and want to take the rock back to petsmart and give the manager specific intructions about what they can do with this cave of knives! I paid $39!

My question is - what I should do about petsmart? Should I ask for my money back? I paid with credit card, probably no receipt. I think I am prepared to take care of any complications with my fish, but with fish, who knows?

Please note that I broke the edge off the rock with a hammer to get my fish out... not that they should resell this garbage...

Answer 1

Yes, for sure take it back and politely explain what happened and that you want a complete refund. If they get you a hard time, let them know that you did use a credit card and will put the charge into challenge if they won't give you satisfaction.

Yet another reason not to shop at the big mega stores for fish or fish products.

Answer 2

a quick lesson in getting your way --

be polite. overly polite. so polite it hurts.

when you go back talk to the first person you find who of course won't be able to help you. tell them the whole story. suggest a replacement for the rock that isn't a death trap for loaches -- do this even if you want your money back -- if you want your money back make sure there isn't a replacement for the rock but request an exchange first. keep being polite. they will tell you they can't help you. keep being polite and ask for someone that could. chances are this person two can't and won't help you either. keep being polite. but start getting firm. stand your ground. don't move. don't let them get away either. if you didn't get the store manager request the store manager. feel free to explain to them that you are a fish enthusiast and you don't understand the logic of the little death trap you bought and that you spend on average a billion dollars in their store on a monthly basis because well thats the way the fish thing goes. tell them why you prefer petsmart to the local competitor. don't leave and keep being polite and countering every comment the manager makes til they give up.

you should have won by now. the key is really holding your ground physically -- preferably in the mangers face and being consistant and so overly polite you make yourself sick. or cry. crying is good too.

Answer 3

I definitely think that the best thing, for principal's sake, is to take it back. They wouldn't refund money without a receipt, but should give store credit. The other thing you can do, if you can't return it or don't want to go through the hassle, although, like I said, returning it is almost more on principal than anything, but if you did keep it, you could take a metal file/rasp and file down the rough edges. Use rough files down to finer files until you get a smooth feel when you run your fingers across it. If it doesn't hurt your fingers, it won't hurt your fish. Sorry for the hassle and good luck!

Answer 4

I would definitely take it back, that's awful. You can prove your purchase with your credit card statement, if necessary. I think Petsmart will refund your money if you refuse to take no for an answer. Tell them you posted a question on Yahoo! and if they give you a refund you'll let us all know how great they are:) In the meantime, keep an eye on the loaches for signs of infection and let Petsmart know you'll ask for free antibiotics, too! Good luck.

Answer 5

I am sure if you return it, they will give the money back! Just explain what was happening! They shouldn't even be selling those if they are harmful to fish! Usually stores are good about taking back defective merchandise! I don't see why they wouldn't take it back!

Answer 6

Ask them for your money back, tell them your story, they wouldn't give you money back exactly, but store credit (a gift card) for how much you bought the item for. You wouldn't need a receipt because they are still selling similar ones.

Answer 7

petsmart should reimburse you, even though you paid with credit card you can still get verification from them and get your money back, or at least a store credit and get the meds you'll need for your fish,

Answer 8

first of all give them a piece of your mind, try to get your money back, if they cant give it to you,at least put that issue out there to prevent other good people like you to be done in by petsmart.take out that rock, asap..clean the driftwood of algae build-up and put it back so there environment returns back to normal.

Answer 9

Fish arn't stupid! Zillions of them live in coral reefs...which are razor sharp. I have raised fish for many years, they are much eaiser to take care of then most people know. Just change out some of the water now and then and never clean the tank.. This last(since I moved) Aqurium has been just fine. Before that I went years before cleaning. If you just change water at regular times YOU NEVER NEED to clean the tank nor worry about your fish.

Fish are the easiest pet to have. Feed them every couple of days and change their water...It's that simlpe! Please don't feed your fish everyday, that will kill them...keep them hungry.

Answer 10

i guess make sure before you buy something, make sure you thouroughly check it out to make sure you know what you're going in to;. If the store doesn't take it back, take it as a lesson learned.