that pet place, lancaster.

address: 237 centerville rd., lancaster pa 17603
website: www.thatpetplace.com
phone: (888)842-8738.
hours: m-s: 0900-2100, sun: 1000-1800.

selection, 9/10:
this place doesn't bill itself as the world's largest pet store for
nothing. their selection is truly magnificent. the reason i don't rate it a 10/10 is because their website is often either outdated or simply fabricated. every time i've gone there i went with a plan in mind based on what their site says is in stock, and then found that certain things were out of stock.

health, 6/10:
it's really hit-or-miss. for the most part the fish do well, but i've had some duds. they generally offer a 7-day guarantee, but several species such as discus and piranhas are not included. also the reality of driving 80 miles to cash in a guarantee on a dead $4 fish is a little senseless.

staff, 2/10:
knowledgable, yes. helpful, kinda. courteous, no. maybe it's just the one guy (i won't name names), but the gentleman i've dealt with in the fish room on both trips was, for lack of a better word, a prick. basically, my mindset is that i'm a paying customer, sell me what i want and don't worry about what i'm doing with it. this gentleman actually refused to sell
me a giant african cichlid because i was buying other fish as well. he said my tank would be over-crowded. he didn't bother to find out that i have many tanks, and just walked away, refusing to sell it. i had to get a manager involved, and the manager was actually nice and helpful, the only reason i rate this a 2/10. ultimately i'd rather pay twice as much for a fish and drive twice as far for it than go back there for that sole reason. if they'd post this guy's work schedule online, maybe i'd go back on a day he's off.

prices, 7/10:
good prices on more common stuff, but you'll pay more for the less common stuff. some prices are ridiculously low, but some are way out of line also.

overall, 24/40:
i can't imagine that their entire fish room staff is as arrogant, condescending and ignorant as the one who i had the displeasure of dealing with, but i don't know that for sure. maybe they're trained that way. also, do not base your trip on what their website says is in stock. if you want a specific fish call and make sure it is really in stock. it might be a good idea to ask if they'll actually sell it to you without having to resort to asking for a manager. if i ever go back there it will be for supplies (on which their prices and selection cannot be beat), but will most likely get some fish if a certain douchebag isn't working.