[Parker]

I think you will find that most stores have people who love them and people who hate them.

My criteria are Customer Service and Cleanliness.

I'm a VERY quiet customer and customer service oriented so if you don't approach me and offer service, I'm not buying from you that day. ( Outside of big box stores - I'm talking mom and pop places ) I’ve been in stores where the employee didn’t even know I was there because the music was so turned up a little high, I was in another where the employee barley looked up from playing WOW. On the flip side of the coin I had employees offer to help me when I bought my tank, helped me load it, unload it, carry it into the basement. Offers to come to the house and have a look at my setup, house my fish and coral for no charge.

Cleanliness, if you can’t bother to keep your lively hood clean and presentable, how are you treating the animals in your care? I hate crap all over the floor, rusting tools laying around tank glass covered in diatoms and you surfing Facebook..meh, doesn’t do it for me. Maybe I’m too judgmental, I don’t know. I've been back to these stores, I don't hold a grudge. We all have bad days. There is only one store I refuse to buy from, for other reasons.