I believe that the customers should realize that many of the employees at these pet stores (especially the huge, discount stores like Petco, Petsmart, etc) are probably minimum wage people or part time people, trying to earn a living. I know what I want BEFORE I go into a store like that and do not depend on the employees of that store to be experts in proper pet care. I am not defending their attitudes, by any means, but I do not expect them to be my "experts", ever!!!! These stores provide a huge service to those of us who have pets and need to get as many discounts and breaks, financially, as possible. I have certainly been dismayed at the lack of care I have witnessed at times, especially with the fish and small marine animals (hermit crabs come to mind, right now), but I have chosen not to buy live animals there for just that reason.