Equipment Review and Discussion :: PetSmart Return Policy

[A&N_Potter]

I bought the ZooMed 501 Canister Filter about a week ago and have became very dissatisfied with its performance. This filter is marketed for aquatic turtle owners; however, it is not an acceptable filter for turtles! Will PetSmart accept a return, even though I have used the filter? Does PetSmart have a flexible return policy? I still have the box and receipt. Thanks!

[SpotsMama]

Best to ask PetSmart. In what way is the filter unsatisfactory?

[megcornell]

I say look up the return policy and see what it is... at the least you should get store credit I'd think.

[A&N_Potter]

Well, I switched from a $15 Fluval Submersible (mechanical), to the $50 ZooMed 501 Canister (Mech., Bio, etc.) and the Fluval was better (cleaner tank, better smell)! Also, I have now upgraded to a 75 gallon tank; therefore, I am looking into an Xp3. I now have two useless filters, (the 501, $50, and a Tetra Fauna water fall filter, $50). Would like to turn wasted money into something useful...

[SpotsMama]

For a 75 gallon tank, an XP3 would be perfect. On the zoo med filter, is it possible your tank is simply cycling? You know about the nitrogen cycle?

[steve]

Some stores won't take back a used filter. It can't hurt to take it back and explain to the manager that you are a frequent customer and the packaging information misled you.

[marisa]

Clean it well and put it back in the original box. The Petsmart nearest me will take back almost anything as long as you have the original receipt.

[ZombieTurtle]

there is a good chance they will take it back as long as it looks presentable,, but if they dont contact the company that made it, zoomed and see if they will take it back. Might take a lot longer to get money back doing that way but its better than another doorstop.

[iac637]

if you don't like they will take it back we had the same problem with a filter and they took it back

[MamaLou]

I currently work for Petsmart and they will take it back even if it is used. Some of the things I see returned in such bad shape they should have no problem taking it back. If you have the reciept and the box you will be fine. I work in the speciality dept. so I deal with frequent turtle customers. We now have 6 turtles thanks to me work there and rescuing them from customers that just don't realize what they have gotten into. But as long as the get a better home I am happy about it.
We now have 4 in the outside 1400 gallon pond and 2 babies in the 55gal tank in the house. Good thing we kept all of our tanks from haveing to upgrade with our 9 yr. old RES Lou .
I know that the pet stores of the world tend to get a bad rap esp. for not knowing about turtles. Luckily the turtle owners in my area are well educated and since I have been working there I have been told we have MORE turlte customers than they have ever had. So I am trying to help out the RES of the world.

[steve]

Thanks for the info MamaLou! I knew there was a reason I didn't like the local aquarium store

[A&N_Potter]

Thanks for all the info! We returned the filter = store credit (lost receipt)!!! Purchased a larger turtle dock and decorations for my new 75 gallon tank!!!

[MamaLou]

Anytime Steve. Always happy to help people with info.

[RESCHIU]

On their website they specified that customer can always return product that they are not satisfied..

[steve]

Store policies can vary online and may not apply to a physical store. Most notably is the price matching, which a few managers seem to refuse.