Michigan Cichlid Association

Classifieds => LFS Reviews => Topic started by: timmyho on March 01, 2012, 01:27:45 PM

Title: preuss pets
Post by: timmyho on March 01, 2012, 01:27:45 PM
Anybody else been here?  It is in Lansing,and is pretty huge.  I was surprised nobody has done a review, I have to say it is my favorite fish store.  I travel from the flint area to go, but I haven't been to fantastic fins which everyone is talking about.  I hope to check it out, and i'm also checking out another store in white lake later today so I can pick up my male rostratus.
But, like i was saying, preuss pets in my experience is a great store!  They have an amazing malawi display tank, I think its a 250 that turned me on to the rostratus and VC 10s, I have two small vc 10s and i'm praaaying one is a male.  They also have a very cool Severum tank, which i've also started because of their setup.  They have the largest selection of cichlids i've seen in a store so far, but I am still searching for new shops!  They seem to have some pretty good employees as well, but they are often really busy!
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Regalblue on March 01, 2012, 02:04:15 PM
Bad- very high priced & small New World Selection

Good- big old world selection, always clean, my kids love going there, helpful  staff
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: timmyho on March 01, 2012, 02:22:55 PM
I agree with the new world, bought a severum from them, but it was very expensive.  I do love the fish though, very brightly colored. 
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Dan K on March 01, 2012, 03:42:43 PM
I have been there twice and thought the store was quite nice although very busy.

The staff was very helpful.

I also agree with the others here....the prices are higher than I'm used to paying.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: PaulineMi on March 01, 2012, 05:07:19 PM
Preuss is my LFS.  I have the luxury of being able to go during their "non busy hours" during the week.  However there are ALWAYS a good number of customers in the store.  They've been nothing less than outstanding in my dealings with them. I've gotten very nice fish from them....African Cichlids, rainbows and various community fish. They're very good about quarantining new fish that they get in, have called me when a special order has arrived and helped me alot when I first started out. They've also been very good about standing behind whatever it is they sell.

Preuss gives back to the community by hosting fun tours for kids and birthday parties complete with animals from their various departments.

Yep, they're not inexpensive but I truly believe in the overall quality of the place.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: GVsailor on March 01, 2012, 06:24:23 PM
Great selection, Great quality and service.  I agree that the prices can be a bit high, but they get in some hard to find fish.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Ron on March 02, 2012, 12:08:15 PM
IME the fish and tanks are always in great shape, but the prices are high. I haven't bought much there, but what I have I was pleased with.

The staff is nice and knowledgeable, and while sometimes I feel they presume I've got no clue about fish, they probably run into enough clueless people from a retail perspective that I won't hold that against them.  ;)
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: fishmagnet on June 23, 2012, 03:04:09 AM
Going in the am....been there 2 times...staff very knowledgeable....they breed alot of community fish and a ton of angels , my wife and I were treated to the grand tour and got a look at the breeding room , coral propigation room as well as the quarantine room it was very impressive.
Fish are a little pricey but it is the only store with the bigger size fish that I need to add to my all male mbuna tank.
I highly recommend them!!!
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: PowerCerg One on November 05, 2012, 10:09:22 PM
This store is massive and has pretty much everything. If they don't have it, they'll try to get it for you. Prices are on par or cheaper than other places, especially in the salt water section. Lots of driftwood and rock, plus tons of freshwater plants. Only thing I would improve about such a vast store is freshwater invert selection.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: four_by_ken on January 03, 2013, 10:16:41 AM
My fish store of choice... and its a 1.5 hr drive for me to get there.  Very knowledgeable staff and very helpful even when busy... and they get BUSY.
I have bought quite a few from them.  I don't find their prices to be much higher than elsewhere.

5 star store in my opinion.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Jaymore on January 11, 2013, 03:46:57 PM
IMO the staff used to be alot more knowledgable than what they are now. Ive been going their for years and back in the day the staff taught me alot, but anytime i go in their now i find that i know way more than the person that im talking with. Its a great store with a good selection of fish but u do need to be carefull who u talk to in their. They have alot of younger kids working that think they know alot and in reality they dont know near what they think they do or what they should IMO. Over all a good store though
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Ladyfish on January 14, 2013, 10:41:31 PM
My LFS of choice, I have the luxury of going whenever I want as I live just about 10 minutes away. Their show tank is what turned me on to African cichlids and prompted me to start my own tank. They were extremely helpful when I was starting up, and continue to help me out on my weekly visit to the store. The employees remember me, and what fish/setup I run. Huge selection that changes on a weekly basis. Pretty healthy fish too. I have no reference about price as Ive only ever gotten fish from this shop.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Maize-N-Blue-D on January 30, 2013, 11:10:25 PM
I really need to find a way to get out to this place, everything I read is positive. 
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: LoveTheFishies on January 31, 2013, 06:21:42 PM
IMO the staff used to be alot more knowledgable than what they are now. Ive been going their for years and back in the day the staff taught me alot, but anytime i go in their now i find that i know way more than the person that im talking with. Its a great store with a good selection of fish but u do need to be carefull who u talk to in their. They have alot of younger kids working that think they know alot and in reality they dont know near what they think they do or what they should IMO. Over all a good store though

You've probably just given yourself a PhD in cichlids over the years.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Kaia on June 22, 2013, 08:09:14 PM
I think this is an outstanding store. Their staff seemed very knowledgable to me. Perhaps because I've always spoken with an older gentleman. Their stock is the best I've seen, but I've not traveled the world to check out a massive amount, but anything local cant compete. Anything they get in new is quarantined before it ever goes on the floor. I can't do price comparison, but believe they are more expensive, as quality usually costs more IMO. They do not give any sort or 7 or 10 day guarantee on their fish. This store is big. It has a koi stream that runs through it and you can walk over a bridge inside.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: hollywod12 on June 22, 2013, 10:41:11 PM
I was down that way today and two ppl that I met up with told me I have to check it out and yes very well store....
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Super Turtleman on July 28, 2013, 03:41:12 PM
I stopped in there yesterday with the fam. Nice store. Lots of diverse pets (wet & dry). Lots of dry goods. I was drooling over a few of the tanks. I thought the price was a little high but I'm cheap, so it's probably not too bad. Lol. I'd recommend it.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: greg y on November 23, 2013, 02:24:18 PM
I really like their show tanks, I just wrote and asked about the stock in that front planted tank, it's so awesome
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: four_by_ken on November 23, 2013, 08:23:12 PM
I really like their show tanks, I just wrote and asked about the stock in that front planted tank, it's so awesome


One of my favorite tanks out there.  Love it.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Saulosi77 on January 05, 2014, 09:21:52 PM
This is my Lfs.  I've always received great knowledgabłe service.  I have bought a few fish and been very pleased.  I agree that prices are a bit on the steeper side but their selection and colors are outstanding.  It's an experience the first time you walk through the door and take in the whole store.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Regalblue on January 05, 2014, 10:29:52 PM
Stopped in there today...  high prices, tanks were trashed, low selection of Tangs & New Worlds.

Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: danielratti on January 05, 2014, 10:50:24 PM
Yeah I like going there and offering them 5 bucks for hybrids they ask 50 for.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Maize-N-Blue-D on January 05, 2014, 11:12:40 PM
Yeah I like going there and offering them 5 bucks for hybrids they ask 50 for.

What is their normal reply ?
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Regalblue on January 05, 2014, 11:22:37 PM
Stopped in there today...  high prices, tanks were trashed, low selection of Tangs & New Worlds.


I wanna add that I was pretty shocked at their tanks... they must've gotten hit hard this weekend & no employees bothered to wipe down the tanks. 
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: danielratti on January 05, 2014, 11:58:35 PM
I normally don't get asked if I need help after that. I dunno every time Ive gone there the tanks looked like they need a good cleaning and there is dead fish. I must pick bad days to be there.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Ron on January 20, 2014, 08:52:41 AM
Been quite a while since I stopped in there, but the tanks have always been in great shape when I have.  :-\
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Regalblue on January 20, 2014, 10:20:08 AM
Been quite a while since I stopped in there, but the tanks have always been in great shape when I have.  :-\
Same here, except this last time. I was pretty surprised by it, especially since it was during that blizzard & only one other customer was in the place. 
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: rcombs on January 20, 2014, 08:10:15 PM
Last time I went to pruess was 2 years ago. Everything was looking great and tanks were very clean. One of the only pet stores that feels like a zoo to me when I go inside. I loved it. Must..... return...... soon....... LOL
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: four_by_ken on April 23, 2014, 09:24:18 AM
Well... made a trip and very disappointed.

Used to be my favorite store a year ago.  Now the last two trips were VERY disappointing.  Tanks and fish just not up to par at all.  3 strikes and you are out, as my wife said.  Dirty tanks, low selection of fish and the ones that are there are nothing to brag about.

Is the rest of the store wasnt so fun for my son... I would have trouble making the long drive there.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: danielratti on July 22, 2014, 07:16:15 PM
Talk to Dom about it he is the complaint department for preuss.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: MisplacedTexan on August 08, 2014, 03:28:01 PM
On Facebook a few weeks ago they posted about redoing their African Cichlid Tanks.  Anyone been recently?  Last month or so?
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Saulosi77 on August 08, 2014, 08:14:49 PM
I live near by.  As of last week no fish in the tanks yet but getting close.  They replaced that entire back rack where the Africans were previously.  It was rusting out.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: PowerCerg One on August 11, 2014, 01:07:59 AM
One of the two racks should be finished this week, fish should follow around a week after that.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: sam-macmasteri on April 17, 2015, 07:40:12 AM
Is this business still open? Do they normally carry apistos?
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: cranialdisturbance on April 17, 2015, 09:50:38 AM
Yes, Preuss is definitely still open. I don't know what fish they currently have in stock though.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: thebbqguy on April 17, 2015, 10:18:09 AM
I have emailed them questions and they respond in 24 hours usually.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: PowerCerg One on April 17, 2015, 11:33:20 AM
They have house bred Orange Flash always. Other than that it varies.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: sam-macmasteri on April 17, 2015, 10:59:55 PM
Thanks power!
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: Leo on September 02, 2015, 04:52:33 PM
ok, so I took my daughter back to MSU Monday and she wanted a small tank in her room.


Very nice store and friendly workers.


HOLY STICKER SHOCK BATMAN

three little barbs $23.00
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: xzackly999 on September 03, 2015, 01:30:25 PM
ok, so I took my daughter back to MSU Monday and she wanted a small tank in her room.

Very nice store and friendly workers.


HOLY STICKER SHOCK BATMAN

three little barbs $23.00


I want to say last time i was there cardinal tetras were ~$10 each.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: African cichlid Keeper on September 03, 2015, 04:34:54 PM
I went there today and I noticed That there prices Went up on certain types of fish.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: cringram on November 10, 2015, 01:51:20 AM
After all of the praise I hear about this place I decided to make a trip out there yesterday.  And although I must admit the selection was great (the store is HUGE), I can't say the same about the pricing.  They weren't terrible, but you could definitely see the large amount of overhead they have reflected in the prices.  That said, the service was great, and the employees were knowledgeable (or even better, they admitted to only being knowledgeable in their own areas and found other employees for different questions; like SA cichlids vs Tanganyikans).  And again, ,the store is huge so their selection is top notch for both cichlids and community fish, so if you have a hard to find fish they're definitely worth checking out.  They also offered to take my name and contact me if they saw any of the fish I was looking for on the order sheets, so that was a plus.  I'm sure I'll be back sooner than later.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: dexternovice on November 23, 2015, 03:04:47 PM
Quite disappointed.  High prices, staff was too busy moving fish and complaining about their jobs to help, spoke to the famous Rick and was thanked for the "chance to improve. " Highly doubt that I'll go back.
Title: Re: preuss pets
Post by: arinwhite on November 12, 2016, 09:45:04 AM
Took the 2 hour drive to check this store out. The store is very large and interesting to look around. Their prices where insain. Specifically fish prices, you could order 2 larger nicer fish on line have them cargoed in and a carrier service deliver them to your door with some change left over. Staff was to busy chatting amonst themselves to assist in helping.