We got our bearded dragon here and we had such a great experience! The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, and we left feeling very well prepared to care for our new pet! read more

I purchased 6 Galaxy Rasboras and 6 Harlequin Rasboras. I acclimated them the same amount of time, about 30 minutes. The Harlequin Ras boras did fine, the Galaxies all died. I brought in a sample of my water(had aquariums for over 20 yrs.) and the water tested out fine, a little high in salt as I have a softner for my well water. There are 8 Zebra Danios in the tank as well, they have been in the tank for a few months. NO REPLACEMENT FISH WERE OFFERED!! THEY SELL SICK FISH!! DO NOT BUY FROM HERE!! SO DISAPPOINTED!! read more

The best pet shop in Grand Rapids! Extremely knowledgeable staff that genuinely care about the well-being of the animals that they sell. Every person in there is eager to give excellent care advice when asked or will find someone that can. They seem to have staff that specialize in certain areas (fish, reptiles, birds, invertabrae, rodents, etc.) that are still knowledgeable about the other exotic pets they carry. I particularly appreciate the exceptional care that they provide to their reptiles. I wish more pet stores followed suit in proper husbandry, lighting, and feeding. They have amazing freshwater and salt water set ups with dozens of tanks full of different fish for sale. read more

Looks like a great selection and cool store, that being said.... I was going to purchase a $300 red bearded dragon for my daughter and everything but the tank. I have crohns and had to use the bathroom bad. The lady behind the desk said they don't have a bathroom! This is a decent size store. I left, and will just get her a much cheaper regular morph from petco. Nothing like leaving a store with 6 children in a rush. Probably about a $600 loss of sale because of no bathroom... I will never be back! read more

Staff are always super helpful and quick to assist where needed. I appreciate the knowledge and effort they've put into keeping the freshwater and saltwater fish happy. 5 stars there. Make sure the invertebrates you pick out are alive and moving as they are not guaranteed at this store. They always have a good variety. Had to take away a star because at any point when you go in, there will be an odor (expected to an extent due to the nature of the store, but it's overwhelming.). Wish they would crack the door an inch every few weeks to let some air exchange happen. read more

Came in to talk to an "expert" about what kind of fish I could add to my 2.5 year old daughters tank as an early birthday gift. Long story short, I won't be recommending VI Pets to anyone for advice on how to care for animals or giving any advice on animals in general. I had one Molly and added 3 guppies to my tank. After the first week we had to get rid of one of the guppies because it wouldn't stop attacking the other fish. This morning I woke up and had to dispose of the other 2 guppies as the Molly murdered them. So for anyone who's looking for help/advice, don't go here because they'll tell you a load of bull***. read more

I have only ever been here for aquarium purposes, but this is one of my very favorite local fish stores! Great selection of rare and unusual fish, aquarium plants, and unique aquariums and aquascaping supplies! The staff are very laid back, so you do usually need to ask for assistance, but they have always been very helpful and friendly to me (have been there 20+ times) once asked. Support your local pet store! Absolutely no need to go to a Petsmart or petco with this around. read more

VI Pets - Plainfield - Goby - Pet Stores Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Get a new owner and better customer service! Honor your warranty and stop trying to come up with excuses why you won't! Tell your employees to fully explain the warranty and let people know how ridiculous it is! Someone comes in who was told by the employees that if the fish died within a certain period of time, bring it back with the receipt and they would honor the warranty! Well, my daughter fish died. I took it back with the receipt and the owner told me that I had to bring in a separate sample of water! Mind you when I bought the fish I'm not only bought four more. I also brought in a sample of water then and was told everything was fine just to clean the tank every week. It was a four or five dollar fish! Seriously, she tried to tell me that I needed to bring a sample of water and did what her employee said and how I was misled. If she apologized I might not be writing this! I'll never go back again!! read more

My absolute favorite pet shop! Everyone there is super nice, they typically have what I need and they have beautiful animals!

My husband and I are both Saltwater Aquarium Enthusiasts. He has a 240 gal tank and I have a 145 gal tank and we come from Northern Michigan at least once a month to VIP to work with and do business with Jillian. She is so helpful and patient with us and all of our questions. The store is almost always busy when we come, so we tend to let her know we are coming ahead of time because we do travel a long distance and she is always smiling and happy to see us when we get there and goes above and beyond in working with us. If we have ever had an issue she is quick to help us out or fix it and is genuinely empathetic and concerned if there is an issue with any livestock we get from her. I have been in hospitality and customer service for most of my 50 yrs of life and I know how hard it is to run a business and staff it with good staff during these times we are living in and I would have to say that I have always been greeted with a smile and a "Can I help you find something?" upon entering the store, unless they are busy with other customers, but there is always a smile, and once available, an assist from a staff member. When cashing out, the staff is quick and efficient, so even the long lines that they have some times, goes by quickly. As far as the small animals and reptile areas, I have had just about every pet from hamsters, rats and guinea pigs to snakes and bearded dragons and I find their policies for handling and touching the pets prior to purchase to be right on for the safety and care of the animal, as well as their animals being well cared for while in the store. I have been to other pet stores and trust me when I say they have the nicest cages and take the best care of their animals that I have seen. All together, I would say that if you are looking for a pet store for you and your family members to work with, take your business to VIP Pets on Plainfield. Jillian and her staff will take care of you and help you give your non human family members a wonderful place to call home! read more

They scam you. I bought a bunch of stuff for my turtles and the filter they sold me didn't work. Went in to exchange it with my receipt, and after I left they kept my receipt with no exchange! Fast forward 2 days later (mind you in total it's been about a week since I first initially bought from there) the UV bulb I bought from them went out (the lady told me it'd last about 3 to 6 months, yet went out a week after purchase) so I call to explain they never gave me my receipt back but the bulb I just purchased went out, and the worker tells me I can't return or exchange without a receipt. Absolutely no help at all, literally went in there and spent $200 with them. Definitely wouldn't recommend this money hungry pet shop. read more

Horrible service They sell sick animals. Bought a banana python for $400 died two days later. Was told I have 14 day guarantee Owner wouldn't refund nor replace my sick snake. Before I went to the store I called and was hung up on when I told them the snake I got was sick and dying. So I went to the store, after waiting 35 mins to speak to the owner she told me theres no guarantee.Then blamed me That it's my fault since it's cold outside and I brought the snake from the store out into the cold and then into my terrarium at home. She said the tank said did not eat last feeding so it's my fault for picking the one that wasnt eating. This is wrong and I hope nobody else has to go through this or take a $400 loss. TAKE YOUR BUISNESS TO PET SMART WHERE THEY HONNOR THEIR 14 DAY POLICY! read more

I was very happy with their customer service and attitude. The entire staff was friendly and concerned about my 9 year old's pet. At the end of the day, the owner allowed us to swap out the animal, even though it had been 6 weeks. Will definitely make this my "go-to" pet store. read more

I've never been into a pet store that cares so deeply about what they do. I got an adult cat from them a couple months ago and come in pretty regularly to buy feeder mice and they always remember and check in to see how he's doing. Not to mention, a lot of places tend to upsell but they truly just want the best. They're animal lovers, not sales people. read more

VI Pets - Plainfield - Pet Stores Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

They were very helpful in pointing out what I was looking for and explaining how to use it for my bearded dragon. I felt that the person I talked to had a good level of knowledge and I could trust what she said. read more

I had two axolotl's there healthy as could be and then I decided to make her tank look pretty so I decided to get a live plant and there was leeches or some other parasitical bug in the plant and killed both of our axolotls we have photos of the insects in their gills they wouldn't want to eat we would try and try we even tried to get them to eat other foods food and still nothing. They sadly passed away with only one year of there short lives lived. I don't recommend buying live plants from them read more

The worst pet store ever. You pawn your exotic pets off to unsuspecting people, saying that they are saving species. The only thing you are saving is your bank account. What you are really doing is creating a market for pets that have no business being here and poachers. When they take lots of time to just keep them alive, it's not worth it. Thanks for destroying my daughters life. read more

I went in there again since I had a bad experience and received the good costumer service I was used too. I'm happy the employees there were able to change my mind and I'm so happy to have the new additions to my family. I will continue to go to vip and home to continue receiving the good service and seeing the awesome animals. read more

I really love supporting this local pet store for small purchases. I have a pet rat and love getting her treats and toys from time to time. There's also a good selection of staple rodent food. The pet store is always stocked with lots of pets, from a full aquarium to reptiles to rabbits, hamsters, and chinchillas. The staff are very friendly and answer all questions about owning and caring for pets! read more

I was in the Plainfield VI Pets in Grand Rapids &bought two mystery snails. One died 7 days later.Apparently there's no return policy on dead fish or snails.They don't tell you that when you buy their pets.On top of that they are pretty pricey.Sadly for VI Pets that was my last trip to their store.Maybe next time I will shop at Pet Smart instead. read more

10 STARS Daniel evaluated my sick leopard gecko, and knew exactly what he needed. Showed me how to care for him. Only sold me what I needed. Outstanding service. After spending $250 at the vet, and receiving useless and irrelevant information from a quack vet, Daniel explained the issue to me, and provided a solution. Very grateful. Highly recommended. read more

We were reintroduced to owning fish here. Very knowledgeable staff, great selection, great fish and supplies. They have salt and fresh water fish plus other animals. Local favorite! read more

They will not comply with mask law- employees wear them around their necks. Talked to Hannah, manager, and expressed my concerns given we are in middle of pandemic and this is required. She said they do not have to put masks on unless a customer asks. When reminded that this is currently a law for employees to wear she replied " sorry you feel that way." We will not be back. read more

I have lots of pets and I find that this is the closest place to me to get my supplies, the employees are very friendly and helpful. I do recommend this place. To anyone who wants to get supplies or get a pet. They also have lots of fish so you could always bring your kids to come look at all the cool fish, and other pets. read more

I'm a bug person (spiders, scorpions, roaches, etc.), so I'm rating primarily from that perspective, although I also have cats and used to have leopard geckos. I'm basing this review off of general impressions and geared more torward bugs--they also have fish, reptiles, rodents--but I know nothing about that and can't really base a review off of that. The staff is friendly, and knows my face--I'm the guy who always asks about their feeder roaches. I've purchased two tarantulas (P.miranda "Bengal Ornamental" and Avicularia spp. "Pinktoe Tarantula") and two scorpions (P.cavimanus "Red Claw Emperor" and Heterometrus spp. "Asian Forest Scorpion"), and many feeder roaches (B.dubia). There are two guys who are more bug-geared, and I a read more

Staff is horribly unfriendly!! I was told they sell chipmunks, went to see them and the guy says "not for sale" and walks away.. My son ask a female employee to hold one of the hamsters , and she says "are you gonna buy it" my son said " I am not sure" and she says "well I have a lot of other things to do".... Owners need to invest in some friendlier staff members to increase sales.. read more

First off I'd like to say I've been here before and they have good supplies but CAUTION folks! They sell guinea pigs that are WAY TOO YOUNG. The earliest one should see a guinea pig baby for sale should be AT LEAST 6 WEEKS OLD. This from the Vet I took the guinea pig to after purchasing her. She looked the picture Of health when I bought her Tuesday but by Thursday her eyes were runny and goopy and she started to sneeze. I'm experienced in that I've had guinea pigs for years - ones that were older than 6 weeks when I got them - and I know respiratory symptoms can be deadly and fast. Because of the whole covid thing vets hours have greatly diminished. The little gal that I bought was apparently ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD (vet confirmed after I rushed her to the emergency vet). I knew the situation needed immediate attention. I have put over 500.00 into this animal and she's doing much better. But I will NEVER BUY an animal from this joint again. She is so little she's not even eating lettuce and vegetables yet for crying out loud. This company only wants to make fast money. They don't care about their animals. And their guarantee on any animal is only 7 days and they'll only pay you back if the animal dies. What does THAT tell you?? read more

this is one of my favorite pets stores. i am in good relation with the employees and there have the things i need to keep a healthyfish tank. there also have a good selection of other various pet supplies. although i have to say in recent months the fish stock they have on hand is very basic and they almost rarely get anything exotic and unique in. if your looking for new and unique fish this isnt the place to go. but it still is a good store and if your new to owning ets the advice they will give you is priceless read more

2 stars only because they do have a pretty good selection of things, the store is clean, and the tanks are for the most part. The staff however is pretty unfriendly. I worked retail in a locally owned pet store for 5-6 years and I can't believe how they talk to customers. They will talk down to you. And Corey their "manager" or whatever is the worst, he is extremely condescending to customers. I will not be going back, support another local pet store. There are plenty. read more

This is the worst place I have ever bought a pet from! We bought a female chinchilla from Petsmart 6 months ago and decided that she needed a friend. I wanted another girl chinchilla because we did not want and still dont want baby chins! After about an hour in the store the assistant manager told me there was only one girl left and she was the most expensive one because she was white. So I said I needed a girl and I wasnt about to buy a male. A few days later I take Lilly to the vet and come to find out Lilly is a male. And he has ringworm. Not only are the employees inexperienced with sexing animals but they are also selling sick animals. Not only do I have to pay vet bills and prescription bills for the poor thing but I can't get anyone from VI pets to return my phone call. Just keep that in mind the next time you go there! read more

I love the people in this store! They are always friendly. Questions are always answered with a straight forward attitude. If they don't know the answer, they will find one. These people serve their clients like their pets, with complete care. I recommend them to anyone who asks me. I have been to both the Culterville Area store and the one on Plainfield and I will not go anywhere else for my service. They know me when I walk and immediately ask how they can help. Totally a 5-6 star place! read more

Great people shopped there for years with few problems. last fish couple of fish I bought were sick and died with in days lost over $200 will no longer buy fish there only supplies. read more

Great store. Friendly staff. Watch who you talk with regarding fish. A few of the workers are somewhat new but will all get you started up with a great tank and are their to help. I go here for most of my fish and have learned a lot from talking with the managers who work there. Prices are a bit excessive on their products but fish are good to go read more