My local Petco is excellent, its very clean, the animals are cared for and even get some play time with the employees when they arent busy. The staff are very helpful and know their stuff. But I dont go in and ask the bird experts help me pick out a reptile either, lol.
I actualy only use Petco in an emergency (or to pick up a critter)...like a broke heat bulb, things that need fixed ASAP, otherwise I order because I only pay half of what they ask for localy - $24 for a $40 heat element localy, same for a $50 heat mat localy, I wont buy any of that type of stuff at a pet store.