I have two cockatiels and a Quaker. I also work at one of the big chain pet stores as well, though I didn't get my birds there. I searched around to find birds that just had to be mine lol. My first cockatiel I got from a breeder and was still handfeeding and had just gotten all his feathers. He is the sweetest bird ever. Though he doesn't talk, he can whistle ANYTHING lol. My second is a parent raised bird, gorgeous, (a pied pearl) but still skittish. She did bite at first, but working with birds everyday kinda gets you conditioned to that, and unless they draw blood it doesn't bother me. She has progressed to the point that she will step up when asked, and sit on my shoulder if she has no place to fly to, but still hisses when you pet her.
My Quaker is a character all his own. He can be lovey one minute and nippy the next, though not "bitey". I compare him to a 2 yr old with ADD. If you can keep him occupied with food or toys, he's great. If not, he'll find something to occupy his beak, usually my skin, which he relishes eating. Strange bird! He does talk, saying his name, "step up", "good boy", "give kiss", which he follows with smooching sounds, too cute, and I swear mumbles curse words when my husband comes near him :grin01: . Quakers aren't for everyone, and require alot of attention, actually they DEMAND it.
We've had Greys, Macaws, conures of all kinds, etc. at the store. Big birds aren't a good choice for a first time bird owner as I'm sure you know. Besides the price, they require a huge amount of time every day and a cage that would cost you almost as much as the bird to give them enough space, though they ideally should spend more time out of it than in. Conures can be beautiful, but loud (they tend to vocalize when not being attended to). Our white capped Pionus is the sweetest (and most quiet, though he recently learned to say "step up") bird we've ever had. Not a raving beauty, but a great choice if you want a parrot rather than a smaller bird. Our African Ringnecks are beautiful, talk very clearly, and cuddlers, but you have to work with them every day or they will revert back to wild behaviors. They're a mid range ($499-$699) choice.
My personal suggestion though, would be a cockatiel. I know you think they're mean, but if hand raised they are the sweetest birds you could ever want, happy just to be with you wherever you are. I wouldn't get mine from a pet store, they simply don't have the time to spend with each individual bird. I make time to spend with ours every day, mostly my own time off the clock, just because I love my birds, but most pet store employees don't. Check "Bird Talk" magazine for breeders in your area, you'll be much happier, and if questions or issues come up, they will be happy to help you. Once you've got the bird home, most pet stores will only tell you if you've got a problem, just bring the bird back IF it's within their guaranteed time (usually 2 weeks).
Sorry for the long-winded response, but I hope I helped a bit. Good luck, and don't forget to post pics of your new baby when you get it. :wavey:
We sell birds very fast at my store, and I become attached to most of them, but lately it's been the quakers. I have never had a problem with them. Cockatiels on the other hand for the most part have been pretty mean (even after they are handled everyday). I have only seen one tiel that wasn super nice and someone snagged him before I did. Anyways, it is legal in MO to have quakers. I just wanted some opinions! Thanks guys!!