My PetSmart Journey

[Syn]

Well, I went over to PetSmart yesterday to give them a copy of my caresheet and a print out about compact UVB bulbs.

The manager didn't have the "we know everything" attitude so it was nice.

I doubt I'll be seeing my caresheet ever out though, or those bulbs off the shelf.

My conversation with her was full of, "Okay." "Yeah."

and my favorite

"PetSmart has on-site vets who know what they're doing, so we have to follow their guides etc. but I'm sure the employees would love to read this."

Lmao.

It was worth a try.

 

[Ricardo]

Guys! This "PetSmart" is somekinda frenchise shop/store, or its the common name of all pet shops?

 

[Syn]

It's a big name company. Guess you don't have them in Hungary.

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

"PetSmart has on-site vets who know what they're doing, so we have to follow their guides etc. but I'm sure the employees would love to read this."

Thats funny are they talking about Banfield? They are only good with dogs and cats. What a joke.

Guys! This "PetSmart" is somekinda frenchise shop/store, or its the common name of all pet shops?

PetSmart is a Corporation

 

[Syn]

Not sure if they are talking about Banfield, but probably. Actually, one of the banfield exotic vets are really nice and listen, they read up on this site and said they liked it. not sure about yours though lol

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

Not sure if they are talking about Banfield, but probably. Actually, one of the banfield exotic vets are really nice and listen, they read up on this site and said they liked it. not sure about yours though lol

The three I have been to want nothing to do woth exotics. Glad to hear some are changing that.

Ours suck for reptiles but I have two of the best vets really close by so no bother. .

 

[Syn]

They just got one within the past year, it was nice talking to her when I could.

 

[desultadox]

I know compact UVB bulbs don't work for chameleons but are you sure they have no other use? I mean logic dictates that the manufacturers would have done some research and found a need for those lights with certain animal/cage configurations before releasing a useless product. I know it being logical doesn't make it true, but if it is then there would be no reason to remove the bulbs from the shelves, only to make sure employees are recommending them only when needed.

 

[Syn]

For the most part they up uvb 700% from most statistics... I just showed her something I found off a reputable website and she took it. Don't know if she'd read it or not.

 

[nightcrawler]

chances are they are not going to do anything. one manager it being the store manager or department manager cant overturn one product because they think/know it doesn't help certain animals out. that is a decision that is made by the buyers or more up on the manager list. i think its a wasted effort to try and fight them, we just need to take our business else ware and forget what they do because we arnt going to change anything.
good of you to try tho.

 

[Syn]

I wasn't trying to get them to take it off the shelf - (although that would have been nice!) - I was hoping they wouldn't suggest it as much.

 

[viaje]

They won't take them off the shelves, trust me, as an employee- I tried.
The company has a few people in corporate who decide what the stores need to carry, if you have any hope in getting the item removed, you'd have to figure out who that person is and speak to them directly. PetSmart is out of Arizona, so I'd believe the person is there.
On a sidenote there was a brand of goldfish food that along with being a terrible quality food, it trashed the water and within the first few days dyed the water (and everything it touched) orange. This was another thing I tried to have removed, and a manager tried to help me, but even something with such obvious immediate negative effects wasn't removed.

As far as the caresheet goes, the store is not allowed to have a single thing on the floor that wasn't sent to them by corporate. The entire department is probably very happy that you gave them something so helpful, but it is probably being kept in a back room where they can get it for someone who needs it.
But don't blame them, the store would be in huge trouble if they put the caresheet out.

 

[viaje]

Also, even if you spoke to the person who stocks the stores... if you were lucky enough to convince them that it's a bad product. They probably wouldn't care, because it's making petsmart money.

 

[Syn]

As far as the caresheet goes, the store is not allowed to have a single thing on the floor that wasn't sent to them by corporate. The entire department is probably very happy that you gave them something so helpful, but it is probably being kept in a back room where they can get it for someone who needs it.
But don't blame them, the store would be in huge trouble if they put the caresheet out.

Hell I'm happy if it gets the people who deal with the reptiles to give out the correct information.

 

[Rocky]

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

there's some good reading about what compact does to all animals

 

[de cam]

As a rule I stay away from anything that has smart on the lable.

 

[desultadox]

My local petsmart already has some care sheets for some animals. I read the Panther Chameleon one and it was actually pretty accurate, but it wasn't specific with products (which is weird seeing as it's probably supposed to be a selling tool). I've never seen employees there who actually help customers purchase anything, but I've never bought an animal from there either. The problem with minimum wage level jobs is that no experience is required and so employees have only on-the-job training, which is inevitably influenced by a desire to not only sell stock, but to appease suppliers.

 

[Syn]

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

there's some good reading about what compact does to all animals

That's nice. That's the same website I used.
It's commonly used on the forums.

 

[chamelisa]

Just a suggestion...

Follow it up in writing with a cordial letter to the manager you spoke with and attach a copy of your caresheet.

Be sure to put this at the bottom of your letter and follow through by sending the copy (with attachment) to them.

cc: PETsMART Corporate Headquarters
19601 North 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85207

Well, I went over to PetSmart yesterday to give them a copy of my caresheet and a print out about compact UVB bulbs.

The manager didn't have the "we know everything" attitude so it was nice.

I doubt I'll be seeing my caresheet ever out though, or those bulbs off the shelf.

My conversation with her was full of, "Okay." "Yeah."

and my favorite

"PetSmart has on-site vets who know what they're doing, so we have to follow their guides etc. but I'm sure the employees would love to read this."

Lmao.

It was worth a try.

 

[Chameleon Company]

C'mon Ryan:

PetSmart is a franchise

That is not correct.

Many of their vet services may be as a franchise, but all stores are corporate owned and operated.

Syn, if you want your suggestions to receive a look, as noted by others (composite), go to petsmart.com, and mail your ditty to the coorporate office in AZ, as ChamLisa noted. Not to burst your bubble, while your effort is noble, you need work still. Lots of work. Petsmart consults with others far more experienced, and has for many years. As noted (or implied), they have a legitimate profit concern, shareholders, etc., and have no option but to function as a "for profit" business, with all its evil connotations.

Not a day will go by where many among us could not walk into a local Petsmart and find fault. That is the nature of a chain store with pets. There are also many folks within the business who actually do care, both locally and at higher corporate levels. Care a lot. While they may never be as a top-notch mom-and-pop joint, they do bring many pet-care products to market at good prices. Critters too.

I do applaud your intent, and only implore you to always look to improve your product (that being your experience, your care sheet, and your efforts to spread knowledge) and remember that many little steps often surpass the biggest of leaps, and are more attainable. Good luck.

I also know what it is to get a paycheck from PetsMart. In my earlier years ......