Petsmarts Care Guide

[Psi]

there is always an alternative

No, actually he's completely correct, you're just assuming his point wrong.

He's saying that every place will have some fault.
Just because one location has good knowledge of working with Chams, doesn't mean they have good knowledge working with snakes/geckos/cats/dogs/etc
But because you think he's good at Chams everything else is fine?

The reality is simply that most places try their best, sometimes they get in above their head.

 

[JackP308]

No, actually he's completely correct, you're just assuming his point wrong.

He's saying that every place will have some fault.
Just because one location has good knowledge of working with Chams, doesn't mean they have good knowledge working with snakes/geckos/cats/dogs/etc
But because you think he's good at Chams everything else is fine?

The reality is simply that most places try their best, sometimes they get in above their head.

What are you talking about. I shop at like 10 places just to get what I could from 1 place but I rather not. I dont even care about chameleons at petsmart they rarely have them anyways. There is always an alternative yes there is I dont care who is right or . wrong.

Exactly what am I assuming. Go back to shopping at petsmart I could care less.

 

[JackP308]

I dont expect people to know everything I expect quality service from good employees with quality goods.



Pangea Gecko
Josh's Frogs
Reptmart
Apple Store for example

those are good companies for example in general and the kind of place Id spend my money.

Yea you can point out flaws in any business or circumstance but its all to regular in places like PETSMART.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

No one is telling anyone where to shop or not. I am picky as well because I want to support good business practices (like adequate training). They don't need to know everything ever about all their products/animals , but there's a difference between lack of knowledge and lying/making it up just to make a sale. "Getting in over their heads" is not an excuse in my book. It's like a babysitter or school taking in so many kids that they don't even know if they are eating or learning anything they're supposed to just because the money is good. If they're in over the heads then they need to reassess and take on only what they can handle so that the animals don't suffer for it. How will they know that? When people stop giving them money.

If you never do anything to change it then there will never be any change. I chose to spend my money where employees are valued and trained because that's what I want to encourage. I do not give any financial support and I voice my concerns at places that don't meet my standards, which are not that high in the grand scheme of things. It's all I can do to try to get places to see that something needs to be improved and money speaks louder than words.

 

[Psi]

No one is telling anyone where to shop or not. I am picky as well because I want to support good business practices (like adequate training). They don't need to know everything ever about all their products/animals , but there's a difference between lack of knowledge and lying/making it up just to make a sale. "Getting in over their heads" is not an excuse in my book. It's like a babysitter or school taking in so many kids that they don't even know if they are eating or learning anything they're supposed to just because the money is good. If they're in over the heads then they need to reassess and take on only what they can handle so that the animals don't suffer for it. How will they know that? When people stop giving them money.

If you never do anything to change it then there will never be any change. I chose to spend my money where employees are valued and trained because that's what I want to encourage. I do not give any financial support and I voice my concerns at places that don't meet my standards, which are not that high in the grand scheme of things. It's all I can do to try to get places to see that something needs to be improved and money speaks louder than words.

You're hilarious.

You're fine that they don't know everything.
Then you're mad when they don't know everything.
Then you go on to say you value trained employee's, but at the same time you're fine with them not knowing everything about their product/animals.

So which is it?

Everyone has a bias, however as long as the place you frequent gets your questions right on YOUR animals, they're perfect.

What are you talking about. I shop at like 10 places just to get what I could from 1 place but I rather not. I dont even care about chameleons at petsmart they rarely have them anyways. There is always an alternative yes there is I dont care who is right or . wrong.

Exactly what am I assuming. Go back to shopping at petsmart I could care less.

First of all, NO there isn't always alternatives for everyone.
Seems like you've a pile of mis-information from a lot of shops because you're needing to shop at 10 different places.
It's just funny that you guys don't understand what this argument was about.

 

[JackP308]

way off topic Good Day.

 

[JackP308]

This is about care sheets so Yea Im not arguing about the topic or arguing at all. Petsmart sucks you can shop there I dont care.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

You're hilarious.

You're fine that they don't know everything.
Then you're mad when they don't know everything.
Then you go on to say you value trained employee's, but at the same time you're fine with them not knowing everything about their product/animals.

So which is it?

Everyone has a bias, however as long as the place you frequent gets your questions right on YOUR animals, they're perfect.

Not sure what you stepped in this morning when you rolled out of the wrong side of the bed but whatever it was I hope your day gets better. I believe you were the one that said it was impossible to know everything. I was trying to meet you half way when I said there was a difference between not knowing everything and just making things up - the latter being the one I have a problem with. Why does whatever anyone else say always apply as ultimatums but whatever you say has allowances and wiggle room? Employees don't have to know EVERYTHING EVER about EVERYTHING but they should know the basic care like what kind of cage and what kind of lighting a reptile will need. Or what kind of seed a bird will need. Or that guinea pigs need vitamin C. Or proper training tips for dogs, not just rubbing their nose in pee. Yes, even DOGS are important to me, not just chameleons. It is not too much to ask that they know the very basic information about something they're trying to sell imo. Telling someone that an iguana can eat dog food and live in a 20g tank with just a heat lamp for its entire life is unacceptable to me (and yes, I have been told that) and that is what I have a problem with. Go get yourself a coffee and enjoy your day.

 

[daveo]

No one is telling anyone where to shop or not. I am picky as well because I want to support good business practices (like adequate training). They don't need to know everything ever about all their products/animals , but there's a difference between lack of knowledge and lying/making it up just to make a sale. "Getting in over their heads" is not an excuse in my book. It's like a babysitter or school taking in so many kids that they don't even know if they are eating or learning anything they're supposed to just because the money is good. If they're in over the heads then they need to reassess and take on only what they can handle so that the animals don't suffer for it. How will they know that? When people stop giving them money.

If you never do anything to change it then there will never be any change. I chose to spend my money where employees are valued and trained because that's what I want to encourage. I do not give any financial support and I voice my concerns at places that don't meet my standards, which are not that high in the grand scheme of things. It's all I can do to try to get places to see that something needs to be improved and money speaks louder than words.

I don't want to start an argument, But rest assured that ALL shops be they Pet, Hobby or big box are out to make money period. they may or may not love their merchandise or animals, but they all want to make the sale.

 

[Psi]

Not sure what you stepped in this morning when you rolled out of the wrong side of the bed but whatever it was I hope your day gets better. I believe you were the one that said it was impossible to know everything. I was trying to meet you half way when I said there was a difference between not knowing everything and just making things up - the latter being the one I have a problem with. Why does whatever anyone else say always apply as ultimatums but whatever you say has allowances and wiggle room? Employees don't have to know EVERYTHING EVER about EVERYTHING but they should know the basic care like what kind of cage and what kind of lighting a reptile will need. Or what kind of seed a bird will need. Or that guinea pigs need vitamin C. Or proper training tips for dogs. Yes, even DOGS are important to me, not just chameleons. It is not too much to ask that they know the very basic information about something they're trying to sell imo. Telling someone that an iguana can eat dog food and live in a 20g tank with just a heat lamp for its entire life is unacceptable to me (and yes, I have been told that) and that is what I have a problem with. Go get yourself a coffee and enjoy your day.

Nothing upsetting me on my end here.
Employee's knowing "very basic information" to me is "getting in over their heads" every time.

I'd pretty much guarantee that 90+% of petsmart employee's know the 'very basic information' that you're requiring them to know to shop at their establishment.

I'll be happy to let all my Canadian friends know how you run your business.

Please do, I'll be more then happy to have some more customers.
Also it's pretty much run the exact opposite of Petsmart, but that's for trying to take a shot at me without knowing anything of my practices.

I don't want to start an argument, But rest assured that ALL shops be they Pet, Hobby or big box are out to make money period. they may or may not love their merchandise or animals, but they all want to make the sale.

Yay, someone that understands business. Well said sir.
Actually, thinking about it, I have told people to go home and do more research on an animal they wanted to buy before and refused the sale, since I could just feel I would be getting it back in a week dead

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I don't want to start an argument, But rest assured that ALL shops be they Pet, Hobby or big box are out to make money period. they may or may not love their merchandise or animals, but they all want to make the sale.

Yay, someone that understands business. Well said sir.

Sounds like you and I don't see eye to eye because you place more value on the money over the animals. It doesn't matter to you whether or not the employees know anything because they're just in it to make money. That's the impression I get from your posts. I very much understand the business of making a sale and I do not agree with that practice when it comes to animals. This is why I could never own/work in a pet shop.

 

[Psi]

Sounds like you and I don't see eye to eye because you place more value on the money over the animals. It doesn't matter to you whether or not the employees know anything because they're just in it to make money. That's the impression I get from your posts. I very much understand the business of making a sale and I do not agree with that practice when it comes to animals.

Just completely edit out the last part of my post, you know, the one that completely negates everything you just said.

To further that point, I have a fair number of 'pets' that I've rescued from people that couldn't care for them properly with the original intent of re-selling them when they were healthy again. Then after they were healthy again, I kept them as I liked them.
Caring too much for my inventory leads me to have more 'pets' then I want (yes, this can be twisted negatively, don't try )

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I don't judge you as a person, everyone is free to do what they want in the way they want. Which is why I would not give you my money. I've made my point, as have you. We could both cite our rescue history to be viewed better but no one else cares. Let's move on and let this thread get back on topic.

 

[Psi]

I don't judge you as a person, everyone is free to do what they want in the way they want. Which is why I would not give you my money. I've made my point, as have you. We could both cite our rescue history to be viewed better but no one else cares. Let's move on and let this thread get back on topic.

You may think you wouldn't, but I know you would

 

[spooks92]

As a petcare lead

I am one in my pet store who tells ot like it is. I do not recommend our gutloads for crickets. I do not like how we house our reptiles or the given supplies to care for our animals. Including birds. I as lead and my pet care boss do our best to give our reptiles veggies, and give our chameleons proper supplementation. We try to do our very best with what we are able to do. And it is true many kids who come into pet care as a job, just for the check, give out the wrong information. It is a disgrace. I often even recommend chameleon forums as a source of great information. I personally do my research in order not to set and animal up for death. In conclusion, yes chain pet suppliers are in it for the profit. But as as pet care associates it is our job and should be our passion to give care and love to these animals as if they were our own.

 

[Sundragon]

I now have a veiled chameleon baby because of a very ignorant petsmart employee. Turns out my family and I love him and because of this forum and a local reptile specialist I will not kill this cute little guy(hopefully). At least his chances are way better now. We named him Winslow after the painter.

Anyway my 5 yr old daughter is obsessed with catching frogs in our backyard and so we wanted to upgrade from pickle jars for their enclosure. We went to the local petsmart in search of a habitat. We picked up a tiny glass cube about 12x12x16. Perfect for the frogs.

The store employee was holding the 4 week old adorable Winslow and my daughter was intrigued. After she held him we both fell in love with the fragile little fellow. The employee says they're 30% off right now and it looks like you already have the perfect cage for him.

"All you need is a heat lamp and this little compact fluorescent." She proceeded to give us a dirt brick that expanded in the water and peat moss.

After taking Winslow home and setting up his cage it reached 110 degrees f in the whole thing. I began reading these forums and realized he was in an oven. The dirt was sticking to his tongue and so was the moss. Ugg! I was horrified and relieved that I learned at the same time.

I took everything back and got a reptibreeze enclosure 16x16x36 and a reptisun tube t8 5.0 from a reptile store. I ditched the dirt and moss and now I'm trying to figure out if I should use my ceramic heater 24 hrs or just an incandescent during the day as a heat source for basking. I'm getting conflicting opinions on the basking/ heat source.

But at least now Winslow is happy and healthy. He eats 6-8 small crickets a day and even munches on lettuce and turnip greens from time to time.

He even goes down toward the bottom of the cage every morning after eating and poops almost in the same place. Then climbs up to the dripper and takes a few swigs. He usually goes to his favorite perch after that and basks the rest of the day, nabbing the occasional stray cricket that jumps out of the bowl and climbs into his view.

I'm thankful for the petsmart employee for putting Winslow in our lives, but wish they would educate their people better. If she had told us about all involved with caring for Winslow we probably wouldn't have bought him. But now I'm glad we did!!

 

[junglefries]

I need a drink... you know what..... aw screw it, not worth it. If i get started, i'll still be typing next thursday.

 

[Sundragon]

Lol!! Funny. Hey I'm like a sponge now on this forum soaking up any knowledge you can offer. I've been reading the care sheets and a chameleon care book from LLL
store. I want to make sure Winslow leads a happy healthy life!!

 

[inlinefourpower]

Ultimately we all get up in arms with conversations like this because we are passionate and do care for the pets we have. I hope I haven't offended anyone and maybe I've shed some light for those that have only experienced the bad things pet stores seemingly have to offer.

I abbreviated your quote because I just want to provide my own experience. I worked at petsmart for 10 years and I NEVER seen the company drop the ball on the health of any animal. I wrote up a whole big, long post explaining that I don't think either of my Petsmarts would "make information up" and defending the amount of products we sold, but I think I can explain it more concisely. I am not universally loyal to Petsmart, I'll criticize them wherever they need it (wages at my store, for instance, were terrible! And the scheduling! Our Ops manager put out the schedule on Fridays for the next week. Blew my mind when Christmas eve was on a tuesday and no one in the store knew if they were working!), but one place I really don't think they drop the ball is animal care. Compared to ANY other pet store I've been in the standards petsmart lives up to are unbelievable.

Now, I'm sure not every petsmart employee is perfect, but I think as a company petsmart does everything it can to promote a workforce that cares to get the correct information to a customer and is provided with the resources to get that information. Even after ten years of shitty wages and shitty shifts and the economy tanking I still strongly feel Petsmart is a good company with genuine care for their customers and their animals.

 

[inlinefourpower]

Ultimately we all get up in arms with conversations like this because we are passionate and do care for the pets we have. I hope I haven't offended anyone and maybe I've shed some light for those that have only experienced the bad things pet stores seemingly have to offer.

I abbreviated your quote because I just want to provide my own experience. I worked at petsmart for 10 years and I NEVER seen the company drop the ball on the health of any animal. I wrote up a whole big, long post explaining that I don't think either of my Petsmarts would "make information up" and defending the amount of products we sold, but I think I can explain it more concisely. I am not universally loyal to Petsmart, I'll criticize them wherever they need it (wages at my store, for instance, were terrible! And the scheduling! Our Ops manager put out the schedule on Fridays for the next week. Blew my mind when Christmas eve was on a tuesday and no one in the store knew if they were working!), but one place I really don't think they drop the ball is animal care. Compared to ANY other pet store I've been in the standards petsmart lives up to are unbelievable.

Now, I'm sure not every petsmart employee is perfect, but I think as a company petsmart does everything it can to promote a workforce that cares to get the correct information to a customer and is provided with the resources to get that information. Even after ten years of shitty wages and shitty shifts and the economy tanking I still strongly feel Petsmart is a good company with genuine care for their customers and their animals.