F/U on Petco where I bought Gabe

[darkangel]

I went to Petco yesterday to follow up with that JERK manager. Yeah, he seemed sorta nice on the phone, but when I came into the store, he did NOT remember my name, then he squinted and said, "Oh, right, the snake died." He refuses to recompensate me for Gabe, although it's a mere few days past the 30-day policy, he will not pay my vet bills. We walked towards the reptile area and I asked him if he knew anything about snakes. He said he didn't. I started to get into the IBD issue again, and he pulled a ball python out of the cage and said "Look he's fine see. He's all curled up. There's nothing wrong with these." I was like "Yeah, mine appeared perfectly healthy when I bought him a MONTH ago." He assumed the health of these snakes a mere ten seconds after admitting he knew NOTHING about them. I went into the fact that other snakes could be infected and that people's collections could in turn be infected, etc... He basically shrugged it off, and at that moment I realized that everything I had said to him on the phone had gone in one ear and out the other. He did not CARE. And then he offered me a meager 10% off the purchase of a new snake. I said "10%?!!?" completely horrified by the audacity of this guy.... and he goes, "Fine, 20, because your snake died." Just so insensitive. At this point it's not even an animal to him. It's just a thing I had. The language going through my head... As we left the store, my BF said to me, "He's just like any other retail sales manager I've ever met or worked for, he only cares about the bottom line."

I wrote a letter to Petco before I ever even called. It was cut and dry, and not angry. I'm thinking about doing a little editing to it before I send it to their corporate office, including mentioning the very friendly manager "Bill".

[AzureN1ght]

I would definitely send a letter to corporate, mentioning the specific store AND the manager's name AND how your were treated AND the possible danger of IBD and sick snakes from wherever their wholesale source is.

Sadly, it might not do anything to change things--corporate anything is really about the bottom line. At the very least, it will be on the record, in case they get more complaints about that store or sick snakes.

I'm sorry you had such a hard time with that manager...

[Freakie_frog]

Have the vet test come back? If they have and it is IBD. Call the manager and inform him that you have called the ASPCA along with the local newspapers and new stations and are are reporting him for nor providing proper vet care knowingly selling and distributing infected animals with a deadly (to reptiles) contagious virus. and that his actions and lack of concern could cost people entire collections that Petco could be responsible for. Then pick up the phone and do it. But wait till the test results come back!!!

[aaajohnson]

I am sorry to hear about Gabe, and the response of Petco management does not surprise me. Hopefully you letter to their corporate office will find somebody who cares enough to look into this.


Keep a close eye on your other snakes. It sounds like you are taking the right precautions.



Neil

[darkangel]

I've mentioned this before... But I seriously can not afford to get a necropsy done. I spent 90 dollars on the vet bill, which they won't pay. The vet won't take back the antibiotics I didn't use, so I can't even get a small refund.

[Freakie_frog]

I've mentioned this before... But I seriously can not afford to get a necropsy done. I spent 90 dollars on the vet bill, which they won't pay. The vet won't take back the antibiotics I didn't use, so I can't even get a small refund.

Had the test that the vet sent off before the snake died confirmed IBD???

What is the cost of the necropsy??

[AzureN1ght]

Had the test that the vet sent off before the snake died confirmed IBD???

What is the cost of the necropsy??

If I'm not mistaken, I think a test for IBD can only be preformed post-mortem (through a necropsy).

[darkangel]

As far as I know he did not do any such test. I called BF while he was at the vets office and said make sure you ask about IBD. The vet tested the stool for parasites but I don't think the vet did a test for IBD. He just told my BF that he could not rule it out and it could be that.

Edit: Yeah Kim I thought that too.

[catawhat75]

While I am sickened by the response, I am not surprised. I for one say that we here at BPNet boycott Petco or at the very least we should all send letters on Amy's behalf. If it IS IBD, then at some point this could affect many of us as lots of new owners not only get their first at a pet store, but many of those end up in new homes as well as they tend to be impulse purchases. Also, I am willing to help pitch in for a necropsy if anyone else is willing to help.

[Broseph]

when they hire these people i really dont think they care if they know anything about reptiles. I think as long as they know where the dog/cat food is then they will continue to have a job.