Petco Employees

I know that theres already been a lot of posts on this but before i bought my ball i went to Petco to purchase supplies. I asked to see their balls just to see them, i wasn't planning on purchasing from them, but anyways the lady asked me if i had owned snakes before and i said no. Big Mistake! She started lecturing me like crazy trying to get me to purchase a corn snake and saying that balls were flighty and aggressive and were horrible starter snakes. She also told me that they get 6 -7 feet long and all this crazy stuff. Well there ball pythons turned out to have mites, which i told her while i was looking at them and i geuss she was probably trying to keep an uninformed person from buying a snake they werent going to care for properly but it still somewhat offended me that she just assumed that i had no idea what i was doing. Especially that she didnt really know what she was talking about.

Not surprised though.

Petco's and PEtsmart in Philly you gotta search the whole store for someone to even attempt to answer a rept related question. Then in most cases the answer is way off the wall.

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Originally Posted by Cassandra88

I know that theres already been a lot of posts on this but before i bought my ball i went to Petco to purchase supplies. I asked to see their balls just to see them, i wasn't planning on purchasing from them, but anyways the lady asked me if i had owned snakes before and i said no. Big Mistake! She started lecturing me like crazy trying to get me to purchase a corn snake and saying that balls were flighty and aggressive and were horrible starter snakes. She also told me that they get 6 -7 feet long and all this crazy stuff. Well there ball pythons turned out to have mites, which i told her while i was looking at them and i geuss she was probably trying to keep an uninformed person from buying a snake they werent going to care for properly but it still somewhat offended me that she just assumed that i had no idea what i was doing. Especially that she didnt really know what she was talking about.

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Once again proof that PETCO does not know diddly!!! :P

Yea luckily i found a good reptile store that seems to keep their reptiles in good conditions and has a knowledgable employee, i think just one lady runs the store and owns it. All their baby balls where in seperate 15qt tubs and looked great, the girl i chose also has eaten for me great so far,

there are a great many petco is stupid threads here at bp.net and just as many if not more horrible stories to go with them.

On a lighter note, the petco by me just now started to carry those cheap t-stats by zoo-med I think. I know nothing fancy, but it's far better than nothing and I was pleasantly surprised to find petco "associate" pushing for a new bp owner to buy one along with all the other doo-dads. Yea I know it was just to pad the bottom line, but as long as the customer is told t-stats are necessary than petco has done their job in that department. (But yes, I know there are countless other areas in the herp section alone that need improvement. accurate thermometers being one of the many)

Link to my incident with Petco on why Petco needs proper caresheets, thermometers and general knowledge of species.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ighlight=petco

yea thats pretty horrible about your friends ball python, too bad for the little snake. The care sheet at the petco i was at had some pretty decent info but it was lacking many important points. The employees there were not very knowledgeable and the one at the counter was telling me how she got a horrible bite from her b/fs Ball and how much it hurt. Im just glad i've done my own research and found this awesome site, i would recommend this website to ANYONE wanting to get their first reptile, especially a ball python :P

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Originally Posted by Cassandra88

i would recommend this website to ANYONE wanting to get their first reptile, especially a ball python :P

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Now if we could get PETCO with the program think how better life would be :8: :8:

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Originally Posted by joepythons

Now if we could get PETCO with the program think how better life would be :8: :8:

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I'm somewhat surprised we havn't been sued for libel/slander because we've ruined their good name in many aspects... (well, they did that themselves actually... lol)

the discussion on bearharts tank set up has been moved to general bp;



http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...1&page=1&pp=10


Ah nuts you posted again - I'll try and move that but it might be an idea if you repost it in the new thread bearhart.:D


dr del

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Originally Posted by Gooseman

I'm somewhat surprised we havn't been sued for libel/slander because we've ruined their good name in many aspects... (well, they did that themselves actually... lol)

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LMAO cant be sued for telling the truth :P

lol, though it HAS been done! McDonalds was sued because their coffee cups said "warning HOT", and they were telling the truth... lol

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Originally Posted by Gooseman

I'm somewhat surprised we havn't been sued for libel/slander because we've ruined their good name in many aspects... (well, they did that themselves actually... lol)

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haha! in order for that to happen, they would have to read the forums on this site... and if they did that, they might know a little sum' sum' about what they're selling and we would no longer be talking crap! lol!

it's a vicious circle!

a note to any petco or petsmart employees that might read these threads without speaking out..... educate yourself and your coworkers!!! please!!! for the good of the animals!!!

I don't really think it's fair to pick on PetCo anymore than any pet store. Whether they are selling puppies, fish, snakes, lizards, whatever the owners and managers should be educating themselves using current, proven husbandry and species specific information. They should be passing that information on to their staff that sell and also manage the care of their "stock". Unfortunately and sadly this doesn't happen as often as it should but I can tell you, at least here in Toledo, the private pet stores are MUCH worse than the big chains. One private store just recently closed and I swear I could do a happy dance to see that pit of hell close their doors.

PETCO RULES :pinkele:

Anyone who sells pets other then breeders (not including puppy mills) STINK!
:cens0r:

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Originally Posted by Jonny2184

Anyone who sells pets other then breeders (not including puppy mills) STINK!
:cens0r:

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Oups, maybe I should have said INCLUDING PUPPY MILLS! Cause puppy mills stink too, actually they stink even more! Literally

How do they "stink". For many of us our first exposure to a lot of creatures was in a pet store. Many pet stores are quite nice, many are not but rather than an across the board statment that they all "stink" perhaps as a society we should be pushing our lawmakers to better protect pet store animals. It is terribly sad that most communities humane protection laws only cover puppies and kittens in pet stores and ignore the rights of other creatures to live in a manner consistent with their needs.

I once lived in a city that did deal with this. Their animal protection agency even had guidelines on how dirty a fish tank could be in a pet store. They would go out and investigate pet stores when they received complaints and did regular checks on them as a matter of course. Their staff was properly trained on requirements for certain creatures. This is what should be going on...response to complaints, regular health/safety checks, well trained enforcement staff, a certification process so joe blow can't slap up a pet store and then mistreat the creatures in it.

The sad thing is that often PETA gets involved and then it gets nuts and way out there when it should be regular, pet owning citizens that question why their own community doesn't step up to the plate on this issue. I still think the safest way to purchase many pets is direct from breeders, but I think a good pet store is also a community asset.

I only say that they all stink because all the pet stores I've seen have been horrible. Pets Unlimited, Pet Village Center. Pet Corral is not bad but mostly because they don't have a lot of animals for sale I guess...

I do totally agree with what you just said. They need to lay down the law much better in a lot of places. Especially around my city I guess.
And we totally wouldnt have as much complaints, and I might even think about buying more then just rats and mice at the pet stores.

If only the animals could talk :please: * I wonder what a snake would say *

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Originally Posted by juddb

PETCO RULES :pinkele:

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Slaps juddb in the back of the head to bring back to reality :8:

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Originally Posted by Jonny2184

If only the animals could talk :please: * I wonder what a snake would say *

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Thats easy *if you buy me please go to www.ball-pythons.net to learn how to PROPERLY care for me* :cool:

I'm sorry (wait no I'm not)
But I hate these topics.
I am a petco employee and I take offense to people making these blanket statements. There are stupid people everywhere, so don't just go blaming Petco. Stop going then if you don't like that one so much. Hell stop going grocery shopping then if the bag boy there is dumb and has acne, right?
Really this isn't fair.
If I made a topic saying how all men sucked I'm sure it would be met with some head butting. You people really need to consider once in awhile that not everyone you see is a blundering idiot.

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Originally Posted by Nifer

I'm sorry (wait no I'm not)
But I hate these topics.
I am a petco employee and I take offense to people making these blanket statements. There are stupid people everywhere, so don't just go blaming Petco. Stop going then if you don't like that one so much. Hell stop going grocery shopping then if the bag boy there is dumb and has acne, right?
Really this isn't fair.
If I made a topic saying how all men sucked I'm sure it would be met with some head butting. You people really need to consider once in awhile that not everyone you see is a blundering idiot.

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I just have to say that I have visited 4 petco's and 3 petsmarts between Houston and College Station on many occasions and have only met one employee that knew much about anything concerning bp's. Or atleast I thought so until she told me her's was 7 ft long...

Yes there are a few people who work for petco that know what they're talking about, however if your in the business of selling animals and animal supplies, ALL of your employees that handle the animals and "help" the customers with their set-up should have a very good idea what they're talking about. Unlike the grocery store, you don't ask the bagger for advice, let alone on the well-being of an animal. So yes, I feel we are quite justified in our comments towards Petco along with many other petstores nationwide. The fact is, many animals are improperly cared for because their owners went of the word of a pet store employee who really doesn't have a clue. This does not exonerate those owners for not doing better research, but that many owners don't do that extra bit.

The petco where I used to live 2 hours away stunk, I know it stunk, and obviously I realize I'm working for the same company.
But neither of us have been to every store in the country, nor has anyone on this board, so I just don't believe it is fair, nor mature to make all encompasing statements such as the ones being carried out in this topic. Every single person I work with who comes in contact with the animals is responsible and knowledgable and I am very thankful to know that our animals are being well taken care of and only going to homes that we will let them out of the store to.

I agree it's totally unfair to make blanket statements about every employee of every pet store, chain or otherwise. It's sad that as a corporate entity places like PetCo don't either educate their on the floor staff members or put managers in place that will see to that ongoing learning curve but let's be honest, in today's world the bottom line buck is far, FAR too important to most any business and that includes pet stores.

Our local PetCo is a good example though where the two women I've met there that handle the herps are open to suggestions, do a good job with them and seem to understand and respect these living creatures. I don't know if that's a reflection of the manager of our store or just these two staff members, but it's a very nice thing to see.

If you see a pet store though that is nasty, say something and say it in writing. Change won't come without community involvement, without pressure from either corporate, animal protection departments, or even the press if need be. Say it with your wallet and refuse to buy even dry goods from a dirty pet store. If on the other hand you find a good pet store, tell them so, give them the verbal/written feedback and your buying dollar that encourages them to stay with good husbandry practises. We all see posts here all the time that someone goes to a pet store that's nasty but "it's close"....drive those extra 10 miles if you have to...no customers means no more nasty pet store. :)

I enjoy going to petco and buying stuff for my rats. I dont usually go into the reptile area though, but my daughter loves looking at the fish. :mouse2: :colbert2:

about the mcdonalds thing, the reason it say's "caution hot" is because of that law suit, some people are so stupid to not know coffee's hot, lol they gotta read it i guess, but yeah it didn't state the obvious before, thats why that lady won the suit

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Originally Posted by Jonny2184

Anyone who sells pets other then breeders (not including puppy mills) STINK!
:cens0r:

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So, if I buy several snakes from a breeder, and decide to sell them down the toad, I stink?
I probably could be considered to stink a few hours ago, since I was cleaning the barn.. but let it be known that I just took a shower :)
Pet stores are like any other type of store; some are reliable. Some I would not even grace with a glance in their direction. Others I would gladly support and would love working at if they didn't pay minimum wage.

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

So, if I buy several snakes from a breeder, and decide to sell them down the toad, I stink?

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well... might just be me, but if you give your bps' to a toad then, well, yea. You do stink. :P

But yea, I managed to find an amazing pet store in my area. well, sorta, it's a 45 minute drive but it's worth it to take a peak at their animals. People seem a little gruff (probably from that there minimum wage) but underneath they have a uncanny devotion to those animals. It just amazes me.

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Originally Posted by Gooseman

well... might just be me, but if you give your bps' to a toad then, well, yea. You do stink. :P

But yea, I managed to find an amazing pet store in my area. well, sorta, it's a 45 minute drive but it's worth it to take a peak at their animals. People seem a little gruff (probably from that there minimum wage) but underneath they have a uncanny devotion to those animals. It just amazes me.

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Ben she is gonna get ya for this one :8: :8: .

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Originally Posted by Gooseman

well... might just be me, but if you give your bps' to a toad then, well, yea. You do stink. :P

But yea, I managed to find an amazing pet store in my area. well, sorta, it's a 45 minute drive but it's worth it to take a peak at their animals. People seem a little gruff (probably from that there minimum wage) but underneath they have a uncanny devotion to those animals. It just amazes me.

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lmao!! I meant "down the road"! I am going to laugh about this one all day.

I don't like to put all stores under one umbrella. Some are good, some are bad. There are two pet stores in my area that I refuse to buy from due to bad conditions and horrible husbandry. One of those stores recently shut down.

The Petsmart up the street from me isn't bad. They have 3 people working in the fish/reptile/small animal section that own reptiles themselves. Two of them happen to be my friends from highschool. They know thier stuff and wouldn't dare recommend an animal to you without telling you about everything it needs. Of course, rule is, if a customer wants to purchase an animal and doesn't want to buy the stuff for it, you have to sell it, but these employees to urge people to get the right things for the animal. All fish tanks, rodent cages, and reptile cages are cleaned regularly and temps and humidity are always kept in check.

They are currently low on people in that area of the store and my friend was begging me to apply. (I've put in two applications in the past). I know the entire layout of the store and other customers often think I work there and ask me where to go to find a certain item. I have never failed yet to show them the right place. I have even helped a woman with a complete setup for a betta fish. Maybe they should be paying me. :rolleyes: Because they would only need to train me on bagging fish and crickets and doing stuff in the back of the store, I have a better chance of getting hired there. And because they NEED people, the lead that day took down my name and number instead of telling me to go fill out an application like they had done twice before. So I have a pretty good chance of getting hired there. I have been told I could maintain 39 hours per week but I'm waiting to here what the pay would be. It is possible I could get the same as I make now. If so, I'm switching over to working with animals. I'm so done with food.

So, in short. Not all pet stores are bad and this particular one I might start working for. I say people need to get out and do thier own research with thier local pet stores. It is only then, they can decide where they purchase animals and goods from.

now...someone's gonna read this, and we're gonna get a post saying, I just got a new ball python, and I keep trying to feed him a toad but he's not interested?

What gives!? I heard Ginevive feeds her ball pythons toads, how come mine won't eat!?

I used to work at a petsmart, and this was back when I didn't have any reptiles. When corporate made the decision to start carrying snakes, they started with corn snakes, and everyone was given a care booklet that they had to read and sign and the manager would give a verbal exam to make sure you read it. This was their way of making sure the employees were all knowledgeable about the "new product". I had no idea at the time that most of what I was reading was completely wrong! I thought it was a good idea on corporate's part to try and get everyone on the same page and up-to-date on how to care for the new animals. I had no idea it was making things worse. (I later quit because of the conditions of the animals. Half the time I was the ONLY person willing to work to keep their cages clean, and one person cannot care for THAT many animals alone) But as much as I hate those kinds of stores now, I have to say that they honestly thought they were doing their best to educate the customer and employees. It's not their fault they're just honest-to-god stupid...

i work at a petco and to me it seems that there are only a couple people that really care about the animals the rest including some assocaties and managers only care about sales. me on the other hand all i do is care for and change the cages cuz im the only one who dosent care about getting dirty. everyone else looks at me like im crazy and i even had one of my associates say the animals dont need to be cleaned every week. and i was like that would be like me putting you in a cage and not cleaning the mess you leave. then i proceeded to ask her how it would feel to live in your own filth. and then she understood my point. yea some petstores do care while some dont its the ones that do care that are hard to find.