Being fair about PetSmart (and buying your ball python from them)

[m3gz]

ooook now im getting sick of petsmart. if it was not the only store in the area i would never go there again. The ceramic heat bulb i got to replace the lights just broke. I bought it YESTERDAY.

[m3gz]

Well, this is depressing. She started to get agitated and you couldn't even walk past the tank without her hissing at you. So I checked on her, (thermometers and stuff were reading fine, 50ish humidity and 90ish temp on hot side) and she had this black splotch on her side. SO, started calling vets and was told it was probably a burn, and if my lamps were high enough, call the pet store and see if their lamps are too hot or too close. so i called and they wanted to look at her so i took her in and they were like "Well, we can take her to the vet we have working here, and get her checked out." Apparently what i DIDN'T hear them say was that they were going to refund me and take her back. I guess technically yes i agreed to this and "surrendered" the animal. But i didn't even hear them say it. So Hecate is back at the store and they aren't wanting to sell her back to me, because i "surrendered" her. Great time to be half deaf isnt it.

Edit: In other words, never take the animal back to petsmart even if they just want to look them over. Hell, at this point i agree with the title, dont buy from petsmart.

[predatorkeeper87]

Well, this is depressing. She started to get agitated and you couldn't even walk past the tank without her hissing at you. So I checked on her, (thermometers and stuff were reading fine, 50ish humidity and 90ish temp on hot side) and she had this black splotch on her side. SO, started calling vets and was told it was probably a burn, and if my lamps were high enough, call the pet store and see if their lamps are too hot or too close. so i called and they wanted to look at her so i took her in and they were like "Well, we can take her to the vet we have working here, and get her checked out." Apparently what i DIDN'T hear them say was that they were going to refund me and take her back. I guess technically yes i agreed to this and "surrendered" the animal. But i didn't even hear them say it. So Hecate is back at the store and they aren't wanting to sell her back to me, because i "surrendered" her. Great time to be half deaf isnt it.

Edit: In other words, never take the animal back to petsmart even if they just want to look them over. Hell, at this point i agree with the title, dont buy from petsmart.

raise holy hell with the manager and if he/she does nothing raise hell with the district manager. You'll get the snake back, I'd be willing to bet on it.

never trust their vets either, they are paid by the corporate offices to assess if an animal can be sold, they don't actually care. Start blowing up the district manager's email and cell number if its available (the local petsmart here made their DM less accessible after I lost my mind on her lol)

[Craiga 01453]

I'm sorry to hear this. I know you went through a lot for Hecate and you had already gotten attached. Don't let this discourage you, though. Maybe this is a great opportunity to get your husbandry spot on and save a few bucks and buy a BP you will love even more from a reputable dealer.
Let the whole experience be a learning experience, but don't let it ruin snakes for you. You'll be more prepared next time and make a great snake mom.

[m3gz]

I already talked to the manager, it seems to be part of an animal cruelty law. I was gonna try to get my bf to go in and buy her back, but I'm not sure if they'll count it as by me because of our address. Or even if they'll have her back out yet. Been googling cases of this since it happened and cant find any information on it :/ I'd really like to get her back, but if i cant idk if im going to be into getting another snake.

[Craiga 01453]

Well, I'm sorry this situation is discouraging you. Maybe it might be best to move on then. Maybe all that excitement was just excitement, short-lived and not passion. It's pretty common for people to think snakes are awesome!!! Only to get bored with them let them suffer, move on after realizing they aren't the pet they were hoping for. Only you really know if you should own a snake.

[m3gz]

Its more like, i got attached and then lost her really fast. And for no reason. I would enjoy it, but im the kind of person that once i lose something, its hard for me to trust anything similar to it. My bf is upset because he never even got to meet her :/ i think even if i dont find another snake he will.

[predatorkeeper87]

I already talked to the manager, it seems to be part of an animal cruelty law. I was gonna try to get my bf to go in and buy her back, but I'm not sure if they'll count it as by me because of our address. Or even if they'll have her back out yet. Been googling cases of this since it happened and cant find any information on it :/ I'd really like to get her back, but if i cant idk if im going to be into getting another snake.

That's a bunch of BS, find the law and read it over if it even exists. Call your local animal shelters and ask them about that supposed law, they'd know far better. Email their corporate office, tell them you didn't surrender the animal you wanted their vet to examine it and the employees never said you were surrendering it, now you've lost your pet because the store's employees were not forthcoming with you. Corporate offices hate bad publicity, if they come back with some more crap about not giving you the snake back, politely let them know you'll be going to a news outlet about how petsmart took your pet, I'd put money on results in your favor. Be polite, but direct.

[Craiga 01453]

Its more like, i got attached and then lost her really fast. And for no reason. I would enjoy it, but im the kind of person that once i lose something, its hard for me to trust anything similar to it. My bf is upset because he never even got to meet her :/ i think even if i dont find another snake he will.

Well, like I said, only you know if you should have a snake. I hope everything works out for you

[m3gz]

Has that worked before? Im willing to try it but im not usually a confrontational person o-o; So, list is, email corporate people, and check actual laws. oki ill have my bf write the email, hes really good at that o-o;; polite with just the right amount of threat ._.