I just lost what little faith I had in petco.

[omnibus2]

Well I called a local petco to see if they have Zoo Med Thermostats; I've been looking for one, but online the shipping is either too expensive or takes too long to arrive.

So the person on the phone asks me what size tank and what animal. I tell him I have a ball python (3 months old) in a 10 gallon. He says this is too small for the ball python, and enforces that I should upgrade to a 20 gallon. Amusing, isn't it?

Then he says that I do not need a thermostat for the heat lamp, and that I should set up a 20 gallon with a heat lamp on the left, and heat pad in the middle.

He asked where I got it, I told him from a breeder, and then he progressed to say that the breeder must have not known much about ball pythons. (He's a phenomenal breeder and keeps numerous pythons and boas.)



Yeah that's my little rant...hehe. Not to just bash petco, but I just decided to share that.

By the way, why does it seem that pet stores have everything except thermostats? I live in the bay area, around the san mateo area, not sure why they don't have them in stock.

[seclark]

Yeah petco doesn't sell thermostats. Petsmart sells the Zoomed repti-therm 500r but they don't carry it in stores they only sell it online. What I don't understand is why petstores don't hire people that actually know things about the animals they are working with?

[stormwulf133]

What I don't understand is why petstores don't hire people that actually know things about the animals they are working with?

So you expect a chain, with 1000+ stores, to find knowledgable employees for ALL of those stores AND get those people to work for minimum wage? Have you stepped out side lately, or on the internet for that matter. How many people are fully convinced they know what they are talking about when they have no clue?

[omnibus2]

So you expect a chain, with 1000+ stores, to find knowledgable employees for ALL of those stores AND get those people to work for minimum wage? Have you stepped out side lately, or on the internet for that matter. How many people are fully convinced they know what they are talking about when they have no clue?

We know it's not feasible for every employee to be knowledgeable, but it seems that petco/petsmart aren't hiring employees on the basis of knowledge, and aren't commending their workers for giving correct information. Instead, they are trying to do only one thing-sell their product, and this of course leads to the demise fo numerous animals that don't have the right care.

[nixer]

they dont even say anything when im at the store anymore especially when i tell someone to not waste money on bs that petco or petsnart wants to sell them

[Snakeman]

By the way, why does it seem that pet stores have everything except thermostats? I live in the bay area, around the san mateo area, not sure why they don't have them in stock.

i work at petco so i can see what you're saying, my co-workers arent too bright on reptiles unless im there. at my store we DO carry the zoo-med thermostats, but they're $40 and i dont think they're worth it. i use one and i have to turn the knob just a tiny bit once it turns on cuz thats when it get to 90 degrees. any more and it'll get to over 100 for some odd reason. u can ask the general manager at the store if they can "special" order one for you and u just pay for it once u pick it up.

[tbowman]

I understand your frustration. But the people may have the best intentions but are simply uneducated.

[Snakeman]

So the person on the phone asks me what size tank and what animal. I tell him I have a ball python (3 months old) in a 10 gallon. He says this is too small for the ball python, and enforces that I should upgrade to a 20 gallon. Amusing, isn't it?

it's possible maybe he heard you say 3 feet?

[omnibus2]

it's possible maybe he heard you say 3 feet?

No, I told him it was about a foot long; I didn't tell the guy on the phone the bp's age.

Does anybody know where I can get a good thermostat in the bay area?

[Snakeman]

reptile depot? LLLreptile?