Nothing like a verbal assault from Petsmart....

[Jay_Bunny]

Trust me, we are not supposed to be rude for any reason. I was actually pulled into the office because I refused to sell a family two goldfish to live in a bowl. I was even polite about it, but that's another story.

In my store, we do not sneer or anything like that to ANYONE. No matter if you are a man, woman, child, senior, bird person, fish person, reptile person, or just someone coming in to look for a product for someone else.

According to Petsmart policy, we ARE supposed to RECOMMEND that you feed your snake frozen/thawed for the health of your animal. Like I said before, a lot of people that come into my store do feed live incorrectly, so my recommending frozen/thawed to them is a good thing. I also try and educate them about feeding responsibly. But we should NEVER look down on you for feeding live. That is something to take up with someone higher than the store manager (if you were not treated well by him/her either).

Are they being rude to you after they learn you have snakes and feed live? Or are they rude to you even without this knowledge? I've gone into a Petsmart near home (I don't work at this one but it is closer to my house) and I can honestly say that some of the people that work there are just plain rude and some are simply stupid. But again, this does not represent Petsmart as a whole.

Never thought I'd be on here defending Petsmart, but as an employee there, I do take a lot of pride in my job and I work hard to provide the animals with the proper care and give customers the right information without being rude. My co-workers are the same way.

As far as feeder fish and insects. Again, it is image. About 90% of the people that come in to purchase fish, whether for pets or feeders would not give a rat's behind if the animal died (most common excuse when I refuse to sell a fish to someone with a tiny tank "It only costs a dollar. Who cares if it dies?"). Fish are expendable and have no feelings. (much like people outside this hobby thing of reptiles). But 90% of the people who come in for mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, etc, get them as pets and would be heartbroken if their little critter died. So for that 90% of people who get fish and don't really care about them, to them, who cares if fish are used as feeders? Its not like they care. But with those that like the small animals, it would be a big deal if they saw people coming in to get them as feeders, would not be too happy with Petsmart.

Is it stupid, yes. But it is also business. At least in our store, we skirt around the policy and tell people where they can go for cheaper live rodents for their snakes.


I'm glad you heard back but that sucks they couldn't do anything for you. We are supposed to discreetly fish to see if you are purchasing the animal as a feeder but we are not supposed to come right out and ask "Are you feeding it to a snake?" Now, if you let it slip that yes you will be feeding it to a snake, we can and usually will refuse sale. But just keep it on the down low that you are buying them as feeders and there shouldn't be any problems. We have had people do that before. Just say you are buying it as a pet and have all the supplies at home, and we usually won't ask any other questions than that. Also do not mention if you are intending to breed the rodents either. They also will refuse sale for that as well.