Pet store RANT!!

Im so frustrated!!!!

I just got back from 'pet supermarket'
Now before I get into the ranting, ill give a little back story as to why.
I worked at petsmart for a long time, and quit because of the manager,
he was un professional, RUDE, and honestly I cant think of a day where I left the store
either wanting to cry, or hit something. After leaving petsmart I put in an application
at pet supermarket, feeling a little confident with the experience under my belt and the manager seemingly pleased with the interview I go a week with no response, I call, and am told that she was to busy to talk, but she'd call me back. Basically the girl who answered told me not to call, that she would call (with her tone).

"Uhm she's pretty busy, and has been. She'll like call you.. Ok?"
Was the dialog.

Now for the upsetting rant.
Today being a few months after never getting a call, and calling regardless (I didn't get the job obviously) I go into the store in hopes of getting a few plants for my 55 gallon. Firstly, when I walked in NO one greeted me, and no one was busy! The girl at the counter was fiddling with her nails. I walk back to the fish area, and there was a mother and her kid in front of me. Now brace yourself.... I was over hearing that she had JUST set up her pond yesterday, and she wanted to stock it up. I didn't feel like barging in yet... Lol. The mother then picks up two betta's and points at the guppy tank asking if they would be acceptable for her pond, the girl who was working in the fish area then turns to the tank and in a baby voice goes "Would you like to go home with these lovely people? Would you like their pond?" After that she turned to them and said that they would be fine. Thats when I stopped them and told the lady that she should let her pond cycle, and to call me after for stock suggestions. I gave her my number and then looked at the worker and said "Are you new?" She ignored me!! And then tried to walk away!!! Obviously I was back there for a reason

So I yell "Excuse me!" a little B****y but I mean come on! Do you blame me!?
She slowly walked back and didn't make eye contact with me, and asked what I wanted while she was looking at the floor. First I asked about the several baby guppies that were in the guppy tank (they were barley there obviously just born) and asked if she wouldn't mind getting a few of those, and she said "Well they are 4.99 each." I just stared at her, and then said "Are you serious? When Petsmart, Petco and every other pet store does everything they possibly can to get RID of them, you actually sell them for full price?!" She just said "Well there guppies aren't they?" Ignoring her I asked her how much the plants were (as no price tags stated so) and she just shrugged her shoulders! I asked her if she could look at my face and talk to me like a normal human being, and thats when it got weird.
She instantly perked up and said "Of course lovely lady!" and at that point I just wanted to leave, I pointed at the two plants I wanted and said "Those." After bagging them she took them to the front assuming I was done, I was not.. But I didn't feel like waiting so I followed her fast pace. When I got to the register she said "Oh they aren't ready, I dont know how much they are." I literally face palmed, and she actually rolled her eyes at me!!! The line was LONG, and I was in no mood to wait, so I said well I have your managers cell phone number, why dont I just call and ask apposed to waiting 10-15 minutes while you attempt to talk to the fish in the back. She snapped her body up and walked over to the other worker and whispered. At THIS point I was ready to just leave, but I didn't (I should have...) I wait in line for 6 minutes and when im finally up to the register the girl asks what I want. I pointed to the plants that had been thrown on the counter, and ask "Are the baby guppies REALLY 4.99 each?" The girl looked at me blankly and said "I dont know, id have to look at them." I probably sounded rude, but I said "Really? They are smaller then the tip of a pen, and see through, NOW can you answer my question?" She didn't answer me and started ringing up the plants, So I yelled "Of course not! No one in this place can!" She gave me a realllllly dirty look, but it honestly just humored me. I happened to notice the plant that I went there for was bagged COMPLETELY wrong. There was water almost to the top, AND the stem that had another plant growing at the tip was sticking out the top!!


After paying I rushed out. But I couldn't NOT talk about it....
Im in shock. I don't even feel like calling the manager, I feel like calling corporate.

sorry about your horrible visit.... wow unreal....


wonder why it is called Pet - "smart" ???????

Lol When I worked at Petsmart we had a decent team, pet care was ok on knowing the basics, but everywhere else was clueless! Another reason I left. I was tired of paying for their lack of knowledge lol

Write corporate, write the BBB, write the paper, write PETA... BUT.. leave out the fact that you applied for a job there.. it could sound like sour grapes. Bill

williemcd wrote:

Write corporate, write the BBB, write the paper, write PETA... BUT.. leave out the fact that you applied for a job there.. it could sound like sour grapes. Bill

Supermarket Pet stores suck!!

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience Taylor...

williemcd wrote:

Write corporate, write the BBB, write the paper, write PETA... BUT.. leave out the fact that you applied for a job there.. it could sound like sour grapes. Bill

Your very right!
It was %50 sour grapes, and %50 horrid customer service, not to mention they didn't know what they were doing. Lol

I agree, write corporate and let them know of your experience. You didn't deserve that. I went to one of the pet stores here and they tried to charge me full price for babies the mollies had just given birth to so I went and got the manager and she rudely told me the same thing. I politely left and went to their competition never to hit their store again and all of my friends that had fish tanks were told of my experience with that store and that stopped a lot of their business. I figured if we can't get decent service and be respected you don't deserve my money. I made sure to go back in and tell them that I really didn't appreciate how I was treated and let them know that I told my friends and they had lost some good customers. I always figure if you want to get someone straight then hit their pockets that works everytime. Didn't raise my voice didn't make a scene just hit them where it hurts.

tbarnwell wrote:

I agree, write corporate and let them know of your experience. You didn't deserve that. I went to one of the pet stores here and they tried to charge me full price for babies the mollies had just given birth to so I went and got the manager and she rudely told me the same thing. I politely left and went to their competition never to hit their store again and all of my friends that had fish tanks were told of my experience with that store and that stopped a lot of their business. I figured if we can't get decent service and be respected you don't deserve my money. I made sure to go back in and tell them that I really didn't appreciate how I was treated and let them know that I told my friends and they had lost some good customers. I always figure if you want to get someone straight then hit their pockets that works everytime. Didn't raise my voice didn't make a scene just hit them where it hurts.

Well done!!!

I'd write and send out copies to everyone up the chain of command; someone will listen. Include a copy of your receipt, that'll show date time, cashier, and would mark the period to find out the manager on duty, etc. Wish you could've taken a photo of your bag and how it was packaged.

I've had things like this happen at other big box chain stores, and sometimes I wish I could butch slap some of the people for their stupidity. I do think, though, the brainless workers are pretty much bound by corporate rules. (kinda like the story of a man who had a stroke, drove himself to the ER but passed out right outside in the doors in the parking lot in his car. Hospital security had to abide corporate rules to call 911 for an ambulance to arrive. He didn't make it while waiting for an ambulance to take him into the ER doors, 50ft away.) Those kind of rules.

I agree with you that it was 50/50 your sour grapes and their lack of professionalism. But after reading your account, you'd better be glad you didn't cause that ruckus in line around here. At best they'd tell you to leave - at worst, there'd be a police escort. After all, you rather rudely interrupted an employee who was helping another customer, publicly insulted her (without realizing it), then had a temper tantrum in line because you had to wait for a price check.

As I've lectured to some of my shorter-tempered, impatient students - there's truth in the saying that you get more with sugar than with spice.

I too have applied for part-time at a local petstore (a few years back, while I was finishing my bachelers) No, I never got called back. I was probably too straightforward and flaunted my knowledge too much. The manager probably didn't want to deal with a person who might not have looked at him as a superior. And in retrospect - I don't blame him one bit. Now I go there as a customer. I'm polite, and generally won't buy if I ask for the ONE knowledgeable sales lady and she's not there. Yes, I've probably insulted him nicely when he's offered to assist me and I politely refuse - but then seek the lady out and ask her to help me.

Now that you know the background between me and this store, here's my recent story: I'm in the fish section waiting for my favorite saleslady to come back from her smoke break, and 'young manager' starts to help a novice purchase the stuff for a HM betta. I smile, sidle a little closer, and when the lady asks if she has everything I ask 'did you make sure to get some salt?' Lady turns, manager frowns, my smile gets even bigger. I go into my 'overly helpful church lady' act. By the time the customer left - betta book, live moss, proper sized nanokit, etc - in hand - (she'd put everything down that he'd told her to get - except for the fish) It was obvious that I had proved to him how little he actually KNEW. Manager cleared his throat, shifted uncomfortably and said "You're a teacher now, right? Yeah, I can sure tell." Then he claimed something was damaged when he rung me up (it wasn't) and gave me a discount.

No, no thanks - no 'I wish I'd hired you way back when'... But I made my point. He stays out of any section I wander into now. Some people are just better at writing up schedules than being on the sales floor.

So you may look back at this as a lesson. Did the woman & child give off different vibes that made the employee WANT to assist them? (regardless of if it was uninformed assistance) Did you give off hostile vibes even before the employee said anything to you? How can you expect someone to want to hire you if you give yourself the reputation as a rude and impatient customer? Perhaps the manager had called your previous manager and had been given a bad recommendation for you?

I don't know your age, but I can tell you that even a middle-aged woman like myself continues to learn new ways of dealing with others. I learn new people skills with each and every awkard situation. And now I'm able to reap the rewards.

fishface30 wrote:

I'd write and send out copies to everyone up the chain of command; someone will listen. Include a copy of your receipt, that'll show date time, cashier, and would mark the period to find out the manager on duty, etc. Wish you could've taken a photo of your bag and how it was packaged.

I've had things like this happen at other big box chain stores, and sometimes I wish I could butch slap some of the people for their stupidity. I do think, though, the brainless workers are pretty much bound by corporate rules. (kinda like the story of a man who had a stroke, drove himself to the ER but passed out right outside in the doors in the parking lot in his car. Hospital security had to abide corporate rules to call 911 for an ambulance to arrive. He didn't make it while waiting for an ambulance to take him into the ER doors, 50ft away.) Those kind of rules.

I'm so sorry for your horrible experience. It seems like there aren't enough "mom and pop" pet stores out there, and those that ARE around always have issues like that. My local store is exactly the same. Good for you for trying to help that lady and child, but I also have to agree with 2SciCrazed. Your intentions were noble, but it might have come off all wrong to the sales person. It's hard to say how people interpret things.

"Kill them with kindness" is a common saying in customer service jobs, and that little girl probably flipped a switch and went into super nice mode to avoid confrontation. As for the guppy thing, let them have them. Most petstores will gladly throw in a couple dozen fry just to rid themselves of the excess. If they want to TRY and sell them for 5 dollars each, let them try. It's outrageous.

Sounds like a disorganized establishment, or just poorly trained staff, or both. I'd find another store or stick with the lady you're cool with. It's what I have to do.

On another note, i think all the members of this forum should band together to form the ultimate LFS store.

at least all the fish werent dying!

Okori wrote:

On another note, i think all the members of this forum should band together to form the ultimate LFS store.

Could you imagine the potential of the pet store the members of this forum could establish? most of us have advanced knowledge of fish, tanks, post, and equipment (nevermind the advanced --and self appointed-- biology and chemistry degrees required to keep our levels accurate) And what we couldn't find outright we could build ourselves (tanks, stands, wet dry pumps, the list goes on)

Really, it's awe inspiring.

that sucks

I feel that way when I enter Petco.... I have already sworn off Petsmart. Between the little lfs and a couple locally owned shops spread over 3 nearby towns I try to not give them any of my buisness....

PetNo- I haven't bought any fish there. I will from time to time buy filter media and other supplies. I have walked out of there angry for lack of service numerous times... I just wanted yo purchase some live plants.... Done with it for the most part.

PetFart- Would not honor the lifetime warranty on a powerhead that I had purchased 6 weeks before it stopped working. All they had to do was exchange it. NO can't do it... Did you know that you must have the original packaging? I handed the filter to the manager and told him I would never be back. I filed 2 complaints with corporate and got nothing but an emailes note telling me to come in and say hi..... I tell everyone I know that buy pet supplies that they are crooked.

I know how difficult it is listening to some of the sales clerks, heck even at my favorite store some times I think the employees are idiots (at least a couple of them).... I managed a pet store (small chain nothing like petsmart/petco) for 3 years. I am pretty sharp with fish sales and customer service. I usually ask a few very basic questions to any one who I potentially will buy from. If the answers are fair then I know they are on the up and up, but if the answers are way out there- well then I am on my own. I do appreciate their enthusiasm, but if they are wrong and rude well that's no good.

Double negatives usually are not a good sign.

Petsmarts are like a box of chocolates!!! You never know whatcha'ur gonna get!
When I lived in San Antonio there was 8-10 petsmarts across a city with a population over 2 million folks.

Each Petsmart was like day and night. There was a big difference in the quality of fish, the customer service and the know what the F--k they were doing! One particular petsmart @ "The Forum" was very well stocked and kept clean. The manager of the store was an avid "fish keeper' and he gave the fish dept folks a lot of leyway. I was told several times by different employees that I needed to check out a store called "Daves Rare Fish"... they actually tried to send me to another store. I already knew Dave and lived at his store most of the time anyway!!!! However he didn't sell rat and parrot supplies so I was always at Petsmart for something!
I went to another petsmart one day (Not sure what for) anyway I was greeted in the fish section and asked, "Sir if you have any questions just let me know!" So I played stupid and said, "can I get some of these fish (africans) and put with these fish (South American) They were yellow labs and Oscars! He said, oh yeah no problem as long as you put them in at the same time and they are close in size. So I said "I only have a 10 gallon tank, but I have an aqua clear 110 on it!" He said, "well then you should be fine!" So I saved the best question for last!! I asked, "How many of these oscars can I get?" He said, "2-3, but any more than that will get "IFFY"" After that i decided to call his bluff... So I said, "Dude are you really that stupid, or do they pay you to say stuff like this?" He said, "My job is to sell fish, can I help you with something?" So I just left shaking my head and thinking, these poor fish don't stand a chance.....

williemcd wrote:

Write corporate, write the BBB, write the paper, write PETA... BUT.. leave out the fact that you applied for a job there.. it could sound like sour grapes. Bill

That is over reacting.


Very sorry for your fustrating day. However..
Leave it alone. You are wasting to much energy on something you have no power over.

Seems to me you might be a little pissed from not getting the job. YOu might want to thank god you did not get the job. From the sound of the people that work there you would just be wanting to cry everytime you went home just like that last job.

4get about it and move on.

Okori wrote:

Could you imagine the potential of the pet store the members of this forum could establish? most of us have advanced knowledge of fish, tanks, post, and equipment (nevermind the advanced --and self appointed-- biology and chemistry degrees required to keep our levels accurate) And what we couldn't find outright we could build ourselves (tanks, stands, wet dry pumps, the list goes on)

Really, it's awe inspiring.

In the works.

KMX wrote:

In the works.

*JEALOUS* Drat. Too bad I don't live in Texas anymore .... I'm a born and raised Houston girl, so that might give me an excuse to come down and visit such a store!

i was born and raised in houston as well.

Holey Rock of Texas wrote:

i was born and raised in houston as well.

Very awesome. You ever been out towards Katy? ( a little hiccup just west of houston) Lived there for a bit before finally moving up to Michigan. Worst. Choice. Ever.

Katy- home of the outlet malls, Hooters and Bass Pro Shops... oh yeah and pretty darn good high school football team!