Maybe I'm just too cheap

[IRescue452]

This is just a random rant. Today I took Autumn to Petco to give her something to do in the winter and I figured I'd find her something she could have. Wrong. We nosed around for half an hour and all the toys were cheap pieces of junk she could destroy in half a second for $14 or more and even the rawhide is too much. I miss the day when the Foster and Smith supplier for a local store would bring stuff down and have a sidewalk sale at a great discount. I could get big rawhide bones for 75¢ each and dog toys that weren't so cheaply made. But he hasn't come around lately so now I'm stuck shopping in regular stores until I can get to Sheboygan once the threat of snow is gone. At least in Sheboygan there's more options. When did people start paying $15 for a single large rawhide bone? People have really got to set limits on what stores can charge them. If you buy it, they'll raise the prices. So stop buying from them for a while people! At least that's how I feel. Somebody is paying those prices in order for the store to stay running. The same as enough local people are recycling alum cans at 38¢ a pound so it doesn't need to go up to lure them in. Stop being so compliant!

[Freedom]

I find PetCo very high priced.
I find PetsMart high priced.

I buy a lot on line, and on ebay.
I go once a month to the local distributor to buy pet food direct from them.

[Taz_Zoee]

I usually get dog and cat toys from the shelter when I volunteer. I get a discount.
The best toys I've got for the dogs that they have not destroyed....yet, came from the shelter.
I only get food from PetSmart and I grab it when it's on sale if I can.

[Karen]

If you have a local butcher, see if they will save some large bones - not cooked, of course. Frozen or refrigerated, they are usually inexpensive in comparison, it's worth asking.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Although I don't have a dog, I do agree that stores like Petco and Petsmart are very expensive. I usually don't buy anything at these stores unless it's on sale. Luckily since I live in Northern CA I have many other options. We have a Pet Club that buys things in bulk so they can sell it for much less and this is where I buy my cats food which is Wellness Core dry and the Wellness grain free canned food. I also buy pill pockets, litter, and toys there. Their every day prices are much lower and many times they will have sales to make them even lower. If you have a local feed store, this is also an option because their prices are usually lower than the independent pet stores. Good luck.

[Twisterdog]

Having as many dogs as I do, there is no way I can afford to buy them toys, treats, etc. from expensive pet stores.

Most grocery stores either have or will get beef leg bones for you, and cut them if you wish. I pay $4 for one leg bone, cut in nine pieces. My dogs chew on these forever.

I buy stuffed animals at yard sales for a dime or a quarter. Yes, they destroy them quickly and I have to pick up the stuffing. But they have fun, and it costs a dime.

I buy treats at Walmart, I buy dog food at Costco. The Kirkland brand of dog food is rated as high as the super premium brands which sell for $80 plus dollars a bag. Kirkland costs $25 for 40 pounds.

I also buy coupons for food and treats on ebay. I just saved $100 on food and treats, with coupons I bought for 95 cents. Greenies are about 1/4 the price on ebay as they are at the pet store.

[Vette]

I know how you feel. i think $14.00 for small bag of treats is ridiculous let alone toys an what not.