The Saga of Pet Store Employees

**Freedom** · 12-12-2006, 03:45 PM

Just reading through this thread, and I have to agree. Except, it does depend on the store (I guess). I have both a PetCo and a PetSmart nearby. The folks at PetCo are just as you described above. Peole working to make some money, not a lot of background, little or no training - except on how to use the register.

But the PetSmart here is excellent, the folks really do have a lot of good info. They all have, and have had, pets for a long time. And they aren't afraid to say they don't know. Still, as someone mentioned already, I generally have already done my research before I go in there, and I know what I want

**moosmom** · 12-12-2006, 04:05 PM

I read your responses and had to post.

I am an employee of Petco and take my job very seriously. I am very knowledgeable on cats, their care, rescuing, trapping, etc. I take offense at being called an idiot. The employees at Petco are trained in all kinds of animals, ferrets, rats, birds, reptiles, fish, etc. I have SOME knowledge of dogs, but not alot. I try to help each and every customer out any way I can. If I don't know the answer to one of their questions, I get someone who does.

Although your individual experiences may have been isolated, please don't stereotype ALL Petco or pet shop employees as idiots.

**Suki Wingy** · 12-12-2006, 05:30 PM

I don't steriotype, especially because most of the petsmart employees at my local store are ok. One guy was dead set on making sure every single dog was trained with a harness though.

If you know a thing about training, you know nothing works for every single dog. Niño was actually healing for once in his prong and he reccomended a harness to me when I stopped just to look at them. One lady also sold us a dwarf pleco for our betta's tank, then we found out this species prefers cool water when we'd told her we kept a heater on the betta's tank! I witnessed a horrible thing the other day in the fish section. A girl was holding a plastic goldfish bowl shapped thingy, but it looked like it would hold about one cup. Her friend who apperently had had fish before was helping her decide on the ONE fish to put in there, and they were looking at plecos and plattys and mollies. I didn't stick around to see what would happen but I'll tell you one thing, I sure as hell wouldn't sell them it before making sure she wasn't going to keep it in that cup.

**lute** · 12-12-2006, 08:23 PM

they should have a sign at the front door that says "employees may not be fully informed about proper animal care."

Petsmart and Petco aren't the only stores that are like this. the petstore i worked out had the WRONG people in the back. when you are the animal care persons that are actually feeding, cleaning, and careing for the animals you learn so much more. the guy i worked with and myself hve heard so much crap from the "well trained" sales imployees. anything from "border collies are mellow" to "Akita's are a smaller breed". if you ask me most of the time the wrong people are selling the animals and merchandise.

**areias** · 12-12-2006, 09:01 PM

I wasn't saying that all the employees are idiots, just this particular store, they opened within the last six months and I think they recruited whoever they could. There are two petsmarts and one petco in my nearby area, the other petsmart is much better, and if I have a question the trainer is usually there and will answer it for me, and I trust her. I just figured I would swing in quick on my way by that one. At Petco I normally only deal with the fish guy, and he is VERY knowledgable. Don't see many other employees around that store.

**Aspen and Misty** · 12-12-2006, 09:37 PM

I do have to admit that I agree with moosmom. I work at Petsmart and I am certainly not an idiot when it comes to animals.

There have been times when I have tried to answer someone's question and may not of had the information 100% correct. I think it is time that people relize that as a human, we all make mistakes. Sometimes the wrong info is given, however I'm not going to knowingly lie to you and I don't think that most people do. Do you think that every person who works at Kroger (grocery store) can tell you which foods are good for you and which are bad for you? Or which milk is the healthiest for you? Of course not! So why are petstore employees expected to know every asspect of animals? Same as Moosmom, If I don't know the answer to a question I will gladly find someone who does.

Please do try to understand that we are normal human beings and we will make mistakes, please don't hold it against us.

Ashley

**wolf_Q** · 12-12-2006, 09:39 PM

I have to say it........I'm really sick of people on here stereotyping employees at Petco and Petsmart. I've seen many threads like this. There's quite a few PT members (myself included) that happen to work at those stores, and for the record, I'm not a complete idiot.

I know about dogs, and some about cats, I will answer questions about them. I will be the first to admit I don't know anything about small animals, so I direct them to somebody who does. I don't feel like it is my job to know about small animals, I'm a groomer, I only deal with dogs and cats.