Anonymous
map-marker Big Spring, Texas

Petco--Bait and Switch

Petco more than once has advertized a product that they do not even have in stock at the store. When I call, I am told they do have the product.

I drive the 90 miles just to go to the closest Petco, to find I was lied to and they are all out. Then the employee tries to convince me I should buy the more expensive product.

I thought that maybe this was just a problem with the Petco closest to me, so I looked up other Petcos advertizing the same product for sale and called them to see if they had the product.

When I explained it would be a 2+ hour drive, I at least got an honest answer that the product is not in stock there.

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David L Jdh
map-marker Winder, Georgia

Poor Customer Service

On 4/28/11 @ 11:55 AM, I went into the PETCO store @ The Mall of Georgia. I was their to purchase a battery for my dog's PETSAFE collar. I had called the previous day and confirmed that they had the item in stock. I asked the employee, Raynisha, for the item of which was locked in a display case. I was told they a night manager took the keys home with him and that was the only key they had and that the manager would not be in until 4 PM and I would have to come back. Raynisha and a unidentified male employee stated that the night manager often takes the keys home with him. I was amazed at how unconcerned these employees acted. I was furious that I made a 25 mile trip to this store for a item that the store had and that I could not buy. The employees offered no apology or nothing. PETCO lost a sale for the battery, and for a 50 Pound bag of dog food and a box of K-9 Advantage 2. They lost $70.00 in sales due to their incompetence. I called Petco Customer Service, a Jerry in the Philippines, answered my call. I gave him all the details and asked that a manger for PETCO call me. Jerry took all details and said that he would escalate this complaint to a General Manager. 24 hours later, I have not received any response. I also sent a email to their customer service link on the PETCO website on 4/28/11. I did receive a confirmation that they received my email. No other response received
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2 comments
Connie Svi

Maybe we should google David Lawson and post some complaints about him! That'll teach him!

Guest

David Lawson,

It really bothers me that you would put personal information like an employee's name and what store they work at on the internet like that. Especially when it is not her fault that she is stuck working with a manager who can not remember to leave the only key at work. I'm sure you have worked with people who do things beyond your control that you have become apathetic about, but no one goes around on the internet calling you out by name and saying what a horrible job you do and where you work so every *** off self entitled customer with an internet connection can go hassle her and try to get stuff for free because now they have a name to drop.

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roxie m Pkr
map-marker Honolulu, Hawaii

Petco in Kapolei Hi

petco in kapolei hawaii is terrible. the groomers are inexperienced and do shody choppy cuts. i am a groomer and the manager knows it. she hates me in the fact i know their defincies. she tried to ban me from the store, i made a police report for harassment. this is not over yet. the manager told the security guard she called we did nothing wrong. petco should leave hawaii. my grandaughter is 8 and they evicted her too. discrimination from petco, mainland company, impossible to get satisfaction, i will never go to petco again. high prices, bottom of the barrel employees
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Loss:
$1000
Lizziotti M
map-marker Buffalo, New York

Petco lies, has terrible policies, and costumer service!

This is my petco experience a salesperson at our local petco clarence, ny sold my husband the wrong size filter.since it was xmas I didn't discover the problem until christmas morning. my husband returned it with a receipt. The manager there would only give him store credit because it was after 30 days even with a receipt. it was christmas time and my husband is not a last minute shopper! Every business extends their policy for the holidays!! It was also clearly unopened! So anyway I take my store credit and purchase an eheim classic 2217 filter which their website states is instock they still do. 2 months have gone by no filter! We have tried contacting them, my emails get blown off. Annie B. Customer Relations Coordinator keeps telling me she will out of the office for 3 days call a rep instead. She acts like I'm bothering her. when we do call the reps lie over and over again saying that it is instock now you will get it. Guess what never happens. This is an incredibly bad company with terrible policy and dishonest workers. I will be contacting BBB also. I found this website as I was looking for the ceo contact info so I thought I'd add my complaint. Also have found so many sad abuse cases unreal.why is this company still in business?
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Loss:
$160
2 comments
Lizziotti M

I agree there was a recent recall for some aquarium heaters petsmart took them all back and replaced them or gave out store credit.didn't matter where you got them or how old they were.

I asked why they were doing this and they said they'd rather do this then have customers fish die! I am now a loyal petsmart customer. I will never shop at petco again!

Guest

Go to a local fish retailer...or if there aren't any...go to PetSmart :) I've taken items back to PetSmart that I got at Petco and couldn't return because of their policies b4. They have much better customer service :)

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Arthur L Dlq
map-marker Washington, District Of Columbia

Petco Tried to Scam Me; Beware When Buying Small Pets

I went in on Friday, July 23, 2010 and purchased a baby bearded dragon, which I named Zeus, for just over $60. I also bought additional pet supplies such as food (meal-worms), a special kind of sand filled which has vitamins mixed in so that if they eat some by accident it is actually good for them, a heat light, as well as temperature and humidity gauges. Every thing I bought was approved by the guy who was helping me and telling me the supplies I needed.

Four days and three hours later, Zeus died. I had no idea what happened since I kept his cage conditions to what I was told in terms of temperature and humidity. I kept putting fresh worms in his cage and had a water bowl in addition to spraying the rocks lightly to simulate dew, which is how desert lizards drink in nature.

I went into the store roughly an hour and a half ago after talking to the manager on the phone unsure of whether or not they would give me a refund so I could get a new bearded dragon. They had me bring in the Zeus's body and after checking him over the manager said Zeus most likely died by ingesting a large grain of sand, the same sand which was recommended to me by an employee.Still, they offered to give me store credit, which I accepted, and despite having lost a pet, I was hopeful that my new one would would be with me for a long time.

This is where my shopping experience at Petco went from indifferent to down right pissed off. I was willing to get over the fact that an employee had recommended sand as bedding even though what he didn't know was that the sand was meant for slightly older bearded dragons and could be harmful or deadly to babies, which it was for Zeus.

I decided to buy an additional light and replace the sand with a mat which would run me about $50, but I was fine to pay for it. I was presented with a gift card by the manager after he "made a call to someone," and when I informed him I wanted another bearded dragon with this gift card, he informed me that I needed to buy a new terrarium so that he would be more comfortable.

I was keeping Zeus in a 5 gallon, plenty big for his size, and the display they kept 4-5 baby bearded dragons in could not have been bigger than 6 or 7 gallons. When I said maybe I would buy another a different lizard, the manager insisted I would still need to buy at least a 10 gallon tank ($44 + tax) so they would be sure he would be in a safe and loving environment, using this clearly rehearsed speech to hide behind while simultaneously trying to hit me up for more cash. In addition to the new light and mat, my total for the visit was now well over $100.

When it had become clear that in order to spend this $40 gift card I would have to spend over $100 of my own money in addition to all the stuff I had bought before, and considering the whole reason my buddy Zeus died is due to terrible and down right wrong advice from one of their own employees, I just simply walked out. It made me furious that after Petco essentially killed my pet, they refused to replace him without me spending a lot of money.

I am not saying all Petco stores are like this, but the one located at 1929 Old Gallows Road Vienna, VA, 22182 (Tyson's Corner) is certainly like this, since that is where all this happened. This could be even worse if you get a pet from them for your kid, they get attached to it, and it dies, especially if it is out of your control.

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37 comments
Guest

If you purchase a live animal, it is your responsibility to do your own research. I purchased a bearded dragon from Petco as well.

Although they have them on calci-sand, if you research you’ll find that it is very risky. Some bearded dragons do fine on sand, while others become impacted.Also, it is their responsibility to ensure that whenever a live animal is sold, the customer also purchased the right materials.

They have the right to refuse a sale if the health of the animal is of concern. As for them telling you it’s okay to put a baby bearded dragon in a 5 gallon tank, that is completely wrong of them and they should know better.I’m sorry for your loss, but once again, if you are purchasing a live animal it’s your responsibility to research and not rely on the information of a sales clerk.

Guest

I realize how old this article is, but I still think that the information is pertinent regardless. First of all, I'm sorry you lost your beardie.

It's tough losing a pet. That being said, you are putting entirely too much responsibility on the people at Petco. It has been a learning curve going from mammals to reptiles, but i went online and talked to people who owned reptiles and I have gotten a lot of really good advice. Attend a reptile show.

Consult the internet. Ask an exotic specialist vet. There are lots of people that are dying to give you good, sound advice about the care of your pets if you are willing to seek them out.As someone that has worked in retail for over a decade, there are pretty much no requirements when applying for an entry-level job at a chain store, and you can't expect the minimum wage employees to have expert advice. I don't agree with a lot of their business practices and I don't feel like employees should be forced to act like they know what they are talking about, but they will literally lose their job otherwise.

Now, I do agree that Petco needs to educate their employees. You can't expect to give informed advice when you're not informed. The managers are in the same boat: they are appointed for their managerial abilities, not their extensive knowledge of their merchandise. Both chain art and hobby stores where I have worked had managers that freely admitted they didn't know the first thing about any of their products and eventually referred about 80% of the customers to me if I happened to be working that day.Never buy sand substrate, even the "healthy" kind, for baby or juvenile beardies.

There is too high a risk they will eat it and become impacted, as mentioned above, and it will kill them. By the way, they usually show pretty obvious signs before they pass away and i have a hard time believing that you simply missed them. Your dragon would have been lethargic, refuse to eat, have a dark belly to show distress, and have a distended abdomen. I would never dream of putting Norbert in anything smaller than a 20 gallon, though he has a 50 all to himself even as a juvenile.

It costs you more in the long run as you have to size up your tank with your dragon as they grow (and they grow quickly) and honestly when they are smaller they are more active so I think having that extra room to run and climb and just generally be a silly baby is good for them. They keep their babies in smaller tanks because they are temporary. Beardies sell pretty quickly as they are a popular pet, but as they get bigger, responsible pet stores move them to larger enclosures.TL;DR: Do your research before accepting the responsibility of a pet. You are caring for a life and you have an obligation to that animal to know at least a little bit about what you are doing.

Please don't take pet ownership lightly. It is rewarding and wonderful, but you need to make an adult decision about whether or not you are capable of handling the responsibility.

Guest

I have a bearded dragon and he is in a 50 gallon tank. I can't imagine putting him in anything smaller.

Guest

Well, bearded dragons need a tank that is at least 40 gallons so yeah a 5 gallon would've been a horrible idea...

Guest

I used to be the GM of that store, I helped build and open it. I've seen reviewed for from unanimous 5 stars calling our names of employees to commend them, to 1 star calling out names of employees to condem them.

It's very sad to see all the hard work I did to make it to GM and open that store, all go down the toilet because I developed MS and became a full blown paraplegic from all the damage from my initial flare. I know it's not the people I hired and put int management positions doing this, it's the DM for San Diego that absolutely hates disabled people and forced me out and terminated me. Fortunately he has since quit the company, so I have faith that the managers I left in power William Riley Wood, Francesca Palmer, Amy Johovich...there were a few others, but my brain has severely shrank and atrophied from my MS. I really miss the pet trade.

I've done it since I was 18, and had to essentially retire at 32 from becoming a blind paraplegic from my MS. It's sad to see all these loyal customers being offended and taken advantage of. That's not what Petco os about, not was I or my staff. It was the, now former, DM for San Diego that thought witht his brain below his belt, not in his head.

The original managers I put in place are the ones you want to help you, because they will bend vet backwards and turn them selves into a pretzel to help customers. I was from the original mentality of "the customer is always right!" If another company had the product, and we didn't carry it, I'd do a paid out and go buy it just so the customer could get it from us. It's sad to see what the DM for the San Diego market did to my store, just because he doesn't like disabled people. I'm truly sorry that loyal customers are having to deal with this complete 180 the store has gone through.

I wish I was still able to work, a store isn't a store without customers.

And my store has been in a downward spiral since my MS forced me out. Hopefully with the DM that was in charge at that time, bent gone now, things should turn around posthaste.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1123695

I also used to be an RVT that exclusively worked with exotics prior to being promoted to GM. A lot of the policies fr the animal care, I was partially responsible for writing.

My stor was used as the example for the entire company to follow. Just really wish I could still be there to ensure all the customers and pets are well taken care of.

Guest

Anyone looking to get any pet should do research. Don't ever expect the store to give you proper instructions on how to care for any pet.

If you don't know how to care for it, don't get it until you do.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1120617

Exactly!

Guest

I was told the same thing when I purchased a bearded dragon baby from Petco. They told me to get the sand and to feed it spring mix, which is lettuce.

Thank goodness I did some research quick enough to save my bearded dragon. The employees should become educated about what they sell.

Guest

Wow.. I started out my baby beardie at a 40g tank, My other full grown also has a 40g tank.

NEVER put sand in a babies tank, it can cause impaction, causing them to die. Even if it's calci-sand. Also, 5g is way too small for any type of light source you My juvenile has sand in her tank now, but not once have I ever seen her even test it out. She ignores it completely.

have had on it. It will heat the whole enclosure and they need a side to cool off on (Which is where I keep mine's food and water basking/bowl area). You should do a lot of research before getting one. Like everyone is saying here, babies need at least a 20g tank, you can buy the whole starter kit for like $100.

Don't blame the people at petco, they can give you recommendations, but despite the fact that they work there, they don't have to be knowledgeable. That is 110% your responsibility if you're going to own a pet.

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lynogurl
map-marker Seattle, Washington

PETCO doesnt care if hamster destroys cage

Store sold me a hamster cage that was destroyed by the hamster: she got out 3 times. I had the receipt and the cage went in within a month of buying the cage and they said they could not do anyhthing. I went into the store and the lady made up a random thing saying that chew toys can be destroyed byt he animal and its not their fault then i told her chew toys are made to be destroyed and she got mad because I was right. She made sure she got back at me for proving her wrong. I CALLED PETSMART AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REFUND ME OR EXCHANGE FOR ANOTHER CAGE PETCO DOES NOT CARE IF YOUR PETS CAN GET INJURED THROUGH ESCAPING.
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Loss:
$32
1 comment
Guest

ok...what ever you typed made no sense. First off did they sell you a "damaged" cage ( i.e.

Oops stickered, discounted, etc.)How did your hamster destroy the cage? I have 2 very large guniea pigs whom have much lager mouths also teeth then a hamster and never ate through any of their cages. Yes "chew" toys can be damaged by the animal not all toys are supposed to be chewed completely like plastic and such. Only the safe parts like the straw part or the treat part not the parts that hold it together sometimes.

Switch to toys he can eat fully. And did i read this right you took a damaged cage you bought from Petco and returned it at Petsmart? Sounds to me someone was doing some dumspter diving found a cage and wanted to make a quick buck.

Also did you buy the correct cage?

If the employee pointed you in the wrong direction for the cage thats a human error. People before you get pets research what you need, whats best on market, and just be smart about it.

Anonymous
map-marker Playa Del Rey, California

Please don't shop at Petco

They have terrible customer service in the store I went into. I am also concerned about the welfare of the animals they sell there. The store I went into told me that they don't have a manager when I requested to see one. I needed to return an item and had my receipt. This guy was so lame. He could barely form a sentence, I asked to speak to the District Manager, Regional Manager..nothing. It has been a month and I have called CS 4 times without a response. Every time I call they tell me the same thing, someone will get back to you and they don't. They also have their CS in a different country.
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Loss:
$30
2 comments
Connie Svi

There is suppose to be a manager in the store at all times. So either they're lying or you are to make your complaint sound even worse than it is.

Guest

Do you have an actual description of poor customer service; a situation or exchange, ect?

because it sounds like you are just whining for no reason.

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Amber H Nwe
map-marker Tampa, Florida

Petco - Worst customer service ever

Went to PETCO to buy Iams Dogs Biscuits the 24 oz box. It was like $6.99. Then I went to my local grocery store to pick up some grocery items and saw the exact same box of biscuits for $2.99!! I immediately went back to PETCO and returned the biscuits and told them why. Do you they cared? NO! Do you think they would price match? NO! Then, a few weeks later I went back to said PETCO to buy Blue Buffalo Adult dog food the 30# bag. I looked that morning at their website and they were selling it for $44.97 with free shipping. However, when I went to get it off the shelf it was $50.99! There are signs all over every aisle about how they price match their foods. So I go to the register to check out and I say "You know, this same bag of food is $6 cheaper on your website". The cashier said "Yes, the food is always cheaper on line". Then I ask if they will match the price and she said they don't do that from their online website. That is completely ridiculous. You won't price match your own prices???? Never, ever going to shop at ANY PETCO EVER! Guess what, they lost a customer over about a total of $10. Great customer service guys!
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Loss:
$10
11 comments
Guest

Get over it ***

Guest

A lot of stores do that believe it or not and that's because petco and petco.com are 2 different companies. You just have to look for the best deal.

Guest

petco does price match but not to online like others have mentioned. if you came in on the offense, and you had an inexperienced cashier, they probably just didn't take the step to find out the policy for you. and walmart doesn't price match to their online prices either, so you should probably boycott them as well ;)

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-632525

I already do. Can't stand Wal-mart!

Connie Svi

@Shell

Petco also has alot of wonderful brands. They might be higher priced on some items, that's what the price match is for (excluding internet prices, live animals, and services). Petco also has a rewards program for "cardholders" that gives them sale prices and coupons.

@Alhdvm

They should have price matched the Iams biscuits for sure, but not the dog food. It's basic economics. When you buy ANYTHING in retail you are paying 2 to 3 times more than what the product is worth because of overhead. It costs money to run a store. Employees don't work for free. Power plants won't let you keep lights on in a store for free. Trucker drivers won't work for free. Gas stations won't let truck drivers take as much gas as they want for free. Overhead pays for all that. I guess you never learned about that in school though, huh?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Connie Svi

Yes we learned that in school, thank you very much. The point is the sign said "we price match our foods" yet they wouldn't price match with their own website?

That is ridiculous.

Put up a sign that says "we price match our foods except for prices on petco.com" and I would have been fine with that. I would have thought that was strange and a little *** but I wouldn't have been aggravated.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Connie Svi

Its just *** to not price match their own prices. Walmart can get away with it becuse they usually the only option.

Feliway diffuser $49.99 in store and $34.99 online.

My local petco wold only change the price to $39.99.

Guest

Thats bull...the money goes to the company either way...either from online sale or store. It should be price matched...

PetSmart does. I'm not a big fan of ANY live animal selling chain retail store...but seems to me PetSmart is far smarter about their customer service.

Guest

The price matching on the biscuits is definitely the error on the cashier that processed your return. I would have asked to speak to a manager concerning that issue.

As for the online pricing this is the reason why Petco Online prices differ from in store prices. Petco allows the online consumer to purchase the product utilizing Petco's buying buying power and receiving the product directly through the manufacturer.

This eliminates transportation and overhead cost that the in store consumer has to pay. Petco's Price Match Guarantee states that Petco will match any competitor's advertised price excluding live animals, services, and online pricing.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-269220

Sorry. I still don't buy it.

It's their company, they should match their own online prices. Ridiculous.

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Anonymous
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Andrew, the manager! was a total rude *** to me about a return....a total ***!!

I recently went to the local PETCO I had purchased 2 dog kennels there, and told them that I'd like them to hold them at the store for me......I had to drive to an out of town location to see if they would both fit my truck. They told me no problem......take as long as you want....I found out that they did not fit and went to the store today for a refund on merchandise that I hadn't even taken from the store...and this rude little manager Andrew, who must bee all of 19, proceeded to tell me that it was over 30 days, and I couldn't get a refund.....I asked to see the manager...and he boastfully told me HE WAS the manager! I explained to him that when I purchased the items that I wasn't told about any time period....in fact I was told not to worry about it when I told them that it might take me a couple of weeks! ....but the part that really got to me was this young punks attitude.....what a total ***!
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3 comments
Connie Svi

Did you ask the guy what his age was? I highly doubt that you did.

I guess your fear of getting old must have really kicked in when you saw such a "young" manager who in reality was probably much older than he looked.

I've been a manager for a long time, and I have a very young face. I'm near 30 years old and I've been told recently that I look like I'm only 14! Customers have always given many funny looks when I PROUDLY (not boastfullY) tell them that I am the manager.

They think I'm just a kid and that's exactly how they treat me.

My point is, you shouldn't pick on the manager's age and appearance just because you didn't like the fact that he was following policy on returns.

Guest

Although none of us were there except for the customer and the manager, besides the possibility of the manager maybe being egocentric in his position as manager, he did follow the policy that Petco has regarding returns. That being said as a consumer if you already had a good relationship with the staff and management that was at the store the day you made the purchase, you could have simply picked up the phone, asked to speak to a manager, explain the situation and that it would be over 30 days before you were able to return them and 99% of the managers out there would have accommodated you.

The customer is not always right, nor are they entitled to having retail staff bend over backwards for the customer. We do it because we want to help the customer and as long as they communicate with us we do what we can to help them out.

Guest

First of all, I think it's pretty standard for any retail store to have a 30-day return policy. I don't know why you would think that you can just return an item to a store for a refund whenever you feel like it.

Second, it's on the back of your Petco receipt. Third, if you told them a "couple of weeks" and they said that was fine, it's not their fault you waited over a month to return the kennels. You also mention the manager's age and attitude but don't describe in any way what he did that was wrong. Seems to me you resented being told "no" by someone so young.

If you have the luxury of taking over a month to get your money back for two expensive items like dog kennels, and then get pissed when the store refuses, you're an entitled ***. Get the chip off your shoulder.

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Tarique Zxe
map-marker State College, Pennsylvania

Petco Grooming State College PA refused my cat due to estimated age of cat

1. RE: PETCO STATE COLLEGE PA grooming, on 09-03-2011 11:45

I took my inherited cat there this am for grooming. 8 AM apt, was not let in until 8:03, then waited for computer to warm up and another person to check in, by then 8:10 a.m., before the CAT WAS REFUSED due to age. As I explained, the age on the rabies certificate was my husband's GUESS as we inherited the cat when my aunt in CA died. She got the cat in 2004. They don't want to groom any cat over 9 years old. I told the appointment taker when I called that we did not really know the age of the cat. The cat was used to being groomed in CA but this was first trip here to groomer. We had the rabies tag but they wanted the certificate, which said 11(a guess that my husband told the vet). We could not contact the vet as they were not yet open. I was willing to sign a waiver or a statement that the age of the cat was not known but that I agreed to the risks of grooming. This was a big waste of time. If one has the required vaccinations, they should not discriminate if the owner is willing to bring the animal in for grooming and sign a release.

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20 comments
Guest

Maybe you're ok with your cat dying due to his age and the amount of stress that grooming causes, but maybe think of how the groomed would feel if they cat died in her care. Stop thinking of yourself for once and think of the cat and the groomed. Selfish pig

Guest

I can't believe you're complaining about waiting 3 minutes to get inside. What a world we live in where 3 mins can make or break a company now.

So, I have my own issues with Petco and Petsmart groomers in my area, simply from what I saw when working there, but this groomer was correct. Do your research on your pet before blowing up. Read the company's policy. They were just doing their job lady.

If policy says they can't groom over age 9 or 10, then they can't.

Not their fault, its policy. So quit blaming the groomer for doing their job right and following the rules.

Connie Svi

@Concerned Pet Owner

It's called freedom of speech. We aren't at work and we're not on the clock. We can say whatever we want. Which district manager are you going to call? You don't even know who any us are, where we live, let alone what district we work in.

You would "think twice before entrusting my pet to people who represent themselves and their employer in this manner"?

So we aren't allowed to defend ourselves or have opinions?

Just because we disagree with a customer complaint, it doesn't mean we would harm an animal! I love animals! It's most customers that I can't stand! Most of you are irresponsible, know it alls who want all of us to kiss the ground you walk on!

Heck, you customers are even too good to have to wait "ten" whole minutes!

Guest

I don't know ANY groomer who just takes the rabbies tag. You need the papers!!!

One reason being the rabbies tag does not have the expiration date or the pet's name on it. Secondly there are *** owners out there that won't vaccinate and just swap the rabbie tags. Groomers get bit, and a cat *** can end a groomers career. I been bitten so many times but a cat *** ended me up in the hospital with a bad infection.

Their mouth is VERY dirty.

I won't groom a cat over 10! Its to stressful for the cat compared to a dog. Cats and dogs have a total different temperament. They get stress way to easy.

You should be grateful the groomer cared enough for your cat to refuse it do to the age. Obviously you didn't understand.

Guest

Lady you are a PITA. I would have refused you on the 3 minutes alone. Sounds like you were trying to BS them about the age and flying under the radar.

I groomed a 17 year old cat this past month. Did great.

They were blowing smoke up your *** Look in the mirror.

PS Brush your cat.

Guest

I think Petco's district manager should be notified for the degrading and unprofessional remarks made by their staff to a customer. This situation would make me think twice before entrusting my pet to people who represent themselves and their employer in this manner.

Brittany Fvh

We require the certificate because you can have anyone's tag and the age we stop taking cats is 10. I don't understand the policy myself since we do dogs until whenever, but PETCO feels that 10 for a cat is too much of a liability.

Honestly, find a private groomer that does cats (good luck) and/or groom it yourself. Bathing a cat isn't hard but when you have a long coated cat, you need to make sure there's no mat and if there are, get them out before bathing!!!

Guest

b.s. petco groomers suck 9 is not old for a cat petco get out of grooming you all suck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guest

Older cats have a high risk of stress when they are groomed. Open your eyes to that.

Its not a dog... its a cat. You wait 3 minues to be let in...that could of been the time it took the employee to get out of there car into the store, punch in, walk into the salon put there purse down and go open the door for you. 3 minutes!

Petco Opens at 8am. And one more thing. We don't take the rabies tag because it only has a year on it. Not a full date.

Todays date is 7/31/11. Your tag could say 2010 on it... Which for us means... the rabies was done in 2010...

DUHHHH!!!! But whats the date? Was it done before 7/31/10? we have no clue...

Was the rabies a one year or a three year? We dont know. You've never been here before, we dont have that information written on our forehead.

Its a liability. Remember that!

Guest

I groom all three of my shih tzu and also my two cats. I would NEVER groom a cat over the age of 7 to include my own cats.

Grooming is VERY stressful on cats. Also unless your cat NEEDS groomed don't have it bathed and groomed. Good daily brushing, comb out and all the rest is better than bathing. I won't bash petco grooming overall as with any large grooming business each individual groomer is just that - an individual with some petco groomers being great and some being dangerous to the pets they handle.

You should find a good experienced cat home for this poor senior kitty. Also you need to be more patient overall.

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MrBubba B
map-marker Decatur, Texas

PetCo Grooming Abuse

PetCo Grooming Abuse
PetCo Grooming Abuse - Image 2

WARNING! WARNING!

WARNING! Do not take your pets to PetCo in Harker Heights for grooming services. I took my great pyreness mix there to get groomed. Those of you who are familiar with the breed, know they have very long (6-8 inch) curly hair.

He used to love to be brushed, but after this encounter with the head groomer if you approach him with a brush or even brush your own hair in his presence, he tries to ***. Not a simple nip, to draw blood. While on a visit to PetCo after the incident with the groomer, to buy other products there, the head groomer walked toward him and he tried to *** her, and he doesn't ***, he likes everyone.

Now in order to have him groomed for about $70.00 is is costing me $176.00 because he has to be sedated. There lies another problem, because he could die from sedation.

During the short time he is sedated he has to be shaved, because it is nearly impossible to try to brush him out in a short hour. The loss of hair on his body aslo requires us to put sunblock on him and not let him out during the day cause he could go blind.

Of course he no longer goes to PetCo and it would be wise for others not to use them either, god only knows what type of abuse your animals are going through. We believe she hit him with the brush.

Three of my friends who have used PetCo have had similar experiences with their animals and no longer use PetCo. The manager said he refuses to fire her because he has got no other complaints.

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8 comments
Guest

I am a lifelong dog handler. Groomer and kay know as much about dogs as i know about rocket science.

Petcos groomer abused your dog. Invest in a collar cam.

Guest

If those pics are your great pyrenese, sorry you have a mutt its mixed and dogs don't learn to *** with such brutal aggression overnight. It's taught over his life.

Guest

I don't understand how this is animal abuse. Did you witness your dogs being beaten?

It sounds to me like the groomer did the RIGHT thing by shaving the dog instead of dematting it.. which can be very painful to the dog.

Guest

This comment is to those of you who think my dog was not cared for prior to his visit. He was brushed daily and no he never bit.

He loved being brushed, this is the point I am trying to make. He was not matted on that occassion, but since this incident he has became severely matted because I cannot brush him either. Ute (the groomer), it seems, has several scars all over her arms. What would you think?

The manager says she is agressive, this is why she gets bit. I used to bathe dogs at a groomers (and cats as well), guess what, I never got bit. Those who man-handle your pets will get bit, because they are trying to take control by bullying the animal. That is what this all about, bullying by the groomer to get results.

Well, the result is a animal that cannot be touched or groomed any longer without the assistance of a veterinarian and medication to put them to sleep. Come on people wake up, this is a clear case of animal cruelty and abuse.

Guest

If it was true that the dog could not be groomed in the alloted time for that amount of money, then the responsible, humane thing for the groomer to do was to tell the owners that, and refuse the job instead of going ahead and hurting and traumatizing the poor dog!

Guest

petsmart is the same, i have heared the same from people on petsmart, you get that everywhere,if your dog is matted and they get brushed and the hair gets pulled they can *** cause it hurts, you have to brush them and then go back over with a comb, great p, gets matted easy,they are set in there ways, i had one and he would be fine to groom and i groomed him and one day he got mad and tried to *** me and he was like that from then on, they are diggers, they get out of the yard, they roam, they are very stubborn, when there mind is made up you cant make them do what you want them to do, they use them in kosovo for drug dogs.

Donna C Mkn

Sadly, I'm afraid that I have to support the groomer as although we don't want to think one of our pets can become a biter, it can happen over an insignificant event to us. Your dog probably was matted and probably did have quite tender skin as a result.

A great pyrenese has a very dense undercoat and has to be brushed regularly to keep it from forming a feltlike mat under the longer hair. Rather than attempt to brush out a coat that has become matted, the coat should have been scissor split and then carefully removed with clippers. It's too bad that your dog became traumatized by possible neglect and a groomer that did not take the time to carefully help your pet. She may not have in any way been mean to your dog other than to keep brushing after the animals skin became sore.

If the dog was not accustomed to a stranger brushing him from an age of 6 weeks on, you can't blame her for his reaction. Especially as I can tell you that having been a groomer in my distant past-30 years ago, it would have been at least a two day job at a cost of at least $200.00 back then if I were presented with a Grt Pyr.

that had not been brushed out in more than 6 weeks. While he or she could be cut down to a puppy cut in 1 day, a brush out would have taken at least 2 with breaks for the dog as it isn't fair to expect them to tolerate brushing for that many hours.

Guest

Biting like that is not an overnight habit. Most Dogs react this way do to poor habits in keeping the animal groomed in the first place.

I would bet you probably neglected his care and upon the first time getting groomed tramatized the poor animal. He is your dog, so the price of his care is your issue.

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Maya C Szl
map-marker New York, New York

Awful Grooming Experience, Rude Staff, Do Not Appreciate Their Customers

Petco - Awful Grooming Experience, Rude Staff, Do Not Appreciate Their Customers
Petco - Awful Grooming Experience, Rude Staff, Do Not Appreciate Their Customers - Image 2

DO NOT GO TO GRANT, The rude groomer manager, that gave us an awful attitude, and a lame excuse for a lion haircut for our pomeranian, left him looking ridiculous, and refused to fix it - even though we had several costumers teaming up with us, trying to explain them how funny it looked!!! Mark, the assistant manager was not helpful at all - just nodding his head and saying there's nothing he can do.

We were judged and humiliated by them both, Grant trying to judge our character, and tell us who and what we are by how we "behave".

I told him that out dog is his business card - that's what people see on the streets - and he claimed that he has "plenty of other business cards" - and ours simply doesn't matter,

We left the store feeling cheated and unappreciated.

If you really care about your pet, Do not go near that store.

Will NEVER go back there again.

(Branch on 86th & Lexington Avenue, New York)

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Loss:
$77
8 comments
Guest

They both look wrong on both dogs the 1st is cut to the base of the neck the 2nd is to far down the back and the tail isn't trimmed correctly.

Guest

First of all, I don't think the so called "loin cut" is very flattering to a Pom anyway!!! Keep with the TRADITIONAL look for the type of dog for God's sake!!!!!

A Pomeranian is supose to have beautiful profuse fluffy fur. That cut RUINS the dog!!!!

ARE YOU CRAZY??? :x

Guest

wow thats really bad and i dont know what they were thinking the first is a beautiful cut but the 2nd one is really bad! as a groomer i would never even think of that!!

Guest

I am a grooming manager, too. The second picture is a lion cut that's usually placed on a Lowchen

Guest

OMG! The 2nd pic is the cut you got?

OMG! That is awful!

I am a grooming mgr at a PetCo and I can't believe they let a little Pom go out the ooor like that! Where did that person learn to groom????????

Guest

you seriously need to rethink about how you want your buisness card to look. that dogs *** ugly like that, you ruined him reguardless

Maya C Szl

The pictures are to demonstrate the damage they had done to my dog - 1st pic - what we had wanted - 2nd one - THE AWFUL RESULT!!!!! :(

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Maya C Szl

I'm sorry that happened but honestly I couldn't stop laughing. I hope that you find a local reputable groomer and not go to the chain pet stores anymore

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marblestones
map-marker Irvine, California

Petco has rude groomers and they do horrible work.

I took my dog to Petco today to get groomed and shaved. The groomer there was Pscyho. She said it would take 2 hours and it took 5. After two hours when I called her on the phone she yelled at me and said she's busy. When I went to pick her up she was nasty in front of customers and would not even let me look at my dog. They did not shave her pads, they nicked her several times and they are just plain RUDE and there was no manager there to see what happened but another worker who claimed he was an assistant manager saw it all and never even apologized. I'll go to another groomer next time. If you must go to a pet store groomer your better off at PESTMART
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Loss:
$70
2 comments
Guest

Unfortunatly it sounds like u had a bad groomer or perhaps caught her on a bad day but you cant blame a whole chain for ones mistakes their are many people who work under those same policies that do everything to ensure that you and your per have a great time my local petco groomer is great unfortunatly i can not say the same about the local petsmart but again its the people that make the experience...

Guest

As an active member of local animal rescue agencies, I can tell you I often wash dogs in stores kind enough to loan us their facilities for adopt-o-thons. I have spoken to many groomers. First, they don't get paid jack. They get dogs that don't know how to behave & owners that don't understand that..or behave any better themselves. That groomer sounds over worked & underpaid.

The best groomers make & stick to appts. and usually are not found in chain pet stores. Go to their house or their shop, not a big box chain store. And leaving your dog for that long under such busy conditions as you describe is rather cruel.. the dog doesn't learn that it's a good experience which only compounds the problem over time. I tell ya, I wash the hardest dogs last.

If you really want to do what's best for your dog, find someone who can do it in a calm, stable environment. Your dog will learn to enjoy it. Dare I suggest you can maybe even swap your time working at a no kill shelter for a grooming session? We do that all the time. You may even make new friends, the 2 & 4 footed kind!

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Cassaundra Xan
map-marker Herndon, Virginia

PETCO-after hours CS reps don't speak English

I attempted to place a large order online with an advertised PETCO promotion code for free shipping with orders over $60(good for 2 more days). The website wasn't cooperating, so I had to call CS (after 6PM PST. I was connected to an outsourced CS rep). The problem was, I was unable to fix the problem or even make the order with the rep on the phone because she couldn't understand the problem, much less couldn't put a coherent sentence in English together. It was several minutes of 'what?', 'sorry', 'hold-on, 'you want what?', 'who are you?', 'just go to a store' Sorry I know a lot companies outsource, but enough is enough. Get some of these jobs back from India, China, etc. and start employing America again.
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4 comments
Guest

I agree dont get a shot at petco.They will do some bad damage to your pet. :cry

Guest

Do not get a shot at petco.They messed my dog up! :(

Guest

I second that, AMEN!! As John Wayne once said "Why the h e l l do I have to press 1 for English?"

Guest

Amen!

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Rubee M
map-marker San Francisco, California

Worst Attitude Ever.

I went with my sister to petco to get some fish for her birthday, she picked out 6 fish, we already had 10 fish at home in a 10 gallon tank. They saleslady told us that the fish are going to die and we didn't mind them because we had out own experience, the fish did not die that quickly. So we ignored them, then the manager came and told us that we didn't have to to sell us the fish. Then we were so mad, then the lady said that we don't have to be so rude, then the lady said to never go back to petco again..TO US! I wanna just shove her into a pet carrier and mock her all day.
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Loss:
$10
16 comments
Guest

I'm sorry,but you ARE abusing the fish.A 10 gallon tank?!Do you know how small that is for TEN fish?They have every right to refuse a sale if they don't think you intend/want to take care of it properly.It's bull when it's for no reason(even if you take proper care of animals).

If they refused you for no good reason,you are justified in your assery,but you are not.

Not only did you complain like an ***,you did it even though they were justified in refusing your service!

Something similar happened to me at a different Petco,they refused to sell me any more animals for no reason apparently.I was willing to take good care of them,why did they refuse? >:(

Guest

@ Fish Breeder: Wow, sorry you got that kid. Just had to say that, because you have your stuff together on the fish front. Something I rarely saw working pet care at Petsmart. So kudos a hundred times over to you.

As for everyone supporting the person who wrote this and to the poster as well, Petco was absolutely correct in what they did. Each fish needs 1 gallon per 1" of fish. 2 gallons per 1" for goldfish. Telling you not to come back is a bit extreme, but they had every right to refuse the sale.

Now to address the large amounts of fish in store tanks. You do realize the stores house a 1-5k gallon filtration system in the back? Plus weekly scrub-downs of the tanks? At least, in good stores, tanks are scrubbed and siphoned a minimum of once weekly. This means all those toxins being built up, are just as quickly getting removed. Many of the dead fish, are from fish delivery day and its caused from the stress of transportation. I always recommended people to buy fish 1-2 days AFTER delivery day, so that fish weren't getting the double stress of two moves in one day.

Connie Svi

We do have the right to refuse the sale of any animal, including fish. Just because you don't care about their lives, it doesn't mean we don't.

@Sup

Yeah, we could say no gaurantee on the fish, but why should the fish have to suffer to just please a couple of idiots who don't know anything about fish?

I'm sorry, but at petco, the animals come first NOT the customer. If the customer doesn't like that or can't understand than we don't need their business and they don't need any pets either!

Guest

I had a similar experience at Petco about a weeka ago, and it was the last time I will ever go there. I was so furious that I walked out of the store.

I have a long-established, well-planted with thriving live plants, 29gal tank with a small colony of tetras and one ancient algae eater. After about 4 years some of my neon tetras had died, so I went to Petco to get replacements - only to be told, by some kid young enough to be my grandkid, that I obviously don't know how to take care of tetras and the reason that mine were dying was NOT old age, but because I dont change half of their water every other week, and that if I put new fish in there they would die from the built up "toxins" in my tank.

What a condescending, know-it-all little ***!

I didn't bother to try to explain to him that I know *** good and well how to test for nitrates and nitrites, that I don't overfeed my fish, my tank is permanently at about half capacity, and that the reason I have tetras is NOT because I am an amateur, but because I wanted a break from breeding South American cichlids and I happen to LIKE tetras!

I bought my fish elsewhere and they are, of course, perfectly fine and happy in their new home. I feel sorry for the poor, pale, stressed-out ones that I left at Petco.

Guest

I am so glad they didn't sell you fish, you obviously have no clue how to properly take care of fish, and they Yvette every right to refuse sale! Oh and about fish overpopulation in the store tanks, I can't speak for PETCO, but our fish sell so fast there not in there for very long. Our store is a temporary housing not permanent like when you bring a fish home!!

Guest

all you petco lovers dont see they have about 30=50 fish in a single 5 gallon tank? Whenever i go there i see so many dead fishes just floating in the water.

16 fish cant fit in a 10 gallon but 30 can fit in a 5 gallon tank right?

i guess if theyre all just dead and floating then its okay. NOT.

Guest

This is why we have the right to not sell to people like you. You are pissed at the employee for not selling the fish to you?

16 fish in a 10 gallon tank. If I was the person you were talking to, I wouldnt of went and got a manager. I would of denied you right there and then. Put yourself in a 50 gallon tank...

tell me how it feels. The you'll know what the fish felt like. And By the way...

they sell dog carriers at our store as well. Get yourself a good sized one and put yourself in it.

Guest

Wow....normally I'm not a fan of PetCo...but KUDOS to them! Yes, you are an ***.

Not only for complaining, but for thinking that 16 fish in a 10 gallon tank is ok. Even SIX fish, depending on the species, is WAY TO MANY!!!!!

People like you are the ones that make me hate working in a live pet retail situation. Good on PetCo for refusing a sale to you :)

David L Owy

LEARN HOW TO WRITE LIKE A PROPER PERSON!!!!

Guest

You know what people complain about petco abusing animals what do you think sticking that many fish in that tank is? I think its great that petco doesn't sell animal to some one who is going to miss treat them. You shouldn't be aloud to buy animals if you don't know how to care for them!

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