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Big Box Store Vindication

Posted by Shawn Berg at 5/24/2013 7:07:06 PM

I have always said that I don't know everything. That I learn something new every single day, that's one thing I find so exciting about life, my career, this tremendous hobby, and my existance in general. But I had an opportunity to get some correct information out there on keeping snakes and it felt good...

So today my wife's doctor back in South Dakota called and said certain records and prescription refills could not be transmitted electronically for her appointment next Tuesday. This put us in a position where on a whim, we had to drive back to Sioux Falls one last time today to retrieve this data for her appointment. After we stopped at her doctor's office, we decided to stop at Petco to stock up on Guinea pig food and hay for our sons' pigs. And yes, their Guineas are huge pigs...

While we are there, my son asked to get a hermit crab. They were like $8 and his last one died a few months back so we said sure. I don't usually frequent big box pet stores for much of anything except food for the rest of our mini-farm and the occasional plant.

While we are waiting for the sales clerk to unlock the hermit crab cage (because apparently they are savage little crustaceons), we hear the sales clerk talking to a father and son about purchasing a snake. They were in the air if they wanted a ball, RTB, or BRB. This intrigued me as I wanted to hear what GREAT advice this sales clerk was going to give them...so I moved within ear shot.

First, they began to talk about enclosures. The sales clerk recommended a 55 gallon, with a large UTH pad, two heat/UV lights and eco-earth substrate. And why Eco-Earth? The sales clerk stated all other substrates (Repti-Bark, cypress, aspen PROMOTE snake mites). NO mention of any hides, plants, thermostats, thermometers, correct temps or humidity. Mind you, all the snakes on hand were small babies. They chose a Colombian RTB and asked if the store could hold the snake for a couple of days while they get everythng set up to which the sales clerk said, "I am sorry, we can not. Once paid for, you are required to take the animal with you". I won't even get into the fact the RTB enclosure had 4-5 snakes on top of each other, the humidity "dial" read 15%, and one had a stuck shed. Since the store was unable to hold the snake, even though it was paid for, the father and son simply stated, I guess we'll talk about it and be back. The sales clerk then turned around to address my son's need to select a hermit crab. I saw the father and son stroll over to another aisle to look at enclosures so I stalked them and approached...

Now, I am not one to get involved in others' business, but with the OVERWHELMINGLY BAD information the sales clerk proceeded to regurgitate, I felt it necessary to step in and do some tactful re-education. I first introduced myself as I would do in business: a firm handshake, followed with my name. I led with, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I hear you're looking to bring your first snake into your home and was wondering if I could assist with some information as I have been raising/fostering pythons and boas for some time and can assure you the information these big box stores dish out...specifically the information the sales clerk just gave you...is way off base". He agreed and I proceeded to share some basic enclosure information that included information about regulating heat sources, proper temperature gradiants, the need for hides on both ends, the pros/cons of each substrate ttype, each species' different needs of temp and humidity, and some basic feeding overviews and the benefits of mice for some and rats for others. I also highly recommended that they purchase their snake from a reputible breeder and gave them some breeder sites to review. We talked for nearly half an hour and parted ways with my giving him my cell phone number and telling him he could call any time. Super nice guy and he thanked me for taking the time to give him the correct information. My wife and kids were ticked it took so long, but they understood...She's cool like that!

I don't share this for pats on the back. I am simply sharing this today to say I feel vindicated that I was able to avert another BAD big box pet store snake sale and to give good, basic information to a fellow new reptile owner. The funny thing is, that "sales clerk", was actually the Petco Store Manager. AND they left without spending a penny.

Comments:

View Oldest First

Sonja K. ,	Posted At: 5/24/2013 8:44:34 PM
	Nice job!

SapphireTigress,	Posted At: 5/24/2013 8:47:32 PM
	YAY! Hopefully they make an informed decision now! Great job stepping in politely :)

kouneli,	Posted At: 5/24/2013 9:13:20 PM
	Great job! I can't tell you how many times I've had to do that at pet stores...even the smaller mom/pop shops. Even called up animal control on a few due to the fact that they use their own poor advice with the animals they sell.

Sonja K. ,	Posted At: 5/24/2013 11:25:01 PM
	Of course you were polite - you're from Minnesota now - it's all about "Minnesota nice" now!

Shawn Berg,	Posted At: 5/25/2013 12:14:17 AM
	Of course I was Minnesota nice! I was bred and born here! Like I said, it's just nice to be able to educate...I really wasn't looking for props.

Pope of iHerp and Bread,	Posted At: 5/25/2013 6:59:42 AM
	Those are whatever you want them to be!

George H. Wessel VII,	Posted At: 5/25/2013 1:24:25 PM


sunspydr,	Posted At: 5/26/2013 3:01:51 PM
	I worked for petco for thirteen years(most of those as a dog groomer) and I will be the first to admit that they spend no time in educating their employees on proper care of the animals they carry. Most managers DON'T want to learn, they are all about $ and %. When I did work in the reptile and fish department I got in trouble when I took to long to educate a customer or (god forbid) discourage people buying a pet they were not prepared for. I always apreciated it when a customer like you would help another with their questions. So thanks and keep up that good reptile PR.

Rebecca ,	Posted At: 5/26/2013 11:04:42 PM
	Well done, Shawn!

Sarah Auzina,	Posted At: 5/27/2013 10:31:54 AM
	Good job! :)

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