Need to rant

[MissC89]

So I went to a petstore the other day and I was looking at a BTS that I had the honour of previously having it crawl all over me (will load pics when I get home) and the girl who was working there came over and started talking about how their faces freak her out. I thought "Ok... thats fine" and I suggested "well maybe its because they kind of look like a snake? A lot of people don't like snakes" and she went off on this little tangent about how she loves snakes and what not. Ok fine. Then I went up to the corn snakes they had on display (trying to find them but I'm pretty sure they were hiding underneath the paper towel they had in there) and THEN she went off about how ball pythons are so much better than corn snakes because when you buy them they're already big and corn snakes are so flimsy and the babies are really easily scared.

I've worked in retail for a really long time and no matter WHAT your opinion is, you NEVER tell the customer that what they want is "flimsy and not as good as something else because it isn't as big". That is terrible customer service and I was really disappointed because there's another employee who works there that I absolutely LOVE because of how amazing she is and she was really open to suggestions about the blue tongue skink and how to care for it.

Also, I don't CARE how flimsy the corn snakes are, I want one, I'm going to get it. Like our mothers always say, If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!

Phew, glad I got that off my chest. Thanks people!

[Julius2314]

Wow lol. Ur welcome. Negative employee ^^

[Chu'Wuti]

"Flimsy"??? How weird. That's like saying a slender person is "flimsy" compared to someone who is heavy-set. Doesn't even make sense.

Sounds like an under-educated employee; maybe you can go in and give her positive bits of info every once in awhile to help her learn more about the animals she's working with. Like many people, she just needs more education.

But it is really frustrating when they put someone like that in charge of the herps, I know. How do they expect her to sell anything when she's so negative? (I won't ask whether they expect her to be able to care for them properly; I know they don't after my recent experience of finding a dead BP in our local national chain pet store.)

Good luck!

[MissC89]

Sounds like an under-educated employee; maybe you can go in and give her positive bits of info every once in awhile to help her learn more about the animals she's working with.

I tried last night but she just kept talking. One of those "I think I know therefore I must so I don't need advice but thanks!"

[Aaron_S]

Well just to play devil's advocate here's something...

She's scared of skink faces. So what? I don't see how that's negative. She just mentioned something about herself on why she may not know or want to get close to the animal.

She's not really wrong about the corn snake vs. a larger snake. A lot of people have issues with baby snakes, especially babies as small as corn snakes. It's way easier for someone to learn to hold and care for an already established, and larger snake. She just said it wrong.

Personally, when I worked in pet stores, I'd try to get anyone to buy an adult or sub-adult corn over a baby. Way less issues to encounter.

[stephanbakir]

what shop?

[Chu'Wuti]

I tried last night but she just kept talking. One of those "I think I know therefore I must so I don't need advice but thanks!"

followed by Aaron_S: A lot of people have issues with baby snakes, especially babies as small as corn snakes. It's way easier for someone to learn to hold and care for an already established, and larger snake.

I've definitely met those types, Miss C89; they are the most frustrating to deal with!!

Aaron_S likely has the key to her belief that corn snakes are fragile--the babies are more difficult in general. BPs can be challenging enough; with corn snakes being so much tinier than BPs, they need smaller food items and may be even more difficult to feed. Pet stores get a LOT of very young snakes/babies, unfortunately, so their losses are probably very high. That would certainly convince someone that corn snakes are fragile.

[MissC89]

what shop?

I would rather not call out a shop. Its not the shops fault.

Aaron_S likely has the key to her belief that corn snakes are fragile--the babies are more difficult in general. BPs can be challenging enough; with corn snakes being so much tinier than BPs, they need smaller food items and may be even more difficult to feed. Pet stores get a LOT of very young snakes/babies, unfortunately, so their losses are probably very high. That would certainly convince someone that corn snakes are fragile.

Very true. It still ruffled my feathers that she was trying to steer me away, but in her own way she may have thought that she was stopping someone (who, for all she knows, is completely inexperienced [but she would have known I wasn't if she would let me talk!]) from getting a snake and having the misfortune of having it pass away on them.

[reptimama]

no matter WHAT your opinion is, you NEVER tell the customer that what they want is "flimsy and not as good as something else because it isn't as big". That is terrible customer service

I bet her boss would not be happy that she is losing sales because she is probably turning customers off what they were there to buy, especially if they haven't made up their mind and are new to reptiles.

[Aaron_S]

I would rather not call out a shop. Its not the shops fault.



Very true. It still ruffled my feathers that she was trying to steer me away, but in her own way she may have thought that she was stopping someone (who, for all she knows, is completely inexperienced [but she would have known I wasn't if she would let me talk!]) from getting a snake and having the misfortune of having it pass away on them.

If you think of it my way then she was offering up another option that may be better suited. She didn't do it with the right words though it sounds like.

[Aaron_S]

I bet her boss would not be happy that she is losing sales because she is probably turning customers off what they were there to buy, especially if they haven't made up their mind and are new to reptiles.

I bet her boss would be happier.

Get someone into the ball pythons and then you can get them into the morphs which cost far more than cornsnake morphs = more and higher sales.

Not only that but you're buying larger prey items and larger accessories for a larger snake.

[Julius2314]

I like the way you think Aaron S. you always seem to have a very different point of view and come with an educated answer. I view this thread differently now :p But I do think she could had been nicer and worded it differently. The way it sounds is kinda negative in my personal opinion.

[MissC89]

If you think of it my way then she was offering up another option that may be better suited. She didn't do it with the right words though it sounds like.

I would agree, but she didn't really let me get a word in, so I could have told her why I specifically wanted a corn snake instead of a BP. Its good that she was trying to offer up another option that may be better suited, but she should have listened to what the customer wanted first and then give her opinion. All I said was "I really like corn snakes" and she went in to this tirade of how balls are better. She didn't ask any of the retail questions like "Are you looking to buy one? Is there anything I can help you with? Do you need information on any of our reptiles?" etc...

I've worked in retail for a really long time and one of the main rules is ask the customer what they want, then give them other options of you know something that can better suite their needs.

Like I said, I just needed to rant :)

[reptimama]

If you think of it my way then she was offering up another option that may be better suited. She didn't do it with the right words though it sounds like.

Yeah, while I was writing this the other posts popped up. I agree with what was said above but I do think she used the wrong words and that could cause the loss of a sale period of either type of snake.

[KORBIN5895]

I would rather not call out a shop. Its not the shops fault.



Very true. It still ruffled my feathers that she was trying to steer me away, but in her own way she may have thought that she was stopping someone (who, for all she knows, is completely inexperienced [but she would have known I wasn't if she would let me talk!]) from getting a snake and having the misfortune of having it pass away on them.

I have a serious question. What is your experience level?

I would agree, but she didn't really let me get a word in, so I could have told her why I specifically wanted a corn snake instead of a BP. Its good that she was trying to offer up another option that may be better suited, but she should have listened to what the customer wanted first and then give her opinion. All I said was "I really like corn snakes" and she went in to this tirade of how balls are better. She didn't ask any of the retail questions like "Are you looking to buy one? Is there anything I can help you with? Do you need information on any of our reptiles?" etc...

I've worked in retail for a really long time and one of the main rules is ask the customer what they want, then give them other options of you know something that can better suite their needs.

Like I said, I just needed to rant :)

I did door to door sales for three years. My first year I was second in north America for rookies and my last year I was twelfth overall in north America.

Do you know what the secret is to high sales? You tell the customer what they want to buy in a way that they don't realize your are telling them what to buy. You make them think they decided it all by themselves. Never ask a question they can answer with a no.

[MissC89]

Jeez, I didn't realize a rant would cause such an issue. Sorry guys :sad:

[KORBIN5895]

Jeez, I didn't realize a rant would cause such an issue. Sorry guys :sad:

For what? I don't see an issue. She was a terrible sales rep.

[stephanbakir]

It's fine, honestly this is a debate, its not heated and a few good points are being brought up.
If you want a few shop names that are decent, i know that La Niche has good staff and decent herp collection (talk to Steve or Nick (steve preferably)) if they don't have the answers they will call me.
Or Salon du chien (decent stock of reptiles and morphs, decent prices) their knowledge isnt spectacular but the customer service is great (for me at least, but I've been going there for years)

[MissC89]

Oh. Okay. I know you guys don't really 'know' me but I'm going to put this out there to explain myself a little - I have terrible anxiety and depression (on medication) so I sometimes feel personally attacked and it upsets me. So anyway now that that is out in the open;

I have read through numerous articles about corn snakes, ball pythons, and blue tongue skinks (three main reptiles I am hoping to get)

I have asked breeders of those specific reptiles exactly what to do, gotten different opinions, and looked through books.

The only 'experience' I don't have on my reptile resume is actually taking care of one. I've handled them and everything, but my parents would never let me get one (no matter HOW much I begged) so, no I don't have experience in actually HAVING a reptile, but I have a lot of experience with PETS.

[stephanbakir]

If you want to get a reptile, give me a call and I'll find you a local breeder for what you want.

BTS, corns and balls are all bred locally

[reptimama]

I sometimes feel personally attacked and it upsets me.

I feel the same way sometimes. You just gotta have a thick skin and realize there is probably very little on here that is truly personal (I think). We are all different types of people from all over with all different experiences and sometimes things clash. I don't agree with everything I read here and I KNOW people wouldn't agree with everything I say or do so... Live and let live :D

[MissC89]

I feel the same way sometimes. You just gotta have a thick skin and realize there is probably very little on here that is truly personal (I think). We are all different types of people from all over with all different experiences and sometimes things clash. I don't agree with everything I read here and I KNOW people wouldn't agree with everything I say or do so... Live and let live :D

Thank you :)

[Julius2314]

Do you know what the secret is to high sales? You tell the customer what they want to buy in a way that they don't realize your are telling them what to buy. You make them think they decided it all by themselves. Never ask a question they can answer with a no.


I like this ^^^^ :robo:

[lady_bug87]

I have a serious question. What is your experience level?



I did door to door sales for three years. My first year I was second in north America for rookies and my last year I was twelfth overall in north America.

Do you know what the secret is to high sales? You tell the customer what they want to buy in a way that they don't realize your are telling them what to buy. You make them think they decided it all by themselves. Never ask a question they can answer with a no.

I bet that silver tongue comes in handy with the wife...

[KORBIN5895]

I bet that silver tongue comes in handy with the wife...

In more ways than one ;)

[Squirtle]

Wow, some people sure are sensitive. If you have your heart set on something, why would you care about someones, who you don't even know, opinion on it? Just buy the damn thing if you want it.

[Aaron_S]

Oh. Okay. I know you guys don't really 'know' me but I'm going to put this out there to explain myself a little - I have terrible anxiety and depression (on medication) so I sometimes feel personally attacked and it upsets me. So anyway now that that is out in the open;

I have read through numerous articles about corn snakes, ball pythons, and blue tongue skinks (three main reptiles I am hoping to get)

I have asked breeders of those specific reptiles exactly what to do, gotten different opinions, and looked through books.

The only 'experience' I don't have on my reptile resume is actually taking care of one. I've handled them and everything, but my parents would never let me get one (no matter HOW much I begged) so, no I don't have experience in actually HAVING a reptile, but I have a lot of experience with PETS.

Well if you feel attacked and it upsets you sometimes I'd be cautious about being on the internet on a forum and posting.

End of the day just figure out which best suits your lifestyle. No one can make up your mind because we aren't you or live your life.

[MissC89]

Well if you feel attacked and it upsets you sometimes I'd be cautious about being on the internet on a forum and posting.

End of the day just figure out which best suits your lifestyle. No one can make up your mind because we aren't you or live your life.

You are very right. It's hard to stop acting a certain way after you've been like that your entire life, but seriously, I shouldn't care what other people think, and after reading over the forum again, I don't even remember which part I felt personally attacked on. (seriously, over-thinking has its down sides for SURE)

And just like reptimama said, not much here is truly personal, and develop thicker skin (Maybe I'll even grow scales!)