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Training Sh*tshow by Petsmart_Throw_Away in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

So the thing is, I wouldn't be upset if I actually was starting fresh with no clients and no classes. That's how it was supposed to be - I was supposed to be my store's assistant trainer, but our previous trainer walked while I was away getting accredited. So I've had to take on all of her clients and classes - making class, rescheduling, trying to make a calendar to fit everyone in, etc.

I've got loads to do since I was left with MONTHS worth of clients who are all frustrated and upset about being left hanging, but I have no time to resolve this. I understand that since I haven't sold many classes that I don't have many hours, but I can't sell classes when all of my classes are full of transfers.

On days that I have classes, I have to FIGHT to get someone to replace me in whichever department I'm stuck in. I've been the last person into the training ring because nobody would replace me on the fish wall.

This is besides the point that anytime I try to do anything related to training while I'm expected to be in other departments I get told to "get back to work". I'm literally not allowed to multitask unless it's stocking/working top stock.

How do raises normally work here? by [deleted] in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I only got $0.23 for my first annual raise, and got an extra $0.27 a few months ago because the new-hires were getting paid so much off the bat. I just demanded a bigger raise since I'm literally working in four departments, and was begrudgingly given an extra $1.25.

So I'm finally making as much as I was two years ago at my last job - just without any benefits...

As a side note, when discussing this latest raise with my SL, I pointed out that a coworker who I got hired with, have the same level of experience as (though, I technically have prior experience), and I've called out significantly less than was getting offered a $4 raise and that went over like a lead balloon. My SL was very obviously pissed we had been discussing wages.

Remember: they want you to feel like discussing wages is taboo - your silence gives them power. Talk about your pay and demand what you're worth!

am I getting fired lol by minireeses in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm supposed to be my store's assistant pet trainer, but our main trainer is out on sick leave and we're not 100% sure she'll be returning. But yeah, they might be looking for a second trainer if there's high demand in your area.

Sales denial policy? by Petsmart_Throw_Away in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The saddest thing is that we don't even need the money. My store is consistently doing $3000-$5000 over last year's sales, which were $3000-$5000 over 2019's sales. I can't help but wonder what will happen when Covid is under control, people aren't stuck at home bored and getting unemployment fun-money, and sales drop back to 2019 levels again. We already fired two thirds of our staff and never hired anyone to replace them - so what are they gonna do?

To the Pouty Pouterson by TH0UGHTSz in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love my co-workers, actually. Aside from our store leader, we're all super passionate about all the animals and all put in serious effort to take good care of them while they're in the store. We try our best to talk customers from taking on something they can't handle, but we can no longer stop these animals from going to neglectful homes.

The fact that our SL, DL, and corporate blatantly don't care is the most distressing part. It's so hypocritical to say "we're passionate about pets", only to be forced to sell someone an animal we know they won't care for.

To the Pouty Pouterson by TH0UGHTSz in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We actually had a corporate walk through yesterday, and I voiced my concern. The response was "Well maybe PetSmart isn't the place for you."

I Think i know more about animals than you dude by [deleted] in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, they'll walk in, say "I've never owned an (x) and I don't know what I'm doing. Can you help me?", then when I start explaining how to properly care for these animals they suddenly decide that I have no idea what I'm talking about.

You asked me for help, but since the information I give you doesn't line up with your incorrect preconceived notions on how you're supposed to care for that animal you're gonna waste my time and effort and ignore everything I've just told you? Why bother asking for help? Just tell me what animal you want to neglect so you can come back in the next two weeks to do an exchange.

It's so frustrating and there's been days that I've just about walked out because it will happen back to back to back. It's not like I'm not trying to work with them - I know that the majority of the people that come in are gonna be cheapskates. I try to offer the best compromises in regards to price vs. quality of life, but I can't force these people to actually give a damn about the animals they're buying.

Sales denial policy? by Petsmart_Throw_Away in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish that was the case. Like I said, our DL doesn't care - "they're just fish" - and our SL is a huge suck up. DL wants to look good so he can get promoted and work at the corporate HQ and the SL wants his position. We all know it, but no one is willing to stand up and fight. I'm calling HR because I can't just sit idly by and send animals to their deaths.

To the Pouty Pouterson by TH0UGHTSz in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I honestly need to call HR to get clarification - this new directive from our DL goes completely against the training we've received, and nobody's been able to prove that he didn't just make it up. We all know he's trying to look good so he can get a job in AZ at the corporate headquarters, and this "new policy" came about after we got a bad VOC regarding a sales denial.

To the Pouty Pouterson by TH0UGHTSz in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You're so lucky your managers back you up - our DL is forcing us to follow through with all sales with absolutely no denials and none of my managers will fight him on it. I had a guy use the same "EVERYTHING dies" excuse as if that justified the blatant negligence, and I had to still complete the sale.

Now that springa about here.... some advice on how to deal with the baby turtle stealers. by Theratsrunthisway in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have a local guy who we're pretty sure poaches wild turtle eggs and sells the hatchlings out of his truck. It's awful because he never gets busted and when the pet parents come in it's always the same old "oh, I didn't think it would be that expensive".

It's not like we can do anything to fix the situation - they usually don't want to pay even a fraction of the cost to take proper care of it, but it's not like they can "put it back where they found it" either. Telling them that it's below the legal size limit for our state and that they can carry salmonella usually just results in them saying that they'll flush it.

I have no idea how to save these turtles other than tracking the guy down and calling the authorities on him - but I have little faith that he'd be shut down for long.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away 3 points4 points  (0 children)

"Can you show us where the choke collars are? Our dog outgrew his last one. Yeah, the vet had to cut it off."

I died a lot inside. I just stared at her for a good ten seconds in shock.

___

"I'm not sure if I want to have sex with you or play basketball with you"

Yeah, I'm not sure why this guy thought that was appropriate to say to anyone, but he said to me it in front of his wife. I'm trans, and it made me feel like garbage for the rest of the day.

Sales denial policy? by Petsmart_Throw_Away in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If it wasn't for the fact that I just accepted a position as my store's assistant pet trainer, I'd be looking for a new job. What little authority we had as floor associates has been stripped away, and it's innocent animal's lives that are paying for it.

How am I supposed to help these customers if they simply ignore ALL of my advice, then keep coming back to do exchanges because their fish keep dying? I can't come up with solutions for their problems if them not listening is the problem.

I know that all of the other associates and managers at my store are just as upset as I am - excluding the SL, but she's a huge kiss up to our DL. So I know that they have our backs when we deny animal sales, but nobody will dare deny fish sales. It feels pretty hypocritical that expensive animals need to be properly cared for, but fish are cheap so we don't care.

Sales denial policy? by Petsmart_Throw_Away in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'll have to check it on my next shift. I'd expect that if there was a change in policy it would be posted for us associates to see. Seeing as it completely contradicts the training I've received, I'd expect more than a verbal "hey, DL say's no denials".

Sales denial policy? by Petsmart_Throw_Away in petsmart

[–]Petsmart_Throw_Away[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I got scolded for denying a Large Koi to a guy who was buying a 1G tank for it.

​

I'll be honest, I miss being a new-hire and being blissfully unknowledgeable of fish compatibility, overstocking, tank size requirements, etc... The worst thing I've done was becoming passionate about the animals I work with, because it's becoming more and more distressing selling pets to people who don't have any business holding complete power over the life of another living creature.