Childish, Immature Beginner Keepers

[goReptiles]

When you’re asked for advice and give it, but when the beginner keeper refuses your advice and tells you that you’re wrong, that’s plain irritating.

I’ve had people say ‘I just got my leopard gecko and it's my first one. I want to make sure that I am providing proper care. Can you help me with….’ And various questions attached.. When I try to help with enclosure questions or taming questions, they always seem to have all the answers and equipment after you say they need them. IE in the first email they’ll say what equipment they have, and when you tell them they’re missing something, they say ‘o I already have one of those.’ Tell them something else, and they already knew that too, but they asked or insinuated that they didn’t know or have it to begin with.

Then they yell and act more immature when you show them proof and evidence otherwise and try to nicely explain to them the differences in products that they think they have and what they really have, and then tell you to get a new hobby because you have no clue what you’re talking about.

I can’t stand those people…

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I've been dealing with this for 14 years.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

I like the ones that ask advise then when you tell them they need something, they come back with "that's not what the guy at the pet store told me, and he has 3-4 geckos at home and really seemed to know alot about them." "He told me sand, a heat rock, and a basking light were o.k. and they don't really need calcium or vitamins." WELL, then why are you asking us why your gecko is impacted, not eating, is burnt, and has MBD. Go ask the guy at the petstore, he's the expert.

 

[Baoh]

I agree with you, but there's someone, somewhere, who has also been doing this for a decade or so and promotes sand and heat rocks because he/she didn't ever encounter trouble with them, all the while annoyed when someone new to the hobby tells him/her that paper towel and UTH are the options to select.

Perspective matters.

As I said, though, I agree with you.

 

[thestack510]

Let it be like water off of a duck's back.

 

[goReptiles]

What sucks is when you're being super nice and stopping from saying 'who told you ? the pet store employee? or your friend who's had his/her gecko for 4 months?' or just stopping yourself from being plain rude, and they still get an attitude with you.

Why ask for advice and help when you know it all?! I just don't get it.

I like the response "well you're the ONLY one who has said that, meaning you have no clue what you're talking about bc all 3 people that I've asked say otherwise, so you and who you know are wrong.'

I told the person to come to the forums and ask to see if he gets any different answer. Oh and this is a person who JUST got the gecko- he said so.

Oh and did you know that all clamp lamps with with all light bulbs no matter whether they're heat emitters or not. I found that interesting because I've certainly used some that just aren't compatible with all bulbs. Oh and did you guys know know that leopard geckos NEED and HAVE to have a basking spot and a fully heated cage- left to right- with both an under tank heater and light without a any sort of cool side in order to be healthy? And you can apparently measure the temps without a proper thermometer. I found all that new info.

 

[Kitsune]

Unfortunately, there is always going to be wrong information floating out there.
There's no way you can make someone understand. They only thing we can do is to TRY to educate the person. If they don't take our advice, that's on them.
I know it really sucks, but you can't force someone to understand. One day, they WILL realize that what we say is true.. It's only a matter of time before their bad husbandry comes back to bite them~

 

[larry26]

I agree with you guys and the sad thing is that the people are asking for help and then arent appreciative when you are just trying to help the out.

 

[justindh1]

I can definitly see where your coming from. There are alot of people on here that don't know how to take information given to them. Theres too many people in life that are stuck on themselves and will always think they are right no matter how much of a retard they are. Its a blow to someones ego if they are proved wrong for some reason. Being proven wrong is just a way of learning and getting to the truth. People should realize its not about right or wrong but learning new information thats correct.

The really bad thing to me is not when someone won't take any advice but are willing to give the worst advice out there.

Theres also many people on here when asked a question get frustrated and right off the bat are being complete butts about any questions. You can tell from their responses. They will answere to people they want to in a freindly mannor and will give the other people an additude so they don't come back to them for information. Either give information in a friendly mannor or don't do it at all. Too many people tend to allow their opinions or beliefs from seeing other peoples side or allowing others to express themselves in a healthy way. Get to know the person and don't judge people because of what others think.

Theres problems on both sides and its something that could be solved but we as humans are too touchy and self obsorbed to see. :main_thumbsup:

 

[gothra]

Just take a deep breath and continue to give out the correct information (try not to explode meanwhile ). Even if the person asking is not appreciating your help, other people reading the thread will benefit from it.

 

[Krow]

I can stand pet shop people. They only tell you things that are "good" for leos that they have in their store so you will buy it so they can get more money. Its not bad that they want just a little more money, who doesn't, & especially now? Its bad that they are telling about "good" things for leos & they are some of the worst thing to have!! I tested my pet shop lady here & she had it COMPLETELY wrong. But the way she keeps her animals is very nerve raking too. Almost all of her fish tanks have atleast 1-2 dead fish floating around in them, & the other fish are eating it, NASTY!! She also had 2 leos for sale housed on sand, a normal light, no thermometer to track temps & where not even labeled with their morph. She fed them normal fishing worms when she didnt have any mealies for them, HORRIBLE!! The leos didnt look very happy either I wanted to buy them both to save them but they were way to expensive for the amount of money I have, & they were also over priced. One was a normal & was $400 & the other was a Bell & was $600. They were so skinny & very inactive. I think the little normal was already impacted:cry::main_no:

I strongly suggest not listening to ANYTHING pet shop people tell you about herps.:main_no:

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Let it be like water off of a duck's back.

Exactly! When I get frustrated with stuff like this I either ignore it or continue reminding myself that most people don't like 'not' knowing everything. Just remember that all of these people and questions are the future of our hobby.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

You think it's bad about geckos, try working phone tech support.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

One was a normal & was $400 & the other was a Bell & was $600.

:shocked2:

 

[Kitsune]

I can stand pet shop people. They only tell you things that are "good" for leos that they have in their store so you will buy it so they can get more money.

I strongly suggest not listening to ANYTHING pet shop people tell you about herps.:main_no:

Okay.. I can't tell you how much this bothers me...
This is just.. ignorant in my opinion. Sure, you have to take what a lot of people say with a grain of salt.. But to say to not listen to ANYTHING "pet shop people" tell you.. UGH.
I personally work in a large chain pet store.. In the Pet Care Department.
And while I may not have ALL the information on herps, I do know a fair amount. And I will not tell you wrong information. If I don't know the answer.. I will tell you that.

NOT. ALL. EMPLOYEES. OF. PET. SHOPS. ARE. STUPID.

I hate hate hate when people bunch all of us "pet shop people" together. It may take awhile to find someone who knows what they're talking about.. But, please.. Do NOT assume we ALL have no idea what we're talking about.

It's darn insulting.

 

[Ehatcher]

NOT. ALL. EMPLOYEES. OF. PET. SHOPS. ARE. STUPID.

you are right, not all employees of large chain stores are stupid, and i am SOOO glad that you are there to shine down hope on most of these reptiles... But sadly the vast majority of employees that are working in those places are just there for a paycheck. Its a sad reality and the reptiles lose every time.

My 2nd to last expereince at one of the big chain stores was horrifying. I was getting checked out by the clerk and she seen my crickets. She asked me what i was feeding and i said geckos. She asked oh, what kind? i said Leopards.... then the most shocking thing i had ever heard came out of her mouth. She said that " while she lived in south africa, the geckos down there bothered them so much, so they started smashing them with a hammer to get rid of them" and then she laughs histerically.

She said this while knowing that i was there to buy feeders FOR MY GECKOS. :main_lipsrsealed:

 

[THE WHISPERER]

you are right, not all employees of large chain stores are stupid, and i am SOOO glad that you are there to shine down hope on most of these reptiles... But sadly the vast majority of employees that are working in those places are just there for a paycheck. Its a sad reality and the reptiles lose every time.

My 2nd to last expereince at one of the big chain stores was horrifying. I was getting checked out by the clerk and she seen my crickets. She asked me what i was feeding and i said geckos. She asked oh, what kind? i said Leopards.... then the most shocking thing i had ever heard came out of her mouth. She said that " while she lived in south africa, the geckos down there bothered them so much, so they started smashing them with a hammer to get rid of them" and then she laughs histerically.

She said this while knowing that i was there to buy feeders FOR MY GECKOS. :main_lipsrsealed:

:furious3: :rifle: :hanged: :behead:

 

[Ratman667]

I used to be one of the, "Immature" beginner keepers. I was too trusting of pet shop employees.

After dealing with a severe impaction with my bearded dragon and nearly $800 in vet bills, I learned to do my research. Now before I get any animal, I make sure I have everything I need. BTW, Sunny, the bearded dragon, is doing fine. He lives happily with my mom in Oregon.

I got my first leos in January. I started researching them in November and I still know hardly anything.

Sadly, it sometimes takes an emergency to teach people to except all information.

As far as pet stores go, I now as questions I already know the answers too just to see what response I get. If I can tell they have no idea what they are talking about, I find someone else or go to a different store.

However, after a heated argument over the temps in a few reptile cages, I now do not shop at the place, "Where the pets go".

/rant

 

[EchoPet]

Okay.. I can't tell you how much this bothers me...
This is just.. ignorant in my opinion. Sure, you have to take what a lot of people say with a grain of salt.. But to say to not listen to ANYTHING "pet shop people" tell you.. UGH.
I personally work in a large chain pet store.. In the Pet Care Department.
And while I may not have ALL the information on herps, I do know a fair amount. And I will not tell you wrong information. If I don't know the answer.. I will tell you that.

NOT. ALL. EMPLOYEES. OF. PET. SHOPS. ARE. STUPID.

I hate hate hate when people bunch all of us "pet shop people" together. It may take awhile to find someone who knows what they're talking about.. But, please.. Do NOT assume we ALL have no idea what we're talking about.

It's darn insulting.

THANK YOU! Not all of us pet store employees are idiots who give out the wrong information. Stereotyping us and saying that no one should ever listen to any pet stop staff is only going to make it harder for those of us who DO know what we're talking about to get through to our customers. It's hard enough without spreading more ignorance and saying that ALL of us are stupid and unqualified. (Try explaining to a customer that even though their leopard gecko book says it's ok, and that all the packaging on the bag says it's safe, it's really not a good idea to use Calci-sand for geckos.)

I have to say, my experience with the chain store here in Conway has not always been the best as far as the employees knowing much, but there are still a couple people that work there that know their stuff and are doing what they can. They even keep their geckos on Repti-carpet which is much better than the chain stores in Little Rock. I as well as anyone know that there are some really bad pet stores, and really bad pet store employees, out there giving out bad information and not taking care of their animals - but we're not all that way, and implying that we are bothers me as well.

 

[MeiK]

imo it's usually the EASIEST advise that people will listen to. Not the first advise - not from the most "knowledgeable" person... It's just whatever seems easiest.

For instance - if someone says "they'll do fine on sand" - and the consumer already has sand... Just about NOTHING anyone else says will matter. (to the "immature beginner keepers")

Or if someone says "they don't need a humidity hut" and someone else says they do...

Or if someone says "leopard geckos don't need heat lamps" and someone else says they do...

etc.

Doesn't matter who "knows more" - it's whoever makes life most convenient for the owner...

Sorry to say it - but so far the "chain store" people around here really could use a few people like those posting above... The rare and highly sought after SMART chain store employees. :main_laugh: