So pretty is more important than the health of your gecko?

[Leopard.Geckerz]

I work at a pet supply store that sells crickets, so I have quite a few people that have geckos and I talk to about geckos. Well, I'm ringing up some crickets yesterday and conversation goes as follows...

Me: So, what kind of reptile are you feeding these lovely bugs to?
Customer: A gecko
Me: A leopard gecko?
Customer: *glances at her daughter, daughter nods*
Me: Oh nice, I have a few of those.
Customer: I like him.. and he's been SO much better since he's been on sand
Me: I'd never, ever use sand
Customer: Why?
Me: *Proceeds to explain the risk of impaction, politely* So basically to me it isn't worth the risk, I'd never use it for any of my ten geckos, and you couldn't pay me to.
Customer: But it looks nice
Me: But it's dangerous
Customer: The tank seems to smell less with sand
Me: Well.. which is really more important, the health of your pet, or the fact that it seems cleaner? What was the gecko on before?
Customer: Slate tile.
Me: That's one of the best substrates you can use
Customer: But it got smelly!
Me: Well.....cleaning is generally involved with ANY pet *starting to get really angry*
Customer: But it's gross..and it can't be healthy
Me: Why?
Customer: Because.. if it's smelly..the gecko..must be admitting some sort of toxic gas that it shouldn't be breahting in...
Me: *blank stare* I use paper towel, maybe you could try that
Customer: Won't THAT be smelly?
Me: Again..cleaning, it's really not that difficult to change paper towel.
Customer: Well, whatever, thanks

And that was basically it. :main_rolleyes:

 

[SteveB]

The sand debate/debacle is not worth stressing over... and not worth alienating others over, especially customers.

 

[Halley]

Yeah, the sand debate is simply pointless... It’s fine to try and educate, but some people just have a hard head…

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

All I was doing was trying to educate, I didn't really get into as heated of a discussion as I could have. I just don't want to see a gecko get hurt because of ignorance.

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

The sand debate/debacle is not worth stressing over... and not worth alienating others over, especially customers.

I don't think she was "alienated" or upset. Surprised, sure, and hard headed, but she came in again later in the day so obviously not too mad that we shared a different opinion.

 

[latshki]

maby you should prink off some pictures of the autopsied gecko with impaction and just give them a picture of what will happen

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

maby you should prink off some pictures of the autopsied gecko with impaction and just give them a picture of what will happen

Yeah, I've considered that, the only thing is, is her daughter was with her and I wouldn't want to upset a child or something. I did explain that I saw pictures, though. It's not something I come across too often because most of my gecko people are pretty well educated, I'd never seen this lady before. Sand just bothers the heck out of me.

I got really angry in my mind, but didn't voice it, I stayed pretty calm but mentally I wasn't too pleased, lol.

I even had a friend who had a gecko that died, cut it open to "autopsy" it, and sure enough, a tablespoon of sand in its gut. That taught her why we don't use sand.

 

[ReptileMan27]

Its really not worth the headach, you did the right thing and warned the person and thats up to them to make the right choice. Sadly some people are more worried about looks rather then safety/health of there animal. In the end though, people are gonna do what they want regardless.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

But the pretty pink sand makes my geckos happy....

back on topic....

at least you have informed and now it is up to the person to make the decision on their own.

 

[Haligren]

I don't get it. Sure sand looks nice, but I like repti-carpet (and maybe one day slate) just as well and it's SAFER.

 

[Spooki]

the sand battle is just as hard as the gold fish bowl battle... sometimes asking people if they'd enjoy eating sandy food helps. just because it's a gecko doesn't mean it enjoys eating grity sand, i can't imagine that feels good on the throat.

 

[Yamori]

There will always be a wall dividing those that do and those that don't use sand.

There have already been so many threads and they all end the same.
personally i use Sand/peat moss mix but when the moss runs out i use sand/plantation soil mix. I spend a fair amount of time observing my babies and have never seen them lick or accidentally eat any of there substrate. If you make sure all there needs are met you most likely never will. I know a number of people that have been breeding for up to and over 28 years that use sand and have NEVER had any issues whatsoever.

The fear of sand/Impaction has gotten to be like propaganda to strike fear in to collectors and breeders everywhere, seems to be working too.

-
Peace

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

There will always be a wall dividing those that do and those that don't use sand.

There have already been so many threads and they all end the same.
personally i use Sand/peat moss mix but when the moss runs out i use sand/plantation soil mix. I spend a fair amount of time observing my babies and have never seen them lick or accidentally eat any of there substrate. If you make sure all there needs are met you most likely never will. I know a number of people that have been breeding for up to and over 28 years that use sand and have NEVER had any issues whatsoever.

The fear of sand/Impaction has gotten to be like propaganda to strike fear in to collectors and breeders everywhere, seems to be working too.

-
Peace

Yeah..it's definitely a very divided issue, and yeah I've heard many times the same, if you meet their needs they won't lick it..etc... I just don't see a point in taking the risk, myself. Good luck to yourself, though.

 

[Foreverandever]

maby you should prink off some pictures of the autopsied gecko with impaction and just give them a picture of what will happen

Yea, she could do that if she wants to get fired

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

Yea, she could do that if she wants to get fired

I definitely wouldn't get fired over it, but I don't want to upset any kids.

 

[Foreverandever]

I definitely wouldn't get fired over it, but I don't want to upset any kids.

You wouldnt get fired if a customer (or multiple) complained about being shown (or offended) by those kinds of pics? Dang, my work would show me the door in about 2 seconds over a complaint like that from a customer

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

You wouldnt get fired if a customer (or multiple) complained about being shown (or offended) by those kinds of pics? Dang, my work would show me the door in about 2 seconds over a complaint like that from a customer

No, I can't see any of my regulars being as much of an asshat to complain to my boss about me. I wouldn't do it to begin with, as I wouldn't want to upset children, and if I WAS to show an adult, I'd warn them first that it were graphic. I've been at the store almost 3 years and I'm the only employee at the location. All of the other employees work at our second store. So nah, he wouldn't fire me over it, he likes me way too much. He's also the best boss you could ask for, lol.

 

[2bacop]

you have no idea how many times a day I have this discussion at work!!!