Why are the people who work with lizards at the pet shop so inexperienced?

[crank]

When I got my leopard gecko, they told me that vitamin powder and calcium powder were the same thing and it didn't make a difference which one I got. But I did some research and supposedly leos can OD on vitamin powder? And the guy said that eventually I would need a UV light for my gecko. He was obviously wrong, because they are nocturnal! Do you have to have ANY type of degree to work at a pet shop? :main_robin:

 

[RampantReptiles]

Nope you dont have to know a darn thing. Although from my experience and having been a petshop employee I would say the best place to find someone that knows what they are talking about is at a private owned place. Chain stores would much rather higher someone that is "friendly" than someone that knows anything about animals(me).

Yes there are more than a handful of people at private owned that dont know what they are talking about either so internet research is useful. But! there is a ton of bad information on the internet as well. I have not heard of reptiles over dosing on Vitamin powder. There is an argument about reptiles overdosing on D3, which can be found in vitamin powder as well as calcium powder. D3 helps reptiles absorb calcium, so does UVB exposure which is why they recommended a UVB light. Although not necessary for leopard geckos because they are nocturnal and cant absorb UVB rays as well as other reptiles.
However, the D3 overdose argument is false because the reptile would have to be consuming far more D3 than is in the powders. Like would literally need injections.

Calcium powder is just calcium. Vitamin powder has vitamins and calcium, possibly less calcium depends on the brand. Calcium powder can also be bought with or without D3.

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

Lol, a "degree" to work at a pet shop. Sorry, but that's sort of insulting for those who are currently working on bachelor degrees and stuff (going to be a bachelor of design.) I am not putting down the job, but, it's usually a minimum wage paying job filled by teenagers. I worked in a pet supply store for three years. I, personally, took a large interest in learning everything I could, and a lot of people are the same, but a lot aren't, because it IS a minimum wage type job, not really a career unless you're in management/ownership...

Bottom rule, research yourself before buying any animal. Don't buy livestock from a pet store (reptile speciality stores can differ..) and stick to them only for supplies. And trust your judgement. Solid fact found in books and well researched articles trumps what a pimply teenager says in a pet store becuase they are trying to sell you product.

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

Nope you dont have to know a darn thing. Although from my experience and having been a petshop employee I would say the best place to find someone that knows what they are talking about is at a private owned place. Chain stores would much rather higher someone that is "friendly" than someone that knows anything about animals(me).

Yes there are more than a handful of people at private owned that dont know what they are talking about either so internet research is useful. But! there is a ton of bad information on the internet as well. I have not heard of reptiles over dosing on Vitamin powder. There is an argument about reptiles overdosing on D3, which can be found in vitamin powder as well as calcium powder. D3 helps reptiles absorb calcium, so does UVB exposure which is why they recommended a UVB light. Although not necessary for leopard geckos because they are nocturnal and cant absorb UVB rays as well as other reptiles.
However, the D3 overdose argument is false because the reptile would have to be consuming far more D3 than is in the powders. Like would literally need injections.

Calcium powder is just calcium. Vitamin powder has vitamins and calcium, possibly less calcium depends on the brand. Calcium powder can also be bought with or without D3.

NOT to pick you apart, just stating from general retail experience... friendliness IS extremely important to customer service. People are less likely to approach someone that seems busy, distracted, stand offish. It would be better if the stores then TRAINED those friendly employees with more knowledge, but, their bottom line is sales, and friendly employees=happy customers=customers willing to spend money. The best situation is someone happy, outgoing... whose also interested in learning. Knowledge of animal care can be taught more easily then manners.

 

[herf]

I agree with the topic!!!

 

[RampantReptiles]

NOT to pick you apart, just stating from general retail experience... friendliness IS extremely important to customer service. People are less likely to approach someone that seems busy, distracted, stand offish. It would be better if the stores then TRAINED those friendly employees with more knowledge, but, their bottom line is sales, and friendly employees=happy customers=customers willing to spend money. The best situation is someone happy, outgoing... whose also interested in learning. Knowledge of animal care can be taught more easily then manners.

I dont get these stupid tests they make you do. Like if you lie then they know your a fake but if you tell the truth then you look like a jerk. Thats why I said Im not "friendly" enough cause I cant pass the stupid test.

You dont have to be outgoing and bubbly to be good at customer service. I thought I was very good at helping people with out all the soap bubbles. My knowledge of animal husbandry far surpassed any need for bubbliness. There is far too much animal care knowledge to be "trained" that has to be learned from experience which wont happen unless in the right environment. Chain stores dont have the right environment, dont care for their animals properly, and I find just generally more difficult to deal with.

I would never step in a chain store again if there were any decent privately owned stores near me.

Also I am physically unable to be happy and outgoing.. its not in my genetic code >_<

 

[thegeckoguy23]

because they are stupid teens that think they know it all and just want money some of them know there sh*t but most dont

 

[chechatonga]

I learned a long time ago to not always take pet shop workers words. Most of the time they dont have a clue what you are talking about, but not to dis on all of them. Some can be very helpfull and save you alot of time doing online research.
_______________________
check out my site http://reptileisle.webs.com

 

[infamousJokeR]

it seems the major chain pet stores I've been to are given a crash course on reptiles in general and not specific care intsuctions on each species they sell. I have one female that is a pet store gecko and was told she needed sand and a UVB bulb among other unnecessary items. I pretty much told them I've kept leo's for years and knew exactly what they did and didn't need, haha.

 

[Matt1851]

you mean like this guy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic2l5YiHZHM

 

[Caramell]

because they are stupid teens that think they know it all and just want money some of them know there sh*t but most dont

I know that you said some know what they're saying, but I'm slightly offended... Could you be a just little bit more respectable? Thanks.

 

[arnie]

i love this comment someone help on a youtube vid

dirtbikerider600 (1 month ago)
Reply i was told when buying a baby leopord geko that i diddnt need to gut load my crickets or meal worms that if i got a uvb light that would keep my gekos calcium level were it needed to be is this right or wrong?

i think when you apply for a job at a petstore/reptile there should be a basic test about the animals you will be looking after