Mike A Kch
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Petsmart and store manager

Today, Saturday, March 13, 2010 I took my two dogs, Camilla and Ruby to Petsmart for their grooming, a bath and haircut. As I was waiting for the groomer to finish with Camilla's haircut, I took a picture of her standing and looking adorable on the grooming table, as I took the picture, this store employee who's name was Tony walked up to me and told me to stop that I couldn't take pictures inside the store. I replied saying I only took a picture of my dog. He said it did not matter, that no pictures are allowed in the store. I replied asking where this no picture taking policy is posted or written in the store and that I have a right to see it. Tony the employee said that he would go get the policy and return!

Well, after about 15 minuets my dogs were finished, and Tony the employee never returned. Needless to say I was a little upset with the employees behavior, so as I paid I asked the cashier to call the store manager for me, I waited and waited and finally the manager arrived, well guess who, it was Tony the employee. I politely asked him again to see the sign or written rule regarding picturing taking, he impolitely said he didn't have to show me anything!

I said to him that I spend between $200 to $300 per month at Petsmart on dog and cat food and grooming, and this is a disrespectful way you treat your customers for taking a picture? I told Tony the employee/manager this is the last time I shop at Petsmart!

Tony the employee/manager turned around without saying a word, walked back to the grooming department where my two dogs were waiting for me to pick them up after paying at the front of the store, Tony the employee/manager was there apparently typing some notes on my dog's charts. After he turned around and left, I ask the girl what Tony the employee/manager wrote, she said it was confidential and couldn't tell meโ€ฆ

I guess my two dogs, Camilla and Ruby and me have been permanently 86ed from Petsmart for taking a picture. Sorry girls, guess I have to find a new groomer for you.

This is Petsmart, store #0098 located at 5521 Mirage St. Yorba Linda, CA 92686, the phone number is 714-637-****. Please Petsmart customers, make sure you leave your camera safely locked in your car before going into the store! I don't want to see anyone else busted for snapping a picture of his or her pet!

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9 comments
Guest

I'm at petsmart in west Nashville where I take my dog and cat for vet care. While waiting I browsed the store, filling my basket with things I needed when I saw a particularly vibrant chameleon and took a pic. Tried to anyway, before I'd even gotten my phone in focus I had two employees on me saying no photos. The guy who said it was polite but the second one went back and alerted someone as while I am sitting by the vet office with my phone I've had two more employees approach me asking if I am taking pictures.

I have since returned every item in my basket back to their shelves, under the watchful eye of the guy who told me no photos in the first place.

I'm very calm and polite, well dressed though my hair is a bit mussed up from the wind outside, and they are watching me like a hawk. When I pay for my dog's vet visit I will ask the receptionist about it.

Guest

My husband was in Petsmart today with our 2 year old. Our 2 year old was all excited watching the fish, and my hubby sot a photo of his excitement, and an employee told him he couldn't take pictures and he asked why.

The employee said because I said so. So he found a manger and asked, and the manager said it's our policy, that's why (very rudely). No where is it posted - we won't be returning to a Petsmart ever again.

We used to frequent Petsmart at least 3-4 times a month ... not any more!

Guest

Mike you deserve to have your dogs taken away. You kicked them because "you were angry?" Seriously? Grow the *** up.

Guest

You know it is against the law for you to take pictures. He should have called the police on you.

He asked you nicely and you acted like a five year old. Could not even wait for him to return with the policy ran out before he could show it to you because you knew you were wrong.

The world does not revolve around you and he had better things to do that to deal with then to deal with your temper tantrum. They have other adult customers to deal with.

Guest

Shut up cat, I never asked for your opinions. Because of Tony the Humane Society took my dogs away because right in front of him I kicked them because I was so angry.

I don't know where my dogs are now. Apparently that is what Tony wrote, about how I kicked the dogs in anger. They also had other injuries from my anger and kicking them before. He called the Humane Society and they had me charged with animal cruelty.

I bet he only did this because I told him I would not return to Pet Smart.

Well I hope the new owners don't use PetSmart. Right now I am forbidden from owning an animal.

Guest

Probably thought you were a PETA spy, since peta thinks all pet stores eat animals or something.

Guest

Actually, you can take a pic of your dog through the window-EXCEPT-the groomer will have to stop what he/she is doing while you take the pic.. As in, you may not take a picture of a groom in progress. They can pause, you take the pic, and then they may resume.

Guest

OMG!!! is he better. Thats horrible, the groomer should have been more cautious.

Guest

I too have experienced inept behavior at the local Petsmart in Bradenton FL. In 2006, I took my 12 year old maltese yorkie in to be groomed.

I had always scheduled a quick in and quick out for him as he has epilepsy. The groomer talked on telephone the entire time he was clipping and trimming away. After I got my dog home, I noticed he kept rubbing at his left eye. I just thought that perhaps he had some hair from the grooming in it.

Two days later, it was no better, so I took him into our veterinarian. Our vet discovered that during grooming, the groomer had litterally clipped off my dog's tear duct on the left eye and scratched his cornea. I went back to Pet-not-so-smart and was told by the store manager that I couldn't PROVE it happened there and there was nothing that could be done. My dog has been two types of eye drops that have to be administered three times per day due to their negligence.

I refuse to take my dogs there for grooming. I do purchase some of my pet products there, but I am not happy about it.

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