P@H actually impressed me today

[Kay]

I took my Mum to Pets@Home today as she had a voucher, and we actually witnessed a member of staff refusing to sell a rabbit to a woman who clearly didn't have a clue.

The woman wanted a fluffy lop baby for her three year old daughter for Easter :evil: she had chosen the smallest hutch fit for a Guinea Pig only and mentioned she had Barbie Pink gloss to paint it in :shock:

The assistant nicely asked her whether she had any experience with rabbits to which she replied she'd kept them when she was a girl. The assistant went on to ask whether the woman was prepared to spay and explained the pro's of this, she mentioned the need for VHD and Mixi jabs, how the bun has to have lots of fresh hay everyday, access to fresh water and that pellet food was better to stop selective feeding. She also explained that Barbie Pink gloss paint was toxic and that the bun couldn't be put in that hutch and that it would soon out grow it. The woman was getting annoyed and said 'fine I'll do all that then' whilst raising her eyes. Then she demanded that the assistant box the bun up for her to take there and then. The Assistant said 'I am sorry but I don't feel you are experienced enough to take on the resonsibility of a rabbit, and I don't feel you have taken on board the information I've given you', she went on to tell her that she was not prepared to sell the rabbit if it was going to live in the tiny hutch and actually mentioned the RSPCA and RWF guidelines to hutch and run sizes :shock:

The woman was really red faced and annoyed and said 'Well I didn't come here to be patronised' and stormed off! A little cheer went round the shop as other shoppers were relived to see that she had been refused.

[maisydaisystar]

ahhhh excellent to hear that she was refused

[Leanne]

Thats fantastic!!! :D :D :D

[Tamsin]

Cool! :D Maybe you should drop P@H HQ an email saying how pleased you were with them - that way they might be encouraged to continue to improve things :)

[Sarah86]

That's really good of them the guy who sold Charlie to my bf was really good at giving advice too, downside is the stupid woman will probably go to a BYB or a smaller pet shop that doesn't really care.

I agree with Tamsin sending an e-mail is a good idea :thumb:

[Kay]

Good news ha.

Tamsin I did email them and I got my Mum too as well :D had a reply back saying that they were running more training across their branches and they were pleased that it had reached the shop floor.

I couldn't help myself point out that they shouldn't really sell rabbits, but at least they were taking responsibility for the care of the ones they do sell.

[Sarah86]

Good news ha.

Tamsin I did email them and I got my Mum too as well :D had a reply back saying that they were running more training across their branches and they were pleased that it had reached the shop floor.

I couldn't help myself point out that they shouldn't really sell rabbits, but at least they were taking responsibility for the care of the ones they do sell.

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Good on you

[rabbitmum]

well done p@h!;)
it worries me that she is probably going to go somewhere else and get one...
we have a shop locally that is selling flemish giants for £10!!!!
i want to get them but i know i will be adding to the problem..:cry:

[mystic.kitty]

Good for p@h! :)

Mind you we got out rabbits from there and we were asked quite a few questions such as which hutch we had and what pet experience we had. Only once they had approved of the hutch and that although we were inexperienced with rabbits we had enough other pets to prove we weren't total numpties with animals, would they consider going into the selling of the rabbits.

[loobie_lou]

That's really good to hear, and it makes a refreshing change :)

Now all we need is shops to stop selling animals, I'd say we're one step further to getting shops to understand the importance of aftercare when a rabbit is purchased, however.

xx

[Doncat5]

Great stuff, personally I'd like to have seen her 'tarred and feathered' too, but refusal is a good start! :D

[shel20]

To be honest they have been good to me too...when i explained i didnt ant to buy another house cage at 50 pounds only to buy a hutch in few weeks when i move out they kindly offered to lend me a brand new cage to keep for up to a month...no questions asked and no adress or number? very tusting of me..although i had spent about a hour chatting to the staff about the progress of my little bun alfie i got from there a few weeks previous! how he has hasnt grown much despite eating loads...think hes just a little bun!

[Bavarian Bunny]

Great stuff, personally I'd like to have seen her 'tarred and feathered' too, but refusal is a good start! :D

:lol::lol:

Glossy pink hutch. :shock: I don't think I would have sold anything to that woman, either.

[IzzyTwig]

Wow :shock: Some people. A rabbit for a 3 year old in a glossy pink hutch. Best off getting her a barbie or toy rabbit. They're not toys, they're living animals. Bet she won't realise how many poos rabbits do either. :lol:

Good on that staff member of P@H. I must admit it seems they're getting better on advising people on animal care now than they have been in previous years. So there must be something going on training wise for shop floor staff which is good.

[Thea & Bobbin]

Oh great news!!

I really hope the one they are building in my town will have staff like that, I will certainly be popping down to check out the competence! Such a shame they feel that there is a need to build more branches anyway :roll: However at least if the staff are like that it's an improvement.

[Lspacehopper]

Thank you for posting something positive. Good to hear about what the member of staff in that store did.

[Lucy]

The sad thing is these people don't learn or listen. They will just buy one out of the paper for a tenner! :censored:

[Zorro]

That woman should be shot!:evil:

[Crystal butterfly]

aww this was great to hear i remember getting my rabbits and Roo from a garden centre and teh staff just shoving them in a box for me not asking any questions or anything :roll: i could have been anyone it saddens me that she probably will go somewhere else but its great to hear something positive from P@H