Working at a petstore

[CDavis]

Hey guys I recently got a job working at a petstore with lots of birds and bird supplies to gain some experience(and get the sweet discounts on cages and toys) Now I know that I won't really be allowed to shut inexperienced people down from spending their money but I was wondering if you guys think it's a good idea to direct them to the forums or give them my phone number to call with questions to try and better inform and help them with their new fid.
Do you think that's a good idea and what else could I tell them or do that would help make sure they know how to properly care for their birds.

 

[Dopey]

Well, I hang out a bird store A LOT and I don't always direct people to this forum but I do encourage people to learn. We also encourage people to come in and spend time with the birds - helps the birds socialize as well. We try and educate. If you give out your number be prepared for a lot of phone calls and if anything happens to someone's bird (like it gets really sick or dies) they could blame you. That's why there are all sorts or warnings on all of the forums. It's a really nice offer but just protect yourself.

 

[wrench13]

LOL, and dont expect to keep that job long, if you are not selling the birds at hand.
"oh no, that macaw is not for you! start with this parakeet!" Fired !

 

[chris-md]

Educate educate educate. As a tropical horticulturist I learned to probe people, asking them various questions when thy are curious about a particular plant. Questions meant to test their knowledge and understanding about the care of the plant. From their I can guide them to the appropriate plant for them, if there was one.

Same thing. You can chat up the customers and determine if their purchase is the appropriate purchase. There is nothing wrong with that when you consider how you are dealing with live animals. You can guide them to the proper conclusion without being overbearing. Or encourage them, if it seems to be an impulse purchase, to do extra research about the bird they're interested in before buying. This would be particularly useful with cockatoos.

There's nothing wrong with being an authority figure helping people.

 

[BeatriceC]

Giving out your phone number would be unprofessional, but there's nothing wrong with gently directing people to good resources so they can educate themselves.

 

[SailBoat]

Never provide your personal contact information. Only the contact information is The Store! You represent The Store!

Always be watchful for the 'Bond,' The Bond wins every time. Also be watchful of the buyer over-effort and the Parrots: Not Really That In To You! That's a loss every time!

 

[CDavis]

Cool thanks guys I will stay away from the phone calls but I might tell them my schedule so they can come ask me questions while I am being paid to anwser questions by the store. I am actually very excited there are a bunch of Big Macs and Zons there some are adults some are actually still being hand Fed. I have actually become fast friends with the 35 year old YNA named Coco and we like to sing and laugh together before the store opens it is not a touchy feely friendship ( thanks to sailboat and BirdMan I can tell when a zon doesn't want you near him)but we have a good time and I sneak him a couple pine nuts when I start my shift.

 

[Aquila]

I have some experience here, I was definitely the resident "bird expert" and "dog expert" where I worked, but a few other people had birds as well so they definitely helped share my knowledge around.

The biggest thing I'd recommend you tell people is to find an Avian vet, especially one close by the location, and even the one the store might use personally. This can save you some headache in explaining everything in regards to health and diet when you can get shut down by them, and they might be more likely to take the advice from the vet themselves.

Also when you give recommendations, give them three options, Good, Better, and Best, in each price range. This is a bit psychology based because people don't want to look cheap and buy the cheapest of something, but the expensive might be too much, so they're more likely to choose the middle option.

Be prepared to bite your tongue sometimes, because some people just don't listen and you really don't want to get people irritated with you, but if they're regulars you can build a better relationship with them over time and then they're more likely to take your advice.

 

[psychocircus91]

It really depends on the store. There is a large pet store in PA called "That pet place" or "That fish place" When you buy saltwater fish they ask you questions like "how long has your tank been set up? What else is in the tank? How big is your tank?," ect. to make sure you are getting appropriate fish/inverts.

Most other pet shops I've been to couldn't care less though.

 

[CDavis]

I'm about to leave the house now I'll tell you guys how it goes

 

[Aquila]

It really depends on the store. There is a large pet store in PA called "That pet place" or "That fish place" When you buy saltwater fish they ask you questions like "how long has your tank been set up? What else is in the tank? How big is your tank?," ect. to make sure you are getting appropriate fish/inverts.

Most other pet shops I've been to couldn't care less though.

I love "That Pet Place." I wish it wasn't so far but it was like heaven! I went with some friends and watched him spend $1500 on saltwater fish, corals and supplies for all of his tanks. I remember there was a pleco in a tank that was as big as a log, I couldn't believe it. But yeah, fantastic customer service and knowledgeable people, I'd like to go to their trade shows sometime too.

 

[psychocircus91]

It really depends on the store. There is a large pet store in PA called "That pet place" or "That fish place" When you buy saltwater fish they ask you questions like "how long has your tank been set up? What else is in the tank? How big is your tank?," ect. to make sure you are getting appropriate fish/inverts.

Most other pet shops I've been to couldn't care less though.

I love "That Pet Place." I wish it wasn't so far but it was like heaven! I went with some friends and watched him spend $1500 on saltwater fish, corals and supplies for all of his tanks. I remember there was a pleco in a tank that was as big as a log, I couldn't believe it. But yeah, fantastic customer service and knowledgeable people, I'd like to go to their trade shows sometime too.

Yep, one of the few pet stores I've been to where the employees are trained on proper animal care and require proper knowledge. I was also there one day when they had a parrot rescue there introducing a few of their large birds