"You're feeding low-quality food..."

I definitely don't consider Fromm 4 star or EP Holistic to be middle of the road foods and I've never heard anyone else say that either. I'm not sure why the store clerk thinks TWO is higher quality. Can that person even give reasons for their opinion? It sounds like they don't really understand much about dog food and have just bought into a few company sales pitches.

I'm glad to know that others found this response over-the-top as well! This is a local pet supply store, which I have tried to support, and many of the gals that work there are quite nice. This is the first bad experience I have had there, but it is enough to make me consider going to the giant Pet Supplies Plus that happens to be closer to my house anyway. The high school girls that work at PSP may not have a clue about pet nutrition, but at least I can get a wide variety of decent foods (Wellness, Innova, Cal Natural, TWO, EP, Merrick, Canidae, EVO, Solid Gold) without anyone passing judgement. The only food that the local store carries that PSP does not is Fromm, which is too bad because I really liked how my dogs were doing on it. I may drive further (about a half hour from my house) to get to another private-owned place that carries Fromm to stock up every couple months. I was spoiled where I used to live as I was literally within walking distance of my favorite, locally-owned pet supply store that carried everything I could ever need.

I was so caught off guard by what this woman was saying to me that I didn't say any one of the million things that now comes to mind. As many in this thread stated, what special kind of stupid do you have to be to say that the foods in your own store are low-quality?! I'm not a very confrontational person by nature, but part of me does want to inform her (probably by a letter or email) that I have given her a decent amount of business and that I will now be taking that business elsewhere.

I'd probably have been caught off guard to, I could picture myself saying nothing and going home to think of many different comebacks, but in the moment I'm sure you just totally weren't expecting it.

Really, in this economy, they are VERY lucky to have you going to their store to buy food and supplements.   They should be thankful that you aren't going to Wal Mart to buy Ol' Roy and are going to their shop.    It's tough because of course you want to support local business over a chain store, but if they are going to make a fool of you I don't see why you should make that special trip.  My local Pet Supplies Plus says they are privately owned, I have no idea if that means the whole chain is or that particular store, but I feel okay shopping there.  It is all high school students working, but the manager has been very helpful in the past. He's the one that suggested Solid Gold for the cats and I have had great results with it.   Besides, it's convenient and they are open more than just regular business hours, which most local stores are not.

stormyknight

As many in this thread stated, what special kind of stupid do you have to be to say that the foods in your own store are low-quality?!

Within the question lies the answer. Sort of like a co-worker who would curse a stupid driver with the question "Why did you do that, you (choose your explicitve). And I would reply, "You just answered your own question."

Yes, it is a special kind of stupid, in more ways than one. 1) Proof that she doesn't know what she's talking about. 2) Who would denigrate the very products they carry? In retail, the name of the game is to separate the customer from their cash. It makes you wonder if such a person went to school to learn how to run a business into the ground. But I have found, over and over, that there are some stupid people who can't wait to show you how stupid they are. And how proud they are of their stupidity. And you can't stop them from being stupid. All you can do is step out of the way and watch the carnage. I've asked myself if people are that stupid and the reply from myself is "Yes, they are" with a vigorous head nodding of the affirmative.

Don't feel bad because you missed the opportunity to fire of some zingers. It might not have done any good. Stupidity can breed arrogance and vice versa and she might have just gotten her dander up. But you can let everyone you know what crappy service you had there. I mean everyone. And when her sales go down, she can bring her expert business acumen to figuring out why that is so. But I do commiserate that it stinks for this to happen since they were close enough to your place and sell the stuff you want to buy. But sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is spend your money elsewhere. Money talks, bovine excrement walks.

EXACTLY!  LOL

Spicy_Bulldog

I wouldn't let someone make you feel like you are feeding crap food when you are not.

And therein lies a keypoint in retail success. Don't make the customer feel like they are stupid or put upon. They are likely to spend their money elsewhere. And mention it to their friends. Before you  know it, you have a whole lot of people not shopping at your store. That way lies the end of the business. Bankruptcy, even. But, as I said, I wonder if some people take specific seminars or classes in how to ruin a business. Or, if it's just a natural talent of theirs. Perhaps she is in the wrong business and should get out of retail.

ron2

Spicy_Bulldog

I wouldn't let someone make you feel like you are feeding crap food when you are not.

And therein lies a keypoint in retail success. Don't make the customer feel like they are stupid or put upon. They are likely to spend their money elsewhere. And mention it to their friends. Before you  know it, you have a whole lot of people not shopping at your store. That way lies the end of the business. Bankruptcy, even. But, as I said, I wonder if some people take specific seminars or classes in how to ruin a business. Or, if it's just a natural talent of theirs. Perhaps she is in the wrong business and should get out of retail.

 That is so true. One rude vet lost what would have amounted to thousands in our business. Rude people really need to think if a remark really worth making if they are in retail/service.