Last week, I stopped in at Petco - I left without buying anything.

Their prices are way out of line with reality.  Their response was
also pathetic and when I pointed out to them just how overpriced they
were, they didn't have any response.

Note: In my initial e-mail, I misnamed the cat toy I was looking for -
it seemed appropriate to me at the time, but I was incorrect.  When I
referred to "Cat Dangler", I meant a simple plastic stick with a
string on one end with a few feathers on the other end of the string:

Slightly editted for usenet formatting purposes - the content remains
the same, however.  I have also censored my actual e-mail address and
other identifying information - sorry, spammers.

To be fair, I've also removed the PETCO loser's e-mail address and
I've replaced his name with "PETCO apologist"

And although I mention boarding expenses at PetsMart, I wouldn't trust
them to board my cat either.

I didn't give PETCO my phone # because I didn't want to hear lame
excuses about their lack of staffing - I can find what I'm looking for
on my own and this complaint was primarily about pricing and
secondarily about the products offered.

I haven't compared cat food, but IIRC, they are not significantly
different in that regrad - they both carry Science Diet and if there
is a big difference in price, I haven't noticed it.

-----Original Message-----
From: ----------
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 11:03 AM
To: "PETCO apologist"
Subject: RE: Store Related Inquiries or Comments

While I can appreciate that PETCO is not a "discount store", I never
thought PetsMart was either.  PetsMart charges twice as much for pet
boarding as my vet does, and he's not a discount vet either.

The cat litter I buy at PetSmart is also carried by PETCO, so you
don't beat them on "quality products" there.

Service?  As I mentioned before, on Thursday afternoon I didn't see
any PETCO employees on the floor, not even at the registers.  I didn't
search very hard, but all I wanted to do was confirm that you still
don't carry the larger size of Tidy Cats Crystals.

When I shopped at PetSmart yesterday, there were 2-3 employees I saw
that I could ask for help if I needed any, including a store manager
who was walking the floor.  That did not include the people working
the registers.

I was too generous about pricing information when I wrote to you the
other day.

Price Comparison:

Item                           PetSmart        PETCO
8 lb Tidy Cat Crystals          $14.99        N/A
3.5 lb Tidy Cat Crystals          ???             $13.99
Stick/String/Feather Toys      $2.49        $7.99 (for closest
approximation)

PETCO's price is 213% greater for litter and 320% greater for a simple
cat toy.

-----Original Message-----
From: "PETCO apologist"
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 10:14 AM
To: ----------
Subject: RE: Store Related Inquiries or Comments

---,

We received your note regarding the problems you had at our Glendale
location. Thank you for taking the time to write and share your
concerns with us, we appreciate it.

PETCO is a premium retail establishment, not a discount store. We
offer the highest quality products and services to our customers, and
feel that this is where we outshine our competitors.  However, we will
match PetSmart's regular pricing on any identical item.

According to our inventory records, none of our stores carry an eight
pound size of the Tidy Cat Crystals.  However, I have passed this
information on to our merchandise buyers for consideration. If they
determine that Tidy Cat Crystals in an eight pound size will be a good
addition to our assortment, they will work out negotiations with the
vendor to get our stores supplied with the product.  

I would like to have the General Manager of the store follow up with
you on this.  If you could send me your phone number, I can have her
contact you and address your concerns.

Thank you again for writing. We appreciate you taking the time to
convey your thoughts and concerns; they have been duly noted. By
letting us know when we fall short of your expectations, we have the
opportunity to address your concerns and to be better prepared to meet
your expectations in the future.

Please contact us if you have any other questions or concerns.

Thank you,

"PETCO apologist"
PETCO Customer Relations
888-824-7257
"At PETCO, Animals always come first. Our people make it happen."
When replying to this email, please be sure to include all previous
correspondence.

-----Original Message-----
From:     ---------------------------------------------
Sent:    Thursday, September 22, 2005 21:53
Posted To:    e-mails
Conversation:    Store Related Inquiries or Comments
Subject:    Store Related Inquiries or Comments

<my real name>
<my real street address>
Glendale, AZ  85308
Phone Number:
PALS Number:
Order ID:
Email Address: <my real e-mail address>
Message:

I stopped buying cat litter at Petco a while back when I noticed you
stopped carrying the 8 lb. size of Tidy Cats Crystals.  The store
across the street from my home (can't get any more convenient than
that) only carries the 3.5 lb size.

For about $2 more, I can get more than twice as much at PetSmart.

I stopped in tonite to get a 'cat dangler' toy (a simple feather
attached to a plastic stick with a piece of string).  Though I'm
fairly certain I've seen the specific one I was looking for at PetCo
in the past, the closest thing you had tonight was priced at $7.99,
more than twice what the exact one I wanted costs at PetSmart.

I should have bought one last week at PetSmart (which if I recall
correctly sells them for $2.99), but I didn't realize my cat would
break the 3rd one I've bought in the past year last nite.

My cat loves the specific one that I know PetSmart still carries and
it's half the cost.  She's never liked similar products as much.  If I
want her to come to me, all I have to do is pick the dangler up and
swing it around a couple times and she comes running.

I also confirmed tonite that you still don't have the 8 lb. Tidy Cats
Crystals.  

I also didn't see a single PetCo employee that I could ask for
assistance.

As I walked out, there wasn't even anyone at any of the cash
registers.

PetSmart is about 5 miles away, compared to literally a few hundred
feet for PetCo, but guess which one I'll be spending money at
tomorrow?

You've left me little choice.