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As animal lovers it is important to us that we have a pet shop we can rely on, not only for constant pet supplies, but also for friendly and helpful advice. I have to say that before Animal Attraction opened in Dunedin that we were sorely disappointed in this department.
The Pet Warehouse in particular has disgusting customer service, with the staff remaining stationary behind the counter every time we have entered the shop. We were also given incorrect information by the Pet Warehouse, regarding the initial setting up of our goldfish pond, where one of their staff members informed us that our fish could be placed straight into the untreated tap water, resulting in several of our fish dying due to the water not being correctly treated with a water ager. Wondering what we had done wrong we approached Animal Attraction for a some answers as to why our fish might have died. Although we were not purchasing anything, we were given fantastic advice, informed as to what we were doing wrong, and even offered a free water test to determine if something in our pond water might be harmful to our fish.
We have now been happy customers of Animal Attraction for over a year, in which we have gratefully received much more good advice about our pets. We have also purchased fish, rats and frogs from the store, with no problems :)
None of Dunedin's other pet shop's compare to the awesome layout, quality of advice, and helpful friendly staff that we have found at Animal Attraction. We would highly recommend this pet shop to anyone who has, or is looking to purchase pets. Take it from us... these guys know what they're doing!!
Rank 8
Thank you so much for your comments and, believe me, we are all happy that we have been able to help out with your problems.
It's customers like you that have helped us grow and learn and it's so nice that you have taken the time to acknowledge us on this site.
You've helped us reach the big two year milestone this month, something that we are very proud of . . . Thanks!
Posted 12 Aug 2008 by Judij
Rank 0
we find the Denise at the pet warehouse is a fountain of knowledge, and not hesitant to share what she knows either, if she cant help, she goes out of her way to find what is needed. Birds seem to be her speciality I must say, and she is brilliant!
Her shop is always clean, the birds arent smelly either and the staff extra helpful
I find the "disclaimer notice"in Animal attractions very disconcerting, surely Judi, if you sell pets, you must stand by them and take responsibility for anything that goes wrong? ( a gentle chide here, intended) as anyone who sells a pet, should take responsibilty for health issues, and not fob the general public off.
Pet planet arent bad if you strike the right staff member, and if you do, the knowledge to be gleaned is again amazing
Posted 14 Aug 2008 by kalnovitch
Rank 2
Thank you for your advice but I prefer not to have to go to a pet shop at a particular time of day to get the "right staff member", and have no doubt that individual members of other pet shops might be helpful, but I can go to Animal Attraction at any time of the day and get a helpful staff member that knows what they are talking about.
I imagine the disclaimer is probably due to the fact that Animal Attraction do not breed most of the animals themselves and therefore are not aware of any issues that may be genetically present. I have just breed some rats, and in completing some initial research surrounding the dangers and genetic complications in doing so I was amazed at how many there were and therefore the importance of knowing genetic lines. I do not think that any pet shop should have to take responsibility for a breeders mistakes or inexperience. In saying that we have purchased Frogs, Rats and Fish from Animal Attraction with no problems. Any issues we have had with any of our pets (purchased there or not) have been resolved with much appreciated advice and assistance from their staff.
I find the Pet Warehouse especially to have shocking customer service, (maybe I have never been there at the right time of day to come across Denise). I also find them inexperienced as I have more than once received incorrect information regarding my pets, and upon doing my own research and asking a better informed pet shop, have only then got the information I have needed. I also know of a breeder who supplies to the Pet Warehouse, who was told by a staff member there that they would "do anything to take business away from Animal Attraction", which indicates they obviously see Animal Attraction as a big threat (I wonder why...). I hate the way they have their animals caged in small cramped cages and much prefer the wee open puppy pens at Animal Attraction, which allow for much easier cleaning and also mean that you can pat the puppies.
Posted 14 Aug 2008 by camka902
Rank 2
Pet Planet, although having better customer service than the Pet Warehouse and a better layout concerns me for the fact that many of their animals come from student sources... You can't get more inexperienced breeders than that. Also in my experience you are pushed to get the same staff member twice in a row, which is an inconvenience, especially if they try and tell you different things. Last time I rung there inquiring after a product the staff member didn't even know what I was talking about, and after 5 minutes of confused conversation, told me she was a vet nurse and not familiar with stores stock... what a waste of my time!
I have well founded reasons for my praise of Animal Attraction, having been a Dunedin resident for 20 years I have longstanding knowledge and experiences of both Pet Planet and The Pet Warehouse. I am disgusted at the amount of incorrect information I have received from the latter, and know many other people that feel the same. In my opinion Animal Attraction filled the niche of actual knowledge of a diverse range of animals in Dunedin, which is reflected as much in the store layout, with its little sections for each animal, as it is in the fantastic customer service and advice that is freely given to anybody who enters the shop. :)
Posted 14 Aug 2008 by camka902
Rank 0
Being the Senior Vet Nurse at the Vet Clinic that takes care of all of the animals at Animal Attraction, I can advise that the "Disclaimer" at Animal Attraction is indeed to inform purchasers of their rights following purchasing a pet from the shop. If you purchase a pet from the SPCA you have to sign an adoption form, which is essentially the same as the Disclaimer.
Animal Attraction purchases puppies, kittens, etc in good faith from people (some experienced breeders, some back-yard breeders), that these animals are in good health and have no known faults. Customers purchasing a pet from Animal Attraction cannot reasonably expect the shop to take responsibility for either ignorance or mis-information provided by the breeder.
As for advice given by Staff at Animal Attraction - I am sure that Customers will find that if Judi or other Staff members do not know the answer to their question, they will telephone us at the Clinic for our expert opinion (as they do on numerous occasions).
Posted 18 Aug 2008 by DVET
Rank 8
Thanks for that last comment - and for all the kind things you have all said about us.
We are certainly not perfect - wouldn't that be nice?? - but we always do our best to do our best! Our first priority is our animals, with our customers being an extremely close second. That's never going to change. My original idea for the shop was to provide a 'happy' place for our animals to be in while they wait for their new owners . . . I think we've done pretty well so far!
The disclaimer being talked about has happened entirely thanks to one customer who decided that we should be responsible for her vet bill . . . over six and a half months after she purchased a puppy from us!!!!! The entire situation has totally shocked us . . . then came the 'disclaimer' . . . We don't like asking our customers to sign it but there is always going to be someone who thinks that because we are a business, we have loads of money and they will try to get some of it for themselves. We work 7 days a week and the bank gets most of the profits at the moment!!! There's not a lot left over for random customers who think we're loaded!!!!!
Our awesome Vet has been such a help - VERY reasonable prices and putting up with our phone calls . . . thanks!
Our amazing customers have been so supportive - to the point of helping us through to our second birthday this weekend! Our thanks to you all will be over the next week when we will be having our birthday celebration with specials and 'thank-you's' for you all.
This is not an advertising forum so I'll shut-up about now . . . I'm still allowed to say a huge 'thanks' to you all though . . . .
Posted 20 Aug 2008 by Judij
Rank 0
I still think the disclaimer is unwarranted. A responsible breeder will give a life time guarantee of their pups or kittens, and will always front up to help with vet expenses if something has gone wrong. A very good reason to buy a kitten/puppy from someone responsible, yes?
Six and a half months is nothing really. Breeders arent exactly rolling in money either, but will front up to their responsibilities. Just my last post on this subject. By the way, was Animal Attractions formerly at Greedn Island for a while?
Posted 22 Aug 2008 by kalnovitch
Rank 0
I have heard a rumour that the senior vet nurse that responded to judis comment regarding animal attractions is actually judis daughter. Dont you think that is a bit unfair and bais Judi as the comments made could have been exaggerated in your favour???????
Posted 27 Aug 2008 by lablover
Rank 8
Our Vet has two Vet nurses!! One of them is my daughter. Please read again the comments made by the Vet Nurse - I can't see any Bias in any of their comments????? They are, after all, professional people who we place our total trust in, no matter who they are . . .
Posted 28 Aug 2008 by Judij
Rank 8
Why would you think we were ever at Green Island??? My response is absolutely not. We have only ever been at 203 Crawford St and it has only ever been the culmination of my dream to own the best pet shop in Dunedin, with the best cared for pets.
My response to kalnovitch would have to be - why is this to be your 'last post on this subject'?
You make some serious statements in your last post. Surely you should come back and defend them?
I challenge you to name two 'responsible breeders' who will give a 'lifetime guarantee of their puppies or kittens'. And who will 'always front up to help with vet expenses if something has gone wrong'.
I look forward to your reply so that I might make contact with these wonderful breeders and ensure that I only purchase kittens or puppies from them in the future . . .
Posted 28 Aug 2008 by Judij
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