Where should I draw the line? (long)

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Posted by BL on January 09, 2001 at 19:05:01:

Hi. I work in a pet store (GASP!)<-------Don't worry, its a good one. Anyway, here is something that happened yesterday...

I had just taken out a rabbit for a group of 3 people to oggle, when one of them blurts out:

We want an iguana.
ME: Okaaaay....have you ever owned one before?
Yes, I've had a couple.
ME: Oh, good, so you know how to take care of them?
Yeah, we already got the cage, we just need a hot rock and some a that green carpet stuff.
ME: Iguanas really shouldn't have a heat rock, they actually need a couple different kinds of lights if you want them to live.
Nah, I've had em before and that's all I gave them. (walks over to iguana display) I want the smallest one.
ME: He's not gonna be that small for long (stretching out arms)
I know, but they always die anyway.
ME: (shocked) Well...I don't know if...you really need to give them the right kind of diet and environment if you want them to live long. I wouldn't get a heat rock, those can burn iguanas, you really should get a heat lamp and a flourescent light.
(glaring at me) I know a girl and she's had her iguana for 5 or 6 years and only had a hot rock and heating light.
ME: Sometimes they can live for several years in those conditions, but it's not healthy and the long term effects are really bad.
(still glaring) Show me them lights you were talkin about.
ME: (I pick up a 5.0 bulb) Without this kind of lighting, the iguana can't metabolize calcium and his bones will turn soft and spongy and it will eventually kill him.
(completely lost and still glaring at me)How bout one of those lights?(pointing at incandescent fixtures)
ME: That's a start, but you really need one of these too.
Alright I want the smallest iguana.
ME: (Sadly put the iguana in a box, apologizing to him)Here's your iguana.
Where are your food bowls?

I pointed them towards the bowls and they walked straight up to the register, paid and left. I did notice that they at least took an incandescent fixture with them. I didn't get the chance to ask them what size cage they had or what they had fed their previous pets, because they were getting extremely impatient with me. Anyway, should I tell those kinds of customers that they can't have an iguana if they aren't willing to take care of it? They made me really mad. Customers never believe me when I tell them what lizards really need. Sorry for writing the whole dialogue but it is less one-sided that way. Thanks for reading.

Follow Ups:

Feeling your pain Kimberley 01/10/01 (0)
maybe you could talk to your manager, since you said its a good one..... sue3 01/10/01 (0)
Here's a possible answer...... Harry's Dad 01/10/01 (0)
Re: Where should I draw the line? (long) T.B 01/09/01 (0)
AHHHGH!!!!!!! Tmom 01/09/01 (0)
Print out a few horror pictures from the net of burns and MBD.... JNelson 01/09/01 (0)
I feel for ya (Ranting again) Travis 01/09/01 (0)
Re: Where should I draw the line? (short) IGUANA JOE 01/09/01 (1)
- Thanks for all the suggestions. BL 01/10/01 (0)

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: Hi. I work in a pet store (GASP!)<-------Don't worry, its a good one. Anyway, here is something that happened yesterday... : I had just taken out a rabbit for a group of 3 people to oggle, when one of them blurts out: : We want an iguana. : ME: Okaaaay....have you ever owned one before? : Yes, I've had a couple. : ME: Oh, good, so you know how to take care of them? : Yeah, we already got the cage, we just need a hot rock and some a that green carpet stuff. : ME: Iguanas really shouldn't have a heat rock, they actually need a couple different kinds of lights if you want them to live. : Nah, I've had em before and that's all I gave them. (walks over to iguana display) I want the smallest one. : ME: He's not gonna be that small for long (stretching out arms) : I know, but they always die anyway. : ME: (shocked) Well...I don't know if...you really need to give them the right kind of diet and environment if you want them to live long. I wouldn't get a heat rock, those can burn iguanas, you really should get a heat lamp and a flourescent light. : (glaring at me) I know a girl and she's had her iguana for 5 or 6 years and only had a hot rock and heating light. : ME: Sometimes they can live for several years in those conditions, but it's not healthy and the long term effects are really bad. : (still glaring) Show me them lights you were talkin about. : ME: (I pick up a 5.0 bulb) Without this kind of lighting, the iguana can't metabolize calcium and his bones will turn soft and spongy and it will eventually kill him. : (completely lost and still glaring at me)How bout one of those lights?(pointing at incandescent fixtures) : ME: That's a start, but you really need one of these too. : Alright I want the smallest iguana. : ME: (Sadly put the iguana in a box, apologizing to him)Here's your iguana. : Where are your food bowls? : : I pointed them towards the bowls and they walked straight up to the register, paid and left. I did notice that they at least took an incandescent fixture with them. I didn't get the chance to ask them what size cage they had or what they had fed their previous pets, because they were getting extremely impatient with me. Anyway, should I tell those kinds of customers that they can't have an iguana if they aren't willing to take care of it? They made me really mad. Customers never believe me when I tell them what lizards really need. Sorry for writing the whole dialogue but it is less one-sided that way. Thanks for reading.

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