PetCo Conference Call Info

[cold blood]

I would think those species would be cost prohibitive....I highly doubt they want the most expensive thing in the store to be a little tarantula on the shelf next to the crickets.

I also think (and this may already be the case, I don't know) that these should be behind glass, available with employee help, not just sitting on the shelf for any kid (or adult) to tip around, shake or drop...being as fragile as they are, an employee should always be involved in the customer actually handling the package. I can just see an unattended child picking them up one after the other shaking the boxed to see them move.

 

[Lander9021]

Hello All,

I can update you with the exciting news I heard from Petco corporate today. In short, they will not be offering OW Ts, they have reconsidered in light of my phone call, and perhaps from reading the thread. Below is a portion of the email.

CB: I will be inquiring about the care sheets. They told me they would welcome any help previously. I agree if not used at all, it's not worth anyone's time. I'd be surprised if they were not interested.

@Lander9021 I know you didn't believe it was possible, that one person can't make a difference, that Petco was paying lip service to a "few hobbyists" as you put it previously. You are mistaken again.

"I’ve been checking out the thread and appreciate you updating the group about our conversation. We will definitely not be moving forward with any Old World spiders. The containers will still have them listed for the time being, but we won’t be receiving any. We need to get the labels re-printed once we’ve identified other NW species that we can include in the mix. If you, or the other members of your group have any suggestions we’re definitely open to them. Even if they are species that aren’t available in large numbers now, we may be able to work with our supplier to setup breeding projects to increase supply so we can make them available. I’ve also spoken to our supplier about the sizing of the individuals we’ve been receiving. They agreed to a minimum of nickel sized spiderlings going forward. Thanks again for your input!"

The only other option is, you made it all up...I mean you've given no hard evidence of your call or emails.

 

[cold blood]

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

I think "nickle sized" is a good starting point. For several reasons. A) less fragile as they are more established. B) they have the look of somethung different. let's face it, most of us have proudly shown off small slings to people who have walked away thinnking -if not outright saying - "I've seen spiders like that in my basement!"
C) The purchase still gets to see the advancement of a tarantula growing with lesser risk of disappointment (See point "A").

Would it throw things too far off track if we offered our ideas for species suitable for people who may be inclined to take this road into keeping the spiders?

Would we discourage such species as L. parahybana and A. geniculata as they can be a bit skittish, and rather prone to flinging very itch hairs, for example, but on the other hand are pretty easy to successfully keep? I guess the notion comes pretty close to suggesting species for newbies threads, but possibly much more far-reaching.

I also kind of think that the stores should be made aware of the existence of "The Tarantula keeper's Guide" Yes, I know, it has become a bit dated and Stan is working on that, but for the time being it isn't a bad resource and certainly more comprehensive than any books I am aware of, at least in English. A store copy at the very least would probably not be a bad idea, and I would imagine they might sell some. In fact, properly displayed near the tarantulas, might be a lock in regard to book sales.

If anybody has wondered "Gee, what impact, if any, will this have on established breeders and sellers?" I think not much. People going to Petco and their ilk are not really the mainstay of the vendors. That would be us. Not that we might not grab a species if they are suitably cared for, etc. but speaking for myself, I'd still be prone to patronize the already established business-people who are also fans of what they offer.

 

[Toxoderidae]

The only other option is, you made it all up...I mean you've given no hard evidence of your call or emails.

What's your deal bro? I liked you, but now you're being more pessimistic than Roger Waters. You're actually being really annoying, and honestly abrasive.

 

[sdsnybny]

What's your deal bro? I liked you, but now you're being more pessimistic than Roger Waters. You're actually being really annoying, and honestly abrasive.

" Just dont' ever feed them after dark"

 

[Lander9021]

What's your deal bro? I liked you, but now you're being more pessimistic than Roger Waters. You're actually being really annoying, and honestly abrasive.

Possible though.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Well, it isn't as if he is some kid seeking attention, so I kind of doubt it.

 

[Trenor]

I would think those species would be cost prohibitive....I highly doubt they want the most expensive thing in the store to be a little tarantula on the shelf next to the crickets.

I also think (and this may already be the case, I don't know) that these should be behind glass, available with employee help, not just sitting on the shelf for any kid (or adult) to tip around, shake or drop...being as fragile as they are, an employee should always be involved in the customer actually handling the package. I can just see an unattended child picking them up one after the other shaking the boxed to see them move.

At Petsmart (we don't have PetCo here) the one Avic I have seen them with was in a enclosure inside another enclosure like they would house a reptile in. So lets hope PetCo does as well.

 

[Lander9021]

Well, it isn't as if he is some kid seeking attention, so I kind of doubt it.

How do you know? He or she could be a spotty greasy 15 yr old lad who has a social networking addiction, with five PC screens, Intel core 999000 processer with 1000 terrorbyte hard drive And not to mention the loads of RAM.

I just thought it sounded a bit weird really, corporate business actually listened to complete stranger who basically complained, they then acted on this with a massive loss in estimated profits.
I just can't get my head around it.

 

[Thistles]

At Petsmart (we don't have PetCo here) the one Avic I have seen them with was in a enclosure inside another enclosure like they would house a reptile in. So lets hope PetCo does as well.

That's how it appeared in a pic another member posted. I think they'll be locked up.

I'd be all for LPs and genics and GBBs... I don't think all of their offerings need to be the most basic beginner species. Variety and hardiness are paramount in my opinion, now that OWs are off the table.

Great job, and thanks for listening, Petco!

 

[Walter1]

At Petsmart (we don't have PetCo here) the one Avic I have seen them with was in a enclosure inside another enclosure like they would house a reptile in. So lets hope PetCo does as well.

Same here in PA.

 

[Toxoderidae]

How do you know? He or she could be a spotty greasy 15 yr old lad who has a social networking addiction, with five PC screens, Intel core 999000 processer with 1000 terrorbyte hard drive And not to mention the loads of RAM.

I just thought it sounded a bit weird really, corporate business actually listened to complete stranger who basically complained, they then acted on this with a massive loss in estimated profits.
I just can't get my head around it.

Just get out dude. You obviously have no idea how America works, a country built on change. You seem to be so apathetic and honestly depressing, you seem to have no regard as to looking at facts, images I and others have posted, and just how risky this would be for PetCo. You sound like my dad, who said "They're a big corporation, I'm sure someone thought this through, they aren't going to listen to some kid with pet spiders"

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

How do you know? He or she could be a spotty greasy 15 yr old lad who has a social networking addiction, with five PC screens, Intel core 999000 processer with 1000 terrorbyte hard drive And not to mention the loads of RAM.

I just thought it sounded a bit weird really, corporate business actually listened to complete stranger who basically complained, they then acted on this with a massive loss in estimated profits.
I just can't get my head around it.

Well, for starters, subtlety is kind of lost on you, isn't it?

But more to the point, going by that rather ridiculous propossition, Viper has been around long enough that if he were a troll, he'd have tipped his hand by now. Trolls are quickly recognized unless they are REALLY good at it, and even then they eventually show their true colours. Therefore the idea that he is trolling can be eliminated. Secondly, he displays enough knowledge to indicate that he is in fact in earnest and does not need to validate himself with fabrications.

Maybe Petco, isn't looking at the short-term profit margin in this case, but instead thinking that valid points are being made. They could make more money selling manageable, hardy species over the long haul than moving spiders that at the very least could prove to be a disappointment, eliminating future purchase. Which mindset do you think shows the most possibility for profit, "Gah, that sure was a waste of money, I'll never buy another one of those things again! I'll tell my friends to steer away from the mistake I made!"" Or, "This thing is so cool, and a snap to take care of, I need another one!"?

Of course Viper loses a point for being so sharp with the poor possum in this thread.

I'd be all for LPs and genics and GBBs... I don't think all of their offerings need to be the most basic beginner species. Variety and hardiness are paramount in my opinion, now that OWs are off the table.

Oh, I'd agree with those species as well. And their growth rate is a plus. it might not be a bad idea for the potential buyer to be aware that the growth rate of those species is proportional to their eventual size. in the unlikely event they may not want a bigger species.
Although the speed of GBBs could be a slight issue. I don't own one but am aware of their reputation as speedsters. I don't think that would be a deal-breaker, though.

In a perfect world, the species being sold would be labeled wit their selling points along with other possible considerations. however, I'm not sure if that would be practical in a business sense, and i don't think we should expect TOO much and be satisfied with unsuitale species being kept out of the hands of those who should not initially have them.

Finally, I'm going to comment on the idea of suitable, but less obtainable species not being offered. This makes me a tad uncomfortable. I think ideally, NO species should be a commodity only available to those with deep pockets. Naturally, difficult to breed/obtain varieties should command a higher price as dictated by supply and demand, but I can't really think of a good reason for them not to be otherwise available. Rarity in the hobby does not make certain species a BETTER species to own, necessarily. these are not coins or sports cars. That probably isn't going to be the most popular viewpoint, but it's just my gut opinion, I'm not sure "But it would make <insert species here> less special!" is a valid point in this situation. It wouldn't make the value drop, unless they were able to find domebody who was able to produce those species in higher numbers, and if that were possible, it would happen anyway no matter who sells them. I think. Who am I, a financial wizard?

 

[Bambu]

I also think (and this may already be the case, I don't know) that these should be behind glass, available with employee help, not just sitting on the shelf for any kid (or adult) to tip around, shake or drop...being as fragile as they are, an employee should always be involved in the customer actually handling the package. I can just see an unattended child picking them up one after the other shaking the boxed to see them move.

When I saw the "tarantula huts" at a local Petco last week, they were all behind glass. Not sure if all stores will do the same, but I figure I'd mention it.

 

[sdsnybny]

Well, for starters, subtlety is kind of lost on you, isn't it?

Like bricking a camel is subtle

 

[Andy00]

Has anyone actually gone to a petco and seen their new T's? Just wanted to know if they've actually shipped them yet or if it's gonna be a while like a few months until they actually do this. And if so, are they just slings or adults?

 

[Bambu]

Has anyone actually gone to a petco and seen their new T's? Just wanted to know if they've actually shipped them yet or if it's gonna be a while like a few months until they actually do this. And if so, are they just slings or adults?

I saw some slings last time I went to Petco, in "Tarantula Huts" which are weird tallish plastic containers with a piece of foam on the bottom. I also saw someone link a facebook post in another thread that showed a juvenile or sub adult (not the best judge for size) A. avicularia in the same container, looked pretty cramped. Didn't bother checking species or asking since they were behind glass. I also recall seeing them selling a cobalt blue (the "not good for a beginner" species, I forget scientific name.) a while back, not in the "hut" at least.

 

[viper69]

I think it's unfair for people who have waited and spent $$ for these special species

SO I may understand your perspective better, why is it unfair?
No one forced anyone to spend a lot of money on a sling or T, right?

Is it fair that people are buying P. metallica for $80, when they used to be $400/sling?

I was one of the earliest to my knowledge to buy H. sp Columbia, Large. The price per sling has dropped 100% for that locality. I'm glad they are cheaper so other people with not as much resources as myself can afford them and enjoy them for the same reasons I do.

The same is pretty much true for anything considered rare/hard to obtain that then becomes easier to obtain, be it Ts, ball python morphs etc

 

[Toxoderidae]

SO I may understand your perspective better, why is it unfair?
No one forced anyone to spend a lot of money on a sling or T, right?

Is it fair that people are buying P. metallica for $80, when they used to be $400/sling?

I was one of the earliest to my knowledge to buy H. sp Columbia, Large. The price per sling has dropped 100% for that locality. I'm glad they are cheaper so other people with not as much resources as myself can afford them and enjoy them for the same reasons I do.

The same is pretty much true for anything considered rare/hard to obtain that then becomes easier to obtain, be it Ts, ball python morphs etc

H. sp. columbia large is given out as a freebie now.. And ball python morphs are insane. I'm saving up to buy a female pied more to breed with my spider ball.. and females are 600 dollars for a 5 month old, and 2000 for an adult female.