Boarder Beware of Hi-Lo Kennel: Unprofessional Staff and Hidden Fees!
1. Background: My 37 lb mixed terrier stayed at the Hi-Lo Kennel a mere 22 hours and my bill was an outrageous $49. If this is the kennel of your choosing, be prepared to pay a top-tier rate for a mid- to bottom-tier facility.
2. Check In Confusion: They quickly ushered my dog off to the bath area before explaining my bill would be $49 for a 22 hour stay. I tried to stop them and inquire further into these charges, but she insisted she'd explain shortly. It was obviously too late to turn back. After the fact, it really felt like a bait and switch.
3. Facility Set-Up: The entire dog run was barely large enough for my dog to turn around which added insult to injury when having to pay $49. The inside was damp, stinky and dark.
4. Facility Play Area: Their idea of a play area ($5 extra) is approximately an 8x8 area of gravel. It is genius, really! What dog does not like to play on sharp rocks that quickly turn to hot coals when it is 96 degrees outside.
5. Pricing for Boarding (It is $34 not $17, stupid!): The Hi-Lo Kennel website would be much more intuitive if they just simply stated $34 per night. However, they choose the language of $17 per day which is highly misleading. Please be aware you have other options in the Greenville/Simpsonville area that are cleaner, courteous and worth your hard earned dollars.
6. Pricing for Mandatory Bath ($15): I have had animals my entire 40 years of life and used kennels all over the country. I have never had to pay this charge before. To top it off, I had just had my dog groomed and shaved the prior day and it took the bather all of 5 minutes to bath and dry my dog. The $15 was to include an exit bath, but she was not given one. I had called twice only to get voicemail to inform them I would be picking up my dog. They did not return my messages.
7. Check Out Unprofessional: When I returned a mere 22 hours later, I was forced to swipe my card for $49 buckaroos. What a rip-off! In my quiet frustration, I stepped out of the check-out area to await my dog. I was quite anxious to leave this bad experience in the dust. Meanwhile, a couple approached me. Their affiliation with the kennel was initially unknown. The man asked me if everything was ok. I calmly quizzed why my dog was here for less than 24 hours and my bill was $49. He turned around and left without comment. Then the woman proceeded up to the porch of an adjacent house and attempted to begin an argument with me. Why she had to walk away and scream at me from a distance was quite strange. Perhaps an adult conversation in the immediate area would have been more professional. I then responded, the man asked me what was wrong and I told him. I did not ask for an argument from you. End of story. She, however, continued to scream towards me that I should have known the pricing. I kept my cool and remained silent. My dog was eventually brought out to me and, needless to say, we will never be back to Hi-Lo Kennel. read more
