They did a good job grooming my dog but I'm completely shocked by how much it cost...and how unprofessional they were when I asked for a price breakdown.
I didn't get a quote on the phone when I made the appointment, but I figured it couldn't be more than $50 or $60 for my dog's bath and trim. I've been taking her to get groomed for 9 years in higher cost of living areas, and it's never cost more than that. My dog's a mutt so she doesn't need anything special like a poodle or yorkie. When I lived in California, her bath/trim cost about $45. When I lived in Boston, her bath/trim cost $60. Both higher cost of living areas than here. They charged me $78!!!
(And fair warning, they only take cash or check. Not even Venmo. Even food trucks have Square. I wasn't told this on the phone either, so I had to go get cash on my own after I picked my dog up.)
When I asked for a price breakdown, the employee looked at me blankly. So I asked "do you just charge $78 for a bath?" And she told me that because my dog was a 60lb German Shepherd (she's not. She's a mutt. She's brown and black like a Shepherd but her coat is NOTHING like a Shepherd), her bath cost $78. I told her my dog was 50lbs and asked what the next lower weight category was, and she changed her story to it costing $78 because my dog has longer hair. Apparently a Lab would cost $58 because it has short hair, even though it most likely weighs 50% more than my dog.
Then I was told that I was charged "more" for a nail trim and anal gland expression and any "extras" other than the bath. When I dropped her off, the employee asked me what areas I wanted focused on (her paws and sanitary area, for me) and then happily told me that they would of course trim those areas and they would also do anal glands and nails and check her ears.
At this point another employee had joined the conversation. I believe she might be the owner because she was the one that called me back and introduced herself by name.
They told me if I took my dog to Petsmart, I'd be charged $120 and up for all they did for my dog today. As if I can't check that?? The bath I wanted is $43 at Petsmart. Go ahead and google it.
They also told me I could join a monthly bath club that would make it cheaper......except if I was ever late they wouldn't give me a discount and they'd DEFINITELY be checking to make sure I came in exactly on time every month because they write the date down on my pet's notecard. She actually told me that customers sign up for this monthly bath club but then things come up and they bring their pet in late and so they don't give them the discount...
Oh and she also said the price is COVID's fault because the state made them close for 90 days and then ***made*** them raise their price.
There is absolutely no way I'll be coming back to Pet Design Inc. They could tell I was upset about the price and instead of lowering it to keep my business, they made up many different, ever changing excuses. It seems like they decided they were going to charge me $78 and had no solid reason behind it, which is entirely unprofessional. They did a fine job, but not twice as good as Petsmart. read more
