I am extremely disappointed with my experience at this PetSmart grooming location, and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for reliable, professional, and considerate care for their pets.
To begin, I brought in three dogs for their grooming appointments. One of my dogs is a senior, and I received a call informing me that he was experiencing extreme itching and needed to be picked up. I completely understood the concern, especially given his age and delicate condition, and I had absolutely no issue picking him up. My frustration is with how the remaining two dogs were handled.
My appointment was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. I typically take my dogs to another PetSmart location, where all three of my dogs have been groomed within the usual four-hour timeframe provided at drop-off. Understanding that grooming takes time, I was fully prepared to wait. I dropped off my remaining two dogs and waited until approximately 5:45-6:00 p.m. without receiving a single update or phone call.
When I finally called to check on their status, I was told that the groomer had not even started working on one of my dogs because they had accidentally double-booked appointments and were prioritizing another 2:00 p.m. appointment ahead of mine.
This is completely unacceptable. If the location was double-booked, I should have been informed upfront or contacted as soon as the scheduling issue was discovered. Instead, I was left waiting for hours with no communication, while my dog remained in a kennel without even having her grooming service started.
When I arrived at the store, the groomer attempted to explain that the service takes approximately four hours and that I had not given him enough time. However, I had dropped my dogs off at 2:00 p.m., and by the time I arrived to pick them up, nearly four hours had passed. Despite that, he had done virtually no work on my dog beyond a basic wash and dry after I informed the staff that I would be picking up my dogs.
I was then told that completing the grooming would require another two to three hours. That would mean leaving my dog at the store from 2:00 p.m. until just before closing, simply because of their scheduling and communication failures. I find that unreasonable and unfair to both the customer and the puppy.
I was also informed that the manager was on maternity leave and that the staff was unsure about what was happening within the grooming department. While I understand that staffing changes and management absences can create challenges, that should never come at the expense of proper communication, organization, professionalism, or the care of customers' pets.
What disappointed me most was the groomer's attitude during our conversation (Matt). Rather than acknowledging the lack of communication and taking accountability for the situation, he seemed dismissive and focused on complaining that I had not given him enough time. Saying,"if you would pay the express fee I would prioritize you more". I did not feel that my concerns were being taken seriously, and the interaction left me with even less confidence in the service being provided.
Our pets are not objects that can simply be left waiting indefinitely. They are living beings who can experience stress, discomfort, and anxiety. As pet owners, we trust grooming facilities to treat our animals with care and consideration, and we deserve honest communication about delays and scheduling issues.
Based on this experience, I will not be returning to this location. I would strongly encourage other pet owners to consider other alternative locations. Unfortunately, this experience has left me with no confidence in this grooming department, and I sincerely hope management takes these concerns seriously and makes the necessary improvements.
I came in expecting a routine grooming appointment and left feeling disappointed, frustrated, and unheard. I would not recommend this location, and I would encourage management to reevaluate its scheduling practices, customer communication, and overall grooming department operations. read more