Bad Guy Wendy Childs, Reptile Addictions

[JHB1982]

That was the original business model, and it ended up not working in this case, as experienced folks here have no problem understanding.

Too much drivel from the usual suspects.

Like I said Spokane is tough. This isn't a knock on Spokane, but it is low income. You have over 20% of the population living at or below the poverty level. You have one freeway and 30 mile per hour streets to traverse a city that has the same landmass as St. Louis. Getting somebody to drive from one part of town to the other is going to be like pulling teeth. Getting them to drive from one end to the other and then having them have to pay a cover charge will be nearly impossible. Most people here have at least two big box retailers within driving distance of their home as well as one of two independent stores that have been in business for over 20 years each plus the new specialty store in the mall. Those competitors aren't charging a cover at the door.

Those are just a few examples of what a specialty brick and mortar store will face here. Now throw in an owner that has a bad attitude towards their customers and then has the audacity to ask for a cover charge to get in and your asking for failure.

 

[ReptileAddictions]

JHB- YOUR STORE CLOSED. It never flourished and the doors were closed. Who are you to give advice? I have succeeded where you have failed. Thats what bothers you and your local lackeys.

It is my store to do with it as I please. We are on board with a few local tour companies, and are hitting high gear with the schools and clubs. The education center will be a hit, as is EVERYTHING I do. I have always been the test market. I mold this company around the community needs not my personal desires. That is where you and your buddies have gone wrong and will continue to go wrong. Its not about you or me, it's what the community wants. Now when the buses show up they get my undivided attention. They get to learn more than they ever would just walking in solo.

I am NOT a pressure salesman. Ill leave that to you. People come with the intent to buy or not. I will not nor have I ever been the one to talk someone into a impulse buy. That is irresponsible. I loose money by not being pushy and by not overselling and by being honest. People appreciate it more and spend more when they have time to think, justify, and when they are ready. They will always remember me telling them that an iguana is not appropriate for their $8 year old, over someone like you who talked them into it when the craigslist ads get flagged daily trying to get rid of it.

Housing 100 reptiles in a mall all in aquariums all on aspen. Having employees pack around animals 10 hours a day, all day every day, every employee. Such things as adult chameleons? Selling wild caught animals. Not selling feeders at all. Is this what we should be teaching future herpers of america? I hardly think so. Just in that short statement there are so many wrongs. But yet that is what you support????

You are so opinionated about me and my store , a place you have NEVER STEPPED FOOT IN! I am here to stay. I know thats disappointing you. I am not going anywhere no matter how many on line rumors you and your clan start. The doors will still be open tomorrow and flourishing! Just because I listed the store for sale doesnt mean I am failing. It means that I have had professionals do my books, do my p&L, and my predictions based on the last 2 years. I now know what it is worth. If I can cash out and invest wisely I will gladly do so to retire after only 2 years of hard work. Id be a fool not to.

KEVIN- I do understand your point. The thing of it is. I work 12-14 hours a day 7 days a week. I will never be able to please everyone. I know that. I can only do my best to do what the majority needs. There will be someone who needs to shop at midnight (like I do) but I wont be here for him either. I never get my errands completed. No one is open prior to 7 am and or late after 9 pm

 

[JHB1982]

JHB- YOUR STORE CLOSED. It never flourished and the doors were closed. Who are you to give advice? I have succeeded where you have failed. Thats what bothers you and your local lackeys.

It is my store to do with it as I please. We are on board with a few local tour companies, and are hitting high gear with the schools and clubs. The education center will be a hit, as is EVERYTHING I do. I have always been the test market. I mold this company around the community needs not my personal desires. That is where you and your buddies have gone wrong and will continue to go wrong. Its not about you or me, it's what the community wants. Now when the buses show up they get my undivided attention. They get to learn more than they ever would just walking in solo.

I am NOT a pressure salesman. Ill leave that to you. People come with the intent to buy or not. I will not nor have I ever been the one to talk someone into a impulse buy. That is irresponsible. I loose money by not being pushy and by not overselling and by being honest. People appreciate it more and spend more when they have time to think, justify, and when they are ready. They will always remember me telling them that an iguana is not appropriate for their $8 year old, over someone like you who talked them into it when the craigslist ads get flagged daily trying to get rid of it.

Housing 100 reptiles in a mall all in aquariums all on aspen. Having employees pack around animals 10 hours a day, all day every day, every employee. Such things as adult chameleons? Selling wild caught animals. Not selling feeders at all. Is this what we should be teaching future herpers of america? I hardly think so. Just in that short statement there are so many wrongs. But yet that is what you support????

You are so opinionated about me and my store , a place you have NEVER STEPPED FOOT IN! I am here to stay. I know thats disappointing you. I am not going anywhere no matter how many on line rumors you and your clan start. The doors will still be open tomorrow and flourishing! Just because I listed the store for sale doesnt mean I am failing. It means that I have had professionals do my books, do my p&L, and my predictions based on the last 2 years. I now know what it is worth. If I can cash out and invest wisely I will gladly do so to retire after only 2 years of hard work. Id be a fool not to.

KEVIN- I do understand your point. The thing of it is. I work 12-14 hours a day 7 days a week. I will never be able to please everyone. I know that. I can only do my best to do what the majority needs. There will be someone who needs to shop at midnight (like I do) but I wont be here for him either. I never get my errands completed. No one is open prior to 7 am and or late after 9 pm

Wendy,

Again I never had a store in Spokane. I was an online dealer always and kept hours for local traffic that did not want to buy online. I did move to a new location after I got back from being sent away on this little thing called OEF. I know service to you typically means behind bars or picking up trash in jump suit along side the road but some of us do have a higher calling than that I'm positive someone like yourself will never know the priviledge or honor of that. That's all I have to say about that Wendy Childs............Out

 

[ReptileAddictions]

Like I said Spokane is tough. This isn't a knock on Spokane, but it is low income. You have over 20% of the population living at or below the poverty level. You have one freeway and 30 mile per hour streets to traverse a city that has the same landmass as St. Louis. Getting somebody to drive from one part of town to the other is going to be like pulling teeth. Getting them to drive from one end to the other and then having them have to pay a cover charge will be nearly impossible. Most people here have at least two big box retailers within driving distance of their home as well as one of two independent stores that have been in business for over 20 years each plus the new specialty store in the mall. Those competitors aren't charging a cover at the door.

Those are just a few examples of what a specialty brick and mortar store will face here. Now throw in an owner that has a bad attitude towards their customers and then has the audacity to ask for a cover charge to get in and your asking for failure.

I am not in Spokane, I myself and my store are in Spokane Valley, another town all together. I service Spokane Valley. I am off the Freeway exit, the Valley mall exit. Yes we have a real freeway, it runs the length of my town. You can be anywhere in my town within 10 minutes.Yes it is a real freeway. I dont target market anywhere but here. I am not trying to service anyone except my community.

You say I have a bad attitude? More HEARSAY 3rd Party posts. You yourself have never been here to have any comment about my attitude. There is not one post here from anyone who has walked in this store who has said anything negative about my attitude.

Petco and Petsmart are both within 5 blocks from me. Both are 10 in inventory compared to me, 300% higher than me in dry goods. And we do NOT sell any of their normal stock inventory animals they sell. Never have never will. People dont shop between us. We dont carry they same items. I will let them do that to each other.

The other "Petstore" family owned is within 1 block from me again, they have 5% the inventory of animals, and are 100 to 200% higher in pricing. They sell dogs cats birds fish...................... Again, we dont compete because I dont stock what they do.

There is no where else to shop in my town. You are right, they are JUST SHOPS. They offer no education experience, no expert advice, no correct info on the animals they even possess. They are stores, not an education center. They dont have any tours,they offer no overall learning experience, and dont charge a cover for what they dont have. They are in it to SELL SELL SELL, that is evident.

The City of Spokane Valley's April 1, 2010 population is 90,210 people,
Household Income $66,000 to $100, 000.

The town your Buddy is in that you are rambling about that is of no consequence to me..........................
Spokane Population 327,174
Median household income(per year) $39,346
You are referring to division street? It is not a freeway. It turns into a 2 lane highway. It is just a street they are on. There in no Freeway that runs through North and South Spokane.

 

[ReptileAddictions]

Wendy,

Again I never had a store in Spokane. I was an online dealer always and kept hours for local traffic that did not want to buy online. I did move to a new location after I got back from being sent away on this little thing called OEF. I know service to you typically means behind bars or picking up trash in jump suit along side the road but some of us do have a higher calling than that I'm positive someone like yourself will never know the priviledge or honor of that. That's all I have to say about that Wendy Childs............Out

If that wasnt just cause for an infraction I dont know what it. Typical of you to stoop to such a low moral character.

You have no idea what my political thoughts or opinions are. I suggest you choose the next words out of your mouth very carefully, I think you are loosing customers quickly.

Learn how to spell privileged - something you are not. I am willing to bet even Iraquevet is gaping at your comment!

 

[Southern Wolf]

KEVIN- I do understand your point. The thing of it is. I work 12-14 hours a day 7 days a week. I will never be able to please everyone. I know that. I can only do my best to do what the majority needs. There will be someone who needs to shop at midnight (like I do) but I wont be here for him either. I never get my errands completed. No one is open prior to 7 am and or late after 9 pm

I love the idea of the drive thru.... I just dont think you should limit your ours. If your store is open... you should be able to get feeders.

As to the hours... I could only be so lucky. I work 40hrs a week at a real job... and then come home to take care of 200+ animals.... and its basically just me. Then on top of all the care and cleaning... I have to keep my website up to date with all the pics.... as Im a firm believer that my customers should pick an animal not a species. Your singing to the choir with your hours 7 days a week. Im right there if no deeper in than you.

 

[JHB1982]

If that wasnt just cause for an infraction I dont know what it. Typical of you to stoop to such a low moral character.

You have no idea what my political thoughts or opinions are. I suggest you choose the next words out of your mouth very carefully, I think you are loosing customers quickly.

Learn how to spell privileged - something you are not. I am willing to bet even Iraquevet is gaping at your comment!

I'm pretty sure he would agree serving your country is a privilege and a honor. Something I have done for almost 10 years now. I had to temporarily shut down my doors in Spokane while I was gone. I'm still very much in business. I don't serve customers locally anymore at a physical location just because it's not worth the time when compared to the volume I sell online.

 

[Melinda]

some very interesting thoughts and ideas here.

I have to admit, I get peeved when I visit the local pet store to buy things and the employees are all taken up by people who don't buy a thing. Chat chat, ask questions etc...but no intention of buying a thing while I try to wait patiently to make a purchase.

No credit or debit cards will be accepted for purchases under $500

This may be a problem. I remember when I had my merchant account, I could not place monetary restrictions or Visa would close my account and I could no longer accept Visa.

 

[JHB1982]

some very interesting thoughts and ideas here.

I have to admit, I get peeved when I visit the local pet store to buy things and the employees are all taken up by people who don't buy a thing. Chat chat, ask questions etc...but no intention of buying a thing while I try to wait patiently to make a purchase.



This may be a problem. I remember when I had my merchant account, I could not place monetary restrictions or Visa would close my account and I could no longer accept Visa.

I think the debit and credit card minimum setting restrictions are actually covered under becoming PCI Compliant now.

 

[East_Coast]

This is getting so childish. Yawn...

 

[Suncoast Herpetological]

I am finding myself in uncharted territory here...I agree with pretty much everything Wendy has posted in this thread.

 

[Suncoast Herpetological]

However, I do think this thread should be moved to the General Business Discussion Forum. It has no place on the BOI

 

[Iraqvet]

Wendy...I have no clue about whats up with you or JHB..No matter your political views,they should never be taken out on a soldier..Not sure what they are as you didnt state they were good or bad,but seen you comment on that and just wanted to put that out there..Soldiers dont start wars,the government does...I did alittle searchin...What happend in your past only your past if you try to get away from that..It looks like you have tried...You do have a nice facility...I am just not sure about the $5 cause there is no where around me that does that,and I think they would put a foot in the grave if they did...

 

[ReptileAddictions]

Let me better explain myself See, I understand James little underlying stabs at me. They are always the same.

He is in the reserves. He often uses the reserves as his excuse for many things. His store closing for example. Which it was a store. In a commercial Strip with open hours. My mother often shopped there, she has many a receipts from his "not a store". Not having booths at shows hes not welcome at. He tells people he wasnt there because it was his weekend instead of the truth.

His post is implying I am somehow less of a person because I am not in the military. Or that I am somehow putting him down because he is in the military. Neither are true.

I have a great respect for our military. I am a registered republican- I am sure that surprises most. I have a military discount at my store. I was 4 miles from ground zero on 9/11 watching from a hotel window. I have a never forget never forgive tattoo. Just a short list of things that only true friends know about me.

What I dont respect is him using the reserves as his excuse when it is not for his downfalls. It is belittling to all service men. And looking down his nose at me because I am not in the military.

This business is NOT about politics,his post is completely off topic like all the rest of his posts. It makes me sick that he would even bring it up so someone will think him a better person and me a less a person.

Maybe he will receive enough infractions to take a short vacation from here and go back to stalking me on craigslist.

 

[Ken Foose]

I've been reading all of this, and with hesitation have decided to chime in. I agree with Wendy 100%. First of all, I know she has a fine store and has worked her ass off to make it so. No one helped her. Through sheer determination and drive she's made it what it is, a destination. It really doesn't matter what part of town it's in. If it offers the shopper a real experience and value, they will come. And they will pay the fee to get in. I'm not sure if a family of 6 can afford the $5 per person price, but that's not for anyone but Wendy to decide. Her store, her rules, period. I see no reason for anyone to complain about it. If you don't think it's worth the price, don't visit, period. However, the fact that you get your admission back on any purchase of $5 or more should be an incentive to visit. I've done business with Wendy, and have always enjoyed it. I too have the same problem she has, we are the cheapest zoo in town (free). Our stratagies are a bit different. I also have toyed with the idea of a drive through, but after pondering on it a bunch, decided against it. Why? Because I want people to walk into my store to buy their rats and mice and other things. They tend to stroll around the store when they come in, and that's a chance something might catch their eye and get purchased. However, my staff has been begging for an admission fee for about 2 decades now. We get swamped with families with unruley kids, people who want to touch everything, and people who just want to hang out and chat for hours. I have at least 50 people a day ask to hold the Wallabies, Sugar Gliders or Kinkajous, or some of th higher end herps. We nicely explain that we are busy and are not a petting zoo. Or, if I'm in the mood, I tell them I'll let them hold the $2,000 + animal if they
let me hold their $2,000 + dollars while they do so. Some of them remind me of the Cheese Shop skit from Monty Python.........I'm sorry sir, but I was just intentionaly wasting your time.
Wendy is doing what she feels is best for her and her business, and it's really none of ours.
As far as Wendy's coloful past, who really cares? It's a pet store, and trust me, a lot worse people are in our business. Just look at the latest headlines concerning some of our more "upstanding" peers. Get off your high horses and relax a bit. It's a pet store. I remember when I was in high school in Spokane, and the only store that sold herps was Northwest Seed. You all should consider yourselves lucky to have more choices now. This is too long, again. Bye

 

[JHB1982]

Let me better explain myself See, I understand James little underlying stabs at me. They are always the same.

He is in the reserves. He often uses the reserves as his excuse for many things. His store closing for example. Which it was a store. In a commercial Strip with open hours. My mother often shopped there, she has many a receipts from his "not a store". Not having booths at shows hes not welcome at. He tells people he wasnt there because it was his weekend instead of the truth.

His post is implying I am somehow less of a person because I am not in the military. Or that I am somehow putting him down because he is in the military. Neither are true.

I have a great respect for our military. I am a registered republican- I am sure that surprises most. I have a military discount at my store. I was 4 miles from ground zero on 9/11 watching from a hotel window. I have a never forget never forgive tattoo. Just a short list of things that only true friends know about me.

What I dont respect is him using the reserves as his excuse when it is not for his downfalls. It is belittling to all service men. And looking down his nose at me because I am not in the military.

This business is NOT about politics,his post is completely off topic like all the rest of his posts. It makes me sick that he would even bring it up so someone will think him a better person and me a less a person.

Maybe he will receive enough infractions to take a short vacation from here and go back to stalking me on craigslist.

First of all I have been in the Army since 2001 and I am very proud of my service. My service is not an excuse for anything. I never had a store. My website launched in 2007 with a warehouse at 9608 E Montgomery Ave in the Spokane Valley. I kept it open to the public but it was a warehouse, not a retail space. It had a 100 square feet office and a 1100 square feet warehouse that I did let customers come in and browse, preferrably with an appointment. Yes Wendy's mother did come in and make several purchases and was a good customer. Wendy never came in as she was still away in 2007 as most of us on here know. In early 2008 I received word that I would be leaving in support of OEF and I started transitioning my product fills to outsourced warehouses in Torrance, CA and Naperville, IL with a company called Shipwire. When I returned to Spokane in late 08' I continued to use Shipwire and kept a small warehouse here in Spokane. I never went back to keeping public hours and I'm not the only online retailer to do so.

As far as shows go I'm fairly certain I am welcome as I just vended at the Seattle Reptile Expo and only missed the PDX because I was with the Army Reserves on a four day drill. Wendy wouldn't know if I was there or not because she wasn't there and she wouldn't even show up just to attend because she owes way too much money to people who are vending there.

I'm sure she will respond to this with some more rambling that holds no truth. The reason I look down my nose at you is because you are convicted felon who is still scamming people. People who I now I have the displeasure of saying I told you so. Just a few days ago your store had a going out of business banner on it and now you are on here saying you are not going out of business. I personally think we are going to see a repeat of you going away like you did back in 2006, and with a big smile on my face with great pleasure I will say I told you so.

 

[JHB1982]

.

Maybe he will receive enough infractions to take a short vacation from here and go back to stalking me on craigslist.

Definitely don't go there on Craiglist Wendy. I still have something like 80 saved messages from fake Craigslist ads you posted in my name. I did have a chuckle over you putting my house up for rent..............until I got 30 calls for it.

 

[Ken Foose]

She put your house up for rent? I don't care who you are, that's pretty funny.

 

[Kaiyudsai]

Your missing my point Wendy. If I was in WA....Id have to look elsewhere for feeders becuase you say no exception on the hours..... and I would FIND elsewhere before I messed up what little sleep I do get.

But you don't... so what's the big deal

 

[cm_reptiles]

My take on the whole reptile addictions.. I live near spokane and have talked to wendy a few times.. Her store is alot bigger and better kept then ramassumen reptiles. Ramassumen is the size of my living room and my setups are far nicer.. She sells reptiles with the cages for a little more and there always set up proper from what I can tell. There is a few problems with the store.. Reptiles are way overpriced for commons same with ramassumen. Want reptiles for decent price go to northwest seed and pet.