Grooming cost for doodle the same regardless of size?- REALLY?

[Christina]

So kinda a vent post to begin. I have a 25.4 pound mini doodle ( weighed today at petsmart ) and have been bringing him into Petsmart for grooming since he was a puppy. I know some on here have had bad experiences with Chain store groomers but we found a specific groomer we love and she does a great job. She has been putting Oakley in the computer as a cockapoo because of his smaller size and charging us $50 to groom him. Today when I brough him in the manager was there and insisted that they charge us the labradoodle set price of $65 regardless of his siize. Oakley is NOT Matted as I brush him 3-4 times a week and super easy to groom so she was upping the price because of his breed. I argued with her saying that I couldn't believe they would charge me the same price to groom him as a large doodle which could be up to 100 pounds. She wasn't hearing it so I kept the appointment since he was already there but told her I would not be continuing to use them. My girlfriend has a 85-90 pound doodle she brings there and they charge her the same price ($65) as me for my 25 pound mini! Makes no sense to me! They even have a scale outside it they wanted to weigh the dogs and have a price range based on size. There was large poodle being groomed who they said was 40 pounds and they charge $60 for him.... I asked them if they charged $60 for a mini poodle and they said " no we have a price for miniature poodles" HUMM... EXACTLY MY POINT!

So came home and decided to call a few of the boutique groomers in the area to see what they would charge. Each had a range of $45-75 depending on size and condition. HELLO, exactly what I suggested to Petsmart. Still fuming I decided to call Petsmart corperate. I voiced my complaint, they took notes, and said they will be replying within a week. We will see... Probably will get nowhere but worth a try since I love the groomer I have been using there.

For me it is the principle. I am exploring other options for Oakley in case but curious is anyone else has had a similar situation and feels the same way. Also curious as to what people are typically paying to groom their doodle of about 25 pounds. We live in Ca so expect we may pay more here but would find it interesting. I know grooming him myself is an option but honestly not something I am comfortable with. Also if you are taking your dog to Petsmart and are in the same situation I urge you to take 5 mins to call customer service (888-839-9638) and express your thoughts. Maybe if enough people complain they will reconsider how they price their services.

Thanks for reading my vent!!

[Joan Bollaert]

Perhaps it's a corporate thing having a set price.   It would be interesting to call another Petsmart and ask how much it woulod be for an unmatted, 25lb labradoodle to compare.   It could be just a charge that particulare store manager decided to throw out there  because she has control.  ??

[Christina]

Yes, exactly what the manager said... " corperate sets pricing" which is why the groomer was putting him in the computer as a cockapoo which was closer to Oakley's actual size. I would expect to pay more if lets say the dog is matted or super long hair but neither is the case here... He loves to be brushed and I do it a few times a week and gets groomed every 8 weeks.

[Tracey & Spike]

I'm currently fist pumping in your honour! You go girl!

I am NOT by any means a lover of Petstupid.. umm.. Petsmart. I've had bad experience after bad experience. Seen terrible rotten animal care there. AND I actually was "chosen" to go through their whopping ONE WEEK dog training course.. to become a trainer!!! (all before I even had a dog of my own). Long story short Petsmart bought out the super fantastic Canadian chain I used to work for. I never became an employee of Petsmart because I wouldn't drink their kool-aid (I prefer to put the needs of animals first and foremost on top of educating the customers instead of the pushing merchandise that's not proper, safe or relevant). Now I'm ranting!!!

Back to the grooming... my groomer who's not in a chain charges by SIZE. She also charges by condition. No mats? Better deal!. So my 30lb best bud is cheaper than someone with a full size dood. I pay $65which is more than reasonable in my area. Typically Spike's range would be $60-$80+. Most groomers around me price by size. Although not all of them give the no mat bonus. When I was looking into groomers I did call three separate petsmart locations and got two different answers. One was by size. The other two were by breed. I was told...."since I owned an illegitimate breed (SAY WHAT?!) it was up to the discretion of the head groomer each time I went what time I'd be charged" For a lab ($$) for a cockapoo ($) for a poodle ($$$) regardless of size.

I hope Petsmart relents for you. Good groomers are like a needle in haystack. Especially with our "illegitimate" breed :P

[Diana Spanos]

I hear you... I don't use Pet Smart, because I had a bad experience once with my Archie-- a mini golden-doodle-- approximately 25 pounds. But, I find the range for grooming is all over the place! I set myself up probably, because I wanted Archie to be scissor cut-- I love the shaggy look. And, I've been paying close to $90-- including his nails clipped. But, now I have a mini ALD, too-- and the concept of paying $180 for 2 is not terribly exciting... But, I also live just north of Boston, and I expect our prices are a little higher in this area, too-- I'm just in the process of looking around, and asking everyone I can see where they get there Doods groomed. It's frustrating. If I had more time, I might try to learn on my own, but I just don't think I am prepared to take on that chore right now. I still work full-time, and its hard enough to keep Archie matt-free. Buster's coat is different-- He doesn't seem to matt at all. But, Archie is getting more curly as his adult coat has come in. Archie will be 2 in November. Buster Brown is almost 6 months.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

I don't know if I have this problem, I mainly groom myself but take the girls occasionally to a professional. The local place has charged about $100 for our goldendoodle since she was a PUPPY(last time she went she was 6 months and less than 30 lbs). That's one of the big reasons I started grooming myself. Since we've gotten our puppy bernedoodle i couldn't get her into the local groomers and took her to petco. It was $40 the first time (plus an upcharge because it was her first groom and she was a HANDFUL) second time she was about 25 lbs and it was $60. Regardless, everywhere they go they're put down as a poodle mix. People ask goldendoodle? Nope, goldendoodle isn't technically a breed. Our petco has done a great job both times with our puppy and it's always the same 3 people working...so I am starting to trust them more. :)

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Good for you for calling and voicing your concerns. It isn't fair, but corporate stores can do whatever they like, and it looks like that's what they've done. Your groomer there must realize the unfairness of the practice and has made adjustments accordingly, but she's probably taking a risk by doing so. If I were you I'd be looking for a new groomer elsewhere. My old groomer's (I now groom the doodles myself) doodle-cut rates were based on size. Good luck! Oh, and FYI, her rate for a standard doodle was $65.

[Carol Bordwell]

My Chloe is 24 lbs., never has mats, groomers love her because she is so easy. We have been paying $35 & tip $5. We live in Washington State & in a small town with depressed economy. So, that's what is happening in my little corner of the world.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Here is a reverse of that. My groomer Charges $35 to groom Ned (small doodle) and $40 to groom our bigger doodle and our Springer Spaniel - this is a charge by size.  Our Springer Spaniel probably takes her 15 minutes to trim and Ned probably takes her hours!  I am glad she doesn't charge by the time the dog takes.

PS tell them that Oakley is a Cockapoo - just change what is on his card.

[Marie Dennen]

Personally I would have to see the dog to give a quote. Pounds is not the only consideration. Condition of coat, length of coat, time it takes to dry, brush, clipper and scissor, dealing with the behavior and temperament of the dog can factor in too Remember groomers work on commission. If it the work was turning out more to be than the original quote of 50$ perhaps she realized she undercharged for quite sometime and had the manager handle it . The manager maybe stuck to her guns about the price and blamed it on corporate. It took me a while to get a handle on pricing doodles. I learned  my lesson set the price and stick to it . Some of the doodles I do are not cheap. Mine mostly start between 75$-85$ It all depends the labor and time. Oh, area can be a factor. Time is money and if  it is taking longer  to do a certain job, then the groomer is actually the one getting cheated.