Complaint Review: PETCO

I too failed to receive my coupon after multiple requests.  The service rep did not seem too surprised that I didn't receive it, probably because she knows that it was never sent in the first place.

Two calls, two promises, and yet no coupon for my free bag.

That indeed is a big scam.  Consumers beware that what you are promised from Petco is not what you will get.  I call that a scam as well.

I had to call three times to get the coupon I previously earned, and I am currently holding my hand receipts that show they changed the number of bags purchased from 5 to only 2 in between purchases.  It is a scam.

Believe me I have my issues with them I just don't think you're telling the whole truth.  In all of the years I worked there, I never once have heard of someone having this many issues with receiving their free bag of food.  I have seen people not receive their coupons, and then once they mention ONE time they get their coupon.

Did you buy multiple sizes of dog food?  Did you buy different kinds or even brands?  If say you bought an 8 pound bag of Science Diet then bought a 15 pound that doesn't count to your free bag.  You do realize that right? 

Their prices are higher than the competitions. The only reason to purchaser dog food from them is because of the free bag program.

They offer to give you a free bag of food after buying 10 bags. They then don't give you credit for all the bags you buy. Even after buying 10 bags they don't send you the coupon.

Telling someone you're going to give them something under certain conditions then consistently failing to do so is a scam. I can't help it if you are incapable of understanding that. You seem awfully defensive of this company's practices considering you're an EX-employee. Very suspicious.

And I still don't have my free coupon, even though I was told that they'd send it over two weeks ago.

I still don't see how this is a scam and how they are turning a profit by YOU signing up for a FREE program that doesn't charge you anything per month.  Yet with this PALS card that is such a big scam you get the sale price on the items, but if you didn't have the card you'd pay full price.  I'm sorry it's not a scam. 

....know what a scam is:

"a confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, esp. for making a quick profit; swindle."

I think the words, fraudulent, scheme, quick profit and swindle all apply.

It was just a mistake when they didn't credit me with a bag purchase.
It was just a mistake when they didn't credit me with another bag purchase.
It was just a mistake when they didn't send me my coupon.
It was just a mistake that they still haven't sent me my coupon.

It's just a mistake but it's not an honest mistake.

My address was correct. There was just a period after the abbreviation for Road "Rd." which hasn't prevented them from sending marketing pieces, only my free coupon.

Sign me "still waiting on my coupon".

Do you know what a scam is?  I suggest you look it up. 

You don't pay for anything to get signed up, and you don't pay a monthly premium for it.  It's simply a way to get the sale items.  Also a software glitch doesn't mean they are crooks.  It's means a mistake happened.  They are people and machines do break down.  They aren't perfect and neither are you.  I suggest you take your receipt in and speak with a manager.  When I worked there, the manager would frequently get a hold of a DM to give out the free bag to a customer that was having issues.  Also make sure that the address is correct the next time you go through the checkout line.  It really isn't that hard.

I did call on my way overdue coupon for a free bag of dog food. They said some sort of a software glitch prevented them from sending the coupon (there was a period in my address which was an invalid character). Of course I've been receiving marketing pieces in the mail from them, just not my coupon. The customer service rep said they'd send it right out.

Of course I still haven't received the coupon. I'm sure there's some other good excuse, er reason, that they still haven't sent it.

The people that manage PETCO are no better than common criminals. Do not shop there.

The PALS program is not a scam.  Mistakes happen and all you have to do is say hey I didn't get my coupon, and call in.  When I worked there it worked every time.

As far the prices go that happens everywhere and are you absolutely certain you were actually picking up the right item?  I remember Lamb and Rice Science Diet being on sale, but not Chicken.  People would pick up Chicken and not bother to actually read the signs that clearly say what is and is not for sale. 

As far the original poster I see you edited out most of the receipt.  Take your time and reread it carefully.

I've been waiting over 2.5 months for my coupon for free dog food.

They do not always give you credit for your purchases as the employee above states. I caught them not crediting me twice this year and had to call.

Their sale items frequently ring up at full price.

The whole PALS program is designed to ripoff regular customers.

99% of the time if you have purchased 10 bags (same size) of any food you can go up the ladder at Petco and get the free bag. If you didn't have the 43 hours to translate the "rules" of being a PALS member, this is the way to get the free bag, since you probably overpaid for their "premium" food.

Btw, you might want to research the brand you are buying. Many "premium" foods are being uncovered for what they really are. Slick, glossy advertising that is no better than plain old Purina Dog Chow.

"When you swipe your P.A.L.S. card or provide the phone number associated with your P.A.L.S card, your purchases are automatically accumulated. After you have purchased 10 bags of the same brand and size premium dry dog or cat food within a 12-month period, we will mail your Free Food coupon to the address we have listed for your P.A.L.S. card. "

It clearly states premium food. It's not false advertisement because the program is not a sale nor service. It's an offer just like a coupon. All loyalty programs are like this.

"When you swipe your P.A.L.S. card or provide the phone number associated with your P.A.L.S card, your purchases are automatically accumulated. After you have purchased 10 bags of the same brand and size premium dry dog or cat food within a 12-month period, we will mail your Free Food coupon to the address we have listed for your P.A.L.S. card. "

It clearly states premium food. It's not false advertisement because the program is not a sale nor service. It's an offer just like a coupon. All loyalty programs are like this.

"When you swipe your P.A.L.S. card or provide the phone number associated with your P.A.L.S card, your purchases are automatically accumulated. After you have purchased 10 bags of the same brand and size premium dry dog or cat food within a 12-month period, we will mail your Free Food coupon to the address we have listed for your P.A.L.S. card. "

It clearly states premium food. It's not false advertisement because the program is not a sale nor service. It's an offer just like a coupon. All loyalty programs are like this.

"When you swipe your P.A.L.S. card or provide the phone number associated with your P.A.L.S card, your purchases are automatically accumulated. After you have purchased 10 bags of the same brand and size premium dry dog or cat food within a 12-month period, we will mail your Free Food coupon to the address we have listed for your P.A.L.S. card. "

It clearly states premium food. It's not false advertisement because the program is not a sale nor service. It's an offer just like a coupon. All loyalty programs are like this.