My visit to Vetco today was extremely disappointing. I arrived at 7:58 AM for my 8:00 AM appointment, but the doors didn’t open until around 8:10 AM. When we finally went inside, the staff were still taking off their coats and settling in, and even though I greeted them, no one acknowledged me.
This was only my second time at this vet, and as a first-time dog owner, I am still learning and often unsure about what everything means. From the beginning, a woman named Frankie at the front desk was unwelcoming, harsh, and not helpful at all. My dog is anxious, and when I was weighing her, Frankie just stood there watching while I struggled to keep her still on the scale, offering no assistance. What made it more frustrating was seeing her immediately be friendly, patient, and helpful with another anxious dog and owner right after. The difference in treatment was noticeable.
On a positive note, the veterinary staff who administered the vaccines were fantastic. They were thorough, took their time, and explained what each vaccine was and why it was needed, which I greatly appreciated.
The biggest issue came at checkout when I tried to use my first free exam coupon. Since my previous visit was only for vaccinations and did not include a physical exam, I believed the coupon applied. Frankie dismissed it right away without even attempting to scan it and said, “You’re already in our system, it can’t be used,” then gave me the total without any explanation. When I calmly mentioned that she didn’t need to be rude and that I was simply asking for clarification, she became defensive and showed even more attitude.
As a first-time pet owner, having Frankie as the first person you interact with at the front desk makes the experience stressful and confusing. She offers no guidance, no patience, and no customer service skills. If this is how she handles people who are new and trying to understand their pet’s needs, then she may want to consider a different job where she doesn’t have to work with the public.
The vet staff were wonderful, but the front desk experience with Frankie ruined the visit. A little patience and basic communication would have made a world of difference.