Most Pet Retailers Still Aren’t Wearing Nametags … Here’s Why

THIS MONTH’S QUESTION: DO YOU MAKE YOUR STAFF WEAR NAMETAGS?

25%: Yes

• We have pictures of our pets on them, and we give awards in the form of stickers and pins for good customer service. Amy Velde, PetSmart, Faribault, MN
• We make our own, and the employee has a lanyard to hold them. Russell Herman, Pet$aver Healthy Pet Superstore, Rochester, NY
• We went with a local engraving company to create our name badges. Our logo is a dancing dog, and he looks pretty cute on our nametags. Kate Lindburg, Animal Crackers Pet Supply, Corvallis, OR
• We order T-shirts that have their name printed on it. Of course, since I like bling, I found a dog bone, painted it hot pink, put rhinestones on and added my name. Kristina Robertson, The Pet Spa at Barkley Square, Falls Church, VA
• They have our logo and are personalized with employee names, and they need to come up with a clever tag line. For example, mine says, “I just own the place.” My graphic designer chose the supplier. Toni Shelaske, Healthy Pet Products, Pittsburgh, PA
• I don’t have staff, but my name is on my T-shirt. I am a one-woman show. Melanie Haynes, Space Coast Pet Services, Rockledge, FL
• We get our nametags from Veterinary Apparel Supply Company, and they’re shaped like paws. Danielle Wilson, Bath & Biscuits, Granville, OH
• They have our logo on them, and our staff wears them on their work shirts or on lanyards. Our staff writes their own names on them to match their personalities. Nancy Guinn, Dog Krazy, Fredericksburg, VA

75%: No

• We have never used nametags. It is my belief that it makes you look like you work at a gas station or a big-box store. Keith Miller, Bubbly Paws, Minneapolis, MN
• Previously, nametags have fallen off and gotten scratched and lost. Danielle Ford, Pampered Pup Luxury Pet Resort, Millville, NJ
• We used to do this, and ordered from Office Depot. I want to get back to wearing them because customers love to know the name of who helps them. Suzanne Locker, ABC Pet Resort & Spa, Willis, TX
• Many times my staff isn’t comfortable with everyone knowing their names. An introduction — “Hi, I’m Megan the store manager” — is a more memorable way to open a conversation. Paul Lewis, Birds Unlimited, Webster, NY
• We are in the process of rebranding, and all employees will have shirts with embroidered new logo and name! Ann Weber, Fancy Paws, Elkins, WV
• We don’t have a staff. It’s solely myself and our groomer. We have our names on our business cards and introduce ourselves so customers see us as their friends versus someone who’s paid to help them and give them advice. Faye Bunny, Day of the Dog, Salem, MA