VIPets (Jillians Exotics LLC) — Local services in Plainfield Charter Township

We experienced rude customer service and noticed unsanitary conditions for the animals. The small rodents reeked of urine. About 5 years ago, we bought a guinea pig from this place. We always say we saved her because she was living in poor, crowded conditions and had fungus on her feet and ears due to the bad conditions. We recently lost her, and since we loved her so much, we decided to buy another guinea pig from here.

Unfortunately, the girl who "helped" us was extremely condescending. She assumed we didn't know anything, despite our 25+ years of experience then again she didn't even care to ask if we've ever owned them before. She didn't ask us any questions and wouldn't let us hold or check the animal ourselves (for its safety, which I understand, but it's a pretty standard thing to do when buying a pet and we were able to last time we bought one from here). She also tried to oversell us by pushing us to buy two guinea pigs instead of one, even though they were advertised as being available individually. She claimed they were bonded, but guinea pigs that age don't bond like adult guinea pigs do. We immediately left due to her service, and it didn't even seem like she was going to sell us one. Either that or try taking advantage of us/overselling by assuming we knew nothing about them. I've heard from many people recently that they seem to be doing that more often now at this location.

Really disappointed with our experience, I followed up with a phone call. The girl on the phone was nice and apologized for our experience. She explained why guinea pigs need to be with another one (the whole reason for our guinea pig venture), which is probably why the girl from the store visit was trying to sell us two. That still doesn't excuse the assumptions made by the girl in the store, but I appreciated the apology.

I then asked her about their change to the no-holding policy, as I understood it's for the animal's safety... until they talked about the socialization station. This is where you could sit with the animal and have them come to you, but you still can't pick up and hold them to check them out to make sure everything looks okay. First, guinea pigs are prey animals. They don't approach and are scared until they have a rapport with you. Even then, they are still frightened creatures. Second, this station had cat food and objects in there when we saw it. It made me question how sanitary it actually was or how much cleanliness was a priority. The girl on the phone's response was that it probably hadn't been cleaned yet. We had been there for at least 15 minutes, so you'd think if cleanliness was a priority, they'd clean it immediately after each animal used it. All this made me wonder how many different animals go into this area for socialization without it being cleaned. Seems like exposure to that area and all the different diseases animals carry and can easily contract would be a higher risk for the animal's safety, health, and well being than me just holding it.

In short: the girl in the store was rude, the girl over the phone was nice, the store’s cleanliness, sales tactics, and policies need work. Unfortunately, at this point, you'd find better customer service, cleaner conditions, and honest sales folks at Petco (where we did buy a guinea pig today thankfully. Sweet little boy and we could hold him. Sales folks there were super nice, helpful, and informative). I never thought I'd say that and wished I could continue supporting a local business. They have completely lost not only my business but also anyone I know. I will be...

This will be long so please bear with me. On December 18, 2023 my family went to VI Pets to pick out a Christmas gift for myself; a Guyana pink toe (Avicularia Avicularia). I had done a bunch of research on this species and was very prepared. I also have other Ts.

However, my family only knew the minimum and I feel that they were taken full advantage of. First, they were pushed to purchase all the most expensive things in the store, which they noticed immediately. The tarantula “specialist” (I don’t believe they deserve this title) claimed the items were all NEEDS and they would likely die without them lol. I do blame my family, for not listening to my advice of shopping elsewhere for the extras, but they pushed my family hard, claiming they didn’t feel comfortable letting the T leave the store without all of it.

The next thing I noticed right away, was the abdomen on the pink toe. It was very very small; like it hadn’t eaten in months. This tarantula was sold to my family as a juvenile Guyana pink toe and was priced higher because of the young age, I assume. Since December 18th, he had only taken food one time and immediately dropped it. I know that they can go years without eating at times, but I had already heard horror stories about pet store Ts and this made me nervous. Starting in the beginning of May, the T slowed way down and I assumed it was prepping for a molt. I left him be and when I checked on him yesterday, he was very obviously passed away.

Ok now to get to my main issue, and the reason for my low rating. In order to memorialize my very first avic, I flipped him over to inspect him and be sure there were no injuries or other reasons for his death. I found nothing of the sort, but what I did find was very off putting! I found that my family had been sold a mature male Guyana pink toe, not a juvenile at all. You see, when a male matures, they often get “hooks” on their first legs and their pedipalps look quite large at the ends compared to their legs, which are called emboli. These two attributes allow for the male to mate with the female. Rather than a juvenile tarantula, that could live 3-5+ years, I was sold an already matured male, who lived all of 5-6 months. He was quite small, but there is no way the shop did not know by at least how long they had him in their care. And if they had no idea of age, they surely should not be telling folks they’re a juvenile.

To wrap this up, I went in to pick up feeders right before he passed and the same tarantula “specialist” was there, filling another customers head with lies and talking very negatively about a local breeder/shop whom I have done business with. I informed said customer that I’ve had zero issues with that person and that they should check for themselves because they’re a direct competitor. The “specialist” got angry and started mumbling under her breath so I walked away. I did mention her crappy attitude and lack of knowledge, but I’m not sure they even care!

TLDR: Purchased what was said to be a juvenile tarantula and it turned out to be a full on MATURE MALE, who passed not even 6 months after purchase. Was pushed to get the most expensive products and up-sold during the entire visit. Tarantula “specialist” is rude, and is not knowledgeable about the tarantulas...

After spending several hundred dollars here over the last month (vip card presented to me) getting 2 terrariums going, 3 fish tanks, and other bug habitats. Buying isopods, plants, dirts, rocks and other things. I finally got some fish. I’ve had over a dozen running aquariums at the same time in my past, so I’m not a beginner aquatics person. 35 dollars worth of the 40 dollars worth of fish I bought. Only 1 survivor!! Who has ick. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

I go in there on Saturday with my singular dead fish (but 2 others were missing) and I’m sent away to get a water sample. Fine. Fair enough. I bought some other stuff and left. Between Saturday and Monday when I had the chance to go back, another fish died, leaving me with 1 that has ick and my bristlenose. I assumed the Colombian bristlenose ate the other 2 carcasses because they did not exist in my tank, but it too sadly died before Monday.

Now, for the first time, I get to meet the owner! I will not be shopping there again. Their tank clearly brought ick into my tank. She herself tested it and I might add, only said “the nitrites not 0 and that’s what we want”. Well owner of V.I. Pets. You sold me sick fish and didn’t refund me full value. Because you didn’t want to. Be honest. sorry your defective fish died so the bottom feeder did it’s job and cleaned up.

Anyway, I suggest everyone goes to Amazon to buy all their products. Seeing as the only thing V.I. Pets has that Amazon doesn’t have is pets. And when a company sells defective pets and products that are cheaper on Amazon, their customer service is basically the only thing keeping a company alive.

So thank you for all the help I’ve gained from other store employees, you’ve been helpful and kind. Unfortunately, the owner just doesn’t care enough about dedicated animal enthusiasts and their frustrations with her company and her products.

110 gallon paludarium being created once the 75g plant stock tank gets more...