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The good, the bad, and the ugly - discover what customers are saying about Hip Pooch

Welcome to our customer reviews and complaints page for Hip Pooch. We understand that making informed decisions about where to invest your time and money can be challenging, which is why we've created this platform for our community to share their honest feedback about their experiences with Hip Pooch.

On this page, you'll find a comprehensive collection of reviews and complaints from real customers who have used Hip Pooch's products or services. Our reviews are authentic and unbiased, providing you with a complete picture of the company, its products or services, and their customer service.

Whether you're considering doing business with Hip Pooch, or you've already had an experience with them, our community's reviews and complaints will give you a valuable perspective on what to expect. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about where to invest your time and money, and we hope that our platform will be a valuable resource for you.

Please feel free to browse our reviews and complaints and share your own experience with Hip Pooch. Your feedback is an important part of our community and will help others make informed decisions.

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10:40 am EDT
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Hip Pooch Grooming

Five days ago, we took our Labradoodle to Hip Pooch to be groomed. Today, I just returned from the vet getting antibiotics and cream for a severe razor burn. Our dog is in severe discomfort and can't sit down. The infection is so severe, he leaves stains from his running wound. Initially, we were disappointed, as I specifically asked that he not be groomed to look like a coiffed Poodle, and he came home with a puffy head and a pom pom at the end of this tail. We left it because hair will grow. Then, more importantly, we noticed the areas of his body that had been shaved down to his skin. The explanation was that he was matted and that may well have been the case, but at no point should the health of our dog been compromised by a trip to the groomer! On a sidebar, there was no option if you paid with debit or credit to NOT leave a tip. I learned at the vet's today that dog groomers do not have to be licensed or even have any grooming certification to open a business. Lesson learned.

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Hip Pooch Dog Store

This is by far the worst store for customer service. I have been in there a few times since I had to find clothing for my dog (4 pounds) when she went outside in the cold weather and no other place seemed to have small enough clothing. EVERY TIME I went in there, we have been the only ones in there. The owner/worker is SO rude. She sits at the cash just staring and not trying to help you or speak to you. Just STARING. Unless you actually walk up to her (it's in a very small building also) and ask her a question that REQUIRES her to PHYSICALLY GET UP and get you something from the back (which she looks very annoyed with) or point something out to you, she just SITS and STARES judging you. A couple, who walked in 5-10 minutes after us (who clearly had money) got attention right away and the owner could not have been nicer to them- she practically wiped their feet at the door!
On the door of the building, it says that dogs are welcome, however, it seems that she does not want any dog there, besides her own. When we went to exchange something she said "We don't do returns" with so much attitude and barkiness in her voice that I even took a step back because it felt like I was being attacked. It was clear she was not impressed by having to do the exchange. She also does not take back any dog food or stand behind her promises with her clothing or her entire store.

This is BY FAR THE WORST store I have ever shopped at in my life with the WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN MY LIFE (which I am very familar with since I work at a Customer Service desk)!

DO NOT SUPPORT SUCH A HORRIBLE PLACE!

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catarina3
, US
Oct 22, 2015 12:34 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I would like to say that I recently brought my dog there for a grooming and will never ever do so again. I strongly advise that people think twice before brining their pets to Hip Pooch. This was the second time I have brought her here. The first time was for a wash a trim and this time was that as well as de shedding for winter.. After dropping her off I immediately got a call from the shop asking if I had noticed that my dogs nails were too long and were soo long in fact that I had caused her physiological damage and most likely daily pain. I was very shocked and confused by this as I have 100lb dog who was jumping out of the car and walking around perfectly normal prior to the check in at the groomers. They were very rude towards me and tried to explain the internal damage I have caused by allowing her nails to grow this long etc. I then remembered that it had been only 3 short weeks before when I had her nails trimmed by a vet when she was under anesthetic for a teeth cleaning. I was confused that the vet would not have mentioned the ill state of her nails if this was the case. I hung up the phone feeling as though I have somehow been a neglectful pet owner without realizing it. I was also told during the conversation that my dog had to be muzzled because she was snapping..they were surprised with this behaviour as she was not like this last time they groomed her and they could only owe to the fact that she was in pain from the matting and long nails (explained that she was brushed regularly, therefore not sure why the matting would be so bad) After she was picked up I realized there was no way this damage was cause due to long nails. she was bleeding profusely and limping...could hardly walk. She was brought to the vet immediately. She needed to have the entire nail removed and the vet stated that she had never seen this before, the nail was split all the way up. It was in no way from her nails being too long, they were fine, it looked as though the nail clippers were not strong enough or the dog flinched and the groomer split the nail. being that nails on dogs are comparable to the last metacarpal on a human's finger the amount of pain must have been excoriating. My dog was casted and sedated and brought home. Now two days later and a phone call to Hip Pooch later Daisy is still recovering with a cone and a cast, no apology or acceptance of responsibility was taken by hip pooch. I understand accidents happen, but to put the onus on the owner and in such a rude judgemental way then to not accept responsibility even after a professional medical opinion was given is not ok. SO now I have huge vet bills to contend with and they even charged extra at hip pooch for "matting" .It is concerning how badly this situation was handled by them.

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Ashleyjane
Winnipeg, CA
Dec 22, 2014 2:22 am EST

I also had a terrible experience here. I purchased a pair of dog boots that were on sale on their website and picked them up in store. When I got home and opened up the box there was a hand written note stating that the boots were floor models (not mentioned on the website or when I picked them up). The boots were all scuffed up and one of them looked like it had been chewed! I took them back to the store to (with the note) and asked for a refund (since the boots were used). The owner REFUSED to refund my money...she said she has a strict NO REFUND POLICY. She looked at the boots and told me they were not that damaged when she sold them to me and I must have let my dog chew them. I was so angry. Luckily, I had paid with paypal online so I told her if she didn't give me a refund I would open up a dispute with paypal and get my money back (without returning the boots). She tried to argue with me but I had the note as proof that they boots were not "new" so eventually gave me the refund. What terrible customer service. I hope they go out of business.

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Two Dogs And a Girl
Winnipeg, CA
Aug 23, 2014 12:05 pm EDT

I shop here and never have had any problems even when it comes to returns. I have received store credit or cash return. I love the merchandise that is brought in and will return again and again and again.

In response to Vancity - we all have the right to complain and to let people know our experiences, be them good or bad. In our city stores like BestWest Pet Store do take back dog food even if it has been opened. Any brand except raw dog food, as our other stores. I do think however it is our responsibility to check on the store policies before we make purchases.

There is a great grooming place in Winnipeg called Barks N Bubbles, who also carry dog apparel in small sizes. They are also located on Corydon, close to Wilton.

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Heidi Bauer
Kenora, CA
Jun 14, 2014 10:50 am EDT

I took my dogs here to have them groomed due to my regular groomer being ill. I discussed with the groomer and showed her picture of my dogs recent grooms of what my expectations were. When I picked up my dogs I was horrified. She basically had taken the clippers a completly shaved of their entire coat. There was no grooming skills here. After paying 180.00 and having to look at how terrible this groom is for the summer! I could have done this cut at home myself! DONT HAVE YOUR DOGS GROOMED HERE! Very disappointed!

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Heidi Bauer
Kenora, CA
Jun 14, 2014 10:30 am EDT

I took my dogs here for a groom due to my regular groomer being ill. After discussing with pictures of a recent groom of what my expectation were, I picked my dogs up only to find the groomer here had just taken the clippers and totally shaved the coats off of bothe dogs and I was charged 180.00 for this ridiculous cut. There was no skill in this groom. I could have done this cut myself at home! DONT GET YOUR DOGS GROOMED HERE! My dogs look horrible and I am so very disappointed!

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MountRoyal
Winnipeg, CA
Feb 22, 2014 4:05 pm EST

Have to agree with these complaints. This store owner is a Piece. Of. Work. Made me feel like an idiot because she was so judgemental, I tried to gloss things over by being as nice as possible... doesn't matter. She still looked at me like I was a piece of dog crap.
Want to buy something from this store? Make sure you REALLY want it and won't have any reason to want to return it, because she only does in store credits (fair enough, but a bit of a bummer) BUT she makes it seem like it's pretty much the worst thing you could ever ask of her. I'm sorry, but if you own a merchandise store, you better start getting used to exchanges! If the person is being unreasonable, then fine, stand your ground. But, in my case, the item was untouched with tags still on, I had a legit reason where it actually didn't suit my needs, but she still told me I was "being techincal" (rudely!) and tried to avoid the exchange all together. I literally had to recompose myself, plan what I was going to say and gear myself up to go through with it. NOT what you should be forced to do for a simple return.
Never been so uncomfortable and put off as I was with this woman.
Furthermore, she ripped me off because I bought the item with a 20% discount coupon, and then had to pay back the 20% on the first item that I was exchanging and THEN pay full price on the second item! So essentially, the coupon did diddley squat in her eyes and I may as well have thrown it in a garbage bin because I ended up paying full price on the final item and paying the 20% back on the first item.
And in case someone like "Vancity" tells me this rant is immature, YOU try reasoning with this woman! She made me withdraw for cover like a turtle going into its shell. She reminds me of girls who would make me cry in school.
Final point - don't expect ANY form of customer service from this place unless you crawl towards this owner on your belly waving a peace flag and stroking her ego. Not even worth the effort. HORRIBLE store.

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DonDee4dognite
Winnipeg, CA
Jan 11, 2013 7:11 pm EST

You hit the nail on the head, , , we said the same things when we were there.. I guess we are just bothering her with our money, , having to ring it up and put it in the cash register.. HOW DOES A PLACE LIKE THAT STAY MAKE IT... They don't luckily, not for long, , , , she should be made to work for someone not in her own biz...
Yes and she will not stand behind any faulty stuff she sells, , , makes it your fault the collar breaks after the first day it was put on..
DO NOT SUPPORT THIS PLACE...
Petland the place to go, , food not liked by dog, , no problem, try another, , collar faulty heres a new one sorry about that... NOW THATS SERVICE

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vancity
, CA
Jun 19, 2009 1:14 pm EDT

First of all, what kind of person actually takes the time to post a complaint like this? You are obviously not a very happy or nice person in general so any complaints you have really have to be taken with a grain of salt.

I have shopped at Hip Pooch myself, in fact I was looking up their website so see what new items I might pick up the next time I visit Wpg when I came upon your little rant. It is too bad that you feel your experience was so negative, I have shopped there a few times and have nothing but good things to say about the store. Just the fact that I would choose to shop there and try and support a young entrepreneur in my home town when I have so many “dog boutique” options here in Vancouver really says a lot I think. When you mentioned the service that the owner gave the couple “who had money” did you stop to think that maybe they got better service (if that was even the case) because they were nicer customers who were easier to deal with?

One last thing, I’m not sure what kind of food you tried to exchange or why you wanted to exchange it, but food (for pets or humans) is generally not a returnable item unless there is something seriously wrong with it. I work in the specialty food business myself and that is our policy too. The store obviously cannot resell the food once it is opened, and especially in a small store like that it is unfair to ask them to take it back and take a loss on it, you now just know not to buy it again.

The mature thing to do if you were so unhappy with your experience would have been to decide not to shop there again, not to post this angry note on the internet for everyone to see.

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