Getting really nervous.

Hi hate to bother anyone. Seriously I wouldn’t even be writing this if i wasn’t staring to worry. Im a very patient person. But this is getting worrisome.

I ordered a custom cage from Animal plastics many many months ago. And while Ali has been perfect on the surface it seems every week when we email she tells me something has happened and they plan to ship “this week” or the “beginning of next” the thing is shes said this 3 times it just keeps getting pushed back. Has anyone else had experience with this?

The rescue i have needs his rhp. Its starting to get cooler here and i really wanted his forever home ready for him before the cold hits. :(

At this rate shell be telling me next week or sometime this week for another 6 months. Its really starting to worry me.

I hope someone can tell me about their experience.

Unfortunately this is normal for most enclosure makers.

What is your current setup like? Maybe we can figure out a way to bump up the ambient in it until the AP enclosure arrives.

Every enclosure I’ve ever ordered has taken twice the time I was quoted. It will arrive eventually and will be an amazing enclosure. They’re just a very popular and very busy company.
Perhaps some insulation styrofoam around your current enclosure, depending on its design?


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They are so busy with all the orders. It will get there.

First off, did you do a custom build? Those take much longer.

Second, on average, it will take 3-4 months to get your cage. AP is not a company to order from if you need a cage quick. If you want a quality cage though, they do make those. I have 3 T25s, 3 T10s, 1 A20, and had 3 T8s.

When I ordered AP cages in 2010 they were still going head to head with Boaphile .....they were still on the slower side.

Now? They are the industry leader in cages.....for a good reason. Price and quality. Worth every penny but yeah, incredibly busy.

Make your setup work in the meantime, no one "needs" a RHP. Shoot we didn't even have them when I got into this hobby. Make something work temporarily...CHE, red bulb. Your new cage will be worth it eventually.

I ordered a T8 from them over a month ago. I called last week for status as mine was a Quick Ship order.
Their website said 3 weeks wait. Ali tells me over the phone that the Quick Ship time gas increased to 5-6 weeks. Wished that they updated that on their website but no big deal, I can wait. She also told me it was going to be shipped at the end of the week which it did as I received an email with tracking info a few days later.

I think it depends on what you are ordering from them, how many and any special instructions or additions that you requested that prolongs the wait. Would I do it again? Maybe, I will know for certain after receiving the cage. I hear that Reptile Basics is a little faster but it comes with a higher price.

I would be more direct and ask her to give you a more definite deadline. I understand the frustration of being told one thing and then nothing happens as promised, either you need the cage now or later.

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Originally Posted by Cheesenugget

I ordered a T8 from them over a month ago. I called last week for status as mine was a Quick Ship order.
Their website said 3 weeks wait. Ali tells me over the phone that the Quick Ship time gas increased to 5-6 weeks. Wished that they updated that on their website but no big deal, I can wait. She also told me it was going to be shipped at the end of the week which it did as I received an email with tracking info a few days later.

I think it depends on what you are ordering from them, how many and any special instructions or additions that you requested that prolongs the wait. Would I do it again? Maybe, I will know for certain after receiving the cage. I hear that Reptile Basics is a little faster but it comes with a higher price.

I would be more direct and ask her to give you a more definite deadline. I understand the frustration of being told one thing and then nothing happens as promised, either you need the cage now or later.

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Thanks for understanding my frustration. It's not the wait. It's being told one thing and then it not happening that drives me crazy. And this has happened a few times now. [emoji30] I'd rather her just say she doesn't know at this point. Just don't give a timeline 3 separate times that you never actually make. And not email me saying there's a delay.
Or say instead something like within 2 months. I ordered the t10 and I didn't add anything extra at all just the rhp which they received months ago. It's been 5 months. Going on 6.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Unfortunately this is normal for most enclosure makers.

What is your current setup like? Maybe we can figure out a way to bump up the ambient in it until the AP enclosure arrives.

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I have a Chee light and a daylight light bulb. And it's on a modified exoterra. I used tape on both sides sticky part touches sticky part so the snake can't get to the tape. And covered up about 75 percent of the screen to hold humidity. And I have to still mist every other day. To keep at 50 to 55.

The ambiant temp rn is 82 and that good. But at night it's been dropping to 78. Which scares me. I don't want it dropping any lower. I've tried a space heater but that is a bedroom and it gets too hot and my room mate complains.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Every enclosure I’ve ever ordered has taken twice the time I was quoted. It will arrive eventually and will be an amazing enclosure. They’re just a very popular and very busy company.
Perhaps some insulation styrofoam around your current enclosure, depending on its design?


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How do you use the styrofoam to insulate an exoterra. Put it on the outside of the cage or inside?


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That's my experience with AP exactly.

I paid for a T8 on July 2, and it just arrived last week. That's a wait of nearly three months from payment to delivery.

It's worth pointing out that AP's enclosures are excellent, and for the money can't be beat.

That being said, they certainly need to be more up front about how long it takes them to fulfill orders. They advertise the T8 as a "quick ship" item saying that it could be sent in as little as 21 days. They do explain that isn't a guarantee, and that it could take longer. However, when you tell somebody as fast as 21 days but maybe longer, nobody thinks "longer" means up to 90 days. I think more around 30, 40 days tops. Mentioning 21 days kind of creates an expectation, a false one as it turns out. Better they give no estimate. And the word "quick" doesn't belong anywhere on their website.

Frankly, as far as I'm concerned, 6 months is way WAY too long to deliver almost any product that is paid for up front. Again, they are well made, but this isn't exactly a high tech device. It's a PVC box with somewhat ill fitting glass doors. And it isn't like people pay a percentage at order and the rest on delivery. We pay the full price up front, so what's the hold up? You got the money, so buy the materials and get cracking!

Frankly, I'm starting to look on craig's list for local used T8s, or I may start buying from Reptile Basics. I've heard good things about their enclosures, and that they can actually deliver their products in a reasonable time frame.

Good luck with your purchase. And thanks for creating a forum for me to rant!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zuri Indigo

The ambiant temp rn is 82 and that good. But at night it's been dropping to 78. Which scares me. I don't want it dropping any lower. I've tried a space heater but that is a bedroom and it gets too hot and my room mate complains.

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While the low 80s is ideal for ambient temps, I've always been told that dropping below 75 on a 'consistent basis' should be avoided. My ambients stay between 77-79 and in the winter it's been a struggle to keep them above 75. I've even wrapped a blanket around my enclosure to help on really cold days and my BP has always been fine. My surface temps on both ends of the enclosure have always been dialed in to what they need to be which is probably most important since BPs are generally snakes that like to remain in their hides.

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Originally Posted by JRLongton

That's my experience with AP exactly.

I paid for a T8 on July 2, and it just arrived last week. That's a wait of nearly three months from payment to delivery.

It's worth pointing out that AP's enclosures are excellent, and for the money can't be beat.

That being said, they certainly need to be more up front about how long it takes them to fulfill orders. They advertise the T8 as a "quick ship" item saying that it could be sent in as little as 21 days. They do explain that isn't a guarantee, and that it could take longer. However, when you tell somebody as fast as 21 days but maybe longer, nobody thinks "longer" means up to 90 days. I think more around 30, 40 days tops. Mentioning 21 days kind of creates an expectation, a false one as it turns out. Better they give no estimate. And the word "quick" doesn't belong anywhere on their website.

Frankly, as far as I'm concerned, 6 months is way WAY too long to deliver almost any product that is paid for up front. Again, they are well made, but this isn't exactly a high tech device. It's a PVC box with somewhat ill fitting glass doors. And it isn't like people pay a percentage at order and the rest on delivery. We pay the full price up front, so what's the hold up? You got the money, so buy the materials and get cracking!

Frankly, I'm starting to look on craig's list for local used T8s, or I may start buying from Reptile Basics. I've heard good things about their enclosures, and that they can actually deliver their products in a reasonable time frame.

Good luck with your purchase. And thanks for creating a forum for me to rant!

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Did they email you when it shipped? Or did it just arrive randomly? I hope at least with all this trouble they can email me. At least. At the very least to let me know it's on its way when it finally comes.

I agree the money up front thing. If it were a percentage and then you pay the rest once shipped that'd be cool. Or now bc they are blowing up it's time to invest in some employees. I heard that it's family owned and operated. It might be time to expand.

Ali is a good person. But yeah they shouldn't say quick. Or give an estimate. Just say. Idk it'll take a long time. But it'll be worth it.


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I placed an order 7-10-18 for a T-10 winter is coming, last winter was rough keeping temps with a mostly glass cage, and I don't like turning the heat on. My critter is out growing his cage & hides, your not alone. Luckily I live in a mediterranean climate.

Whelp it didnt ship yesterday like she said. Once again. So I guess I'll be waiting several more months [emoji45]

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Originally Posted by Zuri Indigo

Did they email you when it shipped? Or did it just arrive randomly?

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Nah, they sent me an email with a tracking number. Took three days to arrive after I received the email.

I called on 10-1-18 and left a message, I haven't heard anything.

Just for the record, AP indeed allows installment payments, with 50% upfront and the rest due at any point(s) before they ship. They told me when I ordered that they literally have customers that call and pay $50 a week.

I called and spoke to Ali yesterday with no problem, made a payment on the stack of T-10s, and asked for an update. She said "possibly end of this month" lol. I had a laugh at that and said here's to hoping.

Honestly, I am not holding out any hope for them to arrive before end of November. Just seems to be expected with AP and to me, as painful as the wait is, I accept that it is part of the process. I really hope it ships soon, I know how frustrating it can be.

I'll echo what others have mentioned, and suggest either a CHE or a space heater if needed til the cage arrives

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I may be in the minority, but I'll just say this. This is not cool !

6 month? And being given a new date 4 times and every single time there is yet another delay / excuse ? Even a good product is only as good as the customer service.

This is not a new thing. At this point they should simply tell it as it is. Just double the expected wait time. If it comes a bit earlier then that, bonus !!! But to continue giving those dates/times only to end up taking twice that long, that is just bad business practice and I for one have no patience for this. I find that deceptive. Most people will not cancel once they have ordered, so they will just wait twice as long as they should have.

Even now people are being told it "should/could" take until the beginning of next month. Granted, most people realize that is not going to happen, but what about the many people that do not? That paid in good faith and now have to keep emailing, waiting, hoping, worrying?

There is a EASY fix for that. Be truthful on your website and when you talk to people. Tell them it may take half a year or even longer. Yes, you WILL loose customers. But I would rather be honest and have less customers then to be known for telling tales on turn around time.

just my 2 cents

ps. If I had one customer that has been waiting for 6 month (no custom item either) and I've already strung them along more then 4 times, you'd bet I'd be putting in some night time hours and get that thing out!!

Something doesn’t sound right. I dont know anyone thats waited 5 months. I get one in 13 weeks everytime and my friend orders at least 5 a year and has only ever waited 12-13 weeks max. I dont know all the details but something hear sure sounds off.


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Every rack I have ordered from them has taken over 6 months to get. My last order was closer to 8 months. AP has had this problem for years now. They do make a great product but you would think after all this time if the demand is that high they would have grown the business to be able to support the demand.

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Originally Posted by jbrumley4201

Every rack I have ordered from them has taken over 6 months to get. My last order was closer to 8 months. AP has had this problem for years now. They do make a great product but you would think after all this time if the demand is that high they would have grown the business to be able to support the demand.

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Things are never done right unless you do them yourself. I do ALL my own paving. It takes 1 try hiring a bunch of people to realize that. Id rather wait a year to have a enclosure that lasts a life time.


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Myself and my bf's dad ordered plenty of caging and I've ordered 2 racks (quickship items normally) and they've all been within the 10-12 week time frame with one exception that had a 3 week delay. Guess we've been lucky! I do always order way ahead of time because I've heard all these horror stories about huge delays. Small company with tons of demand. most small cage companies I've ordered from have long lead times.

I hope they get it sorted and shipped out for you ASAP!
I would be disappointed being told it's going to ship and it still doesn't, I'd rather just hear 'i'll be XX more weeks'

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

Things are never done right unless you do them yourself. I do ALL my own paving. It takes 1 try hiring a bunch of people to realize that. Id rather wait a year to have a enclosure that lasts a life time.


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+1

Until you have been in business yourself, especially manufacturing and repairs; employees can cost you much more than they produce, then you can judge.

Neodesha > AP [emoji6]

I got a email today from AP 2 weeks.

I am going through the same exact worries right now. I paid for my cage on July 6th (custom T10, with Pro Plastics RHP) It's getting colder over here (I live in the Chicagoland area), and I would also like for my enclosure to get here before it gets cold cold! We have such brutal winters, and my house is not the most reliably warm (old, drafty, old furnace).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JRLongton

I paid for a T8 on July 2, and it just arrived last week. That's a wait of nearly three months from payment to delivery.

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This gives me hope, since I ordered mine 4 days later, but also worry if mine doesn't show up soon! JRLongton, was your cage custom with RHP?

Meanwhile, to compensate for the cold, I have upped the nightlight to 75 watts instead of 50 watts, and I cover half the cage with a damp towel (also use belly heat). He stays in a room middle room with the door closed at all times. I have been able to keep a relatively consistent ambient temperature, but I want him to settle in to his new warm enclosure before he does the hibernate-y, no eating, sleeping practically 24 hours a day like he's shedding thing he did for 2 months last winter.

I, too, am understanding of delays, and stuff happening behind the scenes that customers don't know about, but I wish they would overestimate the time it takes, rather than underestimate. I ordered in July with the understanding that it would get to me right before it got cold. Also, I called and left a voicemail last week, sent and email, and have called multiple times since, and have heard nothing. I think they are probably stretched pretty thin, but I can't help but to feel a little disheartened when I've been waiting over a week to get a returned phone call.

I have a feeling quite a few of us are in the same boat. https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/pr...icon_tears.gif



Note: I know that they were at Tinley Park Reptile Expo last year, and I'm thinking they will be there this year, again. That will be next weekend, so it might be another reason for the delays right now.

Im sorry a lot of you first time PVC buyers are having a longer than normal wait. Like I said I wait a fee months eachtime and all I can say js your going to be So Happy you waited once you get them. You will also do like me and now order WAAAAAAH ahead of time when your get another hahahaha. Cant wait to help answer all your questions when you set them up!! They are a great small family business. They are honest hard working people and they will never grow their business. They are not i interested in doing that. They love what they do. Good things come to those who wait :)


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Man idk I got it and it's all scratched up. And there are broken pieces. I emailed them about it and haven't heard from them yet it's been a few days.

I'm trying to go ahead and put it together. When you pay this kind of money for something you want it done right not be all scratched up etc.

I tried to buff it out and the scratches aren't coming out.

I'm making a YouTube video about it to post on my channel of the scratches and the broken pieces. The broken or cracked I should say pieces are probably fed X's fault. But the communication is garbage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

I may be in the minority, but I'll just say this. This is not cool !

6 month? And being given a new date 4 times and every single time there is yet another delay / excuse ? Even a good product is only as good as the customer service.

This is not a new thing. At this point they should simply tell it as it is. Just double the expected wait time. If it comes a bit earlier then that, bonus !!! But to continue giving those dates/times only to end up taking twice that long, that is just bad business practice and I for one have no patience for this. I find that deceptive. Most people will not cancel once they have ordered, so they will just wait twice as long as they should have.

Even now people are being told it "should/could" take until the beginning of next month. Granted, most people realize that is not going to happen, but what about the many people that do not? That paid in good faith and now have to keep emailing, waiting, hoping, worrying?

There is a EASY fix for that. Be truthful on your website and when you talk to people. Tell them it may take half a year or even longer. Yes, you WILL loose customers. But I would rather be honest and have less customers then to be known for telling tales on turn around time.

just my 2 cents

ps. If I had one customer that has been waiting for 6 month (no custom item either) and I've already strung them along more then 4 times, you'd bet I'd be putting in some night time hours and get that thing out!!

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Thank you!!!

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Originally Posted by Zuri Indigo

Man idk I got it and it's all scratched up. And there are broken pieces. I emailed them about it and haven't heard from them yet it's been a few days.

I'm trying to go ahead and put it together. When you pay this kind of money for something you want it done right not be all scratched up etc.

I tried to buff it out and the scratches aren't coming out.

I'm making a YouTube video about it to post on my channel of the scratches and the broken pieces. The broken or cracked I should say pieces are probably fed X's fault. But the communication is garbage.

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Call them. Ali always answers the phone. Tell her what’s broken/damaged and I’ve heard they’ll send replacements right out.
That being said, their email responsiveness leaves much to be desired as of recently. I love their products but I never received a response from the last contact I tried to make with them over two months ago. Ordered and received a custom cage from another manufacturer in that time frame.


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We called and spoke with Ali a few hours ago for some new quotes but they are traveling at/to shows this week and she won't be able to get info until next week. Just fyi

edit to add - still call though and let them know, they usually send replacements out right away (I've had to get replacement panel before), she probably won't be able to send it out until they are back

I never rely on emails from anyone. I always call on the phone. Never had an issue with getting a hold of Ali and the few times i have had a corner dented or cracked from FedEx, she has sent them out the next day. Same with lights which i have had to replace 7/10 cages. She did drop the ball on 1 set of lights but after calling her two days later, she got them in the mail the next day.

If they are on the road/shows, then that is understandable and the broken pieces are probably FedEx. I had 4 tops come to me with cracked or dented corner. Two from the original order and two from the replacement tops she sent me. It happens, just call and I'm sure she will take care of you.

Ok guys thanks! Ill call her first chance I get tomorrow afternoon. And let you all what happens.

Update they handled it and sent me new parts super quick. I got them today.so all is good! :)

Does anyone know or have any ideas on how to stick plants to the side of the PVC? Suction cups don't work. [emoji848]


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Originally Posted by Zuri Indigo

Does anyone know or have any ideas on how to stick plants to the side of the PVC? Suction cups don't work. [emoji848]


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I think some people have used a hot glue gun to secure 'things' to the pvc walls. Glad to hear you got a positive response from AP.

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

I think some people have used a hot glue gun to secure 'things' to the pvc walls. Glad to hear you got a positive response from AP.

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Thanks good idea. Wonder if there's something less permanent. Like if I ever rearrange the cage.

I just drilled holes and slid the plant stem/hangers into the holes and either leave them there or use aluminum tape on the outside of the cage to hold the stems in place.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...1c60611e_k.jpg