Boamaster Prices Jump $200+ Right Before I Order

Let me preface by saying I don't think they necessarily did anything wrong because they of course reserve the right to change their prices as they see fit, but the timing is just incredible.

I was pricing out enclosures yesterday, after making the other thread about utilizing space for a reptile room, so I decided to go ahead and order a 6+ ft enclosure for my retic, as she will soon outgrow what she's in. Anyway, I really like the look of the boamasters and the price was comparable to AP, so I decided I was going to get their 6x2x2.

I pull up their site to place an order today, and the price for the enclosure jumped $210 overnight!

Very unfortunate timing.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...42d7d248bb.png
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...09c9bc0f93.png

For some reason, the 8ft ($700) is now cheaper than the 6ft ($775)

Supply and demand.

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I asked him about a custom cage last summer. Price went up every time I talked to him...


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

I asked him about a custom cage last summer. Price went up every time I talked to him...


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Interesting. I did email him on Dec 24th asking how much a custom 60x24x18 would cost. He hasn't responded though. i wonder if that's just a coincidence.

Take it as a blessing in disguise and do some more research on Boamaster in the meantime.

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Originally Posted by Stewart_Reptiles

Take it as a blessing in disguise and do some more research on Boamaster in the meantime.

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I've seen positive reviews and negative reviews, mostly about his customer service, not the quality, but this experience certainly points to going with someone else (and by that I mean AP, as it's looking more and more like they're the only option unfortunately)

http://serpentineobsessions.com

https://m.facebook.com/jonsccar/

http://pvccages.com

https://tgrracksystems.com/collectio...21312363954236

https://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile-cages/

Seemed like you’re fairly handy when building your scrub enclosure. Could order two 4x2x15” RBI enclosures, cut a pass through between the two, attach with machine screws and T-nuts, then have an 8’x2’x15” for about $500 shipped



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Originally Posted by jmcrook

http://serpentineobsessions.com

https://m.facebook.com/jonsccar/

http://pvccages.com

https://tgrracksystems.com/collectio...21312363954236

https://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile-cages/

Seemed like you’re fairly handy when building your scrub enclosure. Could order two 4x2x15” RBI enclosures, cut a pass through between the two, attach with machine screws and T-nuts, then have an 8’x2’x15” for about $500 shipped



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Thanks for the links! I have not heard of serpentineobsessions.com or jonsccar. I have always considered getting a pvccages for my ETB, but they arent long enough for anything else I have.

Jon’s Custom Creations and Reptiles (jonsccar) made this cage for me a little over a year ago. Have to message him on FB or text him.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...uild-and-Specs


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Jon’s Custom Creations and Reptiles (jonsccar) made this cage for me a little over a year ago. Have to message him on FB or text him.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...uild-and-Specs


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That thing is massive! I emailed serpentine obsessions. I'll send a message to him too. Compare the options.

I got one for my daughter for her ball python for Christmas. Took 2.5 weeks from time to order to delivery. Status to this day still says manufacturing. I did call him after 2 weeks to check on it. He was polite and answered all my questions no issues. Customer service seemed alright to me.

The cage itself...I’m not that fond of. Don’t like the acrylic doors or how the ventilation is done. Especially the vent holes in the door. There’s such a gap in between the front panel and the door that the bp can squeeze in between there. Can’t escape but can’t squeeze in there. The front panel itself just seems too big. Like the cut out isn’t cut out enough. The panels seem to flex pretty easy. Way easier than aps. I blocked off 3 of the vents in the back and it’s holding temps and humidity great though. Herpstat controlled people products radiant heat panel.

Don't know if this is the difference in the pricing you noticed or not.....

But I looked at AP cages, 72x24x24 the base price is 440.00 + freight of 231.00 for a total of 671.00

The Boamaster price for a 72x24x24 is now 650.00 base price BUT states "price includes shipping"

So maybe the 200 difference was from "plus shipping" to "includes shipping" ???

Just a thought.

P.S. I did email Boamaster and ask if there was a discounted price if I picked up an enclosure and didn't need it shipped.

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

Don't know if this is the difference in the pricing you noticed or not.....

But I looked at AP cages, 72x24x24 the base price is 440.00 + freight of 231.00 for a total of 671.00

The Boamaster price for a 72x24x24 is now 650.00 base price BUT states "price includes shipping"

So maybe the 200 difference was from "plus shipping" to "includes shipping" ???

Just a thought.

P.S. I did email Boamaster and ask if there was a discounted price if I picked up an enclosure and didn't need it shipped.

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Boamaster replied within 24 hours, The above enclosure is $475.00 if picked up.

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

Boamaster replied within 24 hours, The above enclosure is $475.00 if picked up.

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Interesting, he never replied to my messages. You going to risk it? The cages look nice to me, but sounds 50/50 if you're going to get a decent product.

In fact, neither serpent obsessions nor jonsccar replied to my messages either. My friends father is a retired master carpenter, so I'm just going to see if I can work out something with him instead I think.

Nevermind, jonsccar literally just replied lol

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Originally Posted by wnateg

Interesting, he never replied to my messages. You going to risk it? The cages look nice to me, but sounds 50/50 if you're going to get a decent product.

In fact, neither serpent obsessions nor jonsccar replied to my messages either. My friends father is a retired master carpenter, so I'm just going to see if I can work out something with him instead I think.

Nevermind, jonsccar literally just replied lol

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If he's a master carpenter and has all his tools still he can definitely help you out, assuming he's willing. I did carpentry for a few years, and have the knowledge, just not the tools. Otherwise I'd be building my own and commissioning orders on the side

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Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

If he's a master carpenter and has all his tools still he can definitely help you out, assuming he's willing. I did carpentry for a few years, and have the knowledge, just not the tools. Otherwise I'd be building my own and commissioning orders on the side

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I've brought it up, I'm waiting to hear his thoughts. But he has every tool on the planet, seriously. I was just visiting my friend (they live in Washington, so still need to pay shipping unfortunately), and he has two shipping containers filled with tools.

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Originally Posted by wnateg

I've brought it up, I'm waiting to hear his thoughts. But he has every tool on the planet, seriously. I was just visiting my friend (they live in Washington, so still need to pay shipping unfortunately), and he has two shipping containers filled with tools.

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Might be worth it. I have heard some people say PVC sheets can be tough to come by in their area, but my local Home Depot has them. Not sure on Lowe's

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Originally Posted by wnateg

Interesting, he never replied to my messages. You going to risk it? The cages look nice to me, but sounds 50/50 if you're going to get a decent product.

In fact, neither serpent obsessions nor jonsccar replied to my messages either. My friends father is a retired master carpenter, so I'm just going to see if I can work out something with him instead I think.

Nevermind, jonsccar literally just replied lol

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What did Jon say about your cage? He never replied to either my text or FB messenger communications recently which is why I ordered pre cut panels for my cage mods through acme plastics. The cage he built for me is tough as nails though


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Originally Posted by wnateg

In fact, neither serpent obsessions nor jonsccar replied to my messages either. My friends father is a retired master carpenter, so I'm just going to see if I can work out something with him instead I think.

Nevermind, jonsccar literally just replied lol

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it's also the holidays, people may be traveling, just a thought.
I've heard mixed reviews of boamaster over the years, enough that I would avoid.
Whatever you decide, I hope it all works out well!
:)

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Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

Might be worth it. I have heard some people say PVC sheets can be tough to come by in their area, but my local Home Depot has them. Not sure on Lowe's

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For how much per sheet? The sheets online are so expensive, like $150+ each. I've heard people making enclosures out of melamine.

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

What did Jon say about your cage? He never replied to either my text or FB messenger communications recently which is why I ordered pre cut panels for my cage mods through acme plastics. The cage he built for me is tough as nails though

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I asked him if he could make me a 72x24x24 without a center brace, and he said no problem, hes not worried about sag either, for $360 + shipping.

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

it's also the holidays, people may be traveling, just a thought.
I've heard mixed reviews of boamaster over the years, enough that I would avoid.
Whatever you decide, I hope it all works out well!
:)

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Yea, it's just hard for me to imagine because even when I'm away I still have my phone and can reply. Not critiquing them per se, that's just not how I operate, especially when I can make some money from responding.

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Originally Posted by wnateg

For how much per sheet? The sheets online are so expensive, like $150+ each. I've heard people making enclosures out of melamine.
.

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If I remember correctly they were around $90/sheet. But I priced them out maybe a year or more ago.
Melamine is sturdy but very heavy. I've never worked with melamine, but I'd be a bit concerned about moisture eventually breaking down the particle board. But I'm not too sure.

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Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

If I remember correctly they were around $90/sheet. But I priced them out maybe a year or more ago.
Melamine is sturdy but very heavy. I've never worked with melamine, but I'd be a bit concerned about moisture eventually breaking down the particle board. But I'm not too sure.

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Me neither, but from my understanding, moisture is only a concern when the inside layer is exposed, so if the seams aren't sealed or scratches maybe. I think it could work fine for snakes. And it's so much cheaper. $30 / sheet!

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Originally Posted by wnateg

Me neither, but from my understanding, moisture is only a concern when the inside layer is exposed, so if the seams aren't sealed or scratches maybe. I think it could work fine for snakes. And it's so much cheaper. $30 / sheet!

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Yeah, definitely a lot cheaper. I know plenty of people use it, so it obviously works. I feel like I'd be inclined to go overboard sealing it though. But that's just me.

A buddy of mine years ago built a giant iguana enclosure using melamine. It was gorgeous. He's a carpenter as well, so he did it really well. He built it so that it could be broken down easily in case he ever needed to move it, which turned out to be handy. That may be something to consider depending how big you're going.

Yeah, $30/sheet. But also like 97lbs per sheet... I’d honestly go pvc all day over melamine


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Yeah, $30/sheet. But also like 97lbs per sheet... I’d honestly go pvc all day over melamine


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Yea, not sure that's a viable option then. He is 70 something years old, not sure he wants to be lifting heavy pieces of melamine for me.

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Originally Posted by wnateg

Yea, not sure that's a viable option then. He is 70 something years old, not sure he wants to be lifting heavy pieces of melamine for me.

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Ah, that's a good point too.

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Yeah, $30/sheet. But also like 97lbs per sheet... I’d honestly go pvc all day over melamine


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I'm trying to find estimates about the weight of pvc sheets, and everything seems to be saying it's just as heavy.

http://www.siriusplastics.com/sheet-weight-calculator/

Edit: nevermind, looks like expanded pvc weighs about half.

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

What did Jon say about your cage? He never replied to either my text or FB messenger communications recently which is why I ordered pre cut panels for my cage mods through acme plastics. The cage he built for me is tough as nails though


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by wnateg

I asked him if he could make me a 72x24x24 without a center brace, and he said no problem, hes not worried about sag either, for $360 + shipping.

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I was going to place an order today, and it seems he's changed his mind or misunderstood, as he is saying the center is required now, so I'm back to square one, and I really need to place an order.

Have you considered hiring a local carpenter to build you a wooden cage or DIY-ing one yourself? Wood's pretty cheap, fairly light, and basically plastic if you put enough coats of epoxy over it. A pro carpenter should be able to build an enclosure to whatever dimensions you'd like. It may wind up being the most cost-efficient option, especially if you'd like some larger cages.

I'd imagine a cage as long as narrow as a 72x24x24 needs some sort of center brace, regardless of material and whether you want to stack on top of it or not.

No one with any cabinet construction know how is going to build a cage that long and narrow without a center support. There’s a reason none of the big manufacturers offer such a thing


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

No one with any cabinet construction know how is going to build a cage that long and narrow without a center support. There’s a reason none of the big manufacturers offer such a thing


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That's unfortunate.