Why don't we do something about reptile products manufacturers lying?

[OhhWatALoser]

I think the first thing to do, is get a list together of all the misinformation of one companies products, have a non aggressive but intelligent response of why it is misinformation, then send it in to the company asking for a response. Then go public with the response or the fact that there was no response after "X" amount of days.

[rlditmars]

Let me get this straight, this is a post about how a company is advertising a produst or use that may or may not be accurate. Welcome to the wonderful world of capitalism.

I am with you serpent merchant. But if you can figure out how to accomplish this, then Wow, it will go well beyond reptile products.

As far as unregulated UTH's go, a better approach may be to show Zoo Med and others the profit margin in coming out with their own thermostat and have them recommending that one should be used. Just point out a few of the respectable models in the $30 dollar range and they can reverse engineer something and call it their own. In the end, the reptile community will feel better as animals will be better cared for and Zoo Med will be happy because $$$$. WIn, win.

[Dragoon]

If you want to fix your store get a job there, climb the ladder, and change the s.o.p. aside form that complain to the higher ups with enough voices until it changes

[kayrussell]

I don't either, but it isn't experienced keepers that I am worried about, these companies are preying on inexperienced/new keepers that are easily convinced that they need things like Zoo-Med Repti Shedding Aid and other bogus crap... as well as potentially frying their new pet with an unregulated UTH...

Think of how many people come to this site because of misinformation like this...

That's why I've come to this site.... Is that supposed to be a bad thing?

[Slim]

UTHs(with no thermostats! Gasp! Because I'm a heat transfer engineer and do all the calcs and check with a heat gun)

Are you recommending the use of unregulated ZooMed UTHs? Or are you recommending them for geckos? Trying to understand your point.

That's why I've come to this site.... Is that supposed to be a bad thing?

You coming here to learn about husbandry is not a bad thing at all.

[Khay]

ZooMed and Exo-Terra are all that is available in my area. And yeah, I noticed a difference between what they say on the label, but getting things shipped to my area cost almost the same price as the products I want shipped, and I can't afford that right now unless I want to step into my emergency vet bill money, which... I'd much prefer to keep.

I do believe ZooMed has a thermostat, a dual one as well. I was looking at buying it for my single tank, and then getting a herpstat when I get a chance to get my cages. I'm already pushing my manager at my petstore to get in thermostats. Even if they get in ZooMeds, at least then it is a push in the right direction where I can push it.

However, let me tell you something about a lot of people who buy from pet shops, and a lot of customers I talk to... Only about 2% really CARE about the absolute safety of their pet, and want the best for their pet... More believe it's only a gimmick. I keep talking anyway, but they don't give a flying hoot. It's to the point where I'm amazed at how little some people care about their pets.

I'm all for changing the misinformation on products. I'm all for encouraging the companies to put the correct information and encourage a thermostat. Pet Store employees often learn about the products that they are selling from what is on the packaging of the bottles, and by doing research about the product itself. They don't always know they are spreading bad information. And those that do shouldn't be working there.

Even when I get my boss to bring some in, I can't guarantee that I'll be able to even sell them, because most customers won't care, and go with the "I never needed one before!" argument, to the point where you're backed in a corner.


And I believe I went off topic... In some places, Zoo-Med and Exo-Tera are all that some people have (Like meeee!) so if someone took away the products, I wouldn't be able to show the positiveness of reptiles to customers because we wouldn't have much reptile equipment available to us. I'm all for encouraging companies to put the right information, and hey! if they realize they can make an extra few dollars by pushing another product, they could very well do it.

Just don't be too aggressive when writing the letter. Most people respond better to a respectful and helpful letter. x3

[olstyn]

Are you recommending the use of unregulated ZooMed UTHs? Or are you recommending them for geckos? Trying to understand your point.

Pretty obvious that she was saying that in her case, at least, an unregulated UTH doesn't exceed her geckos' comfortable temperature range. Is it best to have a thermostat? Sure, but not everybody can afford a Helix or a Herpstat at $110+, and plenty of people get by just fine without them by either using lamp dimmers to clamp the max output to a safe level or just closely monitoring the temps in the enclosure.

[rlditmars]

Sure, but not everybody can afford a Helix or a Herpstat at $110+, and plenty of people get by just fine without them by either using lamp dimmers to clamp the max output to a safe level or just closely monitoring the temps in the enclosure.

There are some inexpensive but adequate thermostats out there for people who cant afford $100+. Hydrofarm makes a good one. Here is a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

[olstyn]

There are some inexpensive but adequate thermostats out there for people who cant afford $100+. Hydrofarm makes a good one. Here is a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

That begs the question of which corners got cut in the design and production of that thermostat that enables it to be 1/4 of the price of the "good" ones that are commonly used by reptile keepers. Is it an on/off only, rather than a proportional? Is it failure-prone? What's the catch?

[Tfpets]

You have to keep in mind that many/most of these products are sold for "reptiles" in general. The packaging for these products can't possibly be labeled for every possible situation or animal. There are animals and situations that an unregulated UTH isn't even enough and there are animals and situations that a heat rock is a great option. These are just examples of an entire line of products manufactured and marketed for a very general/broad range of needs. Money makes the world go 'round! You have to realize that un-educated choice is an issue with EVERY kind of animal that is bought on a whim from a pet store, animal shelter or even reptile expos. Heck we can even go so far as to say this is an issue with people having children! Until human choices are 100% regulated, we will have to put up with unregulated UTH being sold!