Exotic-Pets.co.uk - Feedback Please

[philbaker76]

Originally Posted by cervantes

I think the site is too big and you try to do too much. If it's a small business then personality and intimacy are very important.

Know your stock and know your customer.

Thanks for the comments Cervantes - how the site looks is mainly down to me (I'm a designer/developer). It is a small business (in my eyes); but that's my definition of small.

Sends out hundreds of orders per month. A lot of customer buy monthly, and I'd say (not being an expert myself) that Karen has a good understanding of the stock. ...won't go into it now, but will puts some of Karen's history in the about us pages.

So hopefully, that will help.[/quote]

Originally Posted by cervantes

I've considered ordering from the site in the past, and signed up as a member for the discount, but too much out of stock, unfinished care sheets, and WC animals put me off.

Karen runs an online shop, so she needs good contacts and breeders to work with.

If you want to know how to do it well go to Triple 8 Reptiles Online Shop

Never heard a bad word about it.

We're working on the stock thing as we speak. Unfinished care sheets is something I've been shouting about for years - hopefully, your feedback will spur Karen on to get some finished.

WC/CF is something Karen is passionate about too... (something I wrote in an earlier post)

Originally Posted by philbaker76

I know some people have an issue with WC stock - it's not ideal, but I'm sure you and most of the forum members are aware of how the exotic pet industry works.

Fact is, most of the pets in pet stores are WC/CF - someone in the industry once told me, "if they don't state it's CB - then it's probably WC".

Karen is passionate about this, and that's why it's clear on the site. In fact Karen is currently writing something on WC/CF/CB to make it clearer to customers what it means.

Again, thanks for you comments. Phil

[philbaker76]

Originally Posted by matty

Tbh, I think this thread proves that there's hardly any animals that arrive in bad condition for exotic-pets. Yeh, okay, maybe they have sent out an animal that's died in transit, or shortly after arrival a few times, but when dealing with animals that's bound to happen from time to time, especially if the business is quite large, or busy.

I just personally think that the fact that there's hardly any people posting in this thread with their own personal bad experiences of the shop, it's mainly "well I read.." or "apparently.." proves that it's not so bad afterall.

Thanks Matty, but I'd say it's too soon to say it proves anything - give RFUK members with any problems time to read the post and air their views (if any).

Originally Posted by matty

But yeh, seems as though you've got a good business going Phil mate; keep up the good work.

Also I think you do deserve a lot of respect for coming on here with so many people flaming you & jumping on the band wagon, it's pretty admirable that you're trying to improve your business & website.

So yeh, thanks, because at the end of the day it's us (the customers) it's benefitting essentially by you improving your business.

Thanks mate.

...just wanted to add- from early post:

Originally Posted by cervantes

Karen runs an online shop, so she needs good contacts and breeders to work with.

Karen has a LARGE support network of contacts and breeders through-out the UK. She wouldn't be able to run the business without them. Cheers, Phil

[SiUK]

I agree seems the majority of experiences are positive, I think one of the main off putting things is that the site is hectic but thats easily sorted

Also 1 bad review sticks in peoples minds as much as 10 good ones, however I dont think that any animal that arrives in poor condition or dead is acceptable, so thats something that could do with being looked at

[philbaker76]

Originally Posted by SiUK

I agree seems the majority of experiences are positive, I think one of the main off putting things is that the site is hectic but thats easily sorted

We've just changed the list of pets - it shows which pets are in and out of stock. Because some of you felt that the wording stock was misleading (as it could be our supplier's stock), we've changed it to Available to Order and Currently Unavailable.

Would like to say a BIG thank you to the RFUK members who have taken the time to post feedback. I think your input has already bettered that site.

Originally Posted by SiUK

Also 1 bad review sticks in peoples minds as much as 10 good ones, however I dont think that any animal that arrives in poor condition or dead is acceptable, so thats something that could do with being looked at

Me too. DOA does happen (although not often - from our records). And I can totally understand RFUK members being upset if it does happen.

Karen does her very best to make sure the pets are comfortable in transit. I think she's only ever had praise with regards her packaging.

There is no excuse for an animal in poor condition to be sent out. ...and if anyone has had a poor condition pet from Exotic-Pets.co.uk and the problem wasn't dealt with accordingly - send me your order number please.

Cheers, Phil

[Schip]

Karen came recommended to me via a friend in Nottingham called Chris who has supplied her with some snakes I believe in the past so I do know a little of Karens experience.

I ordered some Ornate Curly tails from her probably 2 yrs ago now, had no problems and a great chat with her when she arrived with the lizards, left some poor bloke outside in the car mind whilst we girls chatted.

Indeed they were in great condition, a trio as ordered stunning male and 2 younger females, who went on to lay for me a yr later. Wouldn't have a problem using her again if she had what was on my wish list in stock lol.

[philbaker76]

Originally Posted by Schip

Karen came recommended to me via a friend in Nottingham called Chris...

If it's the same Chris I'm thinking of - he's a top bloke! ...thanks for the post Schip.

[James_T]

I ordered a Northern Diamondback Terrapin from the site. I didn't recieve any confirmation of the order, or information regarding delivery date etc, so I was left wondering what was going on. About two weeks later I recieved an e-mail telling me the order would be dispatched the following day. The day after that I recieved the terrapin, I must say I was impressed with the packaging, a few hours later the animal was swimming about, basking and eating fine. If I saw something I wanted at a decent price, I was certainly consider using exotic-pets again.

One thing that did make me laugh though:
African Side Neck Turtle

Pelusios gabonensis
African Side Neck Turtles are found in rivers, lakes and slow-moving streams in South America.

[philbaker76]

Originally Posted by James_T

I ordered a Northern Diamondback Terrapin from the site. I didn't recieve any confirmation of the order, or information regarding delivery date etc.

The site should automatically send an order confrimation - we're looking at adding an "expected delivery" date for the orders.

Originally Posted by James_T

One thing that did make me laugh though:
African Side Neck Turtle

Pelusios gabonensis
African Side Neck Turtles are found in rivers, lakes and slow-moving streams in South America.

LOL! classic Karen - maybe they were on holiday.

[gregmonsta]

Here's an order that went awry for me ... 12281 - after several unanswered enquiries I threatened legal action prior to finally getting a response/feedback.

Although the order before hand went very smoothly. Purchased a snake (checkered garter £16.95) and was very happy with the service even though the earthworms that arrived with the snake were the wrong type and toxic to most reptiles (possibly compost reared and full of toxins as a result)
I was considering buying a second until I saw the price for the new batch £61.31, which is utterly ridiculous for an '08 checkered garter even by shop standards - albinos I would accept at that price but not normals.

[weelad]

Originally Posted by gregmonsta

Here's an order that went awry for me ... 12281 - after several unanswered enquiries I threatened legal action prior to finally getting a response/feedback.

Although the order before hand went very smoothly. Purchased a snake (checkered garter £16.95) and was very happy with the service.
I was considering buying a second until I saw the price for the new batch £61.31, which is utterly ridiculous for an '08 checkered garter even by shop standards.

think i have 2 snake's from the same "litter" as yours is youras fiesty like my two? lol