|
Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2011 12:49:43 GMT -5
The FNs/CNs are typically drop-shipped, meaning they're shipped straight to you from the manufacturer regardless of where you've purchased it. With something as sizable as these cages, it keeps costs lower not to have to ship it out to the site's storage/warehouse, then ship it again to the customer from there. So if you're concerned I would definitely call Amazon and ask them about their inventory.
Frankly, this isn't some sort of deal-breaker for me. I'm not over the moon about it (and finding the right add-ons in the future will be a pain), but this hasn't made the FN "flimsy" at all. I've given the CN a good look and it really didn't seem any different to me -- I shook it and thumped it and it didn't fall to pieces, or even seem wobbly or loose. I've seen a lot of crappy ferret cages and in my opinion this one's still the best.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2011 14:06:25 GMT -5
Let me just add in here that I have BOTH the FN and new "no-tools" Critter Nation and the Critter Nation is MUCH more difficult to put together than the tools-required Ferret Nation with the new, modified shelves. My husband is VERY handy at putting things together on his own and I had to help him with the Critter Nation. Because it was shipped to us, things can be bent in transition (or possibly even in manufacture) and it was NOT no-tools required because you can't fit things together when they're bent out of place! Pliers and hammers and wrenches, oh my. The Ferret Nation he was able to put together in 10 minutes or less with tools, on his own. The Critter Nation took us something like an hour. So if they are modeling the new Ferret Nations after the Critter Nations, I am NOT happy at ALL. The Critter Nations don't suck, and are adequate for rats, but the stability factor after set-up is sub-par at best.
|
|
|
Post by whipple on Apr 12, 2011 13:28:50 GMT -5
That is all. I am sad.
|
|
|
Post by maddy on Apr 12, 2011 14:05:17 GMT -5
What about pple that have the current 143 setup and would like 2 side by side 143s in the future... are they compatible in that respect?
I wonder if theyll make new design cheaper or more expensive.
I put my 142 together bc I was too impatient to wait on my bf and I didn't think it was that hard, but I'm 5'10" so that may help.
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Apr 12, 2011 23:47:13 GMT -5
I did get a response to my first email to them, basically saying they'd had no complaints whatsoever about the CN type of set up, other than those that had been damaged in transit, but to my specific question about larger ferrets shaking the cages, nothing.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 0:17:26 GMT -5
Wow...this makes me very sad as we've only had our FN for a couple months and I wanted to wait to buy another to make it double wide. I'm not sure I could trust it being put together any other way than how it currently is. It's so sturdy that when I almost fell off a chair and grabbed onto one of the doors, it didn't topple over or bend (not that I will do that often ) As for the 141/2/3s being hard to put together...my boyfriend put together our 143 in about 20minutes, and I helped put a friend's 143 together and it took us about 30minutes since we both are short. I hope they are actually being smart about this and not doing it because of the money...
|
|
|
Post by tayrawrrr on Apr 14, 2011 16:16:58 GMT -5
Midwest has depleted its' inventory of the "old" design...So now I'm left with the dilemma of: a) getting the new design, or b) buying the "old" design off of ebay.
I would like the older version, because of the great reviews you all give it....but then I have to think of the future: should anything break and need replacing, how difficult will it be to get replacement parts? etc.
Any suggestions?! I can't make up my mind lol!
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Apr 14, 2011 16:42:20 GMT -5
Nothing *should* break on it. If you have to replace anything, the shelves, floor pans should fit either/or. Myself- I'd go with the older one off of ebay ;D But that's just me.
|
|
|
Post by tayrawrrr on Apr 14, 2011 16:56:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestion!! I was leaning more toward the older version, but I'm glad someone shares my logic!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2011 16:58:56 GMT -5
I'd go older as well. Might even save you some money buying used. Keep an eye out for craigslist
|
|
|
Post by tayrawrrr on Apr 14, 2011 17:03:24 GMT -5
Yes, hopefully!! *fingers crossed* ;D I have actually been checking craigslist periodically, but have yet to find anything!! Oh well
|
|
|
Post by craze176 on Apr 25, 2011 5:33:20 GMT -5
I actually have the CN and it's very sturdy. It is not 'snap together', it's metal peg and holes and it all locks together very tightly (you may actually need a rubber mallet because it all fits together so well) and the very top of the cage locks all the other pieces in place. I have a hard time taking the top off this cage-I cannot see a ferret doing it. And if they can, zip tie the top down and then it's totally secure. The only other thing is the bottom shelf can sort of come out of place if you pull up on it, but it is held down by the shelf grid. It takes quite a bit for me to shake my cage. As much as it takes to shake my FN 142 really. It takes me 15 minutes or less to put one together now, by myself. When they were first made some were damaged in shipping so it took me an hour to put together mine, but they kept sending out free cages to replace damaged ones so they fixed the packaging pretty quick! I've put together about 4 in the pet store I work at and none have been damaged by shipping. I love my CN way more than my FN
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Apr 25, 2011 9:33:30 GMT -5
However, the problem still exists about "mating" the two separate types of FN's together to create "double wides", or even getting a "new" 143 level to increase the height of the old ones I'd imagine, since they are joined differently.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2011 9:48:22 GMT -5
That is my BIGGEST complaint. The old and new are not compatible to my understanding. What if I want the 143 add on? Where do I get it? They could have given us a warning at least.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2011 10:52:13 GMT -5
Actually, I don't see where there'd be a problem making a "double wide." They were never intended to be assembled that way with existing hardware, so however people have connected them in the past -- zip ties, usually -- should work exactly the same.
But again, adding a new 183 to an old 141 or 142 won't work.
|
|