I'm soo mad right now about the shavings I just bought!

[Godins Chinchillas]

I'm so ticked right now. I bought 2 bales of shavings yesterday to clean cages this morning. When I picked them up all they had was the shavings in the black plastic bags. I had already paid for them before I saw them because they store them in their warehouse. They usually don't carry these shavings unless absolutely necessary. Anyhow-50% of the time these shavings are damp and never dry out so I knew I was taking a chance. This time when I cracked open the bag this morning-not only are they damp but also moldy!!! Now I need to search around and find another place that carries the shavings in the brown paper bales.

Best part is-I didn't get a receipt so they probably won't take them back now.

Jessica

 

[tunes]

Jess, I have been having a problem with this for several months now. Sometimes I return them, but sometimes it just isn't worth it for me to waste the gas and make the drive to return them.

So many of these places store their shavings outside and they sit through the rain and snow, then get wet and moldy. It is a constant frustration for me. I thought I had found a place that was mold free, and now I'm getting the same from them, and it is just beyond frustrating.

I can't get shavings in paper out here. I've tried. I've contacted companies in Canada and all throughout the US. Unless I want to buy a semi-load, I can't get them.

 

[~SG~]

if they refuse to give you your money back, leave it in the parking lot, preferably near the door, show other potential customers what they are selling.........

 

[mishellyshel]

they will accept it back, especially if you are just exchanging. i have returned numerous bags to my feed store for the same reason. i have also asked them to open them up! just bring an extra garbage bag so you dont have spillage.
they have switched companies about 4 times in the last year. they are currently selling them in the black bags, who according to the person is the same company who makes them in the clear bags they are just trying to market to another "group" of people. i dont understand how difficult it is for them to just get a tarp or something.

 

[Godins Chinchillas]

I just took them back. Surprisingly, yesterday at 4:00 they apparently didn't have any paper because I asked when they were wheeling them to the van. This morning they said they got a truckload in last night. I think they know how much people hate buying the plastic ones so I think they were just trying to get rid of them.

 

[AZChins]

That happens with shavings sometimes. I buy the more premium shavings now because there's no surprises...it's a few dollars a bag more but the shavings are consistent in quality and are always dry. I used to try to go with the cheaper ones, but I couldn't take it anymore - I spend $20 a week on shavings instead of $13 and it's worth the extra.

I'm glad that they took them back and you were able to take the good shavings, Jess...

 

[mishellyshel]

suz--what is the premoum brand? i only go thru about 1 bag or a little more per month because i only use in litter boxes & my guinea's cage.

 

[lilchinchilla]

They should take them back, if you go in right away to return them. I almost got duped into buying moldy shavings once. Found out from the employees, that the owner had had them in his storage for over 3 years and then was trying to sell them - moldy and all to people for $9.99 for a big bag of them. The employees, thankfully steered me to better quality ones.

Haven't been back there since, thank goodness. It amazed me that a store owner would actually knowingly sell moldy damp shavings though. But they told me, he would do just about anything for a buck.

 

[CTChin]

I've always hated the shavings wrapped in plastic. They smell so strong.

Recently I used a very good chin vet for an emergency. She always gives me a little lecture about not using pine but a newspaper product such as carefresh due to pine causing health problems. I've used pine for 15 years and never have experienced respiratory or liver issues it supposedly causes. With all the cages I have, there is no way I could afford carefresh.

 

[AZChins]

suz--what is the premoum brand?

It's just the more pricey shavings...the ones that they keep inside at the feedstore. They have the cheapies that they keep outside...most of the time those are full of pine tar and half the bag is soaking wet, in super dry southern Arizona. The price difference is maybe $3 or $4 a bag...the more premium brands of shavings are better dried and seem to absorb more and may come in a much smaller bale. I can clean the cages in all three chinrooms with just one bale...before I had to use a much heavier bale and it did the same amount of cages.

Sometimes feedstores only have the cheap brand that isn't very nice and intended for outdoor use in horse stalls. If you can shop around, do it...or request better shavings. I've noticed that the shavings out of Canada are usually a little nicer...and the stuff they make locally is awwwwful.

 

[addictedtochins]

Has anyone used wood pellets that are used for pellet stoves? My friend uses those for ferrets, I don't know what they are made of or if they have additives.