QC or FN cage?

[burritothechinchilla]

Looks like you'll be spending at least $300 or a little more with shipping for the QC package.
To let you know what I paid for my FN142 (brand new) + the pans & chinspin, so that you can compare -
$168 for FN tax included @ Petsmart. They price matched kennelvet.com online ad of $156
$64 for the chin spin at qualitycage.com, shipping included.
$63 for the 2 bass pans at bassequipment.com, this includes shipping.
$295 Total

The FN is very easy to clean and get access to all the attached shelves and fleece for a quick vacuum because of the huge doors! I am kicking myself for not getting it sooner. Good luck with your decision!

Jeez.. everything is so much cheaper in the US. Even if you convert it into Canadian dollars. I had to pay $316 CND w/ tax. It was the cheapest I could find it for, but still a rip off, lol. But as long as Burrito is happy, I'm happy.

 

[momenteller]

ETA: you don't have to get both pans if your not dividing the cage, then you can knock off $20 off of my total and just get one bottom pan.

Thanks Sandi, I was actually wondering about that!

 

[Ash]

For the FN, though, don't forget the cost of having to build shelves... 3chins forgot about that! But I have no clue how much building shelves for 1 cage is.

 

[Sandi]

For the FN, though, don't forget the cost of having to build shelves... 3chins forgot about that! But I have no clue how much building shelves for 1 cage is.

Nope, I didn't forget about the shelves! I was comparing the cost of the QC package, which does not include shelves to what I paid for a FN with similar accessories.

 

[eroomlorac]

I have 2 QC Mansions (only one in use right now) and I really like the cage. Everyone will have their personal preferences. FN and QC each have their pros and cons. I think you'll be pleased no matter which cage you get.

 

[Stackie]

It only cost me about $15-20 to build shelves for two of my FN cages, hardware included. Wood doesn't cost much at all.

 

[minrex]

Nope, I didn't forget about the shelves! I was comparing the cost of the QC package, which does not include shelves to what I paid for a FN with similar accessories.

All the QC packages include shelves.

I just ordered a QC Townhome for my chins, and I'm really excited about it. The reason I chose a QC over a FN in the end was that I liked the fact that I won't have to make any modifications to the cage before I put my chins in it. I also have no problem with the way a QC looks.

 

[Sandi]

All the QC packages include shelves.

I just ordered a QC Townhome for my chins, and I'm really excited about it. The reason I chose a QC over a FN in the end was that I liked the fact that I won't have to make any modifications to the cage before I put my chins in it. I also have no problem with the way a QC looks.

I don't own a QC and took a look at their website just so that I could give the op a comparison. The description for the mansion did not mention that it included the shelves but if they do come with them, that's great! ) Although Stackie did mention that shelves for 2 FN's cost her less than $20.

Chinchilla Mansion™ Starter Package

The Chinchilla Mansion™ Starter Package Includes: CNS-48 (Chinchilla Mansion™), 3024ST-10 (10" high Stand), Cage Guard Set, CS-15 (15" Chin Spin™ Chinchilla Exercise Wheel), Set of Replacement Bearings with Instructions, Chinchillas: A Complete Pet Owner's Manual, WB-16 (16 oz. Water Bottle), CG-16 (Chew Guard for WB-16), EZ-10 (10 oz. Food Dish).

Starter Packages come with everything you need, and they are value priced too! NOTE: No substitutions are permitted on package deals. Price does not include shipping.

 

[momenteller]

yup, its true, it does come with shelves. you have to look under the description of the actual mansion, not one of the packages.

Chinchilla Mansion™, Galvanized w/ Powder Coated Tray
The BIG home with lots of room to play and live. Included are four replaceable, movable solid pine shelves (two 24" and two 30") - not wire shelves that hurt your chinchilla's feet!

 

[Brittney]

If it is only 20 bucks to build shelves, then why did it cost me $70 to build shelves for my QC? Hardware included. I guess that's going to depend on the kind of wood you get and where you shop. I used Poplar and I guess it was more expensive

 

[Sandi]

:thumbsup: Got it! Since you mentioned the QC Chinchilla Mansion starter set, that is what I looked up. As mentioned above, both types of cages has pros and cons and you won't go wrong with getting either one. For me, the decision was based on my intentions for the cage and how it looked as well. I am dividing the cage so that I can house 4 chinchillas, 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom, that's what's great about the FN as well. There is plenty of room for the wheel, shelves, bridge, toys and fleece tunnels in each half without it being and looking so cramped either.

 

[momenteller]

If it is only 20 bucks to build shelves, then why did it cost me $70 to build shelves for my QC? Hardware included. I guess that's going to depend on the kind of wood you get and where you shop. I used Poplar and I guess it was more expensive

did you not like the shelves it comes with? can i ask why you ended up having to spend $70 to build shelves for the QC? these are the things i am hoping to avoid: if i'm going to spend this much for the QC, i'm hoping its going to be basically ready to go...

oh boy, not really any closer to a decision! :banghead:

 

[Brittney]

I didn't buy my QC Mansion off of the website. I picked it up from another chinchilla owner in my area. It was a previously used cage. If you buy the cage with the shelves, which it will have, and you want to add more, then I'm sure it will be around 20 for additionall shelving. I had to start from scratch with the shelves and I really wish it would have only cost me 20 bucks.

 

[Stackie]

If it is only 20 bucks to build shelves, then why did it cost me $70 to build shelves for my QC? Hardware included. I guess that's going to depend on the kind of wood you get and where you shop. I used Poplar and I guess it was more expensive

Uh, did you buy some kind of holy wood or something? I bought huge planks of pine for like $3 each at Lowe's- each of them made about 3 huge shelves (front to back).

 

[Brittney]

No, I bought the precut pieces of Poplar at Lowes and one 42" piece was $18, all others were around 6 or $8 each and the individual hardware was 99c per piece.

It could be that I am in the middle of the desert and they included shipping charges to the store in the price of the wood, but I doubt it.

 

[Stackie]

Might be, because for a board of poplar that size here, it's only about $7.

 

[Chinniechantel]

I know I noticed a HUGE difference in price of wood depending on the state. It costs so much more here in FL than in MN. It is more than double. We paid about $17 for about a 6 foot piece of wood. I can easily see paying $70 on wood and hardware for a large cage. We also pay extra for them to cut it for us, but not much. We pay $70-$80 every time we go to get supplies, but we also have a lot of chins! It costs us $70 to make about 7 houses.

 

[Brittney]

Yeah, I guess that could be the reason. I found my receipt from the purchase.

Excuse the fading on some text, it's been in my wallet for a while

 

[Stackie]

Brittney I'm not saying you're lying, was just surprised at the huge difference in price.

 

[Brittney]

I know you aren't saying that, Just showing the prices is all.