What's wrong with the QC Mansion

[NOLA Chins]

There are things I don't like about the QC Mansion. I have spent a lot of time on the phone with them and have made some progress. A big problem they have is that none of them are chin owners.

1. Their offered packages contain too much useless junk- like the water bowl.
2. The cage is not plastic free because of the door guards. This is a situation I have been trying to remedy for a while and progree is being made. A metal guard option is being offered.
3. The big door should be on the bottom to facilitate wheel placement, etc. The top already opens so why have a big door on top?
4. Doesn't come with enough shelves and those provided are too narrow.
5.The bottom wire is 1". This is potentially unsafe for chins to jump down on when the pan is removed for cleaning. I retrofit with 1/2".
6. 1" wire is not particularly safe for wall surfers. There is a 1/2" option.
7. The spring latches get harder to use the older I get. I switched to their EZ latches. Only one is necessary per door.
8. A roller stand is separate.

What is wrong with the Mansion can be corrected with an infusion of $.

My cage order would be: 1/2 wire, 2 door with big door on bottom, plastic free, drop-in grid, 1/2 wire bottom, EZ latches, 15" chin spin and 10" roller stand. This will easily run to $300US plus. This is easily the top of the line cage. You will still need to add shelves, ledges, etc.

 

[Chinmama]

I have two mansions I got before they started doing the 2 door option. My problem with them is that the doors are too narrow. My shoulders are too wide to fit through the door, which can be a pain at cleaning time.

 

[Rickman]

Before joining any forum, I, too, was concerned with bottom wire spacing. Went to Ace and got 1/4" x 1/4" hardware screen to cover it. Wrapped it around the edges, and lasts about 5 years! Used it on wire ramps, too, and haven't had any problems!
Just big enough for those little "tic-tacs" to get through, too!
Next biggest would be 1/2" x 1/2", but, could be a real hazard for kits!

 

[6Dusters]

Didn't think about putting the metal mesh on the bare wire bottom floor when I pull the pans. I'm scared to death when I pull them out. My gang are very curious. And those darned boards are too narrow!!!!

 

[NOLA Chins]

I asked QC what the flap was for. "To keep the chins in when the pan was removed." So 1" wire is ok for them to stand on? "Oh". They are now deciding what is cost effective.

My thought is that their big selling point is their high quailty. If they are not going to maintain that and improve in response to feedback, it will cost them because the QC Mansion is not a great value- unless you value the best.

Rick- I started wrapping some cage bottoms with hardware cloth after reading a post of yours a while back. Works great. Thanks.

 

[NOLA Chins]

>My problem with them is that the doors are too narrow

A big advantage of the FN. I would suggest letting them know. They are probably pretty tired of hearing the same things from me mulitple times.

>And those darned boards are too narrow!!!!

I replace the originals with 1x10 plus a 1x12 fore and aft in the middle of the cage just below the opening for the top door.

 

[Rickman]

To add - I bought a cheap cage as a temp, and the plastic pan actually fits tight to the wire floor! Built a "I" shaped floor/shelf from 1x 8 - full width, and spaced it so they can get through either end - they love it! With the 1/4"" screen, I only have to clean the uncovered side, and they hide behind it, on the wood, when I pull-out the pan!
Don't want to risk broken toes!!

 

[6Dusters]

It really has been a peev for me and those narrow darned boards they provide. So I sent them a note today. One to complain about the boards and how I have to put my own large boards in. And number two was my concern over the chins jumping on the bottom when I pull pans. I told them some chins are easy to move while others refuse to move out of the QC while I clean. I am sooooooooo scared when I pull a pan. I thought I was the only one. I'lll be putting in the metal mesh soon enough. I still like these cages much more then the the FN I bought.

 

[amberlin]

Before I got my FNs the only issue I had with my QC townhome really is just the narrow door.

However, after getting the FN and have it side by side next to my QC, I notice the QC makes more noise. Whenever the chin in my QC cage hops onto the short ledges that whole side of the cage will rattle.

I can't think of any other flaws aside from the noise factor and the narrow door that makes it hard to reach in to clean. Oh and also my wooden daybed and tunnel would not stay upright but everything else is fine...

 

[Tiatrack]

I bet if you nicely worded your suggestions to them, they would be more than willing to accommodate you. I was in their shop about a couple of months and the main woman asked me to let her know anything us chin owners would like. I posted on here and got no response. Since they are local to me I have been going to them for many years, and I have always had A+ customer service from them. Admittedly I did switch to a melamine cage a few years ago, but that was to contain the mess better and had nothing to do with QC products.

 

[Priscilla&Minnie]

I've been an owner of a QC for almost 6 years and have had EXCELLENT experience with it, and the company. I've since replaced ledges and even the tray, and always had fast, friendly service. I always take my chins out of the cage when cleaning, so the large mesh at the bottom was never a problem. I just wanted to give props to the company, they're great!

 

[sheri7]

I definitely agree that the doors could be wider.

When I take the bottom pan out to clean it I just put a piece of granite tile down so they have something to stand on and I also always keep a piece of PVC tubing in the bottom of the cage so when they are standing at the door they have something to stand on and are not teetering on the door opening.

 

[lsknc]

i really dont have a problem with my QCs but i wouldnt mind having a deeper pan.