I am having lots of troubles with my new bird cages. The tiel cage i bought in January started rusting in March, after many phonecalls to the shop i bought it from, i got it replaced. I no longer have a reciept for that cage as they took my receipt when i replaced the old cage and i wasn't given a new one. About a month later i noticed a small amount of rust on the budgies cage. It's under a wire on the door and from what i can see isn't likely to spread from this inaccessable spot, but it's there. Today i noticed the replacement cage for the tiels is starting to rust where the wires are welded onto the frame, i guess the paint didn't cover it properly. This is also in a fairly inaccessable spot, but this one has the potential to spread i think.

 

I've been emailing the manufacturer for about a month now, the last email i got from them about a week ago claimed that after speaking to the retailer the rust was surface rust only and due to water getting on the cage, no fault of theirs. Today i emailed back saying that the only water the cage is exposed to is when i wipe it down with a damp cloth and that if a $150 cage can't stand that tiny amount of moisture to clean off dust and poo, then that's not acceptable. I stated that after 3 rusty cages i want a full refund. I mentioned that i am one reciept down and explained how this came to happen. I've asked for options as to what to do next.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what else i can do? I have a feeling that an email will come back repeating that surface rust is no fault of the manufacturers, but it sure as h*** isn't something i'm doing. I've spent close to $300 on these cages and right now i'm feeling REALLY ripped off and cheated. I plan to make a real pest of myself if the manufacturer insists it's something i'm doing, but is there an effective way i can do this that will get me what i want?

 

The especially annoying thing is that i still love the cages, i would really like to get a refund and buy the same style cage but powder coated off ebay as this wouldn't rust and would only cost a little more. They are the best style cage available in Australia in my opinion. If i can't get my money back, then i won't be able to afford new cages for quite a long time.

Bea, if your problem with rust is occurring at the joints this may be due to the manufacture process. They are most likely spot welded in construction and there would be a flux as part of the welding wire in all likelihood. Fluxes are acidic. The idea would be that after spot welding I would hope the cage is cleaned or dipped and coated before its final finish to reduce the acids in the flux. If, for instance, one business does all the spot welding and another does the coating, ...if time exists between the two processes the acid has time to start its work eating into the metal before being sealed against the elements. It could also be a coating problem. Most companies also farm their work out to places like China and import the finished product. That way, no real standards exist and there is no control over the final product. Maybe they live in hope most people's birds will die before the rust shows.

If you do a little more research on their manufacture methods and use of flux within their welding wire etc.....any future letter from you would have the right words and power to make a difference and make them listen.

Edited May 9, 200718 yr by Kaz

Bea, I am really sorry to hear that. They are a brilliantly designed cage. As mine is powder coated I have had absolutely no problems (It is slightly different too so probably a different manufacturer). Mine has been scrubbed so much in the 12 months I have had it, plus sometimes it is just dripping after spraying the birds and no metal shows at all, let alone rust.

 

That is such a quick time for the cage to be experincing rust. I would phone consumer affairs and ask for their advice. Get photos of the rust spots and keep complaining long and loud. It is a product designed to be safe for birds and rust isn't safe.

 

Feathers.

Edited May 9, 200718 yr by feathers

My idea (except on the budgie cage where the rust is in a total unexplainable place) is that the rust is happening in joints and welded places where the plastic coating was not painted on properly, leaving the metal exposed and ready to rust.

 

I just emailed the feedback email for the store chain i got the cages from having a really cranky whinge at them. I explained everything i've been through with these cages since the start of the year and clearly pointed out that it could be no fault of my own as all i've done is clean the cages with a damp cloth. I questioned that if i can't even do that how can i keep the cages hygienic for my birds. I also made sure that the person was aware that rust, if chewed on, is toxic to birds. Finally i said that i want my money back, that the experience has been **** and that i would not recommend the service to anyone, hehehe. Everything was worded much more maturely and polite, but still getting my angry tone across. I plan to be a mega pain in the butt if they try to point the finger at me again.

 

Very quickly i recieved an email apologizing for my negative experience with the store and manufacturer. I've been assured that this guy will be speaking to both the store manager and the manufacturer account manager and that he'll get back to me. He also gave me his direct phone numbers in case i need to discuss anything further.

 

Get photos of the rust spots and keep complaining long and loud.

 

Feathers.

Could be hard, VERY small amounts of rust in awkward places, especially the budgie one. I know the cage is well designed, like i said i love it! I really want to get my money back so i can buy the powder coated version.

Do you have an organization that you can report disputes about a certian company? Like in the US we have the Better Business Bureau where we can report issues and they will even help us fix them and contact that certain company. This would be my next step to report the store and the maker.

Oi... I hope it gets sorted out for you!

 

I also hope this doesn't end up happening to my new cage

Do you have an organization that you can report disputes about a certian company

 

Yep, that is consumer affairs, Elly

Then that is what I would do Bea

I also hope this doesn't end up happening to my new cage

It wont! Your cage is powder coated - rust free!

 

Do you have an organization that you can report disputes about a certian company

 

Yep, that is consumer affairs, Elly

Dad said i should contact them if these emails don't get me anywhere.

Contact them anyways they didn't get you anywhere before right.

In the meantime, Bea, coat the rusty area with olive oil. This will stop air and moisture getting into the metal and causing it to corrode further. It also provides are good barrier between the rust and your birds. Only problem is that the budgies like the taste of olive oil. You could try mixing something foul tasting with the oil to prevent them from doing this.

In the meantime, Bea, coat the rusty area with olive oil. This will stop air and moisture getting into the metal and causing it to corrode further. It also provides are good barrier between the rust and your birds. Only problem is that the budgies like the taste of olive oil. You could try mixing something foul tasting with the oil to prevent them from doing this.

The rust is in inaccessible places anyway, so they can't get to it.

I also hope this doesn't end up happening to my new cage

It wont! Your cage is powder coated - rust free!

 

Do you have an organization that you can report disputes about a certian company

 

Yep, that is consumer affairs, Elly

Dad said i should contact them if these emails don't get me anywhere.

 

There are Onbudsmans and The Department of Consumer Affairs. Let the company know that if you do not get your full refund on All your cages you will be seeking the advice from the above companies.. ( do your research first know who you need to speak to and from where ) This will cause all sorts of problems and I am sure that they don't want that as it is bad for business...

Keep copies of all emails, and Photos of everything.... All contacts between you and the Co.....

I am sure that you will get your FULL refund on ALL cages.....

I have won a few cases through consumer affairs. Often it is the implied statement that you will be contacting Consumer Affairs in relation to "the matter" that causes companies to put things right. Its no skin off their nose to keep you happy, they probably just think you will get tired of it and go away.

I have won a few cases through consumer affairs. Often it is the implied statement that you will be contacting Consumer Affairs in relation to "the matter" that causes companies to put things right. Its no skin off their nose to keep you happy, they probably just think you will get tired of it and go away.

Will mention that if my emails get me nowhere.

Received an email back from the store chain rep, i've been told to expect a call from the store i bought the cages from in the next few days. Hopefully i'll get somewhere with that.

Good luck Bea.

You are entitled to: repair, replacement or refund - it is your choice.

There is a reasonable expectation of quality when you buy a product (except if they state on the cage prone to rust etc) and a reasonable amount of use is expected from a product before damage occurs. This has not happened, 2 rusty cages in a matter of months is unacceptable.

If they will not honour your request for a refund you can put a dispute in with the Small Claims Tribunal. For the amount you are after it should only cost around $15 to lodge the claim.

I used to work in the Consumer Affairs section of Office of Fair Trading, (Laughing out loud) I now work in the Business section!

good luck bea!!

Edited May 15, 200718 yr by Kaz

good to hear Bea that they responded back to you

Well, didn't get that phone call - big suprise! So i emailed the guy i had been in contact with again to see what was going on - no reply. So today i sent my first angry email (the others had been polite) questioning if he had received my email, saying how extremely unhappy i am with the service i've been receiving, stating that i will be contacting consumer affairs in the next few days if this issue is not resolved and mentioning again that the only solution i see is a full refund. I just noticed that the paint on the frame of the budgie cage is chipping a bit too (quality product *cough cough*) and mentioned that in my email.

 

I have a sneaking suspicion that both the company and the manufacturer are either blocking or ignoring my emails, when i first contacted the company i also tried to contact the manufacturer again and am yet to get a reply. Some service they're providing. I've just gone around and taken photos of the rust and faults in the paint so i can use them in future emails, etc.

 

Budgie Cage:

 

Paint chipping on corner of the cage frame

 

Small amounts of rust under door wire

 

The tiel cage:

Rust in a little jointy bit

 

Faults on the wires

 

 

******edit******

 

I am positively LAUGHING right now! Two seconds after sending the email mentioning me contacting consumer affairs i received this email, (Laughing out loud). :(Laughing out loud):

 

Hi Belinda,

 

I agree the best solution to this is a refund on the cage – I will advise the store. Could you let me know when you will be in store? I also need you to return the cage so that we can send it back to the manufacturer. Do you still have a copy of your receipt?

 

I emailed back saying that i would gladly return the cages but that i first have to find replacement cages to house my birds (duh), and that if he could alert the store to the situation so that i could phone once i had the replacements to arrange a time to return them.

Brilliant !! Threats about consumer affairs always works

Edited June 5, 200717 yr by **KAZ**

Well i am VERY happy to say that i've now spoken with the store manager and both cages can be refunded with the one reciept! All this sorted in less than an hour after a month of emails back and forth! I told the manager that i have to find new cages first and that i should be able to bring the cages back in a week or two. I've found the same style cage but powder coated on ebay for a good buy now price and once we've confirmed they have two we'll order them! Shouldn't be too long before i can put all this behind me and forget about it.

This is the first time I have had a look at this thread.The bottem of the cage where you have circled the rust,It looks dented,hit with a hammer or something.The rust appears to be where they welded it & the same on the rails Plus the paint job looks very light on by the photo.I`m not sure what you payed for it.But was it made in Australia.To get away from the rust probelm,you may have to buy a powder coated one like Feathers.The paint on them is baked on & may be more expencive.

Edited June 5, 200717 yr by **KAZ**

This is the first time I have had a look at this thread.The bottem of the cage where you have circled the rust,It looks dented,hit with a hammer or something.The rust appears to be where they welded it & the same on the rails Plus the paint job looks very light on by the photo.I`m not sure what you payed for it.But was it made in Australia.To get away from the rust probelm,you may have to buy a powder coated one like Kaz.The paint on them is baked on & may be more expencive.

I paid $150, and they've rusted/chipped/etc in just a few months. I've found powder coated replacements for $140 on eBay.

Well done for sticking to your guns and demanding good service. May we ask which shop you got it from so none of us buy products there (word of mouth is a powerful thing) I understand if u dont want to say.

Sharyn