Automatic Litterbox Central

by **Kamilita** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:28 pm

D128 Dual-Quat Power
Fairly inexpensive. If made double the recommended strength, the bactericidal index will handle anything your cats do.

by **Still2cats2many** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:37 pm

I also removed my own posts in this thread. The reason was simple. I didn't want to be the only one with my rear end still hanging out there after Craig removed his posts, and the other Mac guy removed his. If they were concerned about lawsuits, maybe they knew something I didn't.

So, kudos to Petnovations and I'm glad they've participated in this thread.

Comments from CatGenie that piqued my curiosity are:

"We have already had people try to refill and ruin their floors, gummed up the inside of their unit etc."

Well, the standard SaniSolution has managed to do both in my case. The leaking fluid (why would it have leaked out to begin with?) ruined the finish on my wood laminate flooring in the laundry room. After I used clear water on a damp rag to wipe away the thick soapy residue, the eggshell finish on the flooring went with it. I've resigned myself to having to replace the flooring eventually, even though we had just put it in. So, SaniSolution isn't the end-all, be all as far as floor protection goes. And we all know that SaniSolution is sticky stuff that gums up the units to a certain degree.

and

"We have plenty of things planned that we think will make people want to buy cartridges and that is our goal."

The only thing that would make me want to buy cartridges would be to make them consumer refillable. Anything less would be excessively wasteful and too expensive for me to want to support.

That said, I continue to wish success and prosperity to Petnovations. I've always received outstanding customer service from them. I just wish it wasn't required so often...

by **Hepkat** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:34 pm

CatGenie wrote:Pelvis, I wish you apologized with as much energy as you attacked us.

I would hope by now, people would see that we are a very honest and straightforward company that would not censor posts. In fact, if you recall Pelvis you wanted posts you made that were not very pleasant about us removed and we said no. Why? Because all of us here at Petnovations not only believe in our product but we also believe in the integrity of our customers words and believe that while we prefer to hear the good, we MUST hear it all--and that is what drives us to never be satisfied and to continue to innovate.

We have and always will stand behind our product. We try and answer tough customer questions and spend time on forums like this one and others to interact with people and never lose our ability to listen. Additionally our dedicated customer service representatives are available by phone 7 days a week, 14 hours each day and we will continue to do so, because we care about our current and future customers. While it may sound hokey, we believe that the CatGenie will one day be THE cat box for everyone. We hope that you support us in this mission and bring cat sanitation into the 21st century.

While I cannot say we support what you are doing, I can say that while cartridge sales are a part of our business model, they are also important to the safe function of the CatGenie. We have already had people try to refill and ruin their floors, gummed up the inside of their unit etc. That is why we sell a cartridge that is sealed with a safe but effective cleaning solution that has been tested to ensure that is not just safe for people, but just as safe for our target user your cat.

We are a start-up company that believes that we have the solution to the litter box and while the CatGenie is far from perfect we do know that it is pretty damn great and will only get better and better. We are only just half way through our 2nd year of business and I personally think our product is pretty amazing and I speak not only as an employee, but also as the longest running CatGenie user in the USA.

We have plenty of things planned that we think will make people want to buy cartridges and that is our goal. We hope you support us not because you have to but because you want to.

Stay tuned!

I for one am very happy that a company representative has taken the time to respond to customers' concerns as it shows that they do take these things seriously. I admit that I've also began refilling cartridges but when I think about it, it seems to be an act of desperation. The fact is, our actions are sending the message that there's a fundamental flaw in your business model, i.e., SaniSolution cartridges are not turning out to be very cost effective for the consumer. It seems to me that the cartridge housing itself costs much more than the solution, cannot be officially refilled or recycled, which means I'm basically paying a whole lot of money for a piece of plastic housing. It's not for me to tell you how to run your business, however it seems to me that as purely self-interested individuals, consumers will respond favorably to business models that motivate them to do the right thing.

Just as a wild example, if your company were to set up a network of refilling stations at major pet stores with an improved SaniSolution that does not stink when combined with baked poo or overpower the senses, which costs no more than $5 per refill, I think you'd see much higher rates of compliance from your customers. First of all, customers will feel good knowing that they're using a safe solution that doesn't endanger the health of their pet (as opposed to dubious home-concoctions), that they're saving the environment by re-using their cartridges, they will appreciate the added convenience of being able to quickly and easily refill cartridges whenever they pick up cat food at the pet store and at a very reasonable price to boot. Increased compliance would translate into higher profits and the improved reputation for your company and product. In the end, a win-win situation for all.

The current situation however, does not motivate several customers, including myself, to part with large sums of money several times a year for cartridges that endanger the environment and that contain a solution that gives off a rather unpleasant odor. You have a great product but it's clear that improvements are urgently needed and rather sooner than later.

by **rfreese** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:28 am

I would say after reading all of this, mostly before it was redacted, that resetting the chip in a CG cartridge is not for novices. You need to be fearless enough to buy electronics online from Eastern European countries and install several pieces of software including device drivers, not to mention that you need to be able to solder. I don't think sales will be hurt in the least by those that manage to pull it off for their personal use, but it's got to be rewarding to be able to run the thing whenever and however you want to.

I think reselling hacked cartridges would certainly be wrong. My opinion is that this thread went downhill right after someone tried to get someone else to reset their cartridges for them.

I'm also really glad PN is online and discussing their product here. I really do like the machine, even with the quirks and high ongoing costs. It's well built and a pretty smooth operator most of the time. I wonder if there is any upgrade path in mind - the cartridges and granules can't be the only repeat business in this model.

The enthusiastic customer is a great sales person especially since you don't have to pay them.

by **Hepkat** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:09 am

rfreese wrote:I don't think sales will be hurt in the least by those that manage to pull it off for their personal use, but it's got to be rewarding to be able to run the thing whenever and however you want to.

Ah, but just like with ink-jet printers, some company will come along and start offering cheaper refills if things don't change. I tell you, as much as I would like to continue supporting PetNovations, if some company started offering cheap refills with a better working formula, I'd immediately jump at the opportunity. Where there's a market, someone will always find a way.

by **rfreese** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:46 pm

Agreed.

I can't stand this spending as much on the shipping as on the product (unless I buy in quantity, which I can't afford).

I just wish we had the opportunity to purchase cartridges at Petco or any of the other big box pet stores we have in town - PetSmart and Pet Supermarket. Heck, even the smaller stores. Maybe we should petition those retailers to carry them. I already shop there to feed these beasts. I'd be paying sales tax but that goes to help my local economy, at least in theory.

Or - hey, how about an official PN branded refill kit? I'm sure they could engineer something really well, and of course, if you don't use their fluids you void your warranty, etc. We've seen prototypes online for the innards - hire some of the bright folks here as consultants!

by **Still2cats2many** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:49 pm

Buying electronics from an Eastern European vendor is a piece of cake with eBay and PayPal. There is virtually no risk of being ripped off and I was quite willing to gamble $40 to be able to refill and reuse my cartridges at $1.50 a pop instead of having to buy new ones for $15. You don't need any special skills to load a program driver, and one of these things can probably be built without even soldering.

by **NFLnut** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:47 pm

I bought one of the programmers off of eBay. I've had it for over a month. I haven't even tried to use it yet. I may never use it. I might use it once or twice. I have about 5 unused LitterFree cartridges, and they hold about 2 or 3 times the solution that these CG cartridges do. The smell is almost identical, and since they were alos designed to clean and disinfect the predecessor to CD, I can't imagine that it would harm the machine.

I just wanted to try it. And I received the programmer in just a few days, so there is nothing to ordering "from a eastern European country."

by **BfB** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 3:48 pm

Here's two additional sites I found that show how to reset / refill the cartridges:

http://maddeningscientist.blogspot.com/

and

http://myworld.ebay.com/genieconnects/

Each method is slightly different than the other. I haven't personally tried either method, yet.

by **Hazmat** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:19 pm

I bought one. Tried it a few months ago. A 7 dollar or 6 dollar frme from Bulgaria, got it in like 10 days. $13 total for the thing and shipping.

Bought also a radio shack pn# 276-1955 a littlw plug in thing to soldier on . costs like 89 cents for 2 .

Free downloaded ponyprog 2000 ( older version of ponyprog) software).

I used the old style case that sani came in for my mount.) a hard plastic case) and a few wires with alligator clipand a few computer screws.

Used a new cartrage to copy the program and Less than 15 bucks, it works fine.

I do not use any other liquid. I just use the sani solution or nothing. 3 cats, one run with sani 2 without ( just water/ dry sani cartrage) I am not convinced that something like simple green is healthy for my cats.

One run with and 2 without and it takes me 60 days. For 3 cats

by **BfB** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:11 pm

BfB wrote:Here's two additional sites I found that show how to reset / refill the cartridges:

http://maddeningscientist.blogspot.com/

and

http://myworld.ebay.com/genieconnects/

Each method is slightly different than the other. I haven't personally tried either method, yet.

Nice, gotta love the CG nazis! I'm fairly sure they had some of the listings removed on eBay. Do they really think this is going to stop this? They need to step up to the plate and deal with it right now, such as offering refill kits, instead of raping their customers and screwing the environment (something they preach so adamantly against doing as for the reason of having washable litter in the 1st place).

by **xyxoxy** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:16 pm

BfB wrote:Nice, gotta love the CG nazis! I'm fairly sure they had some of the listings removed on eBay. Do they really think this is going to stop this? They need to step up to the plate and deal with it right now, such as offering refill kits, instead of raping their customers and screwing the environment (something they preach so adamantly against doing as for the reason of having washable litter in the 1st place).

Nazis? Seriously?
CG is hands down the most customer friendly company I've dealt with. How often do you buy a product these days with a warranty that extends beyond 30 days... if indeed the warranty is worth anything anyway?

I certainly don't begrudge any CG owner the right to save a buck and I have nothing against building and using a cartridge reset gizmo. But neither do I begrudge CG the right to earn a buck and market their product the best way they can.

Yes I'd like to see a CG sanctioned refill kit and less plastic in the landfills. From what we hear from them, so would they. If you can invent such a feasible process and cost effective kit I bet they would like to hear your detailed plan.

by **BfB** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:26 pm

xyxoxy wrote:Nazis? Seriously?
CG is hands down the most customer friendly company I've dealt with. How often do you buy a product these days with a warranty that extends beyond 30 days... if indeed the warranty is worth anything anyway?

They had his eBay listings removed. That's being a Nazi, period. I guess they think they are going to stop all this? The guy could very well put his own website up, and link to it from here.

I do want to be clear, however. The CG is a great product, and their customer service is by far the best. However, that's just one side of their business aspect. There's a downside to it, as well.

I certainly don't begrudge any CG owner the right to save a buck and I have nothing against building and using a cartridge reset gizmo. But neither do I begrudge CG the right to earn a buck and market their product the best way they can.

Yes I'd like to see a CG sanctioned refill kit and less plastic in the landfills. From what we hear from them, so would they. If you can invent such a feasible process and cost effective kit I bet they would like to hear your detailed plan.

All they need to do is take a que from these guys that are already resetting and refilling them. Why haven't they started offering this yet to us consumers? BECAUSE THEY ARE REAPING IN MONEY FROM THEIR CURRENT BUSINESS MODEL OF CONTINUING TO SELL NON-GREEN FRIENDLY NON-REFILLABLE CARTRIDGES, all while claiming to be "green" with their washable litter. Horsesh!t!

I've already taken the case apart on one of my cartridges, to find out they are SUPER easy to refill by simply removing the spout, filling it up, and replacing the spout. Yes, CG could make this MUCH easier, but they purposely choose not to. They are going to have to step up to the plate and offer something very similar to these guys.

by **Scrubbythecat** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:53 pm

I have been out of town for a while, and now people are calling Petnovations Nazi's. Wow, pretty strong words. I guess I am very sad that a person that is not happy with a company for protecting it's intellectual property is being called Nazi.

Please learn what the Nazi party stood for, and how you should not use that term so easily. Also, please learn about Nazi's and their ideology and understand that just because you do not like something do not be so quick to equate it to being a Nazi.

From Wikipedia:
Nazi ideology stressed the "racial purity of the German people" and persecuted those it perceived either as race enemies or Lebensunwertes Leben, that is "life unworthy of living". This included Jews, Slavs, and Roma along with German homosexuals, the mentally disabled, communists, and others. To carry out these beliefs, the party and the German state which it controlled organized the systematic murder of approximately six million Jews (in what has become known as the Holocaust), four million Catholics, and about five million other people, mainly Russians, Poles and Roma. Many thousands of political enemies of the Nazi regime, along with German gays, people with disabilities, and religious minorities were also killed. Hitler's desire to build an empire in Europe through expansionist policies was a major influence which led to the outbreak of World War II in Europe.

That is a boring definition-study more and please before you call someone or a company a Nazi realize you are saying they are as bad as systematically killing over 15 million people that you do not like.

by **xyxoxy** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:27 pm

I have no intention of getting into a flame war but I just want to second the motion on choosing words a bit more carefully.

If --- and I stress IF Petnovations had eBay listings removed then they apparently had every right to do so. It's not as if they have some leverage over eBay to make them do their bidding. If they made such a request and eBay felt it was merited... that is not a "Nazi" act. Preventing them from protecting their property rights would be more of a Nazi act. But I have my doubts that there is even any truth in that since the kits were still listed as of yesterday.

As for providing the public with a refill kit... great idea! One that's been suggested about a thousand times on these boards. But Petnovations is under no obligation to do so. They are not Microsoft with billions of dollars available for R&D. That said... because of the way they have offered free product updates to customers and have continued to improve the product... it wouldn't surprise me if we do eventually see something along those lines. But it helps no one to malign such a decent company before that time comes... or even if it never comes.

<Stepping off soapbox now>

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