Automatic Litterbox Central

Gina -- as far as the Forever Trays, unfortunately I won't be making selling those in that configuration any more due to the patent situation. You may be able to find some being re-sold in the secondary market on Ebay or other similar sites. That being said, we're working on other products at this time, but it may take a few months before we're done with prototyping/testing.

And Java -- regarding the recent $1 increase in price for the crystals, I apologize -- but my own costs have recently gone up, so I had to somehow cover those, and we did in fact need to make that small increase.

You are indeed correct regarding the price difference between JTC and Fresh Step -- the total difference between the price of Just the Crystals and the Fresh Step works out to about 7 cents per pound more for JTC. However I think that when you factor in that shipping from Amazon is free, and also that in most states there is no sales tax on Amazon shipped items -- plus the general convenience -- I think they're still a pretty good deal.

As far as lasting longer -- the honest answer is that I've heard reports both ways (that FS last longer and that JTC lasts longer). I can't unequivocally claim that JTC lasts longer -- just what I get reported back to me from users. I obviously think it's a good product -- and it still sits as the number one seller of cat litter (any type) on Amazon.......

I can deal with the price increase and here's why. When production was in progress recently, I had to buy retail litter for my 3 boxes. I spent $28 for 1 change in each box, plus tax. That was 8# of Fresh Step and 4# of an off brand. So, if I spend $32 and get 2 changes per box, no tax, then I'm still a happy camper.

I might add that I was in PetCo recently and priced their litter brand and it was $35.00 for 15 pounds and the litter size was probably 1 1/2 again the size of Fresh Step and Just the Litter. You would think the store brand would be more economical, but not for crystal litter apparently. Not to mention the crystals are too large for the box to work efficiently.

I will stick with Just the Litter as long as you keep making it Rick and my continued thanks for doing so, Betty

Thanks Betty for doing the math part!! (and for the loyalty.....!)

Oops, speaking of doing the math, I was incorrect in saying the $32 of Just the Litter was 2 changes of each of my 3 boxes. It's actually 3 boxes I have to buy to get the 2 changes, so the total is more like $48. The savings are not as dramatic as I stated and I'm sorry I misled. However, the end result is that for the $32 I get 4 boxes worth of litter vs the the $28 plus tax that was only 3 boxes worth, so it's still a huge savings. I just wanted to be accurate. Thankyou

Oh no - I'm so sad that the trays aren't available! After finding the first box we got successful, and happy with the forever litter tray, we ordered a second box, but haven't been able to get a second forever litter tray! nooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Glad to see just the crystals available again, I just ordered some more.

We've apparently got a "side-peeing" cat, so from time to time the pee is all over the floor. I'm trying to figure out what sort of tray I can get to put under them (currently giant plastic bag, not very attractive also probably not the most effective or easy to deal with)]. If this issue were incorporated into a replacement forever tray that would be really excellent!

--jessica

I want to report a problem we've had with our forever litter tray. Maybe it's more than one problem, actually.

First, one of the little tabs of metal on the clear plastic "flap" part has come off multiple times, needing to be superglued back on. I'm not sure why we're having such bad luck with this, even when we super glue it!

Second, the flap itself is perhaps too heavy? I'm not quite sure what's wrong here but it seems to fall off the magnets often, even when both pieces of metal are in place. We finally gave up using it at all, but then litter spills out the front of the box.

Today I fashioned a carboard flap of the same shape and glued on some large washers in place of the metal squares. I taped it on at the front for a hinge. I covered the cardboard in packing tape to help it last longer. I've no idea if it'll work out in the long term but so far the box has run a couple of times and it seems to work fine.

--jessica

ps: we've been using the "precious cat" litter while the "just the crystals" was unavailable, and I even weighed it sometimes but found it pretty hard to get the quantity right. It often seemed like we had too much litter. But it would get very wet very quickly. Well, I'm happy to say I've finally got more "just the crystals" litter and it's in the box now..

Sorry to hear you're experiencing this! I regret that due to the SF patent situation we are completely out of stock on warranty parts otherwise I'd just send you one under warranty.

However I very much want to help you and to make this right. There are actually several options here:

- First -- the trays work just fine without the clear lid (the purple cover only) for most people, us included. We stopped using the clear lid years ago, and just use the purple cover. It allows for more capacity in the "poop compartment" and makes life a lot easier for the occasional "rake and stir" and litter changing, and most people find no difference in odor control. This might be an option for you. As you mention the right amount of litter also makes a big difference.

- Second -- the glue I use for repairs is a product called "Goop", available from most hardware stores and Home Depot, etc. Make sure both surfaces are clean and dry, apply a good dollop and press the metal tab tightly down into place. Leave to cure overnight on a flat surface (so that the metal tab won't slide out of place) and you should be good to go. This is really an excellent glue and should work much, much better than what you've been using.

With the lid coming off -- it sounds like you may it positioned incorrectly (not a question of the clear lid being too heavy). The white pegs should be on top of the clear lid when positioned in the tray (not underneath picking it up). If they're underneath it will cause the clear lid to pop off.

Please let me know! I'm here to help!

Hi Rick, can you say when the crystals will be available again? I need to order and was stunned it's not even an option. I can use plan B but it's more expensive
Thanks, Betty

Hi Betty -- not to worry! We had a small glitch with our trucking company which should be completely resolved tomorrow morning (I've been told.....).

So if all works out OK, you should be able to place an order sometime later tomorrow, or worst case the day after!

Sorry for the problem.....

Good news, thank you. My cats saw the look on my face when I saw the litter was not there. They nearly packed their bags and walked out the door, but I told them you would not let them down. As I write this, they are putting their toys back in their toy box and already relaxing on their cat tree

Laughing here.....thanks so much for that visual (and for having a good sense of humor about it...).

I'll be happier when they're back in stock as well.......(sigh)

Aargh! Guess the glitch is not over with the trucking company. As of 1:30 PM PST, the litter is not on Amazon.

They've finally unloaded the truck -- the crystals are now available on Amazon! Yayyy!

(thought you'd like to know)

Sorry again for the inconvenience.......

Thank you for being on this. As usual, you are always attentive to what is going on.

Thanks Betty -- I try.......but every once in awhile things get away from me......

This latest shipment of the crystals was a complete example of Murphy's Law. Everything was right on track to replenish inventory in plenty of time so we wouldn't go out of stock. Then I learned that someone at the trucking company made a small error.....that ended up sending the entire shipment to the wrong warehouse (not up the street.....but in another state!) Then....after we figured out what happened and the truck was on the way to the correct warehouse.....the truck overheated and broke down, adding another day to the delays.

(sigh)

The phrase "snake bit" comes to mind.......

But all is OK again.....for now. Hopefully Mr. Murphy is done visiting.....