heat panels for cockatiel

[tori0104]

I would like to share my experience and if you could give me any thoughts or suggestions, that would be appreciated.

This is the first time I called Avitech Exotic Birds to ask some questions about their heat panels.
I wanted to make sure that I get the right products for my bird, because I have never used it.
After I read their comment about themselves on their website, I didn't hesitate to call them.

Here are a few quotes from them:
--We have been in the bird supplies business since 1983. During this time, we have always tried to provide outstanding customer service, useful information and innovative products.
--Also, any questions regarding our products can be answered here as we use all of them at our facility.

I couldn't reach the toll free number from my area, so I called the regular number I found.
As soon as the lady picked up the phone, I could tell immediately that she wasn't friendly at all.
She was very terse and seemed very annoyed during the whole conversation.

At one point, she told me " Are you kidding me?" with a very sarcastic laugh as if my question was too stupid to ask. She kept telling me that she's been doing this business for 30 years as opposed to telling me "You don't know this???" and "You have to ask me this???"

I don't have as much experience as she does for birds, and assume that she is a bird expert with knowledge and passion. So my questions sometimes might sound too simple for her, since I am still learning a lot.

However, I thought her "Are you kidding me?" to a potential customer was absolutely rude and arrogant.
Though I was very frustrated by her on the phone, I thanked her for her help at the end of the conversation.
Then she told me that " I have never been asked so many questions for 30 years" with the same, sarcastic laugh again. I then said: "Excuse me for asking questions. I love my bird, so I want to make sure that I am buying the right stuff for him. I am a good owner". She replied, " Sure you are, sure you are" with THAT laugh again, and then hung up the phone abruptly.

I was obviously distraught over this experience.
I decided to speak to a higher up person about this lady since I got her name. Unfortunately I found out later that she herself is the president of this company...

Did I just catch her at the worst time? Is their customer service always like this?
Since I can't get the same product in my country, is it still worth it to buy it for my bird, even though I am very disappointed with this company?
I really need to buy some heat source for my bird this winter.

Thanks in advance.

 

[henpecked]

She must be doing all the business she can stand.Glad things are going so well that she can afford to be rude to a customer.Is your tiel kept in the house? Cockatiels are tough little birds that usually don't require extra heat when kept indoors,they do need protection when exposed to prolonged periods of cold though.If she's in the house keep her away from drafts and maybe cover the cage at night.Extra seeds if she on a pellet diet wouldn't hurt either(gives her more fat to burn to keep warm).Don't know alot about your situation so can't offer much much more advice other than to find another company to do business with.

 

[JensFlock]

I don't know anything about the heat panels, but I am furious about how you were treated.
I don't care if she's having a "bad day" or whatever, that is no way to handle customer service. I want to go slap her for you!!!

 

[tori0104]

Hi henpecked,

Thank you for your reply. I have had my boy (white faced cockatiel) for 8 years.
He has been kept inside the house and has his own room with a nice big window without any draft.

The temperatrure around my area in winter is about -20℃. Sometimes it goes down to -30℃.We have a central heating system (for a 2500 sq. foot house) and if we wanted to, could always set the temperature in the whole house above 20℃ day and night. However, the gas price is extremely high, so I have tried to use a lower setting of 15℃　to 17℃ during the night.

I sometimes leave a glass container with hot water in it wrapped around with a towel in the bottom of his cage when he goes to bed so that he doesn't get too cold during the night time. I put a nice blanket over his cage too. He has seemed fine with it that way in the past. Sometimes he does seem a bit cold.

But I am stil wondering if there is a better way to make sure he is warm enough while at the same time, continuing to cut my gas costs more in the winter. Therefore, I've been looking for an additional heat source that can keep only my bird's room warm. I'm not interested in just a portable heater, however-- I'm a bit scared about those types of heaters that are usually used for humans.

I have been researching the heat source for birds and I thought that the heat panel might be the ideal option for my situation...

Again, thank you so much for you time and advice.

 

[tori0104]

Hi JensFlock,

Thank you for your support.
I felt like doing the same thing to her (smack!).