Issues with Eglu Go

jackiek · October 30, 2011

Hi there,

I had recently ordered a Go and thus far the experience with it is very disappointing. First one of the green panels arrived with a piece of plastic broken off in the corner. The Eglu Go also arrived with two missing screws. Clare at Omlet promptly arranged to have the broken and missing parts sent out. While waiting for the parts to arrive, my husband thought he would start putting the gray inner housing together. We didn't get very far. One of the metal clips in the gray housing broke. It is the metal clip that a screw has to thread through in order to attach the run to the Go. It must be super fragile as it simply snapped after we put the screw in. We did not over tighten it.

I'm wondering if other people had the same experience, and perhaps, after some initial bad luck and experience, ended up with a Go that is pleasing, functional and durable. Given how it all seems so fragile, we are concerned that we would not be able to drag it from place to place as per instruction manual. I'm also wondering if I should simple give up on a Go and try to get a Classic. I'm in the U.S. and apparently Omlet no longer sells the Classic there. I've wanted an Omlet Eglu for so long, so the experience thus far has been a let down. Should I persist?

Jackie

Tweety · October 31, 2011

Sorry to hear you have been disappointed with your Go, but it is worth persisting. I have the Classic and the Go, and tbh the Classic is much better quality than the Go, although that doesn't help you very much unless you can get one second hand.

I bought the Go to house my chicks, and found it very fiddly to put together. There were 2 screws missing when it arrived too. However, having put it together, I am pleased with it - it is no problem to move around, and in fact is easier than the Classic because it is lighter. I also like the fact that the roosting bars and nest box can be removed and cleaned very easily, and that the door doesn't have to be at the end of the run.

Give it a chance - I'm sure you will love it once you have got all the little niggles sorted out

jackiek · November 2, 2011

Thanks Tweety. I'm going to give it another try. My husband is now very skeptical that the Go will hold and that we won't have bits and pieces of it falling out in the next few months. We were casting about for the discrepancy between what we read of it and our experience with it. I wonder if perhaps the product being made in China has anything to do with it. I was on another forum and another Go owner (owner of two of them no less) told me that she loves her, but does not think that hers is made in China (at least she doesn't think so). I like to think that perhaps Omlet has less quality control now that it is in China. I'm guessing. Might be way off the mark. I hope my luck with it improves. Putting off getting our chicks till we are assured of housing.

Tweety · November 2, 2011

There is a Classic for sale in Florida - see the Eglus for Sale bit of the forum. I don't know where you are in the US, but thought it worth mentioning.

You could have a problem getting spares for the Classic if Omlet don't sell it in the US anymore though.

I believe that the Go is made in China and, of course, it was introduced as a cheaper alternative to the Classic - but it is still an expensive item and should be perfect.

The most important consideration is that it should be a safe home for your chickens once you have got it set up, and I think you and your OH will be satisfied with it on that point

Good luck with it!

chestnutmare · November 2, 2011

I have a and haven't had any problems with it. I have suggestions for improvement but that's it. I haven't got a Classic so I can't make any comparisons. It's such a shame you're having issues with it because as Tweety says, although it's the cheapest Omlet housing it's still expensive. Stick with it and I hope you get the problems sorted.

Sam · November 2, 2011

I guess the Go would be less of a high quality finish because it can be flat packed, hence why it is shipped around the world. The Classic can't so it needs a box the size of the eglu itself if that makes sense! Hope you like it in the end

Ain't Nobody Here · November 2, 2011

What a shame . Omlet's customer service is usually superb so I would take up your concerns up with them . (I'm assuming they have the same level of customer service in the US .)

Leeloo · November 3, 2011

No major problems like yours, but I did have some problems getting some of the metal brackets fastened tight to the plastic body. It might have been my lack of strength and technical prowess rather than manufacturing defects, though. In spite of a few minor assembly glitches, the Go works fine and the hens seem quite comfortable in there! I hope it works out for you! I know they were sold out a few months ago so I hope they didn't cut corners to try to speed up production to meet demand!

jackiek · November 4, 2011

I am so, so disappointed. My replacement panel (the green panel) arrived today and one of the corners is already cracked. It was simply such a let down that I emailed Clare saying that I no longer have faith in their product, or at least the product's ability to survive shipping. I told her I would like the entire thing returned at their expense and that I would like a full refund, shipping included, because I have yet to receive a product that doesn't already have problems. Really, I don't understand the disparity between the great reviews here and what I have received. Did this precipitous drop in standard just happened and I am one of the first unlucky customers to get this shoddy product? I don't know. I could go to the Cube, and get a bigger flock, but I'm frankly worried that it would arrive with the same issues. Perhaps that it is still made in UK means it is a better product? I have no idea. I'm waiting to see what the customer service says.

Ain't Nobody Here · November 4, 2011

That is a real shame . I've had my Eglu classic for 4 years (and it was a "second" to begin with) and it is in almost as good condition now as then.

I really hope they can sort something out for you - you will be delighted with the product if you can eventually get one that isn't sub-standard.

jasperaliceuk · November 4, 2011

I've had a similar problem with my Go - one of the large brackets holding the run to the house just fell out, and to be fair, Omlet were brilliant in sending out a chappie to fix it. It then happened again on the other side and this time Mr Omlet man added an extra washer which held. I had to dismantle the run from the house last week and found a couple of snapped metal thingies which are obviously installed in manufacture as they are not on the parts list. Omlet have replaced those although I haven't had a go at refitting them yet (all my birds are in their new Cube so it hasn't been too pressing never mind the fact is chucking rain here!).

Perhaps it was a particular batch which is a bit iffy?

Sue

jackiek · November 8, 2011

I think this Go is not meant to be. Since I last posted here, Clare at Omlet agreed to have all the parts shipped back at the company's expense. UPS man showed up with one label. The distribution center here in the US relayed the message for only one. But two is needed (for run and Go), so back he went empty handed. On that same day, another box arrived. It is supposed to contain the side gray housing with the broken clip. Lo and Behold, it contained the panel with the door for the chickens to exit. Are you laughing yet? I am! I might not have known it if not Clare asked me to just open up the boxes and pack into the one original Go box (the one that is separate from the run) just the parts that are still good.

This is what I think. Omlet outsources the distribution to another company and that company is incompetent and careless with the product and careless with the brand. Really, is this how a customer should experience something that commands such a premium pricing? This is my thesis for why other people have such great or better experience with the entire purchasing experience plus product. They are not experiencing the US services.

In any case, I'm waiting to hear from Clare, who is probably tired of hearing from me telling her yet something else is wrong. I was considering going to the Cube, but it seems such a risky move after all this. I just want a chicken coop. A very nice chicken coop. This should be easily than that.

fluffy chick · November 8, 2011

Oh bless you how frustrating!

For the record I have had a a and a and they have all been fine. I sold the go as I upgraded to a second hand cube. Out of the 3 the go was probably my least favourite but still way better than a wooden coop. From my experience I would recommend a cube (not as flimsy as a go) but I know some people have had leaky cubes too

Chicken shack · November 8, 2011

I have a and . The difference in quality is obvious The is much flimsier and although it is cheeper I feel the quality should be exacly the same and it is not. Smaller should not mean inferior. I did try and write a review but it would not accept my review. I dont know why Perhaps it was because I was not giving good feed back or am I being synical If you can afford it get a however I would suggest you get an exrta run unless you are having a walk in run. My reason for getting the was to have a spare home for ex batts, introductions or illness. A bit extravagant I know but Omlet were offering a discount a while back. Good luck with your venture and dont give up. Keep us informed.