Has anyone tried the Emery Cat scratching board?

d gray

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
1
Purraise
1
This is the worst site and customer service I have dealt with in a long, long time. Where to start? First, I went onto the site and it asks you how many you want to order. As there is a "buy one - get the second for S&H only" I was not sure whether to enter 1 or 2. (Hint - it's not 2!) Next, up pops an "upgrade" page where for only $10 per board you can get a "sturdier base" which I said "No thanks" to. I don't even know what the upgrade is - it looks identical to what is initially advertised. So, I started to smell a rat, but unwisely kept going. I did enter my billing information, and then decided to check out some reviews before finalizing and I hit the Back button to leave the order section. Read a bunch of bad reviews and also that you can pick it up with no S&H at Walmart these days, so left the website altogether. A Order Confirmation email was a BIG surprise for $71.90!! NOTE: I did not finalize the order! This out to be illegal! Be careful - there is no "Review Order to Submit" "Submit Order" or any other similar command. No contact information - no phone number on the confirmation either. I went to www.CustomerStatus.com (the only contact information on the confirmation) and put in the requested information. No order found. Tried several times yesterday with the same results. I tried to stop the charge with my bank. Can't dispute it until it posts. Today, my order was found on the customerstatus site and there was an 866 number. Although they say to allow 2-6 weeks for delivery, my products are already in the mail and it is too late to cancel the order. Amazing, huh? I was charged $31.80 in shipping - and they credited half of that because I did not want 4 freakin' Emery Cat Boards - and I have to pay for the shipping to return the extra. These products are probably worth about $5.00 each, and here I will wind up paying over $60 in order and return shipping costs. I have ordered items from TV ads before with satisfactory results - but this outfit gives them all a bad name. Terrible Terrible Terrible experience. I've filed a BBB complaint as well today.
 

Anne

Site Owner
Staff Member
Admin
Joined
Oct 23, 2000
Messages
40,207
Purraise
6,095
Location
On TCS
Seems like this thread is popular in the search engines and sending in new visitors to TCS. So, first - welcome to our new members posting here for the first time and to new visitors too (do join in by registering).

This thread had been temporarily removed due to its content and is now back online. We generally discourage bashing companies on this site, so I'd like to ask you all to keep your feedback on Emery products descriptive and share your experience with the company and products without any name-calling or use of derogatory terms. If you're new here, please do take a minute to read our rules before posting - thank you!
 

ed85379

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Dec 30, 2009
Messages
2
Purraise
1
I don't know what everyone else did wrong, but I ordered this on the website, and my charge was the correct $35.85. There are a couple "suggested" upgrades you have to click though, but anyone with an ounce of common sense will read them and say "no-thanks".

I ordered it on Christmas Day, and just got it today, 5 days later.

So far, my cat loves it.
 

Anne

Site Owner
Staff Member
Admin
Joined
Oct 23, 2000
Messages
40,207
Purraise
6,095
Location
On TCS
Originally Posted by ed85379

I don't know what everyone else did wrong, but I ordered this on the website, and my charge was the correct $35.85. There are a couple "suggested" upgrades you have to click though, but anyone with an ounce of common sense will read them and say "no-thanks".

I ordered it on Christmas Day, and just got it today, 5 days later.

So far, my cat loves it.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It might explain some of the problem, as not everyone knows how to skip the suggested upgrades, and the "no thanks" links tend to be small and, umm, unobtrusive


And welcome to TCS! Hope you stick around and keep posting.
 

ed85379

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Dec 30, 2009
Messages
2
Purraise
1
Well, it has been 24 hours since I got the pair of emerycat things, and so far my cat loves them. He loves the fuzzy toys too, but they don't stay on the frame for long. He pulls them off and plays with them all over the house.

One of them I left inside the box that the pair came in, and he seems to like that one better because he just stands on top of it and scratches away (plus he loves being in boxes), while the one just on the floor he tends to only put his front feet on, and it moves around with him a bit. So if you do get one, I recommend either putting it in a box or tucked into a corner where it can't slide around. Plus we all know how cats like secluded little corners.
 

ryffian

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
120
Purraise
1
Location
Opelousas, LA
My parents had asked if I'd seen the commercial for the emery cat, and I hadn't until this evening. Well, being the kitty-mom that I am, I decided what the heck.

I went to the website, which yes, is a little sketchy. You click "order now" to order, and then you go through several more pages, one for ordering an extra 2-for-1 set for only 14.95, one for ordering the "upgrade" for a sturdier base and what not, and one for 3 refill boards. You need to be careful NOT to click on the "continue" button, since that will confirm that you're interested in the extra offers. Below the big red "continue" button there's a small grey "no thanks" button, that's the one you need to click to avoid the extras.

Then you fill in your credit card and billing info, hit a button, and ta-da, it's all done. I'm hoping to be able to contact the customer service folks after the holiday, since I need it to be shipped to an address other than my billing address. If entering a different shipping address was an option, I missed it. I was surprised that there wasn't any order confirmation page, or "review before your order is placed" page.

I did get a confirmation e-mail stating the purchase price of 1 2-for-1 order of the board(s), and the double shipping charge ($7.95 x 2 -- this is not a surprise, since the website does say that you will pay separate shipping for the second board). Since I'm a sucker I opted for the $10 upgrade ... I'm eager to compare it to the non-upgraded model, since I couldn't really see a difference according to the pictures and descriptions on the website.

I'll keep you updated with my experiences!
 

animal lover 2

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
3
Purraise
1
Location
Marin County, CA
Originally Posted by D Gray

....A Order Confirmation email was a BIG surprise for $71.90!! NOTE: I did not finalize the order! This out to be illegal! Be careful - there is no "Review Order to Submit" "Submit Order" or any other similar command. No contact information - no phone number on the confirmation either. I went to www.CustomerStatus.com (the only contact information on the confirmation) and put in the requested information. No order found. Tried several times yesterday with the same results. I tried to stop the charge with my bank. Can't dispute it until it posts. ...Terrible Terrible Terrible experience. I've filed a BBB complaint as well today.
Just saw a TV ad for the product, thank goodness I saw all of these warnings! This company seems to be causing a string of increasingly worsening problems that I call fraud and scams (in postage and handling costs). Although I've just seen transactions that went okay, it seems like these folk should be corrected. Aside from the BBB, there's a more immediate scam site of links of places to report to, including the Fed: http://www.scambusters.org/scamlinks.html I hope it helps.
 

ryffian

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
120
Purraise
1
Location
Opelousas, LA

Well, I went to the customerstatus.com website in the confirmation e-mail they sent and was able to pull up my order information. The charges were the same as in the e-mail. It took a few hours for my order to be in the system, but not the 24-48 they said in the e-mail.

I needed to change the shipping address, so while I was viewing my order information I clicked the "update address" link and entered my new shipping info. (Granted there was no way to indicate that it was the shipping info I wanted to update so I wasn't sure what would happen.)

Checked back with the website a few hours later, and they updated my shipping address and left the billing address the same (which is what I wanted).

So far so good, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
 

texasmom

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
5
Purraise
1
Location
Galveston, Texas
My Emery Cat Board problem was partially solved (I had hit the continue button - never did see the "no thanks" button, and I am not a web newbie) when I received the email confirmation of my order. I called the phone number given. My order was reduced to what I wanted - no extras. For those of you who need help from their customer service, here is their number: 1-866-438-8842. As for the product itself, it sits and waits. My 4 cats ignore it. They prefer the sisal mats. Sometimes they play with the belled fur on a pole that fits on the scratcher. They sit on the Emery Board to play with it, but they do not use it for their claws. Too bad there is no way to see if a cat will like this before buying. If you are not sure, I'd not order any "upgrades," such as the sturdier base, until you know your felines will approve of the surface.
 

mwils

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
1
Purraise
0
Originally Posted by KKH

Keep seeing this on TV and wondering if it really works but by the way surface looked like, also reading all the posts here, I can't see anything different to those cardboard based scratching mat/pad always sold at stores.


Since Ku Ku prefers coarse & thick surface(i.e. my couch!) to scratch, I bet cardboard would never appeal to her at all even with the help of catnip.
Cats actually quite enjoy cardboard. In nature, they would use trees to sharpen their nails and cardboard offers a similar texture to them. My Sabrina can't get enough of the stuff. She has one box in particular that she's shredding from the inside out. I wouldn't waste money on buying one at Walmart though when you can just recycle an old box.
 

zohdee

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Sep 7, 2009
Messages
1,161
Purraise
21
Location
Kitty Land
Forgive me if I am a bit daft, but is the purpose of this product to file the claw or sharpen it? Or is it a device to just promote the clawing at an object other than furniture?
 

sarahp

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
15,841
Purraise
28
Location
Australia
I think the point is to file down the nail so you don't have to trim them. I don't know how effective it would be
 

aaronredbaron

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
1
Purraise
0
doing some digging after seeing the commercial, it seemed quite odd there was so much negative press, and a few positively glowing reviews. Take note, at the bottom of the Emery Cat website is a link for how to "blog about us and make money"
So, If you have seen a positve review, its probably from someone who has been paid to write it. Based on all the overcharge warnings, lack of interest noted from pet owners and vet warnings about nails being ripped out, you would be OFF YOUR ROCKER to give this company any of your hard earned money!!!!
Peace, I'm out!
 

love4tabitha

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
Messages
1
Purraise
0
First off, their marketing system DOES suck! They rely on the impatience and/or ADD of most people. If you are not carefull, and do not pay alot of attention to how you are filling out your online form, you WILL get charged an arm and a leg for everything. I read everything through very thoroughly, took my time, and still got charged for TWO boards. And for those of you that are wondering if it actually works???....at least for my cat it doesn't. She won't go near the thing, even when I put (their) cat nip on it that they supplied. Save your money, don't get it.

Is there actually someone on here that has tried this, and it really worked for them??
 

dogthecat

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
Messages
3
Purraise
0
Location
Austin, Texas
Hello, all,

I too, was about to order this for one of my six cats until I came across this forum. I wouldn't have worried about being charged incorrectly because I found it on Harriet Carter gifts. I've ordered from them often, since I live out in the boonies, without any problems.

As I mentioned, I've somehow managed to accumulate six cats. Five of them go outside most of the time, in and out the cat door, but my latest stray doesn't go outside much because the others chase her up a tree. So all of a sudden I have a litter box inside and a cat that is sharpening her claws on my furniture. I might add, every piece of furniture that she passes by, every time she passes by it, including mattresses. Sheesh.

I read through all of these posts to find any information on anything that might help. I think I'll try the Wal Mart $9.00 special that someone mentioned.

So thanks, all, for the feedback. Sure is great to read reviews nowadays before wasting money on items that probably won't work.

One thing that has worked for me, also in Harriet Carter if I recall correctly, I ordered one of those window shelves where the cat can sit and look outside. I didn't think they'd use it but they really do like it, especially if it's on a window that gets the sunshine. When it's cold, my critters tend to come inside and the more places I can find for them to curl up, the better!
 

sarahp

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
15,841
Purraise
28
Location
Australia
Originally Posted by Dogthecat

Hello, all,

I too, was about to order this for one of my six cats until I came across this forum. I wouldn't have worried about being charged incorrectly because I found it on Harriet Carter gifts. I've ordered from them often, since I live out in the boonies, without any problems.

As I mentioned, I've somehow managed to accumulate six cats. Five of them go outside most of the time, in and out the cat door, but my latest stray doesn't go outside much because the others chase her up a tree. So all of a sudden I have a litter box inside and a cat that is sharpening her claws on my furniture. I might add, every piece of furniture that she passes by, every time she passes by it, including mattresses. Sheesh.

I read through all of these posts to find any information on anything that might help. I think I'll try the Wal Mart $9.00 special that someone mentioned.

So thanks, all, for the feedback. Sure is great to read reviews nowadays before wasting money on items that probably won't work.

One thing that has worked for me, also in Harriet Carter if I recall correctly, I ordered one of those window shelves where the cat can sit and look outside. I didn't think they'd use it but they really do like it, especially if it's on a window that gets the sunshine. When it's cold, my critters tend to come inside and the more places I can find for them to curl up, the better!
Welcome to The Cat Site! There's a few of us who have managed to accumulate more cats than we planned to
You can put double sided sticky tape everywhere your kitty scratches - it's a pretty good deterrent! Have you got some big cat trees for her to climb too?

If you look around the forums, you'll find some great solutions to curb furniture scratching
 

catmandu

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
Messages
2
Purraise
0
Location
Tennessee
Hi all...

First - is the one at WalMart the same "Emery Cat" board that's on TV? I've seen a scratcher there that looked similar, but was just a regular scratcher. Of course, I live in the boonies too and we have smaller WalMarts around here. I saw this commercial the other night for the first time and thought it might be a good thing to try but now, I know to be wary - thanks everyone for your comments!

Second - I have to trim all my cat's nails because they get pretty regular baths and although most of them are pretty calm, I've never been fond of the occasional one that thinks my arm is something like a phone pole that should be climbed! To the person that was afraid of trimming nails - I was also terrified, until I was shown a simple trick. First - if you can - having two people really helps! Next, get a pair of non-slip handle nail clipppers - either regular sized or toe nail sized depending on the size of your cat. Now, here's the secret - do this in an area where you have good light BEHIND the cat's paw - for example, a bright lamp or a window with bright sunshine. The brighter the light, the better! Then, hold the cat's paw and press the pad to extend the nails. With the light behind the cat's claw, you can really clearly see where the quick runs in the claw even if the claws are dirty or striped. I have Himalayans and they have big tufts of fur between their toes but this method even works for them. I've also discovered that there is really something to be said for aromatherapy - don't laugh! When I get out the lavender essential oil candle or oil burner - everybody goes and takes a nap!

Thanks again for all your info about Emery Cat!
 

vivmyers

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
Messages
1
Purraise
0
Have not tried the emery cat board, but can say be wary of what you are paying. Don't like their sales tactics. First you are offered the package for 19.95 with free deshedder. After you purchase they say they will throw in a 2nd cat board for 7.95 shipping, then you are offered the base for $20 for 2. WHAT YOU DON'T GET THE BASE in the picture for 19.95, nope that is an extra $10. So complete with the 3-pack refills and a $31.80 shipping, my total for 2 emery cat boards was $101.65. A sales chat window then opens up and wants your address again to verify. I'D LIKE TO VERIFY THEM. I do my quick math, and tell the chat lady my order total is not correct and want to cancel the order. She says she is correcting it but I wait way too long. So I find the CS number on the website which I have to search for, 1-866-438-8842 and they tell me I will have to call back tonight to cancel because the order is not in their system yet. No telling what will happen when I call back.
 
Top