Now that ScoopMaid litter trays have been available for a few weeks, consumers have been weighing in on the tray’s actual performance with the ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box. Our verdict: ScoopMaid is not up to par.
Complaints include premature odor, urine soaking through the tray, cats rejecting the new litter, shorter lifespan compared to ScoopFree litter trays, and dimensional incompatibility with ScoopFree machines.
To verify what others have been saying, we conducted a simple side-by-side test. We poured equal amounts of water into a ScoopFree litter tray and a ScoopMaid litter tray, waited 15 minutes, and observed the results.
ScoopMaid trays had saturated edges (water had soaked through all the way through to the bottom of the tray), and the coating on the inside of the tray had begun to wrinkle and peel off. In contrast, Scoop Free trays were dry with no changes to the tray surface.
See for yourself! A video of the test is now on You Tube, or click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWg8MLKt2Ew.
Now imagine, if this much damage was done by water after 15 minutes, how can ScoopMaid trays withstand the daily litterbox habits of the average cat?
Our recommendation is simple...
Use ScoopFree Litter Trays with your ScoopFree Litter Box.
Thanks to those of you who posted about your own experiences. Please keep sharing your valuable comments. And call or email us if we can help you with a specific issue: 888-726-MEOW(6369) or help@scoopfree.com.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
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I wish I'd seen this before I picked up a ScoopMaid tray last night. With the scoopfree.com website down, I was worried you'd gone out of business.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Petsmart charges the same price for the ScoopMaid trays as they did for ScoopFree ($15.99 each).
Hi Alan - Can you please elaborate on whether ScoopFree has a new design for the litter trays? My wife picked up two from Pet Supplies Plus (here in Tampa Bay, FL) yesterday and they were not the same white trays with purple lids. It looks like you've gone to a newer design maybe? These were brown, detachable 'waste' cover that attached and hinged, white crystals (instead of the FS blue), and a plastic bag for disposal - instead of the lid (which will come in handy as we always put the used ones in a Hefty anyway).
ReplyDeleteIt does say ScoopFree on it along w/ your LLC name Lucky Litter - so I'm assuming they are legit. If so - are these the type that will come when ordered from your site (or via subscription)?
Thanks!
OMG, Littermaids knock off is a complete fail... TWO days with TWO cats and it's already causing problems. It leaks... it stinks, the litter is pure crap... my cats track it everywhere unlike fresh step litter. Fresh step litter is larger in size and the cats dont track it everywhere. I also noticed that the litter doesnt soak up the urine as fast and reliable as fresh step. Believe me... im about to write a fairly brutal hate mail to these rejects about their copy.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your question about the brown tray with white litter your wife purchased at Pet Supplies Plus. The answer is yes, these trays are made by us.
We recently introduced a new litter tray called the ScoopFree "Free" Litter Tray ("Free" because the litter is free of perfumes and dyes). The premium white litter is great at absorbing odor and the trays are completely coated to prevent leakage. These trays also have a higher % of post-consumer content.
Since we just launched “Free” trays, distribution is still somewhat limited. Both “Free” trays and our original Fresh Step trays are available by subscription on our web site: www.scoopfree.com.
Regarding the ScoopFree "Free" trays - thanks for getting back to me on that. I was a bit concerned when I saw the different litter, but I have to say - we have them in both of our SF boxes and they are working GREAT!! Nice job!
ReplyDeleteThe ScoopMaid trays have worked fine for me and they're cheaper. It's nice to have a competitor on the market. Maybe you would consider lowering your price/tray?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input. I am glad that you are not experiencing problems with your trays. In terms of retail price for ScoopFree Trays, we don't control what retailers charge. We do offer a great price on home delivery through our web site www.scoopfree.com, and we've extended our promotional for new subscribers of the service($10 off first 3-pack delivery & $20 off first 6-pack). Many of our subscription customers love that they no longer have to drag trays home from the store too.
A lot of people have called us (and now posted) to ask how to get the best deal on litter trays. In response, here's more the home delivery service offered on ScoopFree.com:
ReplyDeleteWhen you purchase a 6-pack of ScoopFree Fresh Step litter trays, the cost comes out to $14.99 per tray. Plus, when you sign up for our subscription service, you get free shipping on all deliveries and an additional discount on the initial delivery bringing the cost to only $11.66 per tray.
An even more economical option is our new ScoopFree 'Free' Tray (free of perfumes and dyes). When you purchase a 6-pack of 'Free' litter trays, the cost comes out to $13.33 per tray. Plus, when you sign up for our subscription service, you get the same free shipping on all deliveries and additional discount on the initial delivery bringing the cost to only $9.99 per tray.
$9.99 per tray is the best deal I've seen.
For consumers concerned about cost or convenience (or both!) home delivery subscription service is a great way to go. There's no long term commitment. You can change or cancel the service at any time. Call us for more information 888-726-MEOW (6369).
Hello,
ReplyDeleteWell whoever posted that ScoopMaid worked fine for them...well they got very lucky! I recently purchased the "ScoopMaid" cartridge assuming it was "ScoopFree" with a new design, I didn't think much of it until I got it home and opened it, the first red flag to me was the crystals were much lighter in color, so I then compared my old "ScoopFree" cartridge and the new"ScoopMaid" cartridge and realized they were indeed a "knock off" I went ahead and used it considering at the time, I had no other choice. I have two cats and have always been able to use one "ScoopFree" cartridge for between 14-18 days, usually ranging between 60-75 uses. This time was no different, I used the SccopMaid cartridge for 17 days , 65 uses. The top layer shredded and resulted in my automatic Box jamming up. Luckily it didn't break it or ruin my carpet, urine also soaked through it. I am very disgusted with the Litter Maid company. What business do they have attempting to make a impostor version of something they can't even make correctly and scoopfree perfected so well? do they really think people who own a "scoopFree" automatic litter box (or anyone for that matter) will purchase or continue to use such a horrible product? Then they have the nerve to charge the same amount for there low quality product. You cannot Pay me to ever again purchase "ScoopMaid" or anything from Litter Maid Company...I would go back to a old fashioned "scoop it myself" box before I would ever purchase there products again. When I first looked into a automatic litter box I originally purchased a litter maid one, it used old fashioned clumping litter. I had it for 1 day and returned it because of the plastic box it scooped all the waste into was so flimsy it didn't line up properly and half the waste ended up on the ground underneath the box, I then purchased my "ScoopFree" automatic litter box with the crystal litter and I love it, I have had mine for over a year now and couldn't be happier with it.
Needless to say I will no longer be driving 15 minutes further to Petsmart (where I once purchased my refills for $15.99 each) I will now be getting all my other pet items from Petco (which is around the corner) and ordering my Cartridge's from "ScoopFree" directly. Thank You ScoopFree for making such a wonderful product, I wouldn't have cats without it! You have a loyal customer in me, and I will be sure to spread the word to anyone with cats.
I also took several photos of the ScoopMaid box, I forwarded them to scoopmaid and scoopfree so they are aware of what poor quality "ScoopMaid" refill cartridge are.
While I agree that the Scoopfree tray is clearly the better product for the test I don't think the test equates to real world performance. There are a few flaws with the test in that I have never seen my cat urinate that much in one sitting, the desiccant is to be in place to absorb a majority of the moisture out of the urine before it soaks preventing damage, also urine is more caustic than water which would cause the failure mode to be accelerated. I also never use just the tray without the lid underneath easier because the Scoopfree will leak some too.
ReplyDeleteI would call the results of the video test inconclusive, however judging by the change in color of the Scoopmaid the inside laminated surface is not plastic like the Scoopfree.
If faced with a choice I will choose the Scoopfree for the same price as the Scoopmaid, however this is based on availability. I'm tempted to give the Scoopmaid a try to save money since Petco charges 5 dollars more.
You guys seriously need to lobby the heck Petsmart especially if they are going to sell the litter box and not the trays. Sounds like Petsmart either needs to keep up with demand or scoop free.
Overall I am satisfied with my Scoopfree box and mine has been operating for a year and a half without fail, I even have it on a battery backup with power filtering so my cat will always have a clean place to go doodie, hehe. Its a life saver being a busy military guy, very convenient and this purchase improved the quality of life of both my cat and I, thanks. Now lets just get this supply and demand thing worked out, I would hate for you(the manufacturers of Scoopfree) to loose business and go through hard times.
Hi,
ReplyDeletewow. First, let me say how glad I am to find that the original scoop-free trays are still available, now let me share my experience.
I've used a ScoopFree Original box and ScoopFree trays for about 2 years, with NO problems -- I love the system, and had just been discussing adding more to our house.
About 2 weeks ago, we went to PetSmart and bought the only replacement box that was available to us -- one made by Litter Maid. I was immediately concerned because, during my initial research two years earlier, I'd read a lot of negative reviews about their boxes.
Today, I looked at my own cat's box because I knew it was about time for a refill. I was shocked at what I saw. At first, I thought a piece of paper had somehow made its way into the box and jammed it, but upon further inspection, I realized that the box itself had been soaked through and shredded, and that the waste had made its way behind the rake, so it was no longer being deposited as it should be.
Were I to take photos, they'd look exactly like the others that have been submitted.
I used your store locator to find a local retailer, and I'm thrilled to say that a local "Jack's" carries your products.
I'm off now, not only to buy a new replacement box, but an entire new system, as my original one has been ruined by feces getting embedded into the rake.
I haven't yet checked if there has been damage done to my floor, but at the moment, I'm just relieved to find that you're still in business.
PetSmart just lost me as a customer.
Best,
Desiree
I thought this was the same stuff because it said "New Look" & got three of those ScoopMaid boxes--Petsmart had been "out" of the ScoopFree (No one said anything about them not carrying them anymore. However, when they didn't have them, that I got online and ordered some with refills. (I need to fix it so that there is not so much of a gap between orders.)
ReplyDeleteHas Petsmart actually dropped the ScoopFree?) Gotta talk to those folks.
From the beginning I didn't think the "new look" was neat, and wondered why there weren't as many blue crystals as before. It wasn't working as well, either. "Oh, no! They've gone and lessened their quality I'm sure to get things made cheaper.
Trouble is, now it doesn't work as well and the reason I bought it in the first place was because it worked. I'm going to have to write in or call or something."
When the ScoopFree refills came in the mail I was THRILLED to see the old box. THEN the dots connected and I realized the other was indeed a different product. Makes me mad--that "New Look" stuff. They knew people in a panic would think everything was okay and buy the stuff.
Jenny Lee Wax
I too have refused to buy anything more from Petsmart after this run-around! I am a veterinarian in NYC who lives in a tiny studio apartment with 2 cats, and visitors are constantly amazed at how odor-free my apartment is thanks to the ScoopFree. I called Petsmart a few months ago when I couldn't find the refill cartridges on the site, and was told they were no longer selling them. I signed up for the Scoopfree website cartridge delivery service (which is cheaper than Petsmart anyway), but was very surprised to get an email from Petsmart today offering a $2 coupon off these new ripoff trays. What a joke! Keep doing the great job you do, Scoopfree. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see it's not just me who feels that Scoop Maid is a terribly inferior product. The litter is tracked all over my apartment and hurts like hell, it does NOT absorb well and the grate simply does not push the litter into it's panel. Speak of which, I find the panel does not lift properly.
ReplyDeleteThe Littermaid Copies are terrible. Because of the tray deformation due to liquid, the lid goe wonky and the carp piles out, getting behind the rake.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, my Fiancee an I used to be able to use a single ScoopFree tray for two cats for 5 WEEKS with little to no signs of odor. With the /litterMaid rip-off, we can't go one pissing without that faint ammonia smell. And now that we have a 3rd cat, it's getting expensive.
Needless to say, we are going back to ScoopFree and are actually SAVING money on the per unit cost over the trays that don't work and stink like hell.