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View Full Version : Defender feeders again


ExtraMedium
14th June 2007, 10:14 PM
I purchased another defender and a guardian to go with it. I was uneasy about this purchase due to the trouble with the seized thread which I mentioned on the seed feeder last week. It still remains unresolved beyond my tinkering with it.

I am happy to say that this time the thread was absolutely fine as one might have reasonably expected. Perhaps it's just seed feeders or just silver ones, who can say? The Small Red Peanut feeder is all clear in this respect.

Sadly this example showed damage on the feeder body itself. I'm including two pics.

It can be clearly seen in both that the damage is also plated, so it must have been there from the original time of manufacture of the mesh onwards.

If this did not have a defender wrapped around it, this would simply not be squirrel resistant in my experience of how small a chink in the armour these creatures require to get started wreaking havoc. So if it had gone to another customer, one without a guardian, they would have been getting a less than ideal example of the product.

Again the fit of the lid is no deterrent to a squirrel at all, contrary to the suggestions made in the blurb. It also has a fit issue, as it can not sit straight. Cause of that is uncertain but I have a suspect.

CJ have made what in my view is the closest thing to a squirrel proof feeder that I have yet witnessed, and need to be supported and encouraged for that alone, as I feel if anyone is going to get the badge for that, it really should be them. It would be a travesty if these issues were to be further left unattended and unanswered by CJ.

Making a good job of penetrating the American market will absolutely succeed or fail on small issue like these being spotted and dealt with prior to shipping to the end user. I really like seeing Brit companies doing well elsewhere, so this feedback is indeed meant in the best possible spirit. I'll be happiest when it is clear that it is doing some good, otherwise I'd struggle to see any point giving valid feedback.

I'm now in touch with someone there, so maybe the enquiry for this one will go better, certainly the opportunity exists. I'll hopefully have time to get on it tomorrow.

Does anyone know if there is a bad time of year to be in touch with issues of this sort with CJ? Lot's of holidays, meetings, sales exhibitions and such like?

ExtraMedium
4th July 2007, 10:52 PM
It has been the better part of a month since I placed my first order, however with good work from staff at CJ I have now had my problems fully resolved as far as is practically possible at this time.

I've now got two CJ feeders in full working order and I am very happy to see this situation at last.

All I need now is for the rain to stop and the sun to come out and play and I should be able to get some good photos of birds, which is what I have been working towards the whole time!

Had a few wobbly moments along the way, but the staff at CJ resolved it all. Credit where it's due.:)

I've got a nightmare squirrel situation here and have to additionally wire the lids down as they can open them, but that aside it's all as it should be! A staff member mentioned to me that he could not remember the last time he heard of wiring lids being needed, so my situation must be a challenging one. The little devils actually eat the powder coating off the feeder lids too!

If it had not come right I would have had to stop feeding the birds too, as they were just not getting a look in until this was resolved.

A happy, but still slightly nervous camper then!:)