So, I’ve been testing out the Boots & Barkley knock-off of the Moderncat Studio Scratch Tower and, as expected, their cheap cardboard is just that — cheap. Check out this comparison of the original Scratch Tower — one that has been in regular use for approximately 1 year — versus the B&B knock-off after just 2 weeks of regular use. I had the two side by side in the living room, and the cats used both equally. I won’t pretend that they like the original tower better, they don’t care, but I do, because with equal scratching, the Scratch Tower produces a fraction of the cardboard shreds compared to what the B&B scratcher leaves all over the floor.
I figured I’d see if the Scratch Tower refills fit the B&B scratcher and guess what? They do! So, feel free to purchase the original Scratch Tower refills from the Moderncat Studio Etsy shop to use with your Boots & Barkley knock-off. I’m cool with that.
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:35 am
I love your attitude! It’s so positive that I bet you’ll get more customers, including myself!
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:38 am
Kate,
How about designing a horizontal one for the floor. My 3 love a curvy one that sits on the floor and isn’t too long. I bought it at Petsmart and they love to scratch on it and also lounge on it, but I have to replace it every 2 months! It is 2-sided and each side lasts only about 1 month and I have to vacume up the pieces ever day! I do have another horizontal one that I found through Moderncat which is great and very durable, but it is much bigger (longer)and is in another room as my place is on the small side, so I would love to find a smaller, more durable one.
Thanks for all your great finds.
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:59 am
If you will change the title to “Boots and Barkley Cardboard Scratcher uses Cheap Cardboard”, or “Review of Boots and Barkely Scratcher”, it will better be found in a search by people considering buying it. You should always use titles, and phrases within a story, that will match what people would use to research something. That way, it comes up for them when they search.
Most people, before buying, will search the term “Review xxxxx”, looking for reviews. So if you put that as your heading….more people will find it. It’s all about KEYWORDS. But also, a review titled “Boots and Barkley Cardboard Scratcher uses Cheap Cardboard” will catch eyes. If you feel the need to soften it, you could say “Boots and Barkley Cardboard Scratcher Comparison”. Yes, you are using THEIR name instead of yours….but that’s the point.
Just my two cents.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:25 am
I have your scratcher and is really cool!
xoxo,
Luna
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:18 am
Very good to know! Thanks for posting this :3
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:20 am
I like them…!
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:09 pm
I would much prefer to use the Scratch Tower refills that you make because it looks like the Target product is going to make a BIG mess on the floor. After two weeks the B&B scratcher looks like a chewed up corn cob!
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:07 pm
That’s really excellent news! No offense, but I prefer both the look and the height of the B&B knockoff — but not the craftsmanship. If using your refills means I could have a better scratching post AND support you as the original designer, I’m sold.
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:12 pm
“I’m cool with that.” Nah…you’re just plain cool.
August 23rd, 2011 at 4:06 pm
While I like the taller “neck” of the knockoff, I prefer your base and top filial. The curves of the base are graceful, not stark like the knockoff, and your shapes of cardboard are “way more better.”
August 23rd, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Quality is its own recommendation.
August 24th, 2011 at 11:32 am
The fact that you told us that your refills fit the knockoff and said “go ahead and use them” is just really cool. You didn’t have to say anything at all. I have even more respect for you now. I love that your cardboard takes much more of a beating and doesn’t make as big of a mess. And I agree with Phyllis completely. Thanks for making a great productfor our babies!
August 24th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
This is absolutely the best litter I have ever tried! I foster rescue cats plus I have 6 of my own. So it is nice to one that all the cats agree on too! Thanks for a great product.
The rescue group I would choose is SAVE OUR STRAYS IN MAINE. They are such a hard working group and they deserve any help they can get!
August 24th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Wow, I thought the knock off would lose in a comparison but not that dramatically.
August 29th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
When I was in the States earlier this month (I live and work in Kuwait), I was surprised how much cardboard scratchers cost–the ones that are part of a shallow cardboard box. I thought that they were being marked-up in Kuwait, but the price is about the same$20-25.
With that said, it does make more sense to buy YOUR refills, which last longer, than the regular run-of-the-mill cardboard scratchers since they will last longer for the same price.