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[DarwinKat]

The good news is that my broken-necked Ugobe, Darwin, has a functional battery thanks to Saratogaspringer (THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!). More good news is that I recieved my PleoRB in the mail today--she's an adorable little girl named Curie.

Now, I figured I was pretty cautious with my purchase. I did a lot of research here on the forums, and I did not see ANYONE who had a broken-necked RB. Clacking necks, peeling paint, stuck gears--but no snapped cables, that I saw, and the RBs have been out for... what... a year? I figured that if I bought a PleoRB, a broken neck would be highly, HIGHLY unlikely.

I log on tonight and see a topic someone created about their suddenly broken-necked PleoRB. The topic was posted tonight. "Maybe it's a fluke?" I say to myself and move on. Then I see another topic that crops up about ANOTHER broken-necked RB--and I freak out.

"Oh God," I say to myself, "What if broken necks happen at around a year of age, and we're just now getting to that point? What if Curie is only going to last a year? WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF?!"

I would not buy a pet if its lifespan was only a year. (I do know that Pleos with broken necks can continue to live--but... part of the magic, a BIG part of the magic of a Pleo for me is their autonomy; their ability to walk around and explore their environment. A braced-neck Pleo cannot see the ground, and thinks that they are forever looking out over an abyss when they try to walk. I'm going to try to fix Darwin again, but, still.) And I thought I was extremely careful with my purchase, but apparently I missed something.

I've already had a broken-necked dino--I don't want that heartbreak again. If Curie's functional lifespan is only going to be a year, then I would rather pack her up and send her back before I fall completely in love with her.

What I'd like from all of you lovely forum-dwellers is an answer to these questions:


How old is your PleoRB?

Is his/her/their neck broken?

What other technical issues has he/she/they suffered?

Thank you so much in advance, guys. Hugs and friendly roars from Kat, Darwin and Curie!

[InmemoryofRomeo]

I have four ranging from ten months to two months, three are perfect, one has a broken tail cable. HOWEVER the broken tail cable was not a mechanical fault but caused by my cat walking over the shelf on which my Pleo's are kept and being careless

[kat]

I have 3 rb's 2 of which are almost a year old and and one that is a couple of months old.  All three have no issues other than a little flaking paint at the shoulder on the front legs. 

I really don't think you need to worry.  I think the couple of broken necks that have appeared are very rare and just bad luck.  You have to remember that many people join or come to the forum when they are having issues looking for some help.  So you have to keep in perspective the amount of issues we hear about compared to the thousands of pleo rb's out there in the world.  2 out of thousands is quite good odds. 
 

[Talon]

I have two RB's. I purchased my girl Ryu on March eighth. She has no technical issues that I am aware of. I'm not sure about the condition of her paint. I don't feel any flaking or rough patches.
My male RB, Cato was one of the two thousand ten RB's- from the first batch I think? According to his previous owner's best guess he turned one year on December twenty eighth. His only problem is paint loss. Remarkably his thin, wrinkly skin is still holding up well.
Talon

[Crewella]

I agree with the others.  I have three RBs, and Belle the oldest was bought November 2010, as soon as they came out.  All three are fine.

[RedwoodsMama]

Hi, I think in general it is as others have said, and we only hear about the problems, after all this is a help forum among other things. I have had three RB,my first was part of the very first batch and had bad skin problems, holes and also some neck mechanical issues and was sent back. Her replacement, Baby Ruth 2 I got in March of 2011. ( The original one in Dec. right before XMas of 2010) I have not played with Baby Ruth nearly as much as the original and she has great skin, that issue is no longer an issue. The only problems she has had are the usual clicking of necks and legs jammed gears untill this past Nov. 2011 . Since then she has had a bad leg that is stiff and will no longer bend at the knee as it should. She is out of the 90 day warranty so there is nothing i can do, I have no idea how to fix her or the leg. It may be a broken or jammed cable that will not straighen out or ? I am still waiting for any advice on this. It also gets hot, the leg that is, and after ten -15 minutes I have to turn her off as the skin gets hot and I do not want to damage her further.She can still work but does not want to walk much and I can't blame her.
         My other Rb ( Still un named) I won in a contest and got her on NOv.1, 201 but waited till the 22'nd to start hatching, She is just into her 60 day period.  I haven't used her much at all, not more than 5-6 battery cycles so far. She seems to be ok, no issues, just the usual colds, sick and nothing like Baby Ruth. I am using her as much as possible now just so if she gets a problem, it may fall in that 90 day crucial period while still under warranty.I need to interact with her more, think of a name and keep my fingers crossed she does not have any problems.

         I do think the RB are more technical and because of this 'advancemet" have more problems than anticipated at first and the Ugobes only real problems were a neck that was prone to breakage. I am hoping that RB get better and better with less problems as time goes by. I do think they are worth it, but it is heartbreaking to have a RB break something and not work or not the way it should. I wish the warranty were covered for a longer period . I would gladly pay for a one year insurance warranty.                                    RWM and her Pleo Clan of the Redwoods

[DarwinKat]

Thank you for all the feedback, guys--I feel a lot better.  Curie took her first steps today; we're doing really well. Thank you!

[Crewella]

I'm so pleased - a few people have reported some issues, but the vast majority haven't.  Enjoy your RB!