I am actively looking for a new rack supplier, and while I think that ARS racks are the best, they are cost prohibitive for me at this point (the total amount all at once, anyway- $2350 for a 30 place rack is a great deal but $2350 all at once stings for a part-timer like me and I hate to save and wait for anything) so I decided to give RBI Plastics a try.
I ordered two STC-410 racks for juvenile balls and some other odds and ends on Sunday night. I like the STC-410 box size- more floor space than shoboxes, but a space saver nonetheless. They arrived yesterday morning via FedEx and the boxes were banged up (thank you FedEx package throwers). I opened the boxes up expecting to find some damage but the racks were packed very well and they were untouched.
The quality and workmanship was very good. Everything is square and the box gaps are consistent. The locking pegs do the trick; the boxes can't be skewed to creat an escape path. The rack is holding temperature well after a few hours. The only thing I had to do was to elevate them off of the ground because of where my racks are located (the floors are pretty cool).
Couple the quality with the fact that it came with heat and tubs, and fully assembled and I think I have found my new rack supplier. All up, all in I think they are one of the most cost effective racks too. With everything included (tubs, heat, shipping) my cost was $21 per slot for a nice mid sized box good for yearlings of many species and adults of smaller species.
I will likely be buying some of RBI's CB-70 racks soon and I'll need a few hatchling racks before Spring, too.
This is just my unsolicited report of my latest rack experience.
-Jason Northam
