Swell Reptiles Reviews 

2,148
TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

2.3

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 165 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Customers frequently encountered significant problems with orders and delivery, including extensive delays, non-delivery, and a lack of tracking, even for expedited shipping. Many items arrived damaged due to inadequate packaging or were incorrect. Reviewers also found customer service largely unresponsive and unhelpful, with calls and emails often ignored, making it challenging to resolve issues or secure refunds. Conversely, a small portion of people felt that some customer service agents were helpful and knowledgeable, successfully resolving their concerns. Some reviewers also noted good product quality, and occasionally, orders were received quickly and well-packaged.

What people talk about most

Order

Reviewers express significant frustration and dissatisfaction with their orders, with many stating they will... See more

Product

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with product quality and delivery, with many reporting... See more

Delivery service

People report negative experiences with delivery service, often citing significant delays and unfulfilled... See more

Customer service

Customers had ambiguous experiences with customer service, with many expressing significant dissatisfaction.... See more

Response time

Users describe negative interactions with response times, with many reporting that emails go unanswered and... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Only giving it a two for the staff that handle the phone calls as I’m sure people get pretty aggy with them and I feel bad. I picked next day delivery as a matter of necessity, I was only going to be... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Bought a Viv arrived on the 22nd with a broken part, looked like damaged in transit. Trying to get hold of them is impossible. All their email addresses are either full or it comes up with a unknow... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Paid for a delivery of essential electronics for a vivarium for a rescue animal. I was told it would come next day 100% and that it would be here on time before I have to leave for my holiday. Any gue... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

The frozen rats and mice were left on the door step in sweltering heat and the 1000 crickets that was supposed to be med were so tiny I had to drown them to get rid of them


Company details

  1. Pet Store
  2. Reptile Store

Written by the company

Swell Reptiles is one of the UK's leading retailers of reptile supplies, live foods and vivariums. We stock a huge range of products for reptiles, invertebrates and other exotic pets and cater for everyone from the newcomer to reptiles to the avid expert.


Contact info

2.3

Poor

TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

2K reviews

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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 0% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

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2.3

All reviews

(2,148)

149 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

pleeeeease don't make a mistake and…

pleeeeease don't make a mistake and don't buy here, if you want to lose your money this is place to go, their broad offering is only way to lure people and never reply. if you don't believe me try to contact this shop by Any mean and you will see yourself that it's not operating at all. their socials have comments blocked and customer support answer machine say sorry for delay with orders.

August 6, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Still waiting a week after delivery on…

Still waiting a week after delivery on an order that has been put on hold due to a light not in stock, while they still have it on stock on the website making sales. Refused to send my order without the light, had to arrange somewhere else for my snake

August 4, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service will shop again

Excellent service, fast delivery, good prices and good quality products. Will definitely use the site again when need more products. Customer service was fast and effective reply too. Many thanks 😊

August 1, 2025
Unprompted review
Swell Reptiles logo

Reply from Swell Reptiles

Thank you for your fantastic review! We're so pleased to hear you had a great experience with Swell UK. Whether it's aquatics or reptile supplies, we're passionate about providing high-quality products and excellent service. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to helping you again soon!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Blaming customer for missing delivery

First delivery item arrived damaged. 2nd and 3rd attempts for replacement to exact same address not delivered. Now stating that they are not liable to issue refund when a customer misses delivery. The address is 24hrs manned with full cctv coverage and delivery company is YODEL who have never attempted to deliver either replacement. An email reg. Second attempt apologises for item lost in transit. 3rd attempt is apparently the customer's responsibility to liaise directly with yodel. A deceitful company with a delivery service known nationwide as corrupt. Unfortunately on this occasion I will be demanding proof of attempted delivery and providing concrete evidence of the lies being shoved down my throat. Despicable customer service and disgraceful delivery company. AVOID go elsewhere. Terrible company

August 8, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking experience and no support

This was my first time ordering from Swell Reptiles, and sadly it will be my last. I placed an order on Friday, but that night my tortoise became critically ill and had to be rushed to the vet. She now has a feeding tube in her neck and may not survive. It has been a deeply upsetting and stressful time.

I contacted Swell early on Saturday morning, just hours after placing the order, to ask for it to be cancelled. I explained the situation and used the online form, as their website said this was the fastest way to get help.

I also tried calling several times throughout the week but either got cut off or was stuck on hold for ages with no reply. I even tried emailing, but the message bounced back saying their mailbox was full.

Despite all of this, I received my order today. It is incredibly frustrating and upsetting. I tried everything to cancel the order in time. I did not want to receive items I may never be able to use, and now it feels like I have just been ignored.

I understand that businesses can be busy. However, this experience has left me feeling helpless and very let down at a difficult time. They urgently need a more reliable cancellation system that works even when they are under pressure. I tried to support a specialist retailer directly, but it seems Amazon Prime is the only dependable option.

I cannot recommend Swell Reptiles to anyone based on this.

August 8, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Livefood kit…

I ordered a livefood care kit which unfortunately arrived damaged because of the courier used crushed the box. I emailed Swell and they got back to me rapidly and issued a replacement and have been very accommodating. I use swell for all my exotic supplies and they are always swift and friendly and great quality products.

August 6, 2025
Unprompted review
Swell Reptiles logo

Reply from Swell Reptiles

Thank you for your fantastic review! We're so pleased to hear you had a great experience with Swell UK. Whether it's aquatics or reptile supplies, we're passionate about providing high-quality products and excellent service. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to helping you again soon!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ordered and paid for nxt day delivery

Ordered and paid for nxt day delivery, turned up 2 days later. Boxes smashed in and half my bag empty inside and half my order missing. Not impressed I have to say. No one calls you back or answers emails poor company won’t use them again

August 5, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disgraceful company

This company are slow to despatch, they are bad to communicate… don’t have a faulty item, I have requested a return of a faulty thermostat on 25th July, they still haven’t responded.. I have now raised via PayPal .. avoid this company they aren’t worth the little bit of savings they give you

July 25, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I ordered 2 UV bulbs from Swell which…

I ordered 2 UV bulbs from Swell which arrived in good time and well packaged. Unfortunately one of the bulbs only lasted a few minutes, not uncommon with bulbs and heat lamps. I contacted customer services and they have processed a replacement already.
Definitely recommend.

August 1, 2025
Unprompted review
Swell Reptiles logo

Reply from Swell Reptiles

Thank you for your fantastic review! We're so pleased to hear you had a great experience with Swell UK. Whether it's aquatics or reptile supplies, we're passionate about providing high-quality products and excellent service. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to helping you again soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Good prices,speedy deliveries and great…

Good prices,speedy deliveries and great customer service. Had a small issue of a viv arriving with a broken part possibly happened in transit while with the courier but after contacting Swell and explaining my issue i was quickly relied to and a replacent was issued swell was even nice enough to throw in a little discount code for my next purchase. All round good experience highly recomend

July 25, 2025
Unprompted review
Swell Reptiles logo

Reply from Swell Reptiles

Thank you for your fantastic review! We're so pleased to hear you had a great experience with Swell UK. Whether it's aquatics or reptile supplies, we're passionate about providing high-quality products and excellent service. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to helping you again soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent customer service

I recently bought a vivarium and unfortunately it came damaged I contacted swell reptiles and within a few days they sent me out a new pieces. Excellent service

July 23, 2025
Unprompted review
Swell Reptiles logo

Reply from Swell Reptiles

Thank you for your fantastic review! We're so pleased to hear you had a great experience with Swell UK. Whether it's aquatics or reptile supplies, we're passionate about providing high-quality products and excellent service. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to helping you again soon!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

False advertisement about delivery

False advertisement about delivery.
Made an order before 4pm and paid for express delivery and only received one item. Phoned customer services to be told the rest of my order is still in the warehouse and said they would refund the money for the express delivery. Still not received an email about the other items I order and it been a day since placing the order for next day delivery. Absolutely shocking that they say order before 4pm and get it next day and pay for express delivery but don't receive your order. Thinking about cancelling my order but then I will have to wait about 5 working days for a refund. I was going to be buying again from them in the next few months but think I will pass and go elsewhere and pay the extra.

UPDATE 1
Emailed customer services again and told them if I didn't receive the email with dispatch and tracking information by the end of the day I would be contacting trading standards and surprise surprise within 10 minutes had the email with dispatch and tracking information. What a joke

UPDATE 2
Finally received parcel

July 24, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Swell are impossible to get hold of and terrible at refunding

Swell are terrible at refunding. I spent £10 returning an item, which has been delivered but I have not received a refund 3 weeks later. I am unable to speak to an adviser, having been on hold for nearly an hour, no one replies to emails or messages on fb. I would steer clear. This is unfortunately why people use Amazon rather than the store itself. I’ve had to raise a dispute with PayPal. Very disappointed

July 25, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Spoke to Nathan on the tech advice line. I needed a new ceramic heat bulb for my gecko, but specifically need one with a short stem, and couldn't work out which I needed on the website.
Nathan was friendly and helpful. He nipped over to the sales guys to make sure I had the correct bulb.
Took 30 minutes or so for the phone to be answered, but I know I'll be getting the right bulb and that has given me peace of mind.

July 24, 2025
Unprompted review
Swell Reptiles logo

Reply from Swell Reptiles

Thank you for your fantastic review! We're so pleased to hear you had a great experience with Swell UK. Whether it's aquatics or reptile supplies, we're passionate about providing high-quality products and excellent service. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to helping you again soon!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Generally good

I bought a pond UV from this company, unfortunately if went faulty in just under 12 months. Swell arranged collection, and once tested agreed to replace it. Hopefully it will be arriving in the next few days.
My only real criticism is not being able to speak to someone, I assume they are either really busy or short staffed as I could never get through on the phone to any department.
Emails were answered within a day or so.

July 23, 2025
Unprompted review
Swell Reptiles logo

Reply from Swell Reptiles

Thank you for your review! We're so pleased to hear you had a great experience with Swell UK. Whether it's aquatics or reptile supplies, we're passionate about providing high-quality products and excellent service. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to helping you again soon!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

AVOID

AVOID. Impossible to reach, paid for next day and still waiting on it to be processed over 24 hours later. I have a rescue animal dependent on this order. On the phone for 30 mins and still waiting to speak to someone. Automated message says experiencing short delay and thanks for patience and understanding. Just answer the bloody phone and cancel my order so I can order from a company that actually cares about the animals who depends on their items!

July 22, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I ordered a platinum crested gecko…

I ordered a platinum crested gecko starter kit. It took a while to get tracking information however Holly was exceptional and very helpful with this and rescheduled delivery and needed. It is a wonderful service all I will say is that the delivery aspect is not snappy but outside of that I couldn't fault customer service truly good service from Holly

July 21, 2025
Unprompted review
Swell Reptiles logo

Reply from Swell Reptiles

Thank you for your fantastic review! We're so pleased to hear you had a great experience with Swell UK. Whether it's aquatics or reptile supplies, we're passionate about providing high-quality products and excellent service. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to helping you again soon!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Useless

Order micro climate pro on Thursday paid for next day delivery its now Sunday have received nothing and no reply on email and no phone communications, People order next day service for a reason small reptile lives depend on it, wont use them again

July 20, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Awful delivery and customer service

I ordered from Swell on the 8th July after reading their delivery was 2-3 days, over a week later my package still hadn’t arrived so I sent an email chasing my order with no reply, I eventually rang them and was told that they would tell the warehouse to despatch my item, it eventually reached me on the 19th July and I have today received an email following my original chase advising that my order had been successfully delivered with no apology. Swell have some good offers but I won’t use them again because their delivery is appalling and their customer service even worse.

July 8, 2025
Unprompted review

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