Swell Reptiles Reviews 

2,147
TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

2.3

While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 168 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Many customers reported significant issues with order fulfillment, frequently experiencing delays in dispatch and items not arriving as expected. Delivery services were often criticized for being unreliable, with people facing extended waits, damaged goods, or improper handling. Reviewers also consistently highlighted poor customer service and slow response times, struggling to get updates or resolve issues. However, some customers noted positive experiences with specific staff members who were helpful and responsive in resolving issues. A few other people also felt that some products were of good quality or arrived quickly and well-packaged. Conversely, a small portion of people felt that some products were of poor quality, faulty, or arrived damaged, even when not attributed to delivery.

What people talk about most

Order

Customers consistently note negative experiences with order fulfillment, frequently reporting significant... See more

Product

Consumers find product quality to be ambiguous, with many reviewers reporting issues such as faulty, damaged,... See more

Delivery service

Customers had negative experiences with delivery service, frequently reporting issues with delayed or failed... See more

Customer service

Users describe ambiguous interactions with customer service, with some reviewers reporting positive... See more

Response time

People report negative experiences with response times, with many customers stating they emailed multiple... 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 1 out of 5 stars

Placed a large order, got zero updates. Delivery date passed, no tracking, no response. Their email inbox is full, phones go unanswered, and they ignore all contact attempts. I had to cancel through K... See more


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

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
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

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

2.3

All reviews

(2,147)

148 reviews in the last 12 months

Write a review
Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Well worth the 5 stars!

Totally impressed by the speed of service from Swell. Even so close to Christmas my order arrived well within 48 hours, and so much cheaper than the same products on Amazon (prime)
Thank you Swell Reptiles!!

20 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Rude customer advisors. Avoid.

Keeps customers in the dark about shipping items. Didn’t have an item in stock and didn’t bother to tell me for weeks waited for me to contacted them, and then the person responding was VERY blunt and rude. If that’s how you treat paying customers will never shop here again. Awful. Avoid.

2 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Items not delivered

Items not delivered, response from customer service saying it would be investigated then no further response or action. Refund needed to be chased through card provider. Disgraceful way to do business.

2 November 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Nathan from Swell excellent - delivery companies below par

After Evri failed to deliver all of my items ordered, Nathan from Swell tried to rectify this by having the items posted out again with a different delivery company DX Express. Unfortunately, this delivery company’s attempt failed too so Nathan refunded me the items not received. The customer service received by Nathan was outstanding, unfortunately the delivery companies let you down. If I were to use Swell in the future as a customer I’d like the option of selecting my delivery company and whether or not my parcel could be collected from a local drop off point as I find other couriers to be more reliable in my area. Thank you.

28 November 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Is anyone there????

Had a problem with a light I ordered. After about a month managed to get in contact with them. They asked us to send it back which we did. Then nothing from them for a couple
Of weeks. Again, messaging and messaging and finally got an answer, they then sent the wrong replacement. Took ages to get a reply to that to send the wrong light back and now waiting for the proper replacement. Still waiting for an answer, I’ve also said I would rather have a refund. This was email, Facebook and contact service on the website.

10 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

You won't receive your order

Ordered a delivery for my tortoise on the 26th of November 2025 out of 4 items received one of them. Emailed swell reptiles 4 times not got one response. This is the second time I used swell reptiles first time was perfect this time awful! I will not use them again stay far far away from using them as you will not receive your goods.
Tried calling them, took 40 min to get through to them and then they just fobbed me off.

1 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing own brand products

I ordered swell's own brand pro deep dome lamp which arrived scratched and dented which I originally didnt mind too much because it didnt impact its function but I also bought the swells own dimming thermostat for my daughters new leopard gecko tank. Its been plugged in less than 7weeks and its already stopped working. Been ringing the shop for 2weeks now with no answer. Disappointed to say the least.

6 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ordered on next day delivery service

Ordered on next day delivery service, delayed despatch then delayed delivery with DX. Been emailing and calling Swell all week, no response to emails and when finally got through on a call received the most unhelpful advice that they’ll investigate. A week later and still don’t have my order. Seriously wish I’d read the countless other reviews prior to ordering

4 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Avoid for next day delivery

They provide no signposting into any delays, they constantly hang up on customers trying to seek advice on how to cancel and get a refund, they only tell you there's postal delays when you call up but nowhere does it say that on their website.

Overall awful company and next day delivery doesn't even happen.

1 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Can’t fault these guys at all

Can’t fault these guys at all, had a bit of a problem with my humidity machine and Emily was quick to help me through things and sort and arrange a new machine to be sent out

Great service all round from the team

Thanks

Steven

2 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Luke was super helpful with my query…

Luke was super helpful with my query about a UV Light for my young hoggie. He's been quick to response and has guided me in the right direction with useful links to the correct product for the size of my vivarium. He seems very knowledgeable about hoggies, and I'm sure about all the other lovely reptiles. Thank you Luke

1 December 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Order not received

Delivery sent to an old address even though I had changed my address online on the website, spent ages trying to get through to customer services after which the line just went dead, after a few emails all I got sent back was a copy of the address to which they had sent it. I still have not received my order or any help from the company.

10 November 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Items never despatched. Not recommended.

Initially very helpful on the phone. The chap I spoke to was very polite. I ordered the items recommended and selected next day delivery.

Four days later the items hadn't arrived, with no update. I telephoned the company and after a very long time on hold I spoke to a very nice guy who told me there were warehouse issues and no expected delivery date could be provided.

I cannot recommend this company as I do not believe they can fulfil the orders they are taking. I cancelled my order, sourced the items elsewhere and they were despatched the following day.

Unfortunately, I won't be using this company again.

20 November 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing customer service

There has been some changes with the delivery tracking it's now very easy to track each order and although there are still some issues there staff Nathan especially was very helpful and able to resolve everything I can see the company improving and taking the time to implement changes to benefit the customers they don't just do lip service iv seen the changes they made based on customers comments

24 November 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Don't bother ordering from this place

Don't bother ordering from this place. I ordered on the 8th of November and didn't get my order until the 21st and it had turned into two separate parcels with the other coming on the 26th and they refunded an item without even asking me so I never received it.
The customer service is awful not apologetic at all just sounded annoyed.
Not worth the hassle and lack of communication plus the over 30 minute hold time for any calls to customer service

26 November 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Recent purchase

Recently made a purchase for a glass paludarium which arrived cracked, fault of the delivery company as the box was utterly destroyed. I used the form online to report the damage and then phoned the customer services team (they answered in less than 5 minutes) and a person called Lyndsey was very helpful and reassured me that they will provide a replacement or refund and will let me know. The next day I phoned the team again (waited less than 5 minutes this time too) and a person called Nathan assured me they are handling this request and are going to send me a replacement, with extra protection to hopefully ensure it remains safe. Again, very helpful and straight to the point.

Although my item came damaged, the response and way the team have handled it has been excellent, I have not felt any anxiety or worry, and will order from them again. Don't believe all bad reviews you read online! Thanks Nathan and Lyndsey

26 November 2025
Unprompted review

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look