Experience with Meyer Hatchery?

[aliciaFarmer]

I received an order from Meyer this week and I'm extremely disappointed. I'm wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and if I should order from them again in the spring with my store credit or just ask for a refund...

I ordered 16 chicks and received 15. I called and they said the Blue Ameraucanas were oversold and someone called me to see if I wanted a replacement. No, no one called AND they hadn't provided me a credit ($22). I ordered 2 Rhode Island Reds for my neighbor and received 4 (one was the Meyer meal maker as it turns out but the other? No clue.). I ordered 3 Barnevelder females and a Barnevelder male, but received 2 females and a male. I also ordered the same number of Welsummers but it looks like I have only 3. Then there is a mystery girl (?) with a red head/back and white wings and chest.



I emailed them that morning and received no response. I chatted with someone the next morning on their live chat feature and she said "email photos and we'll get right back to you." No response. I finally called on the afternoon of the third day and was able to at least receive a credit for the missing Barnevelder.

I'm hoping this is just a fluke and would love to hear other people's experiences, good or not good.

 

[silly4buttons]

I am sorry that they messed up your order. The mystery chick is a cutie pie I would definitely ask for a refund instead

 

[Folly's place]

I hope they make good on a refund for you; what a disappointment! It's easy to understand that mixup happen in the packing/ shipping departments, given the huge numbers of chicks that must be flying around from one box to another in there, but you should be compensated for their errors too.
I ordered once from Meyers, and had too many deaths early in that order. Likely not the fault of the hatchery, because shipping issues are out of their hands, but it was discouraging, and I haven't placed another order with them since.
MMcM and Cackle have been very good to work with, over multiple orders. Cackle sent extra chicks of the types I ordered, and all arrived in excellent condition.
MMcM sent an extra chick, which is fun too.
Both hatcheries, once each, sent a few of the wrong birds, and when notified, sent another batch of the chicks we wanted, free of any additional charges. So, too many chicks, but wonderful service!
Mary

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I am sorry that they messed up your order. The mystery chick is a cutie pie I would definitely ask for a refund instead

Thank you. She's pretty cute and sassy. ♡

On the phone, they originally offered to ship the two missing ones plus a third I'd purchase to meet their shipping minimum but they're sold out of Blue Ameraucanas. When I told him which card to refund it to, he said "we're actually giving you store credit." I will have to call back for a refund.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I hope they make good on a refund for you; what a disappointment! It's easy to understand that mixup happen in the packing/ shipping departments, given the huge numbers of chicks that must be flying around from one box to another in there, but you should be compensated for their errors too...

Thanks you so much for sharing your experiences, Mary. I had actually ordered from Meyer three times before this time with little incident (a couple of surprise roosters, one chick death and two out of three ducklings with mild issues) but this was the first major mess up. Thankfully all are at least healthy from this batch.

I'll definitely see about a refund instead of the credit they gave me but will wait a couple of weeks to call once I know the extent of their mess ups -- two of the chicks are still a total mystery to me. Do you have a favorite between Cackle and MMcM?

Too many chicks/chickens is a fun "problem". I just can't ask my husband to build another coop until next spring. I "wasn't supposed to" have more than 12 chickens this first year on our new farm, he said. We now have 35 chickens and 3 ducks.

 

[Folly's place]

I started with a handful of bantams, and now winter 45! Right now I've got 62, so more decisions will need to be made by fall.
I first ordered from Cackle because they have the white Chanteclers I lusted after, and was very happy with their chicks and service. They have sent a few extras every time, and they've been chicks already in our order, not 'packing peanut' cockerels. Wonderful!
Two years ago every chick lived, nice especially right after that sad order from Meyers. This year, out of 54 chicks total, one failed to thrive. Very good numbers!
Mary

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I started with a handful of bantams, and now winter 45! Right now I've got 62, so more decisions will need to be made by fall.
I first ordered from Cackle because they have the white Chanteclers I lusted after, and was very happy with their chicks and service. They have sent a few extras every time, and they've been chicks already in our order, not 'packing peanut' cockerels. Wonderful!
Two years ago every chick lived, nice especially right after that sad order from Meyers. This year, out of 54 chicks total, one failed to thrive. Very good numbers!
Mary

Packing peanut cockerels. Hahaha -- I love that so much! I've gotten a few of those from Meyer, or "oops roosters" as I call them.

I'd need another massive coop for 62, but would love that so much. I'll definitely try Cackle in the spring. I *need* some blue egg layers. And a couple of White Chanteclers would be lovely too.

 

[christwodog]

I've ordered three times from Meyer, and this last time in March was the only time I had some deaths but it was also the first (and only) time I ordered during winter months. I figured since the chicks were coming to South Florida, it wouldn't really be an issue. But it was very cold up there when they were shipped, so I ended up losing 3 out of 15. They refunded me without a problem. The only other issue I've had with them is a "surprise" rooster, and they refunded me for him also, that was a couple years ago. I think it depends who you get on the other end of the phone as to the level of customer satisfaction you'll receive. Overall, I would order from them again, just not during cold weather months. I would ask to speak to a supervisor and voice your concerns. They refunded my on my AmEx without a problem. Good luck!

 

[Folly's place]

I'm also careful about timing for shipping chicks. Only in April through mid-May here.
Mary

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I've ordered three times from Meyer, and this last time in March was the only time I had some deaths but it was also the first (and only) time I ordered during winter months. I figured since the chicks were coming to South Florida, it wouldn't really be an issue. But it was very cold up there when they were shipped, so I ended up losing 3 out of 15. They refunded me without a problem. The only other issue I've had with them is a "surprise" rooster, and they refunded me for him also, that was a couple years ago. I think it depends who you get on the other end of the phone as to the level of customer satisfaction you'll receive. Overall, I would order from them again, just not during cold weather months. I would ask to speak to a supervisor and voice your concerns. They refunded my on my AmEx without a problem. Good luck!

That's great you've had such good luck with them (with the exception of the deaths). Previously they had been wonderful to work with. My first batch arrived in late April with only one death at 3 days old (she arrived injured, couldn't walk and I had to hand feed her). That batch was 28 chicks so not bad, though as of today I realized the fourth rooster in the batch. I thought I only had one so this last week order had two. Oops! I'm thinking this last issue was out of the norm for them and will give them one more shot in spring.