I've always had lousy hatch rates on shipped duck, chicken and guinea eggs, so I found Texas A&M quail eggs locally for my first hatch.
I did however order 2 dozen standard coturnix from Stromberg's. I was not at all optimistic about the Stromberg's eggs, and absolutely positive I would have a good hatch rate on the local eggs. (The local eggs were collected specifically for me, for hatching, and they were all less than 7 days old.)
I was completely wrong. I had a decent hatch rate on the local eggs, just under 60%. But I had 80% hatch rate on the shipped eggs from Stromberg's! I was stunned!
Out of the 44 eggs I set only three were infertile, but I don't know which ones since they were mixed together by that point.
So I guess the moral of my story is... you never know! And don't count your quail before they hatch!