OK, I just have to laugh...MM Saga...

[MNKris]

Quote:
No business in their right mind is going to put up a statement saying they have defective goods. That would be suicide for sales. Is it ethical, maybe not, but the bottom line is MM is out to make a PROFIT.

If they are reimbursing customers for dead chicks, of course that loss in revenue is going to be passed on to the consumer.

Prices for chicks seem to be up at most places. Personally I would never buy hatchery chicks anyway. I'll stick to true show breeders because I want QUALITY birds anyways.

Oh, I agree with you totally with passing on the buck. I just find it INCREDIBLY funny about the timing. It didn't even take them a week.

 

[carousel]

I looked at several hatchery web pages that have higher prices based on what time of year it is.
CS

 

[MNKris]

Quote:
True, but usually MM states their prices during peak times, especially if you look at the layer assortments, bargains, etc. They state on the website that prices are subject to change. I still find it INCREDIBLY funny. I aint saying nothin'...I'm just saying...

 

[Flowerchick]

I have not checked prices or availability at Cackle Hatchery since I ordered my chicks at the beginning of March, but I have nothing but good things to say about them. Their prices at the time were less than many other hatcheries, and all of the chicks arrived alive and healthy (including one extra). Their customer service was excellent. I almost ordered from MM, but now I am glad I didn't. My chicks are three weeks old now and are doing great!

 

[Mrs MIA]

I'm on the waiting list for some chicks from Ideal. Prices were good, and the lady on the phone was really really nice... very good experience, so far.

 

[PennySue]

The Ideal chicks I got in a day after the MM chicks are doing great. They were housed with the MM chicks from their first minute here and not a single one came down with what the MM chicks had. I ordered different types from each hatchery so I would be able to tell which ones I got where. (Plus I couldn't make up my mind what Wyandottes I wanted.)
My local feed store recommended Ideal before I ordered and then I listened to Martha Stewart who highly recommended MM. So I ordered from both. Guess who I'm going to listen-to in the future?
Do you think the increase in orders because of Martha's recommendation was too much for them and they weren't ready?
I'm not bashing MM but the Ideal chicks, although a day or two younger, were actually bigger when they arrived then the MM chicks.

 

[MNKris]

Ya know, I am not sure. I thought Martha Stewart got chicks from another hatchery too, but I can't remember who she mentioned. Maybe I am remembering it wrong, who knows...It just is an eye opener to other hatcheries for me. Even if it wasn't because of this whole illness thing, the timing couldn't be worse. I have heard really good things about Cackle too. One of my best friends is from that area and said the chicks have always been really good when she goes to pick them up.

I just find this whole thing funny. Maybe it's just me. I order chicks, chicks get sick. I pay to figure out what is wrong with chicks while working my tail off to try save chicks. Hatchery is notified why chicks are sick. I think hey, maybe I should see if I can order again only to find higher prices. There was no "thank you for letting us know". No, "here are some free chicks for your pain and we are really sorry we did this to you". There's "If you want em, you're really going to have to pay for em this time!" It is just funny...

 

[PennySue]

I wrote to Martha this morning. Maybe she can help us out to get our costs covered. Let's face it, this could be a PR nightmare if she doesn't and I don't want trouble for either her or MM. But I will not be ignored and swept under the carpet.
I was reading Martha's book on business when all this started. I was right in the middle of how reputation is everything to a business image. (How's that for funny?)
I just hope this gets settled to everyones benefit, ours, MM, future BYCer's and Martha. And we all learn from this and remember what we learned.

 

[newchickmom]

Meyer has pretty good prices and don't stick you with a lot of extra charges. They also have a fairly good selection, and are very friendly over the phone. I got my 25 black australorps from there and never lost a single chick.

 

[MNKris]

I have heard great things about Meyer!

Another silver lining, I just found a small hatchery about an hour north of us that gets mixed run Cochins! He said he would pull out some straight run Partridge Cochins for me. Couldn't believe it! Yeah!!!! He said I might have to wait up to 4 weeks because he doesn't know what he is going to get from his breeder, but this is great. I can get just 5 or 10 and they aren't from the "other" hatchery! Yeah!!!! He also has Partridge Rocks so I think I am going to try a few of them too, and they are CHEAP, like Pullets under $1.75 or something like that. And, both are from Blue Ribbon stock!! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!!! I am feeling better about this all the time!