Question for sellers-do you replace eggs for bad hatches-when and why?

[gaeamama]

There's another thread on here called "shipping eggs the secret" or similar. The OP says that all priority boxes go through machines and are dumped into bins. However, if you mark the box as LIVE, it will get treated by hand and not placed in the machines. So try labeling the boxes as LIVE EMBRYOS INSIDE or LIVE EGGS or something similar.

I just received two batches of eggs by priority mail, and they both arrived well packaged. The first batch I candled on the third night, and they all look fertile! The other batch is now waiting to go into the brooder.

As a buyer, I know that hatching success does not depend on the seller (other than obvious bad eggs or all infertile) and I don't expect replacements. I know I'm taking a risk, and choose to do it.

I will be getting another set of eggs at the end of the month and will request that the shipper marks the box LIVE all over!

 

[pasofinofarm]

Quote:
Yep, that thread is mine too!

I am feeling better and more empowered reading these posts. I think I will toughen up my stand a little while still leaving room for those who are new or having financial trouble, etc. I really like to share my birds and being able to defray the cost somewhat of my personal chicken habit is nice. And since this is NOT my day job I could always go back to selling my eggs as table eggs. They are still yummy too!

It it really the time issue I am after the compensation for... when I am up rolling eggs in bubble wrap at 10 pm and I have work at 6 am the next day I think...'they are going to love these chickens'... when I get back a scathing e-mail about how my eggs weren't up to snuff... I say... I am going to eat my eggs instead of selling them...one big omlet!

But then I look at them and see a potential chick and say again... I think I'll offer these on BYC... they are going to love these chickens!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

I had 2 bad hatches from shipped eggs, but it had nothing to do with the eggs having being shipped. The eggs were halfway through the 21 days when we had a power outtage. The sellers offered replacement eggs, I refused. It's not their fault the power went out!

 

[Hens_And_Chicks]

I am one of "those" who asked for replacement eggs. 6 out of 15 eggs had viable development and the remainder were either rotted or undeveloped. I asked for replacement eggs - the seller did so for cost of postage. The next hatch only 3 weeks later had 12 of 15 developed and 9 hatched.

I am very grateful to the seller for being understanding and accommodating - Yes, I was new - I followed the incubator instructions exactly and monitored temp and turned the eggs with exact precision every day at the same time. Now, with a few hatches to my experience and I've learned a lot since my first egg purchase, I know so much more. I don't think I would ever ask for egg replacement again.

I understand that shipping and handling is not something the seller can control and can affect the hatch but I also believe that, in good faith, seller and buyer can work something amicable.

I would give my seller a big hug if I could - he didn't have to but he did replace my eggs so it's good for the image of the seller, in my case.

 

[wingnut1]

Pasofinofarm

Speaking as a consumer, I think of eggs as a gamble. I accept that when I order eggs, and think that all a seller can guarantee is that hatched chicks will be true to name (pure bred as advertised), fresh, and that the eggs are packed with care.

(Your eggs are fertile, by the way - I ordered 12 golden cuckoo marans eggs to be sent to jmhappycowboy, and he tells me 12 of the 13 you sent are growing!! )

So I encourage you to develop a policy that you are comfortable with. It is tough to stand your ground when you have a compassionate heart, but I think this is required to do business.

That said, I'll mention an order from another breeder that the USPS managed to send to the wrong city and state.

I don't think it is the breeder's responsibility in any way - but he offered to "make it right" if none of the eggs hatched. It did leave me with a feeling of good will - and a desire to pay that breeder back with customer loyalty. I will be happy to pay for another order with this breeder if the hatch fails and just consider this a lost gamble.

I agree, though - if you want chicks -- order chicks. There is a reason they are more expensive than eggs.

Hope this helps you in constructing your policy!

 

[asher]

Quote:
What do you mean they were rotted? If I ever, god forbid, sent rotten eggs to someone, I'd bend over backwards and then some to make it right! However, we collect multiple times a day and ship out fresh eggs so I don't know how that could possibly happen unless they were stuck enroute for a *long* time in the major heat or something.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
What do you mean they were rotted? If I ever, god forbid, sent rotten eggs to someone, I'd bend over backwards and then some to make it right! However, we collect multiple times a day and ship out fresh eggs so I don't know how that could possibly happen unless they were stuck enroute for a *long* time in the major heat or something.

I wouldn't have had the nerve to ask for replacement eggs with 6 out of 15 on shipped eggs.

 

[asher]

Quote:
What do you mean they were rotted? If I ever, god forbid, sent rotten eggs to someone, I'd bend over backwards and then some to make it right! However, we collect multiple times a day and ship out fresh eggs so I don't know how that could possibly happen unless they were stuck enroute for a *long* time in the major heat or something.

I wouldn't have had the nerve to ask for replacement eggs with 6 out of 15 on shipped eggs.

I wouldn't have asked period (even if I'd had 0 hatch, that's just the gamble in my eyes) UNLESS I had received the eggs and they were rotten when they got to me. There's no reason for that, IMO.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I wouldn't have had the nerve to ask for replacement eggs with 6 out of 15 on shipped eggs.

I wouldn't have asked period (even if I'd had 0 hatch, that's just the gamble in my eyes) UNLESS I had received the eggs and they were rotten when they got to me. There's no reason for that, IMO.

I've never asked for replacement eggs either. They have been offered on occasion, but I'd never ask either.

 

[klf73]

Quote:
What do you mean they were rotted? If I ever, god forbid, sent rotten eggs to someone, I'd bend over backwards and then some to make it right! However, we collect multiple times a day and ship out fresh eggs so I don't know how that could possibly happen unless they were stuck enroute for a *long* time in the major heat or something.

I wouldn't have had the nerve to ask for replacement eggs with 6 out of 15 on shipped eggs.

ditto, that's not a bad rate....