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

[asher]

Quote:
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.

We may be too darn reasonable to reply to this thread then. We might skew the results/answers!

 

[Katy]

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

We may be too darn reasonable to reply to this thread then. We might skew the results/answers!

LOL

 

[Hens_And_Chicks]

Call me new and ignorant and unknowing.

I did and the seller was very helpful and kind and I am a loyal customer of his now.

 

[wingnut1]

Pasofinofarm (Melissa)

You know - I just had another idea. In the "green" industry - plants can be sold with 2 prices -- one price (high) allows the buyer a free replacement if the plant dies in a year, and the other (lower) does not provide a free replacement.

Customers that are new to plants will often pay for the replacement price - which is high - because they are not confident that they can keep the plants alive. Built into the cost, then, is an added amount that allows the business to still make a profit if the plant is replaced.

Customers that are familiar with plants go for the low cost because they feel more confident that they can judge a healthy plant, and keep it alive.

So I wonder if egg sellers might consider 2 prices? That way the customer gets a choice -- they can pay a higher price for replacements (if 5 hatch out of 12, then they would get 7 as a replacement for free plus shipping) or a lower price and not ask for replacements.

Just a thought....

 

[klf73]

kind of like insurance

unfortunately there are the unscrupulous that will claim bad hatch just to get a second batch

it's a tough situation either way. I never expected anyone to replace eggs, but I have had times I hoped they would offer. I had a batch that showed up trashed. They weren't packaged that well and I didn't get much out of 3 dozen. I bought a second set(2doz) and still some were broken but I really needed this variety. I got 7 out of 24 on the second, not great, but better than the 4 out of 36... bad packaging resulted in most not even making it in the bator
I had *show quality* silkies that I paid quite a bit for. Got 2 to hatch, one with a straight comb, told seller since I only had 1 usable silkie. I didn't ask for anything but they never responded or acknowledged me and I never bought from them again. Another silkie breeder sent me eggs and I had only 1 hatch, she offered replacements and I refused and ordered more. She sent lots of extras and I thanked her profusely and had a much better hatch (enough that I gave some away).

Melissa offered me eggs, I had a batch the PO totally mishandled, blown aircells on all but 1 last year. It wasn't her fault, no breaks, no cracks, well packaged. I, for one, am very grateful she offered, but I didn't expect her to......nor should anyone

I like to think most people are honest, but I know reality is- many aren't......

 

[wingnut1]

yes - you're absolutely right!

And "insurance plan" is a great way to describe it!

 

[Hens_And_Chicks]

Quote:
And as a newbie, I would happily pay more.

 

[wingnut1]

Hens_And_Chicks

I hear you!

I was thinking that the insurance plan price might be a win-win for newbies and sellers, and the no replacement price might be a win-win for more seasoned folks and sellers. Perhaps you will be able to negotiate a "replacement based on hatch" price with your next seller! Best wishes -

 

[mothergoose]

I have shipped more eggs than I can count and recieved more than my share as well. I will be totally honest (hopefully it does'nt come back to haunt me!)
I always replace eggs...no matter what.
I have lots of contact with all my buyers.
When the deal is made, when I recieve payment, when I ship.
I always ask that they let me know when the eggs are recieved and how the condition of the eggs are when recieved and to be updated on their hatch.
I have found that most of the time, people like knowing that you are genuinly interested in their hatch and want them to do well. I truley believe most people have been honest with me. I have only had one recieve smashed eggs ( only 4 eggs made the trip and the box had been quarantined -hazerdous material) He fished those 4 eggs out of that smelly box and all 4 hatched! I offered eggs to replace, he did not ask. I have had people tell me their power went out and their hatch was a bust. I offered eggs, they did not ask. I have found with all the contact I have with my buyers, they generally do not ask...I offer. And because of it, my customers are happy and many are repeats and I have a good reputation of being good to work with and fair. It makes me feel good to know that people are happy with what they get from me and I did my part to deliver the goods promised.
I do not ask for replacement on eggs that I recieve even if it is a total bust, just because I know that was the risk I took, but I sure wish some would have offered. I try to treat my customers the way I would like to be treated and it has worked very well for me thus far. I don't think it has cost me anything to be this way. My waiting lists are very long and I truley believe that is due to reputatuion alone.
I'll hop off the soap box now,Thanks for listening,
Christie

 

[pasofinofarm]

I think I am developing a policy here that says I will judge each situation. I have three times had eggs go off to lala land with the PO... once a trip from Texas to Georgia was routed thorugh New York in a blizzard... both the buyer and I thought they were dead for sure and I had already agreed to replace them. Since we were having slow laying here he went ahead and set them and 12 of 13 were alive and I forget how many hatched but it was some fantastic number that we were both amazed with.

I have replaced eggs for rough handling, I have replaced eggs for power outtages. After all I have eggs I occasionaly eat... they are eggs not hundred dollar bills.

But the level of entitlement I am hearing from some folks is what is grating on me. In example: yesterday I get an e-mail. "recieved your eggs. the 'grocery bags' which i assume was for cushioning were compressed, the eggs were capable of movement and will not be any good i am sure due to broken air cells'... so I e-mailed back... 'are you saying they HAVE broken air cells or that you think they might have broken air cells?' The question was neatly ignored as she went on to prepare me for the fact that the eggs weren't going to be any good but she had asked an "experienced" breeder what to do... What am I???

Can you say OMLET?

Hens and Chicks, even when I do not offer replacements I always offer a deep discount on replacements. It says I understand your loss and I am willing to help you... understand that I can not make your loss fully my loss. But maybe a replacement plan would be good.

Christie I am with you I would always rather see someone have chicks then not. I also have long lists and (I hope) a good reputation. But some of these folks do not come from BYC... where the folks are friendlier... the woman above contacted me from an old e-bay auction. I get weirdos from my web site. I try to get them to communicate but sometimes they won't... Maybe I need to do something different... that is why I started this thread, to see what others do and how it works.

Thanks for letting me vent!

Melissa