what would you want as compenstion for a hatcheries mistake.

[cmfarm]

I run a very small backyard hatchery. I had a hatch date of mid February for 50 White leghorns. I had some major issues with my incubator and lost all the eggs in the bator. So I sent everyone (3 people) that had place an email explaining the problem and that I would have more chicks in a few weeks. The other 2 people said no problem, thanks for letting them know. The person that ordered the Leghorns, was upset and said what was I going to do to make up for it. I told him I would send a few extra chicks free of charge. So I sent an email telling him I needed the remaining balance and I was going to ship them next week and he said he was expecting around 10 free chicks. That seems a bit much to me. What would you expect to receive as extras in a situation like this?

 

[redsoxs]

From a major operation I wouldn't even expect that much compensation - so certainly not from a smaller operation. It's not as if white leghorns are rare so he can easily get them elsewhere. I think he's taking advantage.

 

[spotsplus]

I would say 3-5 chicks would be adequate compensation. Most hatcheries wouldn't do anything extra for a delay.

 

[Bellatrixed]

10 is definitely too many. He technically isn't entitled to any compensation at all--delays do happen, even with large hatcheries. The chicks weren't his yet, so what is there to compensate? 3-5 extras is good customer service but by no means required.

 

[learycow]

I agree with everyone else. Just make sure you get your payment before you send them!
I would send a few free extras (like everyone else said, 3 or so) but you are not required to send him 10!
And I would hope that he does not bad mouth you over it. Delays happen and sometimes there's nothing you can do about it (losing power during a storm is what typically happens to me!) Hopefully you can send him a nice email that just states that you are doing your best as far as customer service by offering him a few extra free of charge, or you can give him his deposit back and simply apologise as these things do happen. Good luck!

 

[cmfarm]

Thanks everyone for your input! This guy has been a tough customer from the start. When he first contacted me he was trying to get me to give him a discount because he is a veteran (I don't give discounts, not sure why he thought I would) and was kind of rude about it. After I explained that I can't do that because this is low margin business/hobby he was a little nicer about it. After that I wasn't too surprised he was giving me a hard time about the delay. He has paid in full now but through paypal so I guess the worst he could do is dispute the payment.

 

[meechoacres]

Good luck. Hopefully he was just having a bad day and will understand that things happen.