Sitka Salmon Delivery

[SheilaAnn]

I wanted to start a new thread regarding this topic as we were crossing over in the thread about tech, IT, etc. Here is part of our discussion.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/pitmaster-general-discussion/1269031-let-me-whine-and-whine-and-whine?p=1269318#post1269318

So my order did show up just now. To Willy point, service is beyond excellent. I emailed them last night and woke up to a response and steps to take depending on the condition of the product. Didn’t matter. All the portions were soft with the juices flowing. Two packs even had air in them. The UPS guy said it was ground, so they don’t give it first priority. And then I noticed the return label showed Galesburg, IL. Thats almost 2000 mile PAST me. Alaska is the other way 😂

Sitka has offered a replacement, which is great, but how do I know we won’t have a repeat? Worst part? The food that is wasted. And this salmon looks as beautiful as Copper River. 😔

[rickgregory]

I have no idea why they ship Ground. That's silly. Also, (and I'm just using this thread to reiterate the point, not really about you, SA) - never order perishables shipped ground in the summer. The backs of UPS trucks are 120F in this weather.

[SheilaAnn]

rickgregory I am learning that lesson now. But dang, it has not been a problem for me. Truth be told, I never ordered until the C-word. Plus, I used to run a butcher shop with access to the best of the best. And if I wanted seafood, it was delivered to the shop and transported home safely.

[theroc]

SheilaAnn , we've also had a couple of shipments from Sitka arrived thawed and spoiled. The customer support folks at Sitka have been great and immediately shipped replacements. While we appreciate their commitment, what is really frustrating is the waste of such wonderful fish. It deserves so much better.

After the most recent episode last month, Sitka promised to ship everything to us 2-day air and add extra dry ice. We're holding our breath that the Dungeness crab we're supposed to receive this week arrives in okay shape.

[Sid P]

Freudian slip?

[SheilaAnn]

🤣 Ha!

[theroc]

Doh!

[bmillin]

SheilaAnn , we've also had a couple of shipments from Sitka arrived thawed and spoiled. The customer support folks at Sitka have been great and immediately shipped replacements. While we appreciate their commitment, what is really frustrating is the waste of such wonderful fish. It deserves so much better.

After the most recent episode last month, Sitka promised to ship everything to us 2-day air and add extra dry ice. We're holding our breath that the Dungeness crap we're supposed to receive this week arrives in okay shape.

*Crab*

[Willy]

Truly a bummer. I hate throwing first class food in the garbage.

Any chance you have an ex working at your local UPS? Just kidding. I just checked my SSS box and, like you, it came from IL. I live in a fairly remote part of AZ and my shipments have always been on time--two days always. I could swear tha shipments used to come from Salt Lake, but I may be wrong about that. I guess I am of no help here, but I do sympathize.

[SheilaAnn]

Yes, the worst part is the food waste.

UPDATE: Customer service has already set up a replacement order. It will come 2-day not only this order, but all future orders at no extra cost. Wow! And it turns out the shipping from IL is because that’s a warehouse for them because shipping direct from AK to the lower 48 is too cost prohibitive. Go figure. I’ll keep y’all posted on the 10th.

[Willy]

Well, the second worst part is the food waste—and it is significant., very significant. The worst part, for us, is fouling up multiple dinner plans—crab one night and crab shell stock for another night.

[rickgregory]

While we appreciate their commitment, what is really frustrating is the waste of such wonderful fish. It deserves so much better.
.

Which is why I don't think these places should ship ground in warm temps and why we, the customers, shouldn't select Ground when it's hot, even if it's an option. We can't talk about how the food should be respected, then cheap out on shipping.

The temps in UPS trucks are so hot, drivers are rebelling: https://www.dailydot.com/irl/ups-truck-heat/. And it's not just the trucks:

According to an article from NBC News, the majority of the company’s warehouses and delivery trucks still lack air conditioning, putting workers at risk for heat-related injuries. On June 25, one California-based UPS driver died from suspected heat stroke at just 24 years old, reigniting pressure from workers’ unions for amended heat safety measures.

[SheilaAnn]

rickgregory I meant unlike as in the worker conditions. Great post and informative. I used unlike wrong. Great, now I’m gonna have to hear it from Panhead John 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Panhead John]

SheilaAnn I’ve been keeping an eye on you! Better straighten up girl…..😂

[rickgregory]

SheilaAnn - well now I can sleep tonight...

[Wedunne]

Dang, I always naively assumed it was shipped to us, here on the West Coast, directly from Alaska. Kinda disappointing that it’s shipped halfway across the country to a warehouse in the Midwest before it comes to us. Sometimes I wonder what we are losing in the name of efficiency and cost cutting, and wonder how much of our recent "supply chain issues" are a result of that.

[SheilaAnn]

Rep confirmed Galesburg, IL.

[DesertRaider]

Part 1:
"Sometimes I wonder what we are losing in the name of efficiency and cost cutting, and wonder how much of our recent "supply chain issues" are a result of that."
A lot. That and the whole "JIT" or "just in time" thing. Hard to pull that off when everyone is home and discovers Amazon has whatever their hearts desire.
And now the warehouses are starting to get backed up because, well, the whole "I didn't know I could order that online!" followed by some CEO saying "quick, buy EVERYTHING".

[DesertRaider]

Part 2:

https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/americas-biggest-warehouse-is-running-out-room-its-about-get-worse-2022-08-02/

I'm hoping someone somewhere is taking notes, because this won't be our only pandemic that causes massive disruptions. Lots of ice is melting releasing who knows what that's been locked away for thousands of years.
OK, I'm done ranting. How bout them Dodgers! Woo Hoo!

[smokenoob]

Oh 🙄 💔 🐟

[FireMan]

🤔. 🙏 no 🌋 💩.

[DesertRaider]

Other than a botched delivery, how do you like them? I've looked at some of their stuff, but the price scares me off. Of course living in the desert kind of adds to the cost of any seafood, but that's a different topic.

[Meathead]

I have subscribed to Sitka Salmon Shares for several years and not one of my shipments arrived thawed and zero of the fish have been fishy or poor quality. Raised in Florida on seafood, and stuck in Chicago where fresh seafood is only available at top prices in restaurants SSS has been a blessing. BUT. They had a warehouse in IL and delivered their own fish until a few months ago. It now comes via UPS. So far no problems...

[Meathead]

I should add that I recently ordered some Wagyu from a Texas company that arrived thawed and there was no ice left in the box. They immediately refunded my money and announced they are halting shipments. It's hot out there.

[mnavarre]

Welp, looks like UPS has managed to screw the pooch on this month's delivery, since it went from "Out for Delivery" to "Your Package has Experienced A Sortation Error. It Will Be Delivered Once We Figure Out How To Get All Our Shit In One Sock". In 2+ years I've had maybe 2 Sitka orders show up with no dry ice to play with, only one of which was even vaguely starting to consider maybe being questionable.

So do I refuse delivery, or accept so I can document for Sitka? I really don't have a problem refusing delivery. I've refused delivery on something like $120,000 of hops because they were a week late and took an unnecessary trip to Arkansas in an unrefrigerated trailer.

Guess I'll call Sitka tomorrow AM.

[SheilaAnn]

My update: my replacement delivery arrived yesterday. Still had dry ice and the portions were solid frozen. They told me I will get 2- day delivery going forward with no extra charge. mnavarre hopefully, you will deal with Brodie. He was great!

[mnavarre]

Oh, Sitka's CS is great! This ain't on them, it's straight UPS. I usually get the shipping notice Monday, the package ship Tuesday, It's at the sorting facility in Ontario on Wednesday, and gets delivered on Thursday. UPS just seems to be F'ing up in the last few weeks. FedEX is pretty well in my doghouse, also.

[SheilaAnn]

Agreed…. After the product leaves SSS, it’s out of their hands.