So one of you all let us now about these guys having a special on tri tips. Since I don't really know of a good butcher shop close by, I figured I'd give these guys a shot. Especially for such a great deal (provided they are that much better than Costco tri tips). Also figured it would be a good time to try it before the weather turns scorching hot.
So I ordered them last Wednesday afternoon and within a couple hours got an email confirming they had shipped. I chose the standard 3 day shipping and assumed I would get them this past Saturday. I also got the tracking number and delivery date from Fedex stating delivery would be by end of day yesterday (Monday). That's 5 days! I assumed that was maybe a projected date and that Creekstone knows more about these logistics than I do. Having never ordered meat online before I had know knowledge of the process, packaging, storage while in transit etc.
So when Saturday rolled around and the delivery date still for Monday, I decided to call Fedex as the tracking info said it was in my city as of Friday. So why is the delivery still scheduled for Monday? I couldn't talk to an actual person, but had an automated option to have it held at a nearby facility. The problem with that is you had to select that and then be notified later of the delivery date. How was I to know it wouldn't keep the same date or maybe put it even farther out? So I figured I'd just let it ride and see what happens. I certainly didn't want to interfere with something I know nothing about and possibly make it worse.
So I decided to stay home yesterday (Monday) so I could take delivery immediately and get them in the freezer as quickly as possible just in case. Creeksone's website says you can re-freeze without any problems or degradation of the quality provided the meat temp does not exceed 40*F.
Well around noon it showed up... with all 3 hunks of meat completely thawed. Ice bags completely melted and no evidence of dried ice. They were still quite cold to the touch however. So I got out my IR gun and they read 45-55 depending on where I shot. The thinner areas were obviously the higher readings.
So I immediately get on the phone and get transferred to the person that handles online orders. That went to voicemail. So I left a very detailed and polite description of the issue.
After a few hours and not hearing anything back I decided to send and email with pictures detailing the issue. I know they can't take any meat back, but I didn't want to just toss them. I also don't want them taking up room in the fridge. I just needed some direction as to what steps to take in order to get this resolved. Maybe they wanted more pictures, info etc?
So here I am at work around lunchtime and have still heard nothing. So I call again and I explained the issue again and she said the person handling online orders was out yesterday and that she can see her now at her desk while we were on the phone. Transfers me and it goes straight to voicemail. I leave another voicemail, though still polite, but maybe with a little more I-need-a-little-more-sense-of-urgency-from-you-guys tone in my voice.
Shortly there after I get an email that they were sending me a new order at obviously no charge.
They also stated in the email that they were making a claim to Fedex for delaying the shipment. However, on their website when you are ordering something, there's a tab about shipping details. It says there that if ordering on a Wednesday or later in the week that it will not ship until the following week (if using standard shipping). Yet, I ordered it last Wednesday with standard shipping and they shipped it the same day.
So I won't know for sure until I get the new shipment and eventually consume it if it was worth it. As of now they seem to be doing the right thing. I just wish that someone could have at least acknowledge my issue sooner. I understand if they only have one person that handles this and maybe they were swamped. I can't speak to their operation, but it's hard to believe they only have one person that can handle things like this. But a simple email to just say they were looking into the matter would go a long way for me. Especially at those prices!
Rant over.
So I ordered them last Wednesday afternoon and within a couple hours got an email confirming they had shipped. I chose the standard 3 day shipping and assumed I would get them this past Saturday. I also got the tracking number and delivery date from Fedex stating delivery would be by end of day yesterday (Monday). That's 5 days! I assumed that was maybe a projected date and that Creekstone knows more about these logistics than I do. Having never ordered meat online before I had know knowledge of the process, packaging, storage while in transit etc.
So when Saturday rolled around and the delivery date still for Monday, I decided to call Fedex as the tracking info said it was in my city as of Friday. So why is the delivery still scheduled for Monday? I couldn't talk to an actual person, but had an automated option to have it held at a nearby facility. The problem with that is you had to select that and then be notified later of the delivery date. How was I to know it wouldn't keep the same date or maybe put it even farther out? So I figured I'd just let it ride and see what happens. I certainly didn't want to interfere with something I know nothing about and possibly make it worse.
So I decided to stay home yesterday (Monday) so I could take delivery immediately and get them in the freezer as quickly as possible just in case. Creeksone's website says you can re-freeze without any problems or degradation of the quality provided the meat temp does not exceed 40*F.
Well around noon it showed up... with all 3 hunks of meat completely thawed. Ice bags completely melted and no evidence of dried ice. They were still quite cold to the touch however. So I got out my IR gun and they read 45-55 depending on where I shot. The thinner areas were obviously the higher readings.
So I immediately get on the phone and get transferred to the person that handles online orders. That went to voicemail. So I left a very detailed and polite description of the issue.
After a few hours and not hearing anything back I decided to send and email with pictures detailing the issue. I know they can't take any meat back, but I didn't want to just toss them. I also don't want them taking up room in the fridge. I just needed some direction as to what steps to take in order to get this resolved. Maybe they wanted more pictures, info etc?
So here I am at work around lunchtime and have still heard nothing. So I call again and I explained the issue again and she said the person handling online orders was out yesterday and that she can see her now at her desk while we were on the phone. Transfers me and it goes straight to voicemail. I leave another voicemail, though still polite, but maybe with a little more I-need-a-little-more-sense-of-urgency-from-you-guys tone in my voice.
Shortly there after I get an email that they were sending me a new order at obviously no charge.
They also stated in the email that they were making a claim to Fedex for delaying the shipment. However, on their website when you are ordering something, there's a tab about shipping details. It says there that if ordering on a Wednesday or later in the week that it will not ship until the following week (if using standard shipping). Yet, I ordered it last Wednesday with standard shipping and they shipped it the same day.
So I won't know for sure until I get the new shipment and eventually consume it if it was worth it. As of now they seem to be doing the right thing. I just wish that someone could have at least acknowledge my issue sooner. I understand if they only have one person that handles this and maybe they were swamped. I can't speak to their operation, but it's hard to believe they only have one person that can handle things like this. But a simple email to just say they were looking into the matter would go a long way for me. Especially at those prices!
Rant over.
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