Chick's Saddlery really let me down

[Horseman15]

I’m so disappointed it’s not even funny. I worked with a number of my horse friends to get us together to ride in a costume parade with our horses this Sunday 12/3. A bunch of us ordered Christmas costumes for our horses. I was the only one who ordered through Chick’s Saddlery. I ordered my stuff on 11/23. I didn’t really think it would be an issue to get my stuff by today. However, to make certain I called Chick’s Saddlery twice on 2 different days to verify I would get the stuff on time. The last call was 11/30. I was assured by the lady I talked to that I would get my stuff by Friday 12/1. It wasn’t here when I got home Friday. I was worried so I called them but the place was closed. I was hoping it would be here by Saturday but it’s not. I called them but apparently they’re only a Monday through Friday company. Since it’s a costume ride I can’t ride. I’m extremely disappointed that I can’t go as I was really looking forward to it. What really makes me mad is that I was lied to not once, but twice. If I needed to pay for expedited shipping just say so. It wouldn’t have been an issue. If they couldn’t process and deliver my stuff in 10 days time, just say so, I’ll go elsewhere. But don’t lie to me on 2 separate occasions. That’s just wrong! If I hadn’t called twice on different days to verify I’d get my stuff I’d have no right to be mad. But I called them and was lied to. I don’t have many weekends off and I had to barter and trade favors to get tomorrow off, and now I can’t ride in the parade. Ugh!

So be aware if you order stuff from Chicks Saddlery in Harrington Delaware.

[Highflyer]

Can’t you just find something at target or the dollar store? Red polos and some tinsel? Are you sure it wasn’t a problem with USPS or ups?

[SendenHorse]

@Horseman15

I’m so disappointed it’s not even funny. I worked with a number of my horse friends to get us together to ride in a costume parade with our horses this Sunday 12/3. A bunch of us ordered Christmas costumes for our horses. I was the only one who ordered through Chick’s Saddlery. I ordered my stuff on 11/23. I didn’t really think it would be an issue to get my stuff by today. However, to make certain I called Chick’s Saddlery twice on 2 different days to verify I would get the stuff on time. The last call was 11/30. I was assured by the lady I talked to that I would get my stuff by Friday 12/1. It wasn’t here when I got home Friday. I was worried so I called them but the place was closed. I was hoping it would be here by Saturday but it’s not. I called them but apparently they’re only a Monday through Friday company. Since it’s a costume ride I can’t ride. I’m extremely disappointed that I can’t go as I was really looking forward to it. What really makes me mad is that I was lied to not once, but twice. If I needed to pay for expedited shipping just say so. It wouldn’t have been an issue. If they couldn’t process and deliver my stuff in 10 days time, just say so, I’ll go elsewhere. But don’t lie to me on 2 separate occasions. That’s just wrong! If I hadn’t called twice on different days to verify I’d get my stuff I’d have no right to be mad. But I called them and was lied to. I don’t have many weekends off and I had to barter and trade favors to get tomorrow off, and now I can’t ride in the parade. Ugh!

So be aware if you order stuff from Chicks Saddlery in Harrington Delaware.

That is too bad! did you get tracking info?

I personally have not ordered from them, but I do love riding warehouse. they are excellent.

Smart pak has started to screw up a bit too, hope it’s just a glitch. They are my second choice if RW doesn’t have it.

[Training_Cupid]

Sorry, thats a huge bummer. Can you cobble sone costume together? Have they shipped already?
Many retailers are a little backed up right now - companies i order from often that usuallt ship next day are taking several days, and then deliveries are delayed too. My bf ordered something from Amazon and got a notice it was being delivered on Thursday so he arranged to take the day off work to be home to sign for it. It didn’t come (status shown as out for delivery) so he takes Friday off too, it’s still not here!! So frustrating.

[candyappy]

I am not surprised, since everyone is ordering for Christmas who knows how long things will take to get shipped. Unless you pay for 2 day or overnight it is anyones guess.

[Horseman15]

Will, thanks to Hobby Lobby and a good friend I was able to cobble together a costume. This was my boy’s first parade. He was completely awesome!!! I hope everyone had a great day!!

[TWH_Girl]

I haven’t ordered from Chick’s either…I am glad it ended well and all worked out okay! Things take longer this time of year so I would give yourself more time in the future when ordering with a deadline around the holidays. Also, give Chick’s a chance to make it right before coming to the conclusion they let you down. Companies are just people after all, and people make mistakes.

[Halt_Near_X]

I’ve had two packages lately take significantly longer than expected to arrive to me.

I shipped something to an individual a couple weeks ago and it arrived to her in 3 days. She shipped back the same method and it took 10 to arrive to me.

And REI, who has never missed a shipping estimate in the years I’ve bought from them, was supposed to have something to me by Friday and it looks like it will be Tuesday now. They got it out on time; it’s just taking it’s own sweet time getting to me.

So you may just be seeing the start of the holiday rush, and it might be hitting a little earlier than everyone has accounted for.

Glad you were able to figure something out and had a great time on the trail ride anyway!

[Mango20]

I ordered some parade gear from Chick’s on November 19th, and they emailed the invoice the next day with tracking information (USPS). The package arrived within just a few days. I have ordered from them a few times in the past and never had any trouble.

[trubandloki]

@Horseman15 have you checked the tracking to figure out if the issue is more the shipping company than Chicks?

I ask because pretty much everything I have ordered lately is taking much longer to get here.

I checked the tracking for something last Thursday and tracking said ‘out for delivery’ but the item was not actually delivered until Friday.

With all the big sales and holiday shopping most retailers are behind. I doubt the customer service representatives are intentionally not being honest when you call and ask about delivery.

[MissAriel]

Yes, check the tracking information. I have had a number of packages take much longer than usual, and had delivery estimates extended by the shipper on a number of them. Especially as this is right around Black Friday and they set records for online shopping this year.

Glad you were able to make the best of it and had a good time!

[myhorsefaith]

That is disappointing but glad you got to participate! Chicks, Stateline, Dover- they all tend to take the longest - both to fulfill the order and then to get it on the west coast. So if I need something on a timeline I make sure to NOT buy it from them. Riding Warehouse is the best with their 2-day shipping option, Smartpak can be good too but you have to look at it item by item, not everything is available for the 2 day option. If memory serves me correctly I also believe VTO, Victory Canter, and Adams have gotten packages to me using USPS priority - but I haven’t used them much since discovering Riding Warehouse!

[creseida]

Hate to say it, but it’s not Chick’s fault.

Having worked in shipping and logistics at various places I can tell you that unless you select an expedited shipping service, there are no guarantees for delivery times. None. It gets there when it gets there.

And once it leaves Chick’s warehouse, it is out of their control. I would bet that the people you spoke to looked at the tracking info and based on what that tracking info said, they believed the order would arrive when you needed it.

So, it’s really not Chick’s fault. It’s the delivery service (i.e UPS, Fedex, USPS, etc.) for not displaying accurate tracking info for the Chick’s associates but it’s also yours for not paying for expedited shipping to guarantee your delivery.

I’ve ordered from Chick’s many times. Orders have always arrived in 7-10 days. But I always opt for the cheapest shipping because I’m never in a hurry.

[creseida]

From Chick’s Web Site under “Shipping”

We are currently on a 3-4 day shipping delay. Because of the huge response to our Black Friday sale, orders are currently taking longer to get through our warehouse. We apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause.

Air and all Domestic Express shipments are still being shipped the same day, as long as the order is placed prior to 1 pm eastern time.

We are doing our best to get caught up, and hope to be back to 24 hour shipping within a week or so.

They also note that priority shipments are going out on time, and they do offer Next Day, 2-day and 3-day shipping options.

[trubandloki]

To add to my comment about it not just being them - I just placed an order for several smaller items from Amazon. I have prime. Projected delivery is next week… with Prime which is two day shipping.

[tabula_rashah]

Having been to the actual Chick’s store several times- I’m gonna say, yup probably their fault. They probably didn’t even know where the stuff you ordered was in their warehouse and it took them that long to find it. BUT… you should be able to tell from the tracking whether it was an issue with the carrier or them. I ordered 2-day stuff in Riding Warehouse’s black friday sale- Riding Warehouse shipped on time but UPS screwed up and it was delayed.

I’ll buy staples from Chicks if I’m down in that area- brushes, manure fork, that type of thing. But tack or anything that you want to be of any quality? No way. And definitely nothing leather from them after having been in the dusty, moldy warehouse- ick!