SmartPak issues - anyone else?

[mfglickman]

I stopped my horses’ smartpaks last summer because they were constantly shipping late and the trainer would contact me to let me know she was out; I’d call smartpak and they hadn’t shipped (yet had billed days, up to a week, prior). They told me at the time they’d had issues with UPS and with one of the machines they use to make the strips going down. This happened three times and I switched to buckets from another vendor.

Fast forward to this summer; horse is going to board at college so I started up her smartpaks again (some of my bucket supplements aren’t available in smartpaks and college wants smartpaks, so I wanted a couple of months to make sure the substitutes are working). May and June shipped late, in May we made my billing date a week earlier to try and get this on track, but still had no supplements for 3 days at the beginning of June and July. I called smartpak who don’t have any answers, just apologies.

I got a notification yesterday that my supplements that were due to ship on July 21 are again delayed, with no ship date estimated.

Has anyone else had this happen? I feel like a hostage. They have no explanation, billing every 3 weeks is no better in terms of shipping than billing every month.

Back in the day years ago I used to have to pause smartpaks because they shipped so often I’d have an extra month sitting around. I guess that would be better than this.

Just curious if anyone else is having similar issues?

[clanter]

well there is this ongoing 60 plus post regarding your issue in Off Course

Smartpak Shipping

Just tried her in a Turtleneck and it fits very well. But the Schneiders ones were one of the options.

[Highflyer1]

Yes, even their regular non supplement orders are taking forever to ship. There’s a thread in the Off Course section about it.

[trubandloki]

@mfglickman

I stopped my horses’ smartpaks last summer because they were constantly shipping late and the trainer would contact me to let me know she was out; I’d call smartpak and they hadn’t shipped (yet had billed days, up to a week, prior). They told me at the time they’d had issues with UPS and with one of the machines they use to make the strips going down. This happened three times and I switched to buckets from another vendor.

Fast forward to this summer; horse is going to board at college so I started up her smartpaks again (some of my bucket supplements aren’t available in smartpaks and college wants smartpaks, so I wanted a couple of months to make sure the substitutes are working). May and June shipped late, in May we made my billing date a week earlier to try and get this on track, but still had no supplements for 3 days at the beginning of June and July. I called smartpak who don’t have any answers, just apologies.

I got a notification yesterday that my supplements that were due to ship on July 21 are again delayed, with no ship date estimated.

Has anyone else had this happen? I feel like a hostage. They have no explanation, billing every 3 weeks is no better in terms of shipping than billing every month.

Back in the day years ago I used to have to pause smartpaks because they shipped so often I’d have an extra month sitting around. I guess that would be better than this.

Just curious if anyone else is having similar issues?

I assume when you moved up your billing date by a week you also moved up your shipping date by a week, just want to confirm that is the case.

In your situation I would be calling Smartpak again (and again, and again). The whole premise is that they have their supplements in a timely manner.

From having my horse at a boarding barn my order typically ships when I am just opening the second half of my order, not because Smartpak shipped too often but I assume my horse was not getting their supplements regularly at the boarding barn.
Because of this, I do not have to worry if they are a little late during these behind the schedule times. Though I have not noticed it being a problem with my order.

It was nice when we had Smartpak employees here to answer questions and help with problems. I wonder what happened to those people?

[mfglickman]

Yes. They used to bill and ship within a day or two of each other, now they bill but don’t ship. Moved the date because of the shipping issue, but it’s still not working…

[mfglickman]

Thanks. I never go in that forum, will remove this thread…

[trubandloki]

You can’t remove the thread. Just go with it. Maybe someone will see it here that did not see it there.

[trubandloki]

@mfglickman

Yes. They used to bill and ship within a day or two of each other, now they bill but don’t ship. Moved the date because of the shipping issue, but it’s still not working…

Move next month’s (and all future) back another week. That will give them two weeks worth of lag time to hopefully get everything out in a timely manner. If it leaves some overlap then that just keeps you safe for future.

[quietann]

Yes, that thread happened. A COTH forum member kindly gifted me a used Rambo flysheet, but it proved to be too warm for her, even though she was only wearing it from dusk to dawn. Plus she was gradually destroying it, e.g. tore off one of the belly straps and the tail strap. To be fair, the flysheet was used, and the person who gave it to me thought it had one more season in it.

So I needed something else, and hopefully have found it. The turtleneck fits her neck very well, and the sheet does not have a gap in the front.

ETA: I will update on that thread.

[clanter]

@quietann

Yes, that thread happened.

actually that thread is running current time as many others posted their shipments not shipping on time .

So far that has not occurred for the supplements one of our mares has been getting, however IF They Charge my credit card without shipping I Will contest the charge. I do check my credit card accounts nearly daily

[quietann]

OK, I think I misunderstood you.

My SmartPaks look to be coming about 5 days late. Not good but not the end of the world.

[sascha]

Haven’t had issues since I’m in Canada and can’t get them, but I will pass on what works for me and might work for your new barn. I buy appropriately sized Ziplock containers and make up about 2 months of supplements packs at once. They stack well and last literally years and even then, maybe the lid tab snaps off, but they are still usable if a tiny bit more annoying to open.

If the college insists on Smartpak brand, ask them their secret for getting them shipped on time on the regular Me, as a grown ass, vocal advocate for my horse, I would push hard on the college to suck it up and accept my re-fillable containers over the possibility of my horse missing even a day of supplements.

I’d also offer to bend a little backwards to help them make storage of my containers as easy as Smartpaks. If they have the shelf thingies - how could I (not permanently) renovate them to accommodate my containers? Or could I provide plastic shelving? A tote? Whatever they would need to make it as simple as Smartpaks AND fit in their feed room.

I’ve been doing this for 25 years at at least half a dozen different barns and apart from initial eye rolling, no-one has had a problem once everything is set up and is truly as easy as I promised it would be.

Good luck whichever way things end up!

[quietann]

Here’s another tip for containers: get the ones with twist-off lids rather than flip up lids. They will cost a bit more up front but last longer, and are much easier for barn staff to use. I use the Rubbermaid Twist and Seal 1.2 cup size.

There are so many things that are not available in SmartPaks, it would be impossible (or very expensive) to duplicate my mare’s regimen in SmartPaks.

[WildGooseChase]

Your post is literally the same things I went through. I stopped because they were constantly shipping late, bagged my own for over a year, and just started up again because I’m full care boarding for the first time and it’s easier for the older owners of the facility. Well they have zero issue taking my money, but they’re not shipping in time. The carrier is also not the issue. Once it’s in the hands of the UPS driver, ( i get the same one every time), it’s on time. The issue is they don’t get the product into the carriers possession in time!

Overall, I think I’m going back to bulk supplements that I bag up myself. I am sick of walking on eggshells and not knowing how many days my horse is going to miss this month.

[mfglickman]

They billed me July 22 this month, but have not shipped. I just tried to call and the wait time is…55 minutes. (Facepalm).

I just got a notification that one of the supplements I ordered in buckets from them (just for the summer) isn’t shipping on time, here’s another $10 coupon.

[Renn_aissance]

@quietann

Here’s another tip for containers: get the ones with twist-off lids rather than flip up lids. They will cost a bit more up front but last longer, and are much easier for barn staff to use. I use the Rubbermaid Twist and Seal 1.2 cup size.

I use these amber jars, which I purchased to pre-package supplements with a light-sensitive medication. They also come in clear. My barn’s staff said they prefer them to the Tupperware snap-top lids I was using before. This has made things very easy because the horse is eating a handful of grain and eight (8) additives, most of which are prescription or on a dosing schedule no one else really needs to deal with, and this way the barn has to deal with the bare minimum of complication. I do feed two SmartPak-brand supplements that have been good for my horse, but the actual SmartPak feeding system produces an incredible amount of waste. Besides, if I buy them in buckets, I have more deck planters when the bucket is empty.

I have adjusted my autoships from every company to arrive two weeks before I think I need them. SmartPak is at least shipping out faster than AlliVet pharmacy.

[sascha]

@Renn_aissance

I use these amber jars

Thank you for this! I pre-package regular supps for evening meal in Ziplock boxes and have been happy with this for years both handling myself and when barn staff have had to handle them.

But, I have been unhappy with the smaller containers I got for morning and evening medicated snacks. These might be just the ticket to pissing me off a little less every evening I mean half a cup of feed and a few pills should just not piss me off so thoroughly with their ridiculous antics.

In other news, for those feeding oil, I have tried it ALL from automotive type pumps to measuring cups, to large ladles, and finally broke down and bought a water jug like this https://www.instacart.ca/landing?product_id=18861951&retailer_id=462&region_id=10785192826&utm_medium=sem_shopping&utm_source=instacart_google&utm_campaign=ad_demand_shopping_rp_can_walmart-canada&utm_content=accountid-9027578958_campaignid-14094428300_adgroupid-133683155891_device-c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrLCm3d6b-QIV9jytBh23IALMEAQYBSABEgJpnfD_BwE and am completely smitten. The opening is wide enough to easily pour even a 16L jug of oil in without spilling and the little spigot seals well. I’ve attached the bottom half of a tiny Ziplock container with wire to the spigot and placed a small piece of shop towel in the bottom to catch the literal 1 drop per day it might give up. Also got a batter pouring measuring cup. Game changers. No spilled oil, no greasy hands, no mess from an oily measuring cup or utensil accidentally placed on something I don’t want to get oily.

[awaywego]

I have been thanked multiple times for using the ziploc containers as they are easier, particularly for people with arthritic hands, to feed. Smartpaks are definitely easier for me though The more I hear about recycling makes me think I need to get both of my horses into the reusable ziplocs and stop my Smartpak-induced laziness

[EVneo]

Smartpaks is done getting my business as of last week. To be fair, I used them for auto order on buckets of supps and not smartpaks themselves anymore. I use these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076RBVQ7Z/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pf_rd_p=3481f441-61ac-4028-9c1a-7f9ce8ec50c5&pf_rd_r=XVJ6PN9HGMXFAZTE1PAS&pd_rd_wg=IHmM4&pd_rd_w=dLhaw&content-id=amzn1.sym.3481f441-61ac-4028-9c1a-7f9ce8ec50c5&pd_rd_r=019bcac4-f4c1-4207-9cdd-081f1b93f343&s=kitchen&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFZOUIwR0VSMjdZUVMmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3NzM3MjBZV0U0VjdYREMyU1EmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDg1OTk3NDJGM0xISEIwSk9FTE0md2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWMmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl and can confirm, a month’s worth fits perfectly into the smartpak drawer

[Amy3996]

I was billed on the 21st. Received an email from SmartPak with an apology today, offering a $10 discount on a $50 order as my SmartPaks still have not shipped. I built in about a 2 week buffer so my horse still has supplements and hopefully this will be resolved before he runs out, but this is getting a bit ridiculous.