Comments regarding DarkEggs.com

I had a horrible experience with this company last spring...in fact I never received the chicks I had paid for...and never received any sort of refund. I tried and tried to get hold of Suzie, but I was never able to after my initial order and finally just gave up. There goes my $120. It made me realize that it's better to deal with folks face-to-face, locally.

WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER!!!!!!!!

I had a terrible experience with DarkEggs. The company used to be owned/run by a very nice gentleman about 6 years ago. When I called Darkeggs recently to place an order, the new owner, a woman named Suzie informed me that she had recently acquired the company. She was full of excuses as to why she didn't return my several phone calls over the span of two weeks, nor any of my emails. I mean, I am a pretty easy going gal, but two weeks and you couldn't get back to me?? You would think this woman would want the business, no?? After finally getting her on the phone (I just kept calling), I will admit, she was very nice and chatted with me at length about the breeds I was considering after looking at her extensive website and breeds (about half of which were unavailable by the way, even though the website said they were ready to ship--again with the excuses from Suzie about her computer being old, etc, but I made substitutions). I finally placed my order with much trepidation.

The week the baby chicks were to arrive, I tried getting in touch with Suzie to nail down a date and to confirm when they were arriving. As usual, no return phone calls, and she did not respond to my emails either. I was so frustrated. The prices are higher than most sites, and I paid about 100$ for my chicks. I certainly expected to be treated with more respect.

At the end of the week and still no babies, I left several panicked messages for Suzie. Where are the babies?? Did they ship? Are they sitting in the post office? I was pretty ticked that she couldn't even shoot me a quick email but never lost my cool. By Friday, I got up in the morning and just headed to my post office.Yes, they had the chicks, but there were no phone numbers or instructions OF ANY KIND on the top of the box and they did not know what to do with the baby chicks. So they sent them to one of their satellite offices. I got in my car and drove over there--just in time to stop them from being loaded onto the truck---FOR THEM TO BE DELIVERED--to what?? MY mailbox???? I mean, I just don't know what to say about this. It wasn't my post office's fault. The shipper should take responsibility for the chicks and make it as easy on them (and me) as possible. SO. The post office was relieved that I was there, and handed them over...They were just fine, but I was so happy they didn't have to drive around in a hot truck all day long only to be left, I dunno? By my front gate?? I have no idea what would have happened to them! And it was so avoidable!!!! I have placed many an order with companies like Mypetchicken.com and my number and instructions for the post office are in large print on top of the box. They call me first thing, I go pick 'em up. Easy breezy.

SO. I strongly advise against dealing with Darkegg.com. They do have a wonderful selection of chicken breeds, but is it worth the hassle? I don't think so.

As further reason to avoid the company, about a week in to having the baby chicks, one of the Americana chicks started showing signs of "scissor beak". If you don't know what it is, look it up online, its a genetic disorder that causes the bottom beak to grow sideways from the top. Eventually, the chicken can't eat and it starves to death. Of course, I called Suzie again. If I am paying 8 bucks a chicken, I think I should be refunded for the one I have to put down. Heartbreaking to have to euthanize a baby chick and as far as I am concerned (and I have ordered babies from all kinds of websites over the years and NEVER had a problem) it is unforgivably bad breeding.

Still waiting to hear back from Miss Suzie about the refund. Which is why I am here posting. I just think that the company is a hot mess and I am not holding my breath on hearing from her. If you're smart, order someplace else.