Broken Stones - A Common Issue with Pampered Chef Orders?

[chefann]

If it's happening to everyone, there may be some bad batches of products. Be aware of the problem, and call every host to make sure things are OK. (I tell mine to open boxes when they're packing bags for their guests and at least give everything the once-over.)

 

[kmschroll2001]

I have had one past host who has now received 3 broken small bar pans. Everytime she gets a replacement it is also broken. It is getting to the point that she doesn't even want it anymore. I don't know what the deal is with them shipping the stones, maybe they need better packaging for them.

 

[heat123]

I thought they were beefing up the boxes or adding styrofoam or something for the stones so they don't get damaged during shipment?? Did I imagine that announcement???

 

[PC1]

I just had a large bar pan arrive broken, the new packaging helps, but it doesn't help when they put the box on the bottom of the box with no bubble wrap for added protection.

 

[vwpamperedchef]

obviously i am not awake yet, as i thought your posting was titled "broken BONES". LOL

good morning:blushing:

 

[tpopescu]

I have had a lot of missing items lately--but not broken. My boxes have been pretty beat up too...

 

[pmpdRRT]

I had a broken muffin stone come broken. The bubble wrap in the box had shifted to one side leaving it unprotected. I think it is probably fedex. I am glad that HO doesn't give us problems replacing these items.

 

[sjgibbons]

I had a rectangle baker arrive broken last week. Thanks for the tip to open everything and look it over. I would not have thought to do that.

 

[pamperedposey]

Add one more broken Large Round Stone with Handles to the list!
My host just called me yesterday and when she put it in the over for the first time, it shattered. She just put a refrigerated pizza on it (not even frozen). She said when it broke it was so loud it rattled the oven door. I'm surprised it didn't do any damage to her oven (besides cheese all over!!) :yuck:

 

[amyv]

I had the same problem Sunday at an open house. A little embarrassing to open the oven to show off the brie and have my stone split into 4 pieces. Best part is, it is under 30days old, and HO wants me to send it back to them, at my cost.

 

[heat123]

I had the same problem Sunday at an open house. A little embarrassing to open the oven to show off the brie and have my stone split into 4 pieces. Best part is, it is under 30days old, and HO wants me to send it back to them, at my cost.

Why is that if it's less than 30 days?

 

[amyv]

I'm not sure, I have an email into HO but they haven't returned it yet...guess I will have to call today ): Like I have time for that!

 

[heatherkiss]

I had a customer dirict ship a stone w/ handles. B R O K E N. HQ wanted the customer to wait for a label and then take her package to the post office. i said no. They had fedex pickup I hope HQ sends her a new stone quick.One of my friends had her stone break. I sent in the palm size piece. after weeks she got 2 lids! A chillzane lid and and a batter bowl lid. What?Thankfully she got her stone yesterday. I took almost a month.

 

[amyv]

It's really annoying because I have been doing the jerk chicken nachos at every show lately, I can use my regular round stone, but I bought the other one to sell it...whatever I guess I should let it go! Bigger problems in the world than my fractured stone!

 

[LBurke]

I just had a customer whose stone arrived chipped and I put in a product adjustment for it. HO is making her pay to send it back for one that is not damaged. REALLY? She didn't break it, it arrived that way... why should she have to pay to send back a heavy stone she didn't damage? If I call HO, do you think they'd either send her a label at their cost or send FedEx for it.

 

[chefann]

Yes- call HO. If it's within 30 days of the original shipment from the warehouse, they should cover shipping it back (whether that's via label or pick-up).

 

[LBurke]

It's not... the show shipped end of September and she's just now getting around to opening it... Maybe I'm just weird... I open everything on the way back to the house from the mailbox or on the way in the door when FedEx drops it off!

 

[sarahlegare]

It's really annoying because I have been doing the jerk chicken nachos at every show lately, I can use my regular round stone, but I bought the other one to sell it...whatever I guess I should let it go! Bigger problems in the world than my fractured stone!

I know this is kinda off topic, but I use the Large Bar Pan~it makes more nachos & the little lip helps the nachos from falling off!! The Bar Pan is definately my favorite stone!!:love:

 

[Addie4TLC]

I know this is kinda off topic, but I use the Large Bar Pan~it makes more nachos & the little lip helps the nachos from falling off!! The Bar Pan is definately my favorite stone!!:love:

This was one of the recipes that a consultant on my team made this weekend and I thought the same thing- that the bar pan would work better. They were delicious, Jean loved them!

 

[kspry]

the show shipped end of September and she's just now getting around to opening it... Maybe I'm just weird...

You're not weird! I love opening boxes of new stuff.
I tell all my customers to open their stuff right away, to make sure it is OK, and if it isn't, PC will pay shipping in the first 30 days. Otherwise they will have to pay shipping. If they know the policy beforehand, they won't be shocked if I say I'm not paying to ship it back.

 

[Addie4TLC]

You're not weird! I love opening boxes of new stuff.
I tell all my customers to open their stuff right away, to make sure it is OK, and if it isn't, PC will pay shipping in the first 30 days. Otherwise they will have to pay shipping. If they know the policy beforehand, they won't be shocked if I say I'm not paying to ship it back.

I agree this will save a lot of headaches. When you're upfront with customers then they are not caught be surprise. This is where big MAC calls are great too. You call your customers and ask them if they got their orders and if they can please make sure everything is in good condition because if anything is wrong that can be fixed w/o having to pay to return it. If they haven't opened the box then you can urge them to pull it out of the box and give them ideas on how to "break it in". They might just be so thrilled with the results they will order more.

Hey Kspry- First time I see your picture! I'll have to post my mug on here soon too.

 

[fikibiff]

Add another round stone with handles to the broken list. Ii made peanut butter cookies w/my cookie press at a show today. I put it in the oven and when I went to take it out, it was broken in half. At least the cookies were still good. I love my cookie press. There were only 4 guests at the show, but 1 bought the cookie press - none bought stones.

 

[MaddyandOwensMom]

I know we have had a lot of stones broken in one particular area of Long Island, NY. I've had a customer say the boxes were thrown on her porch by FedEx. Only one of my customers actually had a stone break and I called to make sure it was taken care of. I beleive it was over the 30 days by the time to host got around to calling me, but HO shipped a new one anyway, free of charge.

With any stone breaking upon 1st use, could it be that food is not evenly distributed? Like with the Brie-That's one cold item right in the middle of the stone which could cause breakage. I wouldn't think it should happen with a dozen cookies though. Now I warn my guests to make sure that if you are doing anything on a stone, make sure the food is evenly distributed. Such as if you are doing a chicken in a baker, potatoes or some other veggies should surround it.
Just a thought. Maybe the brie recipe was not well thought out. The Stoneware Inspirations cookbook features something similar in the Small Baker. It worked out very well.
Jessica

 

[LibrarianChef]

I have had 3 hosts complain about their boxes! They said it looked like FedEx played kick ball with them! I have received a call from Fed Ex and so did my host, and we both were heavily apologized to. So hopefully the situation will be fixed!
Stones shouldn't be broken as bad lately with the new way they are packing the stone boxes, makes you wonder what the heck they are doing with the boxes! :grumpy: :grumpy:

I've received some pretty banged up boxes, too! The corners will be bent in and the whole side looks smashed. So far, nothing broken inside. But still, it seems crazy for the boxes to look so worn after a couple days of shipping.

 

[kspry]

Like with the Brie-That's one cold item right in the middle of the stone which could cause breakage.

Just an FYI - the recipe calls for the brie to be at room temp.

 

[MaddyandOwensMom]

Thanks! I actually haven't made it yet. Good to know!
Jessica

 

[bethsbiz]

I think the issue with our shipper is really based on each person's area. I have had virtually no difference with Fed Ex and no major problems with breakage. The only time I've had issues were when PC had their major delays a few months ago and several of the boxes were obviously packed poorly -- by PC!

I sell tons of stones and have had none to replace in the past 3 months. One batter bowl. Just sometimes are worse than others I think.

Hope it settles down for y'all that are having problems!

 

[kspry]

heh, I just another job delivering stuff. I'll try not to break it.