June 7, 2010
A second round with Yummy Meats
Long ago, I posted about an encounter with Yummy Meats. That old post still gets a comment or two a week. You should read it and the comments for background. That thread is getting a little long in the tooth. You can add your comment on it or here.
You would have thought I was on a black list with YM – never knock that door. If so, someone missed the memo. I told them I was a previous customer, barely satisfied, that I ran this website and the comments weren’t all that positive. That did not stop them from trying to talk past any objection. This time, I knew what the game is so I let it go on. I may know more about their business than the sales force does.
This guy said ‘all natural’ means hormone free and few other things. No claim for organic or feed choice (grain, grass, corn, etc). That’s good! There’s no way to verify the hormone free claim, but it was explained what “Natural” is. They also said “It’s Prime or Choice”. I asked if YM had paid to have it graded. They talked past that question, “oh it’s graded…” and I could check on some website or another on how to grade beef at home. Yeah, right! I pointed out that there are no grade markings on the box or the packages. We tried to negotiate a price. At the right price, I might try again. It did look slightly better than my last box and there were some different cuts and names. The thin cut bone in rib steaks are replaced (yay!) with Tenderloin Medallions which I was told are the trimmings off the narrow end of the Tenderloin and would be just perfect of Kebabs. The hamburger patties are now 90/10 so they don’t shrink. That’s the wrong direction for good tasting hamburger, IMO. I don’t think Tenderloin be they, steaks or “Medallions”, is worth the money at any grade, but that’s just me. All in all, it wasn’t a compelling offer.
We did several dances around on the grade issue and variability, box to box, order to order along with the promises of returns (which he and my commentators admit happens). He tried to sell me just one pack of Ribeyes to win me back as a customer.
I said no, not today. Write your name on the brochure and if I decide to buy, I’ll call and ask for you. That pushed him into a another pitch. Sigh, OK, Fun’s over. “I said one of the biggest complaints on my website about YM is the aggressive sales techniques, like door to door salesmen which is what you are. I’m sensing that here. You’re not listening to me.” Yeah, that was bit harsh on my part, but 100% accurate and it wasn’t going to end if I didn’t end it firmly.
They made another half hearted attempt as they packed up. I managed to drop Amanda’s name a few times during the long conversation, one to show them I’m informed about them and also to see what would happen if they called the mother ship. No harm, no foul. I could have said ‘no’ when I opened the door and I did apologize for wasting their time.
An hour later, the guy shows up at the door with a pack of ribeyes, “I apologize if you think I was too pushy so I want you to have these” He said some other things to soothe me even though I wasn’t annoyed. It was clear that he wanted this visit to be really short and I should forgive him so he doesn’t get more unknown to me grief. Did the mother ship send him back to deliver a peace offering? I report, you decide.
In my rating system. by definition, any free steak is a good steak! I’ll test one in a day or two and report back. And if I rave or rant, you’ll know the history and that there is a possibility of a “paid for” bias. Full Disclosure. Oddly enough the box was slightly damaged like it had been closed too firmly and too often (salesman sample box) or in anger as if a salesperson was commanded to cherry pick the best steaks (of my known preference). That would be rank unfounded speculation on my part of course. I’m not saying that’s what happened. K?
I’m just reporting my observations, uninformed speculations and opinion. I don’t hate YummyMeats. or the people who own it or work there. I don’t love them either. I do dislike bullshit hard sell sales games.
Review
Out of the defrost water bath. It weighs 12.25 oz, including the packaging. Call it 3/4 lb.
Ready for the charcoal grill along with a piece of corn.
Out of the grill at 120F, left to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. I was trying for medium rare, but it came out rare. The corn really was a disappointment but that’s a different problem. Rare is a good way to taste a steak. The outer lip was medium rare and IMO, it’s the best part of a ribeye (or prime rib). Also note that the 1 thick steak spread out to be half an inch when it meets the grill. Not complaining, I’m just noticing.
It was an OK steak. Didn’t suck. It didn’t wow me, either, and as noted, my price was right. When I had half the steak finished and half the potato, I had to decide which half to finish. Sorry, YM, but the potato won the contest. I’m looking forward to tomorrow though when I slice the left over steak into thin strips and saute with a jalapeno and sliced onion for a nice taco or two.
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:35 am
First off cecil it was no peace offering, I was told that Stacey had came across a unhappy customer in the field and I authorized him to go back and give the customer a free box of steaks, it was later on that night at the office that details were given to me, he never mentioned being pushy or staying with you for an hour, i think that is an exaggeration, however if Stacey or any reps conduct is out of line we want to know about it so the situation can be handled and the customer compensated, you got your free box of steak and you never called me to let me know that you were annoyed or bothered. Also Stacey is a good hard worker and I have never gotten one single complaint on him in years, so if he was bothering you in anyway I want to know everything and I want you to call me personally, you have my number. Also that ribeye sure does look yummy but I like mine med-well done, tater and corn looks good too.
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Correct. I did not bother to complain to you, Amanda. I wasn’t that miffed because I know now how your business works and the details of the product. If you get the meat graded, then there would be nothing to complain about when it comes to sales technique.
The pictures have a reddish/yellowish tinge from the Fluorescent overhead lights. The corn only ‘looked’ good. It was the worst piece of corn I’ve ever cooked.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
I cooked another one of the YM ribeyes on 9/6/10 and it was pretty damn good! One so-so and one winner. That’s the way it works with YM and ungraded. You just don’t know what you’re going to get, unless you learn a lot first, and if you did learn that much, you probably wouldn’t buy from them.
October 29th, 2010 at 9:18 am
First time I’ve let a Salesman in the door since the mid 90′s… Just a fluke. David II out of Tri-Cities, WA was a very nice, cordial guy that was immediately likeable and came across as someone who believed in his product rather than pushy. He spent a few minutes showing me the cuts of which I IMMEDIATELY noticed the NY Strip included the ‘Strip’ of all things which all grocery stores in this area trim for whatever psychotic reason… Probably to please ignorant people who don’t know how to cook.
But I digress. His initial offerings were out of my priceline so he showed me a different box and talked about a different package deal that was much more in line with what I could stretch at the time and I believe the overall cost per pound was around $4 so I bought it believing I’d be at least a little more pleased than with the steaks I could buy at a grocery store. I followed the thawing instructions closely and modified my own cooking technique a bit guessing along the way and just finished eating THE BEST steak I’ve had outside of a high end restaurant in over 12 YEARS! Meat from grocery stores had pissed me off so bad I went vegetarian a few times in the past. But this product is exactly what he claimed it woul be… Great steaks, cut fresh, flash frozen and if you followed their instructions you’d be eating the best steak ever. Just by guessing on my time the first cook out I was able to make a steak better than the last one I had at Outback! I had theorized years ago that Outback and other high end restaurants were cooking their steaks still frozen in the middle to get the contrast between caramelization and medium rare and I was dead on. I’d tried to cook steak hundreds of times from the grocery store and could never get it to work right as my initial browning would get washed away as the water from inside the steak at room temperature created steam that steamcleaned my freakin’ steak taking all the flavor with it.
I think it is overall pretty naiive to believe that the grading system cannot be pushed to one limit or another in any situation (not to mention lobbyists tilting the playing field this way and that to let their buddies squeak through an inferior product) so I don’t believe anything anyone says unless it is a private butcher that cuts, ages and packages his own meat and NO chain grocery store does that.
Interestingly, Yummy Meats is the real deal IMHO and I fully expected to be disappointed again like I had countless times in the past and was solely focusing on the per pound price to off-set my sadness.
Not sure exactly who Amanda is but, Maam, if you are giving away steaks you don’t have to deliver them tome… I’ll happily drive ANYWHERE in the PacNW to pick them up! And after meeting DavidII last night, believe he was very cool, very honest and either such a sales savant he didn’t know it… Or, he was just telling the truth. After the results I got just off-the-cuff cooking my steak this morning, I’m inclined to believe the latter!
Shawn
Yakima, WA
November 6th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Just an update now that we’ve cooked multiples of each of their meats: Ribeye, New York Full, New York Thing, Filet Mignon, Burger, Loin Tips… No fail, great on every count!
The trick, secret is the thawing… Only 10 minutes and you cook with the majority still frozen… Season to taste, Brown on cast iron 2-3 minutes each side, transfer to 500 degree oven for 6-10 minutes (depending on cut and desired doneness), rest 3-5 minutes, serve and hang on for the best meat experience you’ve had in a LONG time!
I still have yet to be disappointed!!!
Shawn
Yakima, WA
March 16th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Just had my first Yummy Meats visit, here in Pullman, WA. The salesman, named Daniel, came to my door and since I was home alone, I was uncomfortable with him entering my house, although I did take the time to listen to his pitch. He went to the truck and brought out a huge box with several cuts of steak. After talking with him for a while about price and affordability (as a college student), I agreed to pay $30 for a box of 8 petite sirloin steaks. With a firm warning from my mom to “watch out for companies like those”, I decided to check out the website and was led to the original YM post, and all of those disheartening comments. Hopefully the meat turns out ok for my boyfriend and I, as I plan on following the exact thawing and cooking directions… I am not sure the exact weight of each steak or how many pounds I recieved, but I am curious if this seems to be a REASONABLE price. Any ideas?
May 9th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Yummy Meats is a huge scam. The customer service does not exist. The only time you can get service is when someone initially knocks on your door and tells you lies to sell you the meat. The follow-up and the promises are entirely bogus. I emailed several times, NEVER once got an email back. There is one poor girl who answers ALL of the calls (they service a few states). You can leave several messages over several weeks and never hear back…(that is, if the voice mailbox is not full and actually lets you leave a message). When I FINALLY reached someone to deliver the replacement meat that was promised to me, he made 2 appointments to come out & never showed up and never called to say he was not coming. I finally got a hold of him and he stated that they simply were not going to hold up on their end of the promise, and the guy who initially sold us the meat “no longer working for the company”. Essentially they did not care what we were promised and what we paid for it, they said it wasn’t a good deal for them. When I argued my case stating that he should follow through on what he promised us, he hung up on me. I called him back and no answer. If that is the type of “service” you are in to, then go for it. Oh yes, their chicken is not what they say it is. You can get it at costco and at the regular store. It is not organic; it is not natural. In fact it is loaded with toxic marinades that contain MSG. It is a complete rip off, beware.
July 29th, 2011 at 11:26 am
So I’m totally amazed at all that I’ve read both good and bad about Yummy Meats. Price per pound? Price per portion? good steaks bad steaks the best steaks? I Live sixty miles from the nearest grocery store. The other day this older man shows up all smiling and excited at my door boasting steaks at four bucks a cut.
His accent tells me he’s from the mid west, I am from there as well. Any ways Walter brings in this huge box of steaks simply lays them out reading them off to me, and I must admit they were very good looking well marbled steaks. He is pretty cut and dry “Pick this one up today at 389.00 and get a second one free.
Everything in me is driving me toward a purchase, I say I understand four dollars a steak but what does this break down to per pound. His answer is 8.00 dollars or so per pound. I said this wasn’t much of a savings over grocery store prices. He replies it’s better quality meat delivered to your door by a nice personable sould like me. I laugh I buy the steaks. He takes the time to explain how to thaw them in cold water 5 to ten minutes and cook them partially froze.
WOW, WOW ,WOW, EVERY SINGLE STEAK WAS TENDER AND DELICIOUS. AND THE STEAK BURGERS ARE THE VERY BEST. BRAVO WALTER, BRAVO YUMMY MEATS, I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO THAWING INSTRUCTIONS, AND WALT, IF YOU’RE READING THIS WE WILL BE ORDERING MORE.
NOW PEOPLE, WE ARE IN TOUGH TIMES. THIS MAN WAS AS HONEST AS THE DAY IS LONG. AND I WILL PURCHASE FROM HIM FOR AS LONG AS HE’S WITH YUMMY MEATS. HE GAVE ME HIS CELL NUMBER AND PROMISED TO HANDLE ANY ISSUES PERSONALLY.
I JUST CAN’T ACURATELY SAY HOW PLEASED I AM WITH WALT, AND YUMMY MEATS. TRY THEM, FIGURE OUT WHAT YOUR TIME IS WORTH IN LONG LINES AT THE MARKET, THE COST OF DRIVING EXSPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE OUT IN THE COUNTRY IN REALITYHE SAVED ME A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY.
AMANDA YOU HAVE AN AWESOME COMPANY, AND I PRAY YOU KEEP ON DELIVERING GREAT STEAKS. OH AND TELL WALT I’M READY FOR THAT KING SEAFOOD.
August 15th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
I will never buy from Yummy Meats again. Worst experience ever. Similar story as many above- come to house late evening (9pm) “I saw your lights were still on…” pile the meat in front of you, talk fast, etc. If I had thought it through- I would have figured price per pound- not per serving. I was lured in by the statement that it was “all natural”. Steve (sales guy) even said the chicken was free range – grown by the Menonite? in Washington state. I am concerned about the antibiotics and excessive use of hormones and just by the poor treatment of animals grown for meat – so yeah- my bad- I bought the $189 chicken pack. It had 6 boxes and each box had about 4 servings per box.
Well- as I was putting it into my freezer I noticed one of the packaging was damaged- hole a little smaller than a dime. I called Steve- he said he was in Wyoming today and asked me to call the 800# so they could fax him a work order. Interestingly enough-
Amanda’s 1-877-549-8669 number has a full mailbox and I was unable to leave a message. I called Steve back, but I figure he tagged my phone number as “angry customer” and isn’t going to call me back. This place is a JOKE. The one thing I want to know is where is their meat coming from. I don’t believe it is free range chicken living the good life. I think they are getting it from cheap slaughter houses. The meat isn’t that great. I tried the lemon pepper chicken breast- I was told it was “flavor infused” WTF? – It was really bland. I am in South East Idaho – watch out for these guys if they come to your door.
September 27th, 2011 at 11:27 am
First of all i would love to thank all of the the positive feed back on our great company thank you all.
and if anyone is having any kind of problem please just give the company a call they will do everything in there power to complete our coustomer service to the fullest