Westin Gourmet.....and online meat ordering.

A question about : Westin Gourmet.....and online meat ordering.

Initially Westin Gourmet seemed a great idea for ordering quality meat on occasions, unfortunately, over the last couple of orders we have noticed the quality drop off, and the problems rise.
Meat packets are not fully sealed, and we have had leakages for raw chicken and cooked ham respectively.

Upon complaining about the chicken, a very reluctant refund for only a third of the cost of the chicken was made as I had described having to pick out a third of the chicken from all over the box, whilst washing down everything else. No offer of replacement or full refund, not to mention the revolting mess I had to clean up. I had to email and ring twice to get a response too.

When in the next order the cooked sliced ham packet was not sealed properly and had spilled out too, I didn't bother complaining, I just binned it. And vowed to not order the chicken breasts or ham again.
The last (and probably final) order has been such a disappointment, with dry and chemical tasting bacon (allegedly maple cured but in reality coloured by paprika), small and shrivelled whole chicken, and all with really quite short dates and imported from France though not advertised as such.

I'm switching to a different online supplier who offers British produce, who hopefully can properly seal the meat packaging! Any suggestions gratefully received!

Best answers:

• I would get all my meat from Donald Russell.....if I could afford it.
  I cant
  But I stock up with 1/2 price offers and free P&P when its on.
  Mince is excellent......many repeat purchases by me.
• I get all my meat from D Russell now, once you've tried it your hooked , so be warned.
  I go through Quidco, and only buy when there's free delivery and spread the deliveries over about 6 months.
  I wasn't impressed by their ready meals, lasagna fish cakes etc, way too pricy, (small portions). You can make better at home.
  I buy their mince (beef , lamb , pork), stew , beef rib trim, taffelspitz, and their winter stew packs , their brisket is delicious, so is their mini roasts. And their rib eye steaks when I get a payment from Quidco.
  Recently I took two of their giant steak burgers out of the freezer , they were nearly defrosted when OH announced that he wanted mince and potatoes, so I broke them up with a fork. OMG! the mince was delicious, a bit coarser than their reg mince. Two burgers are perfect just for two.
  The packaging is always perfect. The polystyrene box the meat comes in make great planters mixed with two parts compost one part cement. You plop it on with your hands ( rubber gloved). They are light to carry around and look great planted up.
• Hmm interesting, Ive also had the same problem with Westin Gourmet. I moved from Donald Russell to Weston Gourmet as every order I was getting with Donald Rusell, the packaging had split during transit so was getting a bit cheesed off although I can't fault the customer service. They say it's still ok to eat but I don't.
  Might go back to Donald Russell though as their mince beef and meatballs are amazing.
  BB
• Thank you - interesting to hear I'm not alone!
  I will look up Donald Russell, so thank you for the tip.
• I always use Clare Barry
  Buy all my Chicken Breasts and Minced Steak from there
  Only thing I'm not that keen on was the sausages, but only personal opinion.
  I have always found everything excellent quality.
  https://www.clarebarry.co.uk/products...ced-Steak-.cfm
  https://www.clarebarry.co.uk/products...ken-Breast.cfm
  https://www.clarebarry.co.uk/products...ffer-GREEN.cfm
• Farmison are great for online meat.
• Just found another thread that I posted on...worth a read as another member ordered from Clare Barry and wasnt that keen on the Mince but loved the Chicken.
  It's always good to get feedback from other members, good or bad.
  Hope this helps
  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....php?t=4359865
• I had the same experience with Westin Gourmet. Awful service and misleading offers. Their customer service helpline nearly drove me demented with all the 'we're just here for a chat' crap they force you to listen to while trying to find out why they've only delivered half your order and the half you've got is either wrong or mashed up. They're a very sneaky company who are all marketing and nothing more. I've gone back to my local-ish farm shop now.
• Thanks for all replies. Seems I'm not alone with WG? A shame.
  Still, I took the plunge after finding a Donald Russell offer in this months Good Food magazine for a steak selection pack for Ј29 delivered.
  It contained loads of different steaks, minced steak, sausages, steak burgers, and some steak strips for stewing or stir frying.
  Very impressive quality and delivery, so I have a little freezer stash of good quality meat now
• just placed a first order with clare Barry after reading various threads on here - mainly for chicken cause we eat plenty -free delivery was supposed to end yesterday but still going though today
• i am awaiting a order from cb, today !, will let you know how it compares to wg as iv also had a order from them too !
• I use https://www.chadwicksbutchers.com/pro...page/checkout/ they arw a bit expensive, as they sell organic and free range, they are around the corner from me, I do know they deliver, as I see there van about and Jamie Oliver recommends them at his.chef classes in clapham junction.
  Usually I get thw racks of ribs, only 5-6 quid and i find that it works out cheaper than the supermarket, I also like their kievs, o think they make them there and.i like their pies alot.
  Was going.to try Weston I keep seeing them on groupon etc.
• I don't post that often but I thought I'd share my experience.
  Ihave just finished the meat I ordered from Clarebarry. The chicken breasts are ok, a good size and not too much sinew. Pork loin steaks ok, a bit thin but not full of water like supermarket meat. The minced beef quite frankly was the deal breaker. Its very coarse which I don't mind but some will dislike but themain reason is that it just doesn't taste very nice, it had an overwhelming flavour which I just didn't like, it wasn't off but very strong.
  I have gone back to my local butcher buying once a month to fill my freezer plus I know I'm supporting local farmers and the butcher even if it is slightly inconvenient to have to go in to town to do it.
• I now buy my meat from Cranstons of Penrith and all I can say is that it is fantastic meat and the sausages are out of this world. All my orders have been very well packed and reach me in North Wales in perfect condition.
  I used to buy from Donald Russell but do find Cranstons much better and a a little bit cheaper.
  Sorry I cant put in a link because I am new.
• Found it for you
  https://www.cranstons.net/
• I've never had any problems with westingourmet...oh bar one where i didn't get the right amount of pork ribs in a pack, but their customer service was really great, they refunded me and a couple of days later i got a nice bag of chocolate fudge through the post as way of an apology.
  We tried https://www.stiltonbutchers.co.uk/ last month. Their chicken breasts are tasty, pork belly and beef skirt are great but pork shoulder was a little underwhelming. Have to say tho that their customer service was appalling, so they may well have lost a customer due to that even if their meat is good.
  https://www.allensofmayfair.co.uk/ meat is good quality, they often have a half price offer on their selection boxes so not bad value for money.
• I've ordered from Westin Gourmet a fair few times now... Have to say I've never ever had a prob - can't speak for their customer service as I've never had to speak to anyone as had no probs... I love their meat so am really shocked that people have had probs BUT on the other hand the last order i made was a few months ago... Disappointing to hear they might have gone downhill their steaks are to die for! (or were! Lol) and their pork loin steaks gorgeous!!! I o ly order when there's a good offer on, but possibly won't bother again now lol
• I have had the same experience with Westin Gourmet! They used to be great and I turned a good 5 people on to them. The quality was impressive (almost 2 years ago now) and the customer service was top-notch. Sadly, the past order I placed with them there were numerous issues and when I contacted customer service either I couldn't get through on the phone (trying numerous times at different times of day) or I got an insulting response to my emails. When someone finally called me, he was very rude and when his phone cut out after a few minutes, he didn't bother calling back.
  They don't seem to care much about losing customers so I won't be going back! I do NOT recommend them! I think I'll try Donald Russell...
• we have been using westin gourmet since we found an amazon local offer for boxes. the meat quality is much better than supermarket and after we realised better buying direct than keeping up a pre planned box (more for your money from various offers) we have continued to buy from them.
  To be far we have had a few issues but they have alway refunded and/or added something extra in the next box. once they managed to send double but as not oreder they let me keep and charged just for what was ordered. That was a good week.
  I am willing to accept the odd issue as they usually fix quite easily. i'm sure it would be the same for most of these companies. but WG is far better value than most sites and the quality has generally been very good.
  This is making me hungry!