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AKross wrote:I can confirm the SurePak part of your post MREDepot, I made a post about it a few days ago.

viewtopic.php?t=2252

I picked the wrong time to start this sort of thing I guess. Either way I am impressed by your response. Next time I order a case of MREs I am ordering them from you.

Glad to see that I am not the only one who has seen this, thanks. Sorry that you got stung on this AKross - great idea to post though, helps to spread the word.

Just for grins and giggles, here’s the pictures of what Ameriqual has been selling - at least you got some military components which is more than customers got who purchased these (although my understanding is that most of them went to deployed first responders who needed immediate food stocks);










I’m kind of puzzled why we’re seeing this kind of demand/shortage right now. This hurricane seaqson was definitely worse than the last couple of years, but with the exception of Galveston, which I hear has a way to go to get back to normal still, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the 2005 season. My only guess is that people are a little spooked about the economy and are stocking up for rough times that could be ahead.

My advice to anyone who is considering a purchase of civilian MRE’s is to hold off for a little while if you can. I’m guessing that things will get back to normal (and prices should start coming down) a little while after the election in a couple of weeks (at least that is my hope;-).

wstrnsky wrote:PM replied to. Thank you for your response to this issue.
I have researched my fathers case as well and can send complete listing for his cases contents ( If needed) and a total list of both of our missing items and quantities. I see no reason in listing his contents as a resolution may be in the future.

I look forward to your future menu changes. The breakfast menu's and the addition of side dishes would be great for these MRE's.

I commend you for your efforts at customer service and satisfaction. As I know what it takes to do so working for one for the largest beer manufactures in the world.

An understanding customer, Wstrnsky

Thanks for the PM and the understanding wstmsky, I really appreciate it! I PM’d you a resolution for you and your Dad. Let me know if either of you didn’t just get it.

I’ll definitely keep you posted on the new menus - I’m really looking forward to them myself. Meanwhile, thanks to your efforts going through these, we are having talks with our supplier on getting this corrected right away. We’re going to be sending some back as well as advising people that the contents could vary for the next few weeks.

Now the pressure is really on them to come up with the new menus sooner rather than later as our contract is very specific on the variety and the number of calories per meal. You most definitely saved us a bunch of grief in the future, and may have help moved the time table up on the new menus, I really appreciate it!

-Steve

Those are interesting photos of the Ameriqual product, Steve. Thanks for sharing them! Is that a case of what they're calling "aPacks" or just a case of emergency meals that they've been selling?

Yeah, that is pretty scary for sure. Fortunately they are not calling them apacks, but just emergency MRE Meals. They have been offering them to the trade for re-sale since they have been out of aPacks. They are saying that by mid-November they may start to be able to get some aPacks out.

The really scary thing is that they want $50 a case of these emergency meals - and that is wholesale pricing if you take a half-truckload or more...

-Steve

Wow, scary stuff. Looks like they have some cans in there, but I doubt they include a can opener. Not that if your are hungry enough you wouldn't find a way. As for this shortage I hope we will see the end of it soon, I would like to order another case sometime at the end of November, but I don't really feel like anymore Spam singles.

MREDepot,

Wow, you have surpassed my expectations and have gone above and beyond the call in customer service and satisfaction. You have definetly made a wrong a right. When I informed my father of your resolution he said "That is a great company, and one that cares about their customers."

It is good to know we now have a reliable and safe place to purchase one of the items that we use greatly in our outdoor travels and adventures.
When you recieve the new menu changes for these MRE's we will be standing in line waiting to purchase more cases. Once again I commend you and your stand on customer satisfaction and service. Bravo!!


A very satisfied customer Wstrnsky

kman wrote:Those are interesting photos of the Ameriqual product, Steve. Thanks for sharing them! Is that a case of what they're calling "aPacks" or just a case of emergency meals that they've been selling?

I have it on good authority AQ sold everything they had in stock to Louisiana. You can't blame them for selling product.....especially since these companies sit on inventory a lot of the time.

Also, take into consideration the civilian MRE market is secondary to the production of military meals (think Govment contract$$)....

I'm surprised MREStar was mentioned as it was in MREDepot's reply, I'd heard they'd sold a bunch of inventory to the owners homeland (Peru). I always felt the MREStar menu was a little "gourmet" but because they ae located in FLA, I figured they'd do well.....I tried to help them out last year but my ideas fell on deaf ears....

wstrnsky wrote:MREDepot,

Wow, you have surpassed my expectations and have gone above and beyond the call in customer service and satisfaction. You have definetly made a wrong a right. When I informed my father of your resolution he said "That is a great company, and one that cares about their customers."

It is good to know we now have a reliable and safe place to purchase one of the items that we use greatly in our outdoor travels and adventures.
When you recieve the new menu changes for these MRE's we will be standing in line waiting to purchase more cases. Once again I commend you and your stand on customer satisfaction and service. Bravo!!

A very satisfied customer Wstrnsky

Thank you for the understanding, forgiveness AND for the kind words Wstrnsky - I appreciate it! Coming form someone who has ample justification to be upset with us, I consider that the highest possible praise that we can receive, I am grateful for the second chance!!

SoFloAuthor wrote:

kman wrote:Those are interesting photos of the Ameriqual product, Steve. Thanks for sharing them! Is that a case of what they're calling "aPacks" or just a case of emergency meals that they've been selling?

I have it on good authority AQ sold everything they had in stock to Louisiana. You can't blame them for selling product.....especially since these companies sit on inventory a lot of the time.

Also, take into consideration the civilian MRE market is secondary to the production of military meals (think Govment contract$$)....

I'm surprised MREStar was mentioned as it was in MREDepot's reply, I'd heard they'd sold a bunch of inventory to the owners homeland (Peru). I always felt the MREStar menu was a little "gourmet" but because they ae located in FLA, I figured they'd do well.....I tried to help them out last year but my ideas fell on deaf ears....

You’re probably right no product going to LA. I think just about everything available went to LA and TX over the last couple of months.

If you want to hear something funny, AQ actually called me a couple of weeks before all of this crazy demand trying to move about 7 trailers of aPacks at a fire sale price. I know they called a couple of competitors that I stay in touch with, but we all passed as it was a half-million dollar gamble on 2005 and 2006 inventory.

Just a few weeks later when I called to see if they had any left, it of course was all gone. You can bet we all kicked ourselves in the butt a few times over that. But you’re right - you can’t blame them for selling everything to FEMA. In fact, they don’t have a choice - the terms of the BOA (Bulk Order Agreement) we all have with FEMA gives them first right of refusal in times of national emergencies/disasters.

And when you consider how much they get for military MRE’s compared to commercial/civilian MRE’s, it’s a no brainer to focus your production on military contracts ($140 M/year for the military compared to maybe $2 M/year for the trade - easy call!!).

MREStar did sell a bunch of inventory to the Peruvian Military (as reported here) - in fact, that was the start of their downfall, as they were never paid for it. The General who authorized the purchase was overruled by the civilian government, and the product is still tied up at the dock without payment. I’m not sure why they didn’t work with COD terms or at least an International Letter of Credit, but that was a costly mistake for sure...

-Steve

Ah, so I should probably hold off buying a case of Menu C MREs for about a year. Just to be safe anyways.

Well, maybe hold off until Steve gives us the all-clear that the current cases are up to par.

kman wrote:Well, maybe hold off until Steve gives us the all-clear that the current cases are up to par.

Alright, I am going to order from MREDepot because of the awesome customer feedback.