In case you were wondering.... Answers to your frequently asked questions...
Q. Are you on FaceBook or other social media?
A. We are on facebook at www.facebook.com/FirMeadowLLC . We occassionally post alternative information as well as educational posts as well as farm happenings, product stories or information, etc. Once in awhile just something cute. Facebook however is NOT a timely way to contact us as you will find it can be weeks I'm not on there. For contacts please use our contact form on this website or email firmdw at gmail dot com.
Q. Why do you use styrofoam packing and many other different packing materials?
A. We are into reuse / reduce / recycle as a lifestyle choice. So rather than throw away the clean only used once packing materials we receive in shipments of bottles, containers, office supplies, etc. we will reuse them as we pack boxes. This keeps those terrible styrofoam things out of the landfill at least one cycle longer as well as helps keep our costs lower which reduces product costs for you. We see it as win / win! Win one more time and reuse them somehow yourself or give them to someone who can :) . We receive and reuse styrofoam peanuts, biodegradeable potato starch based peanuts (compost or reuse), packing paper, paper shred, air pillows and bubble wrap.
Q. Do you ship overnight?
A. Overnight shipping is usually not available to us due to our rural location (hours from an airport of any size) and extreme west coast orientation. You can get an overnight quote yourself, however if you like from Fed Ex or from UPS. Second day is cheapest from the USPS. On a 12 x 12 x 12 box to the midwest we were quoted (July 2016) around $125 for overnight and $70 for second day. We also need that type of order in before we process orders for the day or we won't meet cutoff times here. It is MUCH CHEAPER AND EXPEDIENT to keep emergency products on hand ahead!!! If you pay the expedited shipping the products are still not there for you right now when the emergency needs it the most. Through the regular USPS flat rate priority shipping rate that we use every weekday our products go anywhere US usually in 2 to 3 mail days.
Q. What emergency products do you offer?
A. Traditional use speaking, here are some products to consider: cayenne (tincture, herb powder, capsules), Wounderful! Salve, MammarEaze Udder Infusion (don't forget the syringe/cannula pack so you have a way to administer it), HerBamine tincture (pain/inflammation), DVenom tincture (poisonous bites/stings), Bach's Rescue Remedy (emotional upset due to stress / injuries ), Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Ketomix herb mix, ClostridEaze herb mix as well as others for situations specific to your family or creatures particulars.
Q. How do you ship?
A. We ship with the United States Postal Service using their priority flat rate service which gets products anywhere US in usually two to three days. We have found over the years that they are almost always the least expensive, the quickest and the most likely service to get your products to you without damaging the packaging or contents. They also offer free insurance for the first $50 of your order.
Q. Do you ship to other countries?
A. We do and we can. However if you are importing anything from the United States it is the importers (buyer) responsibility to see if their government requires any documentation and the importer / buyer is responsible for any fees, duties, customs, holding times or government deciding at a later date due to law or rule changes or any reason to later decide to not allow a product or products into their country. Fir Meadow LLC and anyone or any business associated with it including heirs, owners, agents, employees, manufacturers etc shall not be liable in the case that your government or agent does not allow products into the country you are importing into. Please check and know your laws ahead of time and get the appropriate laws or rulings in writing. For countries that don't allow you to import products, my book is always available for import and paid consultations are always available.
Q. If my package is damaged how should I handle that?
A. Take your entire package and all of the contents to your US Post Office. They will need to inspect the package and you will file your claim there.
Q. How does your tincture insurance work?
A. If you purchase anything contained in glass (tincture, essential oil, infusion) and you purchase our tincture insurance with that order, we will replace any glass product that gets broken in shipping through US Mail (rare but of course can happen). We will require photos of the entire order and packaging before processing your replacement and require these be submitted the day your damaged order is received.
Q. What is your return policy?
A. Because of biosecurity issues with bacterial diseases in creatures, we do not offer a return policy because we can't risk bringing in and reshipping out pet and livestock issues. I think you will greatly appreciate that level of consideration for the wellness of your creatures! However, it's likely you will be able to find another person that will give you a donation for your product. We have an extremely high customer retention rate, so it is quite possible that you will continue to order from us after using your first product or products from us.
Q. Why don't we see your business advertised in wellness or livestock or pet publications, etc?
A. Certainly we could do that, but in order to draw up an advertising budget there will be a cost and that cost will have to be passed on as increased product cost to you. We rely very heavily on Word of Mouth - that is, customers sharing about our site and products with others. This is very much a grass roots business and allows us to keep product costs down for you. Thank-YOU for spreading the word!
Q. How do I take advantage of your coupon code?
A. We offer discounts on products marked discount and that discount is already figured into the price when you order.
Q. Why don't you have sales?
A. Sales are just a marketing ploy. They are also used to clear out old inventory. With most companies sale pricing is the price that the companies actually hope to get for a product, and any non sale pricing is merely additional profit. For me to offer sales, I would need to artificially inflate my pricing, and then offer a 'sale' to make you think you are getting a great deal. I personally prefer to offer products at the prices we need to have them at for our business, rather than offer a fake sale. Also, we DO offer Doctor Christopher products at a discount every day of the year for you instead of having special sales on those. As to clearing out old inventory, we are blessed that that is an extremely rare situation for us.
Q. What is the difference between customer service and a paid consultation?
A. Customer service is offered if you would like help selecting a product for x situation. Dosages and herbs used are on product labels for any capsules, blends and tinctures and those are a great starting place to follow for regular general system support. If you have a situation and you would like me to go over your situation and build a cause oriented program for you including products (including using what you already may have at home growing or in your cabinet) dosaging, possibly diet and other things one can do, to encourage your, a family member, or your creature's body to heal itself, this is a consultation. These are similar to the difference between going to a grocery store or health food store to pick up products (customer service) and spending time with a medical or wellness professional (professional consultation).
Q. Do you sell livestock? Do you board anything?
A. Absolutely! We sell alternative raised & registered: CAE/CL/Johnes negative LaMancha dairy goats, Suri and Huacaya alpacas, and occasionally a Norwegian Fjord horse or foal. We offer breeding services for LaManchas and for Suri and Huacaya alpacas on our farm near Sequim, WA. We do not board dairy goats for biosecurity reasons but we do board / agisting for alpacas. Contact us for details. We do reserve the right to refuse sales or service to anyone for any reason. Just email firmdw at gmail dot com to make an appointment.
Q. What about feed?
A. We sell our own premium organicly raised grass hay that has a little bit of alfalfa hay mixed in it. We currently only harvest a first cutting so availability is limited and on a first come first serve basis. It is available from our stack in our hay barn until we are sold out for the season. Bales average $65 pounds and are tightly baled for easy stacking. This hay is perfect for alpacas, goats, horses, llamas, sheep, etc. Contact us for availability, pricing and to schedule to look at it or purchase. firmdw at gmail dot com
Q. How many doses can I expect from a powdered herb mix? A. There are approximately 300 doses per pound for creatures in the 100 to 200# catagory, about 600 doses per pound for those in the 75 to 100# catagory, and about 48 doses per pound in the 800 to 1300 lbs catagory. Most of our powdered herb products will calibrate similar.