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hermetic

(9,343 posts)
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 01:31 PM 4 hrs ago

Beware: Chewy

They turned all their ops over to AI a few months ago. "..at the forefront of AI innovation in the Internet & Direct Marketing Retail sector. Its dedication to enhancing customer experiences, optimizing operations, and exploring new frontiers sets a high standard.."
Fail! I've been using their Autoship for years, never had any problem changing orders. I care for 2 dozen cats so keeping up with all their food needs is a real chore. Last month I got their "upcoming autoship" email. As always I went to the website and there were many more items than I needed so I just clicked to SKIP a few of them. A couple of days later I got the message "We're packing up your items." I checked, just to make sure, and nothing had been removed. So I clicked Cancel this Order. Two days later I got the "Your shipment is on the way." I was not happy.
The order arrived and sure enough, it had stuff i won't be needing for a long while, if ever, and I really don't have space to store all these huge bags.
It occurred to me then that they might have turned this over to AI so I looked it up and sure enough. So I've canceled all my shipments and will switch to Petsmart or Petco. They both offer autoshipments and only a few cents more than Chewy.
I certainly am not telling you what to do, I just wanted you to Be Aware!
And I can't help but wonder how many people got fired.

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Beware: Chewy (Original Post) hermetic 4 hrs ago OP
Interesting. I recently had a very pleasant conversation with an actual human Ocelot II 3 hrs ago #1
Just the other day, I spoke to a live person at Chewy MIButterfly 3 hrs ago #2
Can we be sure porch pirates did not get our stuff? Norrrm 3 hrs ago #3
LOL hermetic 3 hrs ago #4
Too funny! Bayard 3 hrs ago #6
Smarter than the average bear, Yogi! GiqueCee 1 hr ago #13
Are they sure it was really a bear? ToxMarz 1 hr ago #11
If you've ever seen a real bear's movements... GiqueCee 1 hr ago #14
Unbearable! Norrrm 1 hr ago #16
petsmart bromeando 3 hrs ago #5
Petsmart hermetic 2 hrs ago #8
do u have pet supplies plus near u? mopinko 2 hrs ago #7
No, never heard of that one hermetic 2 hrs ago #9
no response other than NJCher 1 hr ago #10
Aw, thanks hermetic 1 hr ago #12
I have an immense number of rescues and strays RetiredParatrooper 1 hr ago #15
Indeed hermetic 38 min ago #17

Ocelot II

(131,946 posts)
1. Interesting. I recently had a very pleasant conversation with an actual human
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 01:41 PM
3 hrs ago

whom I was able to reach easily without fighting my way through an automated telephone system, and who was very helpful with getting a vet prescription in their files for some special cat food. This made me more rather than less likely to keep buying from Chewy. And you can be sure those other companies use AI for autoship orders as well.

MIButterfly

(3,594 posts)
2. Just the other day, I spoke to a live person at Chewy
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 01:48 PM
3 hrs ago

about skipping an auto-ship delivery and had no problem. It was fast and easy.

Maybe calling on the phone works better than doing it online?

GiqueCee

(5,170 posts)
14. If you've ever seen a real bear's movements...
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 03:54 PM
1 hr ago

... as we have many, many times in our own yard, there's no question that the furry thief was a real bear cub, probably a yearling.

bromeando

(187 posts)
5. petsmart
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 02:25 PM
3 hrs ago

I like Petsmart better than Chewy. The wet cat food I buy from Petsmart is more fresh and has more gravy. I do go to the store and purchase it rather than autoship.

hermetic

(9,343 posts)
8. Petsmart
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 03:15 PM
2 hrs ago

is a 50 mile round trip but so is Winco, where I buy most of my groceries. I live in a remote little town. So I drive every other week or so and I always pick up my wet food then. Never ship that. Feeding so many cats, though, I go through a lot of dry food and it's easier to just keep up a running shipment.
Thanks for your reply.

mopinko

(74,283 posts)
7. do u have pet supplies plus near u?
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 02:38 PM
2 hrs ago

their website is a tad wonky, but the orders come out of local stores.
their store brand dog food, optim, is based on purina pro plan, which is a good food. but they have lots of other brands.
dont have cats, but…

hermetic

(9,343 posts)
9. No, never heard of that one
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 03:19 PM
2 hrs ago

Thanks, though. I'll keep an ear out in case there's one around here I hadn't heard about.

NJCher

(43,866 posts)
10. no response other than
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 03:35 PM
1 hr ago

to give you a big group hug for caring for two dozen cats.

I know in my brother's small town, there is no formal town service to care for stray animals, so everyone just chips in when they can.



hermetic

(9,343 posts)
12. Aw, thanks
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 03:46 PM
1 hr ago

So many strays. There was a good rescue service here and I ended up as a sanctuary, one of several. That's a place for the ones no one wanted. I dearly love all my fur kids and while it can be a challenge, I wouldn't have it any other way.

RetiredParatrooper

(268 posts)
15. I have an immense number of rescues and strays
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 03:56 PM
1 hr ago

I use Chewy to take care of them, and they work good for me. Getting the outside kitties fixed is going to be a challenge!

hermetic

(9,343 posts)
17. Indeed
Sun Jul 5, 2026, 04:54 PM
38 min ago

There's help out there, though. It takes some internet searching. Look for Alley Cat Allies or Best Friends. Or Rescues in my town, wherever that is. Six years ago, or so, I got help here. I had a few cats needed fixing so I started a Go Fund Me and people donated. And I thank you all again! All those cats are alive and well.
Best wishes for your efforts.

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