Iowa Steak Co.

Tonight we got a knock on the door. My wife answered, and I tried to hide. I hate cold calls. Actually figured it was someone on a can food drive, but I digress…

It was the Iowa Steak Co.’s local salesman who claimed to be overstocked and had to rid himself of some inventory, or the whole shipment will go to waste. I was skeptical, at best. He was a good wholesome country-boy who seemed honest. I was still skeptical.

He said things like “I’ll make you a deal, as long as you don’t tell these fine folks down the street (as he points) who are regular customers of mine” [as I look over the pricelist] “Tell ya what- those are our regular prices; my Dad said to sell these at HotDog and Hamburger prices” and “If you buy the whole case, I’ll throw in another for free. If you only want a portion of the case, I’ll still sell them to you at half price.”

I bought a case of 10 center-cut bacon wrapped filet mignon for $35.

He made a point to write on the receipt that my steaks were guaranteed for freshness, flavor and tenderness. The government requires it, he said. Uhh… yea, sure…

Checking their web site, I see this: “These prices are for shipping our products and suggested retail price. If you are in our delivery area you can save substantially off the retail price”

It also says: “Ask our delivery drivers about our 2 for 1 special

I was right to be skeptical- the whole story about being overstocked, needing to get rid of them, and trying to make me a special 2 for 1 deal on the sly was a bunch of bunk.

I’m not saying it was a ripoff, but I was definitely conned.

Looks like we’re having steak tonight!

22 Responses to “Iowa Steak Co.”

  1. C. J. Summers Says:

    When you eat it, dial 9-1 on your phone and keep your finger over the 1.

  2. Anon E. Mouse Says:

    two words - “Soylent Green”

    Next time, find yourself a locker and buy a side.

  3. common sense dude Says:

    This sounds like the same sales approach I heard several years ago when some salespeople stopped at my office to unload some artwork. They claimed that the newly finished Par-A-Dice over ordered on artwork or something to that effect. They were selling these things right out of the trunk of their car; the word “hot” came to mind.

    I did buy a $20 framed Ansel Adams, but upon closer inspection after they left, it looked to be a cheap copy/replica. The frame it was in wasn’t half bad.

  4. diane vespa Says:

    So how were the steaks?

  5. Sue Says:

    What’s the Beef?
    I saw those people at my neighbors house last week…I didn’t answer my door when they came to mine. I was worried when I saw they had all the food spread out on their lawn and rapidly defrosting…I think they were conned too!

  6. diane vespa Says:

    my husband never lets anyone answer the door, unless we are expecting someone. He says that is how people are mugged. he is a defense lawyer.. so he would know. Food for thought.. would have saved your a** on this one too.

  7. Sue Says:

    I just checked out the website…this is a Red Flag!
    I don’t have a “frezer” nor do I know what that is and what is “desidered” doneness? Guess I have to check with Chef Kevin or “themdirectly”

    GUIDELINES FOR COOKING STEAKS

    Prepare the Grill or cooking surface so that it is hot.

    Remove steaks from the frezer. Remove the cryo-wrap packaging. Season to taste and place themdirectly on the hot grill.

    Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes. Then turn and cook the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes to seal in juices.

    Cook to desidered doneness: Rare, Medium Rare, Medium Well or Well
    Please note, cyro-packed steaks cook faster than slow frozen steak.

  8. PeoriaIllinoisan Says:

    They were smallish, but not bad. If I end up puking through the night, I’ll let you know.

  9. mapgirl Says:

    That Soylent Green remark was hilarious.

    m.

  10. Billy Dennis Says:

    “Waitaminute … this tastes like Aunt Edna!”

  11. Vonster Says:

    It’s made from PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

  12. Angie Says:

    We once had “shady” renters across the street who sold for IA Steaks. We bought from them once and though I felt conned-it seemed like a good deal. It’s kind of like those people that come into bars selling camping equipment and tools or the guys that pull up with speakers in their vans. I feel much better just going to Alwans.

  13. CP Says:

    How were the steaks? I’ve always said there’s nothing wrong with horse meat.

  14. PeoriaIllinoisan Says:

    Ah crud. I had edited this post to fix the grammatical errors and third grade phrasings- I guess it didn’t take. I should really proofread this stuff; 24 hours later is way too long to read my own post.

    Regarding my delicious steak… I’m still here, so that’s a good sign. Not so excited about the 8 filets I have remaining, though. A neighborhood cookout sounds like a good idea. I’ll be the one eating the Brats.

  15. Sue Says:

    Get the recipe from Chef Kev for the Brat sauce and maybe he can give you some suggestions on how to prepare the filets…perhaps soak them in beer? Or better yet, soak your guest’s taste’s bud’s! See you around the bar!

  16. Arthur Says:

    I’ve not only sold for Iowa Steak, but I’ve ate them. Ain’t the greatest in the world, but they ain’t bad…on par with a Ponderosa steak. They come from “Stampede Meat, Inc.” - http://www.stampedemeat.com - who sells a lot of bulk frozen meat to restaurants, institutions, and, of course, “home delivery” companies.

    At the shop I worked at, the pallates arrived twice a week, and were stored in a deep freeze at about -20 F. Each steak is marked with a “Julian” packing date.

    If you find a desperate salesman, you can knock the prices pretty low. And, if you are going to store them, the individual vacuum pack does a good job of preventing freezer burn.

    What’s funny is people who say they never eat frozen meat - but then say they go out to Applebees, TGI Friday’s, etc.! Guess what? You are eating frozen steak!

  17. Peoria Illinoisan » Unearthing Buried Comments Says:

    [...] my post about feeling ripped off by the Iowa Steak Co.: I’ve not only sold for Iowa Steak, but I’ve ate [...]

  18. Peoria Illinoisan » 2007: A Blog Year In Review Says:

    [...] - Conned by the Iowa Steak Co. (PeoriaIllinoisan) 2 - Gary Sanford? (PollyPeoria) 8 - Councilman Bob Manning attacked on East Bluff (Scott Janz) 21 [...]

  19. mike h Says:

    my neighbor gave me some steaks he bought from a salesman selling these steaks. i think it was a box of 6 rib eye or sirloin steaks.
    Anyway i invite my folks over for a bbq and grill up the steaks.
    I was totally embarassed! these steak are the TOUGHEST AND CHEWIEST steaks i have ever eaten. I felt bad serving these pieces of leather.
    I do not think they are very high quality steak…in fact i would rather eat choice steaks bought at walmart..lease they are more tender then those pieces of shoe leather. My nieghbor also agreed they were kinda tough. (figured there was a reason for box of free steaks) he said he would not buy again from this company
    I typed in IOWA STEAK COMPANY RECALL in my search engine…try it?
    yep lots of recalls…least my family never got botulism or anything.

  20. Ben A Rond Says:

    Of all the people, this is it? Let me tell you about the meat biz. Next to home improvement and auto service, it has a high rate of complaints. Due to the mass sales door to door, a lot of meat moves very fast. Even though a company may have quality standards and customer service, they cannot stand next to every supplier and every salesman, every minute.
    As being a rather large company, Iowa Steak trains a lot of people. This biz has a high turn over. It takes a very thick skin. Just like any job that you put yourself out there personally. Many have come into the job and left to become an independant. MOST will immitate large companies and possibly even use someone elses literature. This gives some companies a black eye.
    For instance, would you be interested in investing in telecommunocations after MCI Worldcom or perhaps you’d like to put some money in Enron?
    So remember its not always what you’re buying, it’s how you’re sold.
    If you don’t want it from your doorstep, don’t buy it! And remember a firm yet polite ” No thank you” always works best.

  21. Mr. IA Steak Says:

    So here it is. I currently work for Iowa Steak. To be completly honest, I am fed up with the job. I work for the company in Tennessee and I have a real problem with the company and the product. It says weekly fresh deliveries on the pamphlet, yeah that’s a lie. Last delivery we got was 144 cases of steak two weeks ago. We are told to take older meat out and sell as well as our “fresh” meat. Nothing is more embarassing than opening a box of chopped sirloin burgers or the filets and noticing the meat is BROWN…now any warehouse manager or office manager will tell us delivery drivers that it is because we were showing the product outside to much, truth of the matter is it’s OLD. We are told to go out everyday and do whatever it takes to move boxes of meat for the company. The motto is..if your not lying, you ain’t trying. I have a problem with the fact of, im supposed to get into someone’s house, show them the meat, and then negotiate a deal to take their money. Just for alittle insider info…a steak case cost’s the drivers $120. Individual boxes cost $20. Oh, theres NO differance in driver cost for Chicken Seafood or Pork. It’s all $120 for the case or $20 for an individual box. If you guys REALLY want to get under their skin, let them show you the product, negotiate a deal, then tell them your not interested. We call that getting stroked. I do hate to admit it, but every IA Steak salesman is a hussler. Even myself. One of my close friends told me I don’t have enough Evil in my body to sell meat door-to-door. Needless to say…this will be my last week employed as an Independat Contractor with IA Steaks.

  22. Peoria Illinoisan » Blog Archive » I found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! Says:

    [...] of scams, this comment was dropped on an old post of mine regarding the Iowa Steak Co. (text slightly reformatted for easier reading) So here it is. I currently work for Iowa Steak. To [...]

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