Home > Feeding Frenzy > Archives > 2008 > March > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAre you demanding when it comes to buying food?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I guess you could say I’m a “refund-aholic”. Some might describe it as being cheap. I prefer to think of it as getting what I pay for.
Whether it’s flavorless melon chunks from the produce department, store-brand chicken broth that tastes like dishwater or seafood that reeks of ammonia, if it’s inedible, I’m back at the store, politely asking for my money back.
I guess it stems from my days as a caterer. If I bought something in good faith that turned out to be substandard, it meant I couldn’t feed it to my clients, which meant I was in trouble both professionally and financially!
I am certainly willing to shell out extra cash for quality products. So if I’m cooking seafood or beef, I’ll go to Whole Foods or a specialty store, but I expect it to be worth it.
This weekend I was having friends over for dinner. It was chilly and drizzling, so I thought a beef stew cooked with aromatic seasonings and wine would warm us all up. I bought the meat at fancy store, prepped it as I have scores of other times and left it on the stove to simmer. Hours went by and although the liquid and seasonings had melded into a rich and succulent sauce, the meat was still as chewy as an old rubber tire. I had to serve it with “a side” of apologies. My husband was poised to pounce in case someone needed the Heimlich maneuver.
So now I’m wondering what to do. The meat wasn’t bad in the sense of being rancid, but it certainly didn’t do what that cut is supposed to do. I know at the least I’ll go talk to the butcher to see what he has to say.
So tell me, are you a “return-aholic” or a “return-aphobic.” Is even hearing that I ask for refunds embarrassing or mortifying to you?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Debra Southwell
March 3, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
I’ve never thought about returning food items to the grocery store but I have been very mad when I’ve gotten vegetables past their prime, soft potatoes in particular,and tasteless fruit so I will do that in the future, thanks for the information.
By Kara
March 4, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this
I always return things at the grocery store and while it was hard at first, I found no body ever does and customer service has never even given me a hard time. The first time was milk and I had no receipt, then I think there was some funny smelling chicken.
Now I usually save receipts and it’s never a problem — even if I don’t have the food. I did feel funny at first (cheap), and it’s not something I make a special trip for. But I am usually at the store 2x a week anyway. So now I would not hesitate if I was unhappy with a product. Probably $3.50 or more would be my starting point.
By red
March 4, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
I definitely expect to get what I pay for. If however I found myself ALWAYS having to return something or establishing a pattern of it I would have to question if it’s the products or just me.
By JJ
March 4, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
It depends on what it is, and how much I spent on it, and will the cost of driving back to the store be worth it to me? For instance, a couple of bad grapes in the bunch, no. One RibEye steak - yes.
Yes, I have returned things to Publix. Never had a problem, and have received sincere apologies from the customer service workers.
By Brian O'Shea
March 4, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
This is a side discussion, or maybe a distraction, but consumer guru Clark Howard reported recently about consumer satisfaction with grocery stores. He was citing the University of Michigan’s American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Publix got very high marks. Wal-Mart came in last place among the supermarket chains.
Back on topic, I will take food back to the store if I have time and energy. Sometimes it’s just quicker to replace it and move on.
By absolutely
March 4, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
I would and I have. Several times I have returned substandard fruit to Publix and once to Target. I always try to be as diplomatic and pleasant as possible and have never had a problem. A couple of times it was a bag of rotten Fufi apples or other produce item at Publix. At Target I think it was a summer fruit like peaches. They were always very gracious and refunded my money. I think the produce manager appreciated knowing the item was below standard.
By I am a regular returner
March 4, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
When I was a kid I remember my father returning restaurant food if it wasn’t cooked to his liking. A place that depends on its reputation wants to work hard to please a regular customer. And I do feel strongly enough about fruit, which I love, that if it’s bad a few times in a row I will take it back to make them aware it’s below standard. They appreciate knowing.
By clotheschic
March 4, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
I will return food items only if they are spoiled or spoiling. I returned a rib-eye steak once because although it was days from it’s “sell by” date, it was green on the underside when I opened the package. I have also returned milk that has spoiled before the expiration date. I will never return something just because I don’t like it. I’ll just chalk that up to a learning experience and move on!
By Chris F
March 4, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
I hate returning things… especially non-perishables. It sickens me how many people impulse buy only to return it to the store. They seem to think it can simply be restocked. They don’t realize that most, if not all, of it is returned to the warehouse for liquidating. The few times I’ve returned things was because of an actual defect.
I’ve never returned anything at a grocery store. I inspect everything as carefully as I can. I’m not picky at all on taste, so sub-standard flavor doesn’t bother me. If something goes bad too quickly, I just deal with it. If it’s a new brand I’m trying, I’ll just not get it next time.
I do, however, write praising letters to the manufacturers if I really like something. Not only do I get a letter in return thanking me, but sometimes they toss in coupons. Frito Lay sent around $5 when I wrote to them.
My mother would write if she didn’t like something, and they’d always send a “get it free” coupon for an alternate item. For example, if you didn’t like a TV dinner, they would send a coupon that would let you get another flavor for free. I’ve never done that yet, but I meant to a couple of times.
By truthfully
March 4, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
I refund refund refund!! If it wasnt worth selling it wasnt worh paying for, not saying steal it but groceries are to expensive. Veggies dont last like they used to, neighter does milk. I will say that yello carton does still around a little longer than other brands. And in a publix, & wholefoods neighborhood, yes when I buy a salad for my lunch the next day and the lettuce is turnind colors overnight? PROBLEM!!
By truthfully
March 4, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
I refund refund refund!! If it wasnt worth selling it wasnt worh paying for, not saying steal it but groceries are to expensive. Veggies dont last like they used to, neither does milk. I will say that yello carton does still around a little longer than other brands. And in a publix, & wholefoods neighborhood, yes when I buy a salad for my lunch the next day and the lettuce is turnind colors overnight? PROBLEM!!
By Ms. P
March 4, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
There is nothing worse then buying food to cook for dinner, cooking it and it taste like yuck!, I have taken back cooked dishes before and received my money back for all the main ingredients, because after all your time and efforts you still have nothing for dinner and have to go out to eat.
By lee
March 4, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
I would return inferior groceries, in fact I do it often. My health, and the health of my family is too important to serve out-of-date, or otherwise inferior groceries. I acknowledge that grocers have only a certain amount of control over the products they offer but that does not excuse the fact that they will and do pawn off products that should have been tossed or returned to their distributor. If everyone would be responsible and hold others to a high standard we would live in a better world.
By Koala
March 4, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Absolutely, I would return, and I do return! There’s nothing more irritating than paying $3.99 for rancid milk or around $3.50 for equally rancid orange juice! And rancid rib eye? At $13.00 per lb. - at that price, of course!!
By Steve
March 4, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
Of course I’d return inferior food and often do. When you pay money for something, it should be of good quality. If not, return it. Plus, you really have to pay attention both to the receipt and the person bagging your groceries. Many, many times I’ve found mistakes on the receipt where discounts on the tag don’t make it to the checkout. Also, baggers have a tedious, tiring job and oftentimes you’ll see things that belong to you lying off to the side because the bagger missed them. It simply pays to be aware.
By ATL Foodie
March 5, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Absolutely. And not only do I get my money back, I usually convince the manager to give me a gift card for future use. Think about it — if you don’t fulfill your part of the bargain while shopping (say, by writing a check that is returned), the store has no problem charging you an additional $25. If I have a dinner party scheduled and open my package of $13.99 lb rack of lamb to find it spoiled, I feel as though the store owes me a little something for my extra trouble and expense.
By songbird
March 5, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
I work for a CPG company and I do return things when they are not to my satisfaction. I also usually call or email the manufacturer if it’s a manufacturer’s product, like cereal, and let them know when I don’t like something and why I didn’t like it. It helps them to improve their products. We have a 1-800 line for consumers to call our company and the feedback is important.
I have almost always found retailers to be very gracious and refund my money when I return something. Publix is always nice. Their customer service is above and beyond many other stores. For example, if they don’t have something I’m looking for, they will send someone next door to the Kroger store and buy it for me and bring it back while I’m shopping. Now that’s customer service!
By Kat
March 6, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
I always exchange products (or return them) when they don’t work out. It usually tends to be produce or something. However, if I get a product home, and it is the manufacturer’s fault (such as flat soda), I always write or call the company and give them the appropriate information to make a note, and they always send me coupons back. Keeps me loyal.
By Critic
March 6, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Thankfully, I have never had any problems like this. I always shop at Publix and have never been disappointed with anything. I am quite satisfied with their Publix branded items that I have tried. I also know that ever an issue should arise that I feel I’m due a refund, that they will stand behind it and make it right.
By motherjanegoose
March 8, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
I am not a frequent returner but one of my biggest gripes is when you buy peaches that look nice and should ripen only to bite into them a few days later and they are stringy. Can anyone tell me how to predict that? I love to shop at little produce stands and frequent Chadwick’s ( in Gwinnett County) as much as possible in the summer as their things are wonderful. Also, I have visited 49 of 50 states and ( for the most part) we are so lucky when it comes to clean grocery stores that stock attactive fruits and vegetables. I have been in some stores and just stopped ead in my tracks…if I had to shop at them regularly I would die. YES Publix has my vote for an all around nice presentation and demeanor!