WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO MY GRAETER'S

I was at Stop and Shop today and looking to buy my favorite ice cream, Graeter's.  OMG what have they been doing with it?  There was more than just freezer burn on these.  Doesn't anyone in the frozen food section notice?  This is not the first time and it looks as though they are not looking to fix it, either.  So, what happens when the reports go in saying that people are not buying the ice cream? 

I don't think you'll find this happening at Fairway Markets.  














Also, check out the signs.  You have a choice of buying strawberries or ones that are sweet for the same price and the same with cherries.  Hmmmm...which one would you choose?

STOP AND CHECK AGAIN

Yeah folks I went to good old Stop and Shop which has to change their name to Stop and Check.  It started when I brought home a rotisseire chicken simply because I was absolutely too tired to cook and on Friday they sell them for 2 for 11 dollars.

I unload the packages and put things away before hoping to enjoy my dinner.  Appetizer of sushi was just fine.  I can always count on that because the guy who makes it doesn't work for Stop and Shop.

The chicken is still warm as I grabbed one that was "under that lamp".   I cut it open to find that the meat is raw at the bones.

I am about to call Stop and Check when I decide to look at my receipt.   I first notice that despite giving my "card" to the cashier the price of milk does not reflect the discount of 30 cents.  I had also handed a rain check to the cashier allowing me to get a free Hagen Daz gelato with the purchase of two pints of their regular ice cream on sale a 2 for 7 dollars.  Didn't give me the cold bag thing as noted in ad.

Cat food on sale 24 for 10 dollars...Friskies.. the 5.5 ounces...when  it's that price I need to stock up.  When I buy the cat food at that price or another sale when its 20 for 10 dollars I bag it.  I bag everything I buy so that when I get to the register, what is in each bag is what I want back it that bag.  It is much easier for me as bags are now separated in categories....I even bring an insulated bag so that I know that that bag has everything that needs to go into the freezer or refrigerator first.  Okay....anyway.  I wound up with two bags each having 24.  However, my receipt shows that I have four more.  The cashier scanned each can but it didn't look as if it were done correctly....which is why I checked.

I call the store and speak with a manager on duty by the name of Rog.  He said that he is new and only working there for a month.  I first tell him about the chicken and ask if the policy of getting double my money back was still being honored.  He didn't know.  He had to ask a cashier who said that I needed to bring back the chicken in order to get my money back.  I asked him how long should I keep the chicken as I'm not coming in like the next day....the cashier tells him that I should put it in my refrigerator.  I just did my shopping so how long do you think it's going to hang there before it stinks up my refrigerator....a week?

I called the next day to talk with the store manager.  She told me to throw away the chicken and bring in the receipt and she'll take care of all. 

PEAPOD FOLLOW UP

I called customer service today as I was still trying to get to talk with someone at the head office at Peapod.  Let's take a for instance at a restaurant.  Health issue occurs and you tell the waiter. You are appeased but the information never reaches the owner no matter how important, because someone doesn't really want to own up to the situation created.  So, I don't get to talk with someone beyond "Consumer Affairs".  

I had been given a claim number to talk with someone from the insurance department.  I had made a comment last week that I had a concern of the possibility that in regards to the chicken, that it was poked or perhaps someone could have access to using a syringe and injected something.  Hey, with what's going on these days you just can't be surprised!  I wanted them to look into something!  

A few calls later got me the insurance department.  There was nothing to handle since I did not actually file a complaint with something that actually happened as a result, other than extreme distress and throwing out food.   So, we are now back with the consumer affairs department.  I keep getting the excuse that "things happen in transit".  

I called the New York State Agriculture Department to file a health issue complaint.  They will follow up on this in a week or two.  I called Newsday to see if they would be interested in writing about this.  They are not really interested since nobody got very sick or died!  The "if you see something, say something" doesn't work in this case.  We have to wait for someone to get violently ill or die first.  How many people just simply do not take the time to complain?

Peapod does not seem to have any intention of handling the health problem itself.  They did refund my money for the first mishap, of which I had to throw out food anyway.  It did not seem to matter that I wrote about this incident, talked about it on my radio show, etc.  She simply asked me what could be done for me and then offered to take off $25 off my bill.  I basically threw up my hands and told her that I wanted a refund on this last order as well for the distress alone.  They just simply don't "get it".  She did the "we gave you hundreds of dollars worth of food and that shows that we care". WHAT?  Perhaps it is a few hundred dollars to include the markup!  And with a company that shows that they make a lot of money, it is most likely a write off and should only be written off on the cost that Stop & Shop paid for the items.  

I agreed not to buy anything else via Peapod and that is not an issue for me.  The issue still goes to what I feel is a health hazard!   It's not all about appeasing me, but what steps are taken to make sure that this is NOT happening to anyone else.  My complaint and video should have been enough to take steps.  How long does the food sit on the truck from the time it is "shopped" until it arrives to my house?  If it is sitting in its own bin, what exactly is happening that products with a health issue of salmonella poisoning aren't being looked at?

She did the "this happened to you on both occasions and now you want your money refunded the second time" as if I am making this up.  Good grief!  I'm not looking for free food....I want safe food....for me and anyone else who shops Peapod!!!!!

PEAPOD'S GOT A LEAK

Peapod is a food shopping and delivery service that uses Stop & Shop.  The way it works is that you go online choose from all of the items available.  Most items that you are looking to buy that you would buy at Stop & Shop are available.

I go to a Stop & Shop located in Forest Hills in Queens.  Peapod tells me that the location they use is above a Stop & Shop in New Hyde Park, which is located in Nassau County, pretty much just over the border of Queens.

I go through the steps to place the order and set up a window of time that the order will be delivered to my home.  The truck arrives and one guy rings my doorbell and brings several bags of food, etc. into my kitchen as I tell him to simply place it on the floor and I will handle the rest.

He doesn't tell me that there is a substituted item and one that was out of stock as he is supposed to do.

I notice that each of the bags are double plastic bags and seem to be separated by the types of items.  The first thing I do is check to see what goes into the freezer and the refrigerator. 

There is one bag containing pork chops.  The chops, as you would buy them, are in the usual type of tray with the "sealed" thin plastic wrap.  The whole chicken, in a separate bag, is sealed in that heavy plastic that you need a knife to cut open.  I had placed both bags on the bottom shelf of my refrigerator so that I can freeze portions of pork chops as well as decide as to whether I want to cut up the chicken or leave it whole.

After putting everything away, I decided to cook up a pork chop.  I open the bag to find that the pork blood was leaking all over the bottom of the bag.  I certainly complained to Peapod and did get some satisfaction.  However, the next day I decided to open the bag with the chicken and make a decision.  That bag was swimming in chicken blood.  Peapod had apologized saying that the seal around the pork could have opened due to the shipment being rattled.   How in the world can the chicken blood get out of that heavy plastic wrap unless a hole was poked? They could not come up with an answer.

I was livid and after a few conversations with Peapod I had told them that I would have to file a complaint with the health department.  They then said that they were going to have their insurance company call me.

It should suffice to say that I had to throw out items that might have come in contact with the pork and chicken.  As a gesture of good will, they said that they would not charge me for that delivery and re-ship the same list.

The food arrives and again I ask the guy to place it on my kitchen floor.   I pick up the bag (single plastic bag this time) with the pork chops and place it on my kitchen counter to check.   Guess what?  You got it!  Not only is the pork blood swimming in the bag but I look back at the floor where the guy placed it and there is now pork blood on the floor.  So I now have to clean up not only the counter top but the floor.

You would think that they would have made sure that there was no leakage.   This time I took photos and video, which I will upload soon. I certainly will not feel badly about filing a complaint with the health department.  Oh...the chicken was not leaking.

According to Peapod, "Our mission is to build a strong foundation of consumer confidence by offering safe, wholesome, and high quality foods from clean, modern, and attractive facilities. At Peapod, LLC we actively promote safe food handling through established policies and procedures, associate training, and educational programs."   If this is true, how does this happen twice and if the second bag with the pork chops leaked on my floor before I picked it up, where else did it already leak in the truck? 

I want to make it clear in the video...I said, "Stop and Shop" when I meant to say, "Peapod".  

STOP BEFORE YOU SHOP

Good old Stop & Shop. Glendale, NY location.  I can always count on them to be aggravated.   Why do they post guarantees if they are going to make a big deal about them or even not honor them?  With a "double your money back" guarantee, you'd think that they would get things right.  NOT SO!

I had written that I purchased a semi-boneless leg of lamb (I still can't figure out as to what it would be if the whole bone was in considering that a bone went through the entire half leg) and had it cut up into a roast and some steaks.  Again, I had one steak that tasted a little weird and got nauseous.  Any time that I have had an issue with the fish or meat I have asked as to whether they wanted me to bring in the package.  They told me that I did not have to.  Just bring in the receipt or they have asked to have me bring in the price stickers as well.  This time I brought in the meat.  Total attitude as if I do this purposely to get double my money rather than monitor.  The people at the customer service area discussed it, asked what was wrong with what I brought back last week (believe me...there is a reason...look at the guarantee).  Interestingly, I did NOT get double my money back but the price I paid.  Who exactly gets to make the decision? 

Next...there is a sign in the seafood department that guarantees "no pin bones" in the salmon.  In the last few weeks I have had to pull out a pin bone from my mouth.  The sign is pretty recent so if they think that by putting up the sign you would feel better about buying it....it doesn't work!!!

I bring my own bags when I shop there.  I don't prefer to scan, but I place the items in each of the bags that I want "re-bagged".   It's a lot easier when I get home and have them separated by groups.  Even with cat food on sale at like 20 for $10...I put 20 in each bag.  Easier to carry as well.  And there is usually one large insulated bag for items that are either frozen or should be kept cold.   None of the cashiers have ever had a problem until MARY!  Last week I presented the logistics and she had an upset.  Everyone else moves things around and scans with the portable scanner, etc.  She has the need to pick up the bag turn it over and dump the items onto the counter.  And she has to life it high enough...if you get my drift.  Talk about drama!

I happened to have gotten her today and there was that attitude and asking why I don't scan it.  However, this time she picked up a bag of cans of cat food to dump and one fell off the counter and onto my foot (I wear sandals and it "smarted").   I had to ask if someone could pick it up as I have a cane....hint, hint. 

It was the last straw!!!   I had a conversation with the store manager about it all.  She apologized and said she would talk to everyone about the problems.  I called the corporate office a little while ago and expressed my complaints about EVERYTHING!!!   The customer service person took the info and said it would be sent on to the correct person who will be getting back with me.  Let's see if it happens and what they will do to keep me as a satisfied customer. 

FAIRWAY MARKET....OPEN THE DOOR...I'M ON MY WAY!!!!

STOP AND HOPE AT STOP & SHOP

Just when I thought that Stop & Shop in the Glendale section of Queens got their act together....It's not as if they have been open for decades when there were problems with the structure.  They decided to renovate. That was the good news.  It certainly looks great.  Expanded seafood department and an entire aisle devoted to Natural foods.  I'm so glad that they have a double your money back guarantee, though.

I think most people, rather than complain will simply just not go back to a place.  Not me!  My problems seem to lie with both the seafood and meat department.  Interesting that with the expansion that there is a "butcher" area in the seafood department carrying the top of the line.  Yet, I have never seen anyone behind that counter.  Not like when I go to Fairway and there are at least 3 people behind their butcher counter ready to be of assistance!

Talk about attitude!  One day I come in and request something that's on the flyer.  One of the "butchers" is arguing that they haven't priced the items and that's why they are not out.  He's quite rude about it.  I just keep asking when it's coming out and lo and behold they seem to have the items priced and someone brings it out.

Today, I was looking to purchase a "semi-boneless" leg of lamb.  I'm the only one that going to eat the lamb and at a price of $2.99 a pound thought it would be a bargain.  I ask the "butcher in the back" if he can cut it up for me.  Another attitude about it!  Frankly I don't understand what semi-boneless is if a bone is totally running through it!  I'm asking for steaks and a roast.  He cuts it up and packages it.  The look on his face was if I just stopped him from his thoughts about how much time it was before his shift ended.

If you go to the butcher area and need something when they are on their break (I think they all take a break at the same time), there is no one to assist you for at least 20 minutes.

Well, I'm re-wrapping to portions and decide to cook up one of the "steaks".  How awful!  Something just didn't taste right.  Like total nausea and stomach upset.  It made me wonder if the butcher cleans the blades from the last piece of meat he cut up before he cut this one up.

I then pop over to the frozen food to buy my favorite ice cream.  Graeter's.  There they are on the top shelf! I can see that there is a line of pints pushed forward, a space and then at least a line in the back that has freezer burn on them.  I ask one of the staff that works that area and he denies that it's freezer burn due to his buying some other brand that seems to have freezer burn but tastes okay.  Good Grief!

I so wish that Fairway Market was closer to my home!  It just might be worth the schlep to Douglaston.  At least the people who work there are pleased to do their jobs.  

PEA POD VS STOP & SHOP AKA FLAVORED FROZEN FOAM

Pea Pod is a delivery service company connected with the grocery chain known as Stop & Shop.  When there is a load of food to buy it might be easier to get it delivered as they will even come into your home and place the bags on your kitchen floor.  The service is just a bit higher than if I took public transportation but lower than a one way trip by car service.  You have to depend on receiving what you don't see, other than what is online.  There is, however, a guarantee and if you are not happy with the product they will deduct the amount from your bill.

Stop & Shop has a double your money back guarantee and you pretty much do get to see what you buy.  Produce can be a bit of a problem in both cases as there is no opportunity to taste the product as there may be if you went to Fairway Markets.  Tasting produce also poses a situation of that it is not washed.

I placed an order with Pea Pod and was not satisfied with some products and also found that not all products sold at Stop & Shop are available on Pea Pod.  I called customer service and got someone who thinks he knows it all but doesn't, if you know what I mean.

Cherries.  At this time of year, I expect them to be sweet.  They tasted tart.  He first argues with me that the ad does not specify that they are sweet or may not be fully ripe.  Give me a break!!!  They did not look as if they needed to ripen and why send them to me if they weren't!!!

Next was a head of romaine lettuce which was obvious that no leaves were removed.  You know what I mean by that.  I'm pulling off a bunch of leaves and there is brown ruined whatever near the stem.  Add to this that it is bitter!!!  If I wanted bitter I'd buy escarole!


I bought two packages of Center cut loin pork chops bone-in.   One package is perfect.  The other has chops with lots of fat and looks more like "seconds".  Give me what I order and don't try to slip something in that is not as good!


The last one took over 10 minutes of arguing.   I wanted Ice Cream.  I looked at all of the brands offered and just about all of them were listed....except...GRAETER'S!!!!!   I thought I'd try a different brand than my usual and decided on Breyers Ice Cream and chose a plain chocolate which appeared to have sugar and not corn syrup.  Oh yeah...did I tell you that they are allowed to substitute?


Here was this 1.5 quart which read Frozen Dairy Dessert.  What the hell does that mean?   I called Graeter's to speak with Bob Greater.  He informed me that in order for a product to be labeled as "ice cream" it had to meet the minimum standards of having at least 18% butterfat.  Not only is this product lacking in mouth consistency but allowed to have 50 percent of air pumped into it.   Now I understood why the weight of what was supposed to be 48 ounces felt like less than 2 pounds.


So, I'm trying to explain this to the know-it-all.  "It sounds like ice cream, to me" was his answer each time I gave him the data.  When I look at it now, on Pea Pod's website, I don't think that I ordered the one that reads Breyers Ice Cream Extra Creamy Chocolate as that one lists it as having corn syrup. 

It took a whole bunch of talking to get my refunds which he construed as being a "courtesy".  Good grief!  With economizing it is important to get what you pay for....and please don't post as a 100 percent satisfaction if you're not going to take care of it.   Cherries should be sweet unless listed as "tart",  romaine lettuce should not be bitter,  Ice Cream should be Ice Cream and not Frozen Dairy Dessert and if you are not going to view the meat make sure that what you package is consistent!!!

STOP & CHECK

Stop & Shop recently came up with a new double your money back policy.  Frankly, I'm thrilled and will have them keep their promise.  Milk has been as issue a few times.  It doesn't matter what the sale date has if it doesn't taste fresh when you first open it.  Blame the doors opening and closing or whatever.  It's not as if I can taste the milk before I buy it and yes I did get double my money back as it was an organic milk. 

You can't expect the guarantee for marked down fruits and veggies.  What's good about this is when you buy meat that has a sticker for a dollar or whatever off for being the final sale date.  It should still taste fresh if you either eat it that day or freeze it for later.

It's about what you can't see...packaged meats...the ones that are hidden. The top one looks perfect and you can see parts of the rest.  Here's what I encountered.  T-bone steaks were on sale for the same price as New York Strip steaks.  I asked the butcher to tell me the difference.  He said that it is like getting two steaks and one side of the bone has the "filet mignon".   Perfect.  I bought two "family" packages.  However, when I broke it up to freeze each as a portion, I found that about half had the filet part practically cut off.  Needless to say I wasn't able to see that as they were tucked under the really good ones.  Yes, they are going back and I expect to get double my money.  From now on I will take photos of my hidden foods as I unwrap them.