The not so fresh food people - Real Mum story on MoM

12 Comments

Out of convenience we often will do a quick dash to the local Woolworths, which happens to bean a 1.5 kms away. Recently we have found that their some of their vegetables and fruit is inedible. The first strike was when we found a punnet of strawberries with a couple of mouldy ones in the bottom and hadn’t gotten to the counter. I had to interrupt the conversation of two ladies, who acted like I was an inconvenience and then nonchalantly said thanks, put the strawberries to the side and carried on with what they were doing. A couple of weeks later the same special end cap had some brocolini on it and when we picked it up it bent in two in our hands. Once again we complained to staff, asked to speak the manager and was given the runaround and a nonchalant attitude, even when we took the duty manager to the end cap where almost the entire brocolini on the shelves was affected. Tonight when my husband returned home with a yellow capsicum that was rotten in the middle was the last straw. This time we were given a refund thank goodness. Luckily we will be soon reestablishing our garden with extra raised garden beds and more produce. Anyone else had any such experiences?

Posted anonymously, 3rd October 2016

12 Comments

- - mom81879 said
  - 29 Jan 2017
    11:31 am
That was so rude of the shop assistants! They need to change their attitudes for starters

- - mom62527 said
  - 31 Oct 2016
    9:52 am
Yes of course I find that alot of produce in Woolworthes is inedible. I just can’t seem to understand why it’s on the shelves to be sold and expected for us customers to eat. It’s ridiculous especially when a lot of the produce costs quite a fair bit. I don’t mid paying for them but only if they don’t have mould on them or are very soft in texture.

- - mom81879 said
  - 27 Oct 2016
    9:20 am
Mostly, when they put things on special, it’s to promote a new product, to help get rid of products that there is a lot of, to get rid of stock that is spoiling or nearing its use by date. I check everything before it goes in my trolley. If I pick up fresh produce that isn’t so fresh, I just put it back and pick another. I only complain if I get the product hone and notice something wrong with it. Learn to pick your battles and decide which ones are worth it

- - mom176887 said
  - 23 Oct 2016
    9:33 pm
Most problems have been with strawberries – but that is only because I try to make them last more than a few days.

- - mom171506 said
  - 18 Oct 2016
    3:50 pm
Best to check while still in-store, however i do know this can be difficult at times. When you can refund them, it’s great. I shop all over the place and check fruit and vegetables beforehand.

- - mum888 said
  - 13 Oct 2016
    8:51 pm
It sounds like they are not checking their fresh foods properly or not rotating them . We have a local Woolies walking distance too and rarely do I find rotten fresh foods in either Woolies or Coles . I find them more in the smaller local stores and also the way I shop is that I am very careful with shopping . I check top and bottom in strawberries and fruits I check one by one . Don’t rush and if unhappy take it back immeditatley and ask for a refund .

- - mom19782016 said
  - 11 Oct 2016
    2:14 pm
Always take it back. If it’s inconvenient to go back every few days, call the store manager and lodge a complaint and tell them when you’ll be in next. Bring your receipt – I’ve had to do this so many times that I now no longer shop there. It makes you wonder just how old that fruit and veg is if it is off in the store or not long after you get it home.

- - mom90758 said
  - 09 Oct 2016
    2:54 pm
Not a nice experience at all. I can imagine the frustration!! I generally buy my fruit and vegetables in Coles.

- - pauline43 said
  - 08 Oct 2016
    5:38 pm
I have to admit I picked up a punnet of strawberries the other day and most were mouldy and they had a funny smell I agree it is not the best place to shop for fruit and vegies a bag of potatoes I bought also had soft mouldy potatoes at the bottom so was un eatable so I have learnt my lesson nd now go to my local fruit and veggie shop so much fresher and even cheaper

- - mom112217 said
  - 04 Oct 2016
    3:06 pm
My Woolworths is always a very good experience,if you have any issues or need a refund speak to the manager.
- mom93821 replied
  
  05 Oct 2016 , 6:48 am
  I always get refunds too – which is good.
- - mom93821 said
  - 04 Oct 2016
    6:27 am
Fruit and Vegies do perish and sometimes it is hard to see the spoilage. We have had this at grocery stores and at the farmers markets too. I have never had problems with getting a refund or exchange of fruit and vegies. Thankfully, it only happens occasionally.