Trader Joe's Customer Service Issues

I've been searching for the delicious Pastures of Eden sheep’s milk feta cheese from Israel at Trader Joe's, only to discover that it has been removed from the shelves. I was surprised to hear from a clerk that many customers share my disappointment in this decision. Trader Joe's management, it is disheartening to see you distance yourselves from Israel. Remember, blessings come to those who support Israel.

I want to share a heartwarming story that happened to me yesterday. After a long and stressful day working in retail, I went to Trader Joe’s to buy food for my dog who is battling cancer. While checking out, a young man named Aaron kindly helped me pack my groceries and asked about my weekend plans. I shared that I was focusing on caring for my sick dog, and he surprised me with a bouquet of pink roses, saying he thought I could use them. His gesture moved me to tears, especially after a week filled with negativity in the media. Aaron's empathy and kindness truly touched my heart. If you happen to meet Aaron at the Trader Joe’s in Annapolis, please let him know what a wonderful person he is. The world needs more individuals like him, spreading compassion and kindness, especially during the holiday season. - Beverly Casey Radespiel

We have been enjoying the carrot cake with frosting for years. It is one of the few cakes that does not contain corn or any corn derivatives, making it safe for my wife who is very allergic to corn in any form. The carrot cake has been a best seller and often sells out by the afternoon, unlike many other cakes available in the evening. I was disappointed to hear that the carrot cake has been discontinued. I would like to request that you reconsider bringing back this popular choice. Additionally, in your efforts to provide organic and basic ingredients in your products, could you please list corn as one of the allergens? With so many people allergic to corn, it would be helpful to know which products contain it. Thank you for considering these concerns. Thank you, Allan M.

Letter to the Editor by Beverly Casey Radespiel, December 8, [redacted] "Showing Empathy and Kindness" After a tough day at my retail job, I visited Trader Joe's to buy food for my beloved dog battling cancer. Aaron, a thoughtful employee, noticed my situation, brightening my day by offering to help and asking about my plans. When I mentioned spoiling my ill pet, he disappeared briefly and returned with a lovely bouquet of roses, providing much-needed comfort. In a world filled with negativity, this act of kindness was a ray of light. Meeting individuals like Aaron reminds us of the power of empathy and compassion. Encounters like these serve as a reminder to acknowledge and encourage kindness, especially during the holiday season. Regards, Beverly Casey Radespiel

I found a chicken bone in the Barbecue Chicken pizza I purchased and ate tonight. My appetite was lost once I bit down on the bone, but my teeth are alright, thankfully. I would appreciate a refund for the pizza, but mainly wanted to bring this to your attention. It's the first time I've encountered an issue with any item bought at Trader Joe’s. I bought it at the McKinney store at around 8:00 pm CST. I can provide a picture if required. Thanks, S. Vaughan.

I need assistance with a return at the store. My receipt was left in my car under the sun and is partially unreadable now. When I tried to return the items with the damaged receipt, the store refused. I'm aware the store policy allows returns with a receipt for a refund and without a receipt for the lowest price advertised. However, they would not accept my items at all. I believe I may have been treated unfairly due to my race, as I witnessed another customer, who was not African American, successfully return items without a receipt and receive a cash refund. I feel discriminated against and offended by this experience.

I am a driver for Turner Transportation Company. I had an issue with the receiver at the Tolleson, AZ warehouse at Trader Joe's World Class with Tanimura pallets under PO [redacted]87. The problem was that the products were not properly secured. The manager, as he introduced himself, refused to unload them due to safety concerns about them falling. I offered to not deliver them, but he insisted on receiving them if I wrapped them in plastic. I explained that it was not my role as a driver to do that but he got upset. He refused to give me the paperwork to leave and said he would only receive it later in the day, even though it was only 8:05 a.m. on 1-4-[redacted]. He closed the window, accidentally hit his finger, pushed me, and we argued. He even threatened to hit me. Despite his behavior, I remained calm, as he was an older man around 60, and I didn't want to escalate the situation. He then threatened me with a gun (pistol) as we exited the warehouse. I called the police, made a report, and he eventually forced me to leave, banning me from Trader Joe's. My name is Jesús, and I would like this situation to be resolved. I am just a driver and feel it is unfair that people in authority can act this way. My company informed me that he reported me to Tanimura for not delivering the products, but I hope something can be done about this.

Location: Trader Joe's in Acton, MA [redacted] Time of Incident: 4:20 pm today (Wednesday, January 8, [redacted]) I was at Trader Joe's with my son, who tried a sample without permission. The employee at the food tasting area scolded him rudely, causing my son to feel really upset. When I intervened, the employee responded dismissively, which made the situation worse. Despite explaining that I had given permission, the employee continued to be unapologetic. This incident not only upset my son but also left me feeling frustrated. I hope that in the future, employees will handle such situations with more empathy and understanding, especially when dealing with children. This experience has left a negative impact on my son, and I believe it could have been handled more sensitively by the employee named Mick.

I am disappointed to hear that Earth Fare in Fort Mill, SC, which only opened last year, is closing. The loss of trees is unfortunate. Considering the area's growth, I believe it would be an excellent spot for a Trader Joe's, which I know many people, including myself, would eagerly welcome. As a side note, my husband, a commercial architect, is willing to discuss the expenses involved in transforming the location into a Trader Joe's. Thank you, Leslie McCarty

I bought your quinoa product multiple times at the 14th Street Union Square store in NYC. Occasionally, I've returned it. Today, I noticed an unusual taste like a chemical or cleaning residue, or an imbalance in the ingredients, resulting in an alkaline taste instead of sweet potato. The product's ISBM number is 0[redacted], made in France, with another number on the package, [redacted] 05:08. -Jerry

I recently purchased the Trader Joe's Organic Free Range Chicken Broth from my local store and upon opening it to make some soup, I noticed the foil seal was broken on all three containers I bought about a month ago. I live quite far from the store, so running back is not an option. I'm not sure if this is normal for the packaging or if the broths have gone bad. Can I still use them, or should I discard them? Also, if they are safe to use, can I freeze the ones I won't be using today for later use?

I am a huge fan of Trader Joe's and have always admired it as a company with a conscience. Their healthy food choices and affordable flowers, plants, and wine make it a fantastic shopping destination. The main draw for me, however, has been the friendly and helpful staff members. I believe more should be done to protect them, especially during these uncertain times. I suggest implementing a system where customers can call or email their orders in advance. This would limit the number of people in the store, allowing only workers to fulfill orders for a safer pickup experience, similar to a restaurant takeout system. Other stores like Safeway are taking measures to protect their staff, like installing barriers, so I urge Trader Joe's to consider similar steps to safeguard their employees and customers. Thank you for considering ways to ensure the safety of your valuable staff members whom we all cherish. Best regards, Nora D. [redacted]

I have been a loyal Trader Joe's shopper since the chain first opened. Today's experience was disappointing, reflecting poorly on the company. Throughout the years, I've never encountered bad customer service at your store. Given the current circumstances of COVID-19, I found myself in line after a customer who paid with cash. When I politely asked the cashier to use hand sanitizer before handling my groceries, due to touching cash, her response was unpleasant. Despite her disapproving look, she haphazardly applied sanitizer and scanned my items. The bagger also reacted oddly, prompting me to comment in an attempt to lighten the mood. His insensitive reply was shocking, stating that people die all the time. I emphasized the importance of considering not only personal safety but the well-being of others you encounter, detailing the risks for individuals with compromised immune systems. This level of behavior is not acceptable in the current climate. Trader Joe's headquarters should enforce strict sanitation procedures for all employees. It is crucial for everyone, especially the younger generation, to acknowledge and address the seriousness of the situation to prevent the spread of the virus. I believe this issue should be addressed by headquarters to ensure proper protocols are followed by staff members.

Re: Store #[redacted] in [redacted] There was a long line at the store, which is common during the current situation. I missed the disabled senior hours as I was helping someone else. Despite waiting in line while in a lot of pain and using my cane for support, a man with a cane arrived later and was immediately let in. When I questioned this, the employee mentioned his age as the reason. They had noticed me earlier in the handicapped spot and knew I was waiting in line. As I finally made my way to the door, I encountered rude and snarky comments from the same employee. It was disappointing to experience such behavior, and I was surprised that Trader Joe's would employ someone who acted in such a disrespectful manner.

Hello TJs, I do not have a Trader Joe's nearby, so I typically visit the Plainview store but have recently gone to the closer Commack location. During my recent visit, I encountered an unpleasant experience with an employee there. As I waited in line behind a customer with many items, I overheard the cashier allowing the customer to exceed the item limit per shopper while I was later told to return some items for exceeding the limit. The cashier was friendly to the customer ahead of me but treated me poorly, which made me feel discriminated against. This incident left me feeling judged and mistreated. I will not be returning to this location. I urge Trader Joe's to address this issue seriously, as this kind of behavior undermines the values of equality we should stand for. I felt unfairly treated, and I hope your staff can learn from this and treat all customers equally. Thank you.

I drove to the North Brunswick NJ store, only to find a person clearly not a senior entering during the designated senior hour. Despite bringing it up with an employee who shrugged it off, the manager stated they don't enforce any age restrictions. Unlike other stores like Target or Aldi, where individuals who are not seniors are denied entry during senior hours, this incident made me question the effectiveness of the senior hour. The presence of an employee in the lobby seemed futile if they are not enforcing the rules. A simple reminder from the employee to the individual entering would suffice. This experience has left me disappointed and I will reconsider shopping there unless changes are made.

I typically enjoy my shopping experiences at Trader Joe's, but today I had a concerning encounter at the Little Rock store. While checking out at the Disabled checkout lane, I noticed that the cashier was not wearing a mask. When I asked about this, she explained that she had a medical condition that prevented her from wearing one. Given the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Arkansas, this situation is troubling. I believe it would be more appropriate to assign this employee to a position with less customer interaction to minimize exposure risks. Placing an unmasked employee at a checkout where disabled customers, who are especially vulnerable, frequent seems highly inappropriate. While I understand the need for accommodations, I feel that more consideration should have been given to protecting those at higher risk, like myself as a cancer survivor. This seems like a judgement error that could have easily been avoided with a small adjustment.

Good Evening, I want to share my recent experience at the Trader Joe's on Atlantic Ave and Court St., which was very unpleasant. I felt uncomfortable and annoyed throughout my visit, and the customer service from Victoria, a manager, was unsatisfactory. Before entering the store, I was in line without a mask and was stopped by employees at the door. Despite having my face covered with my jacket, I was repeatedly approached inside about my mask. Throughout my shopping, I noticed employees following me until I left. When I spoke to Victoria about my experience, her response was dismissive and unprofessional. As a longtime resident and professional, I expect better treatment. I am requesting a review of the security footage, training for Victoria, and a conversation with Senior Management. Date: 6/11/20 Time: 4:40pm - 5:07pm Description: Grey Tee shirt, red track pants, white/orange sneakers, grey du-rag. Thank you, Adriana

Good Evening, I recently visited Trader Joe's on Atlantic Ave and Court St. and had an extremely unpleasant experience. Throughout my visit, I felt inferior and uncomfortable and was met with poor customer service from Victoria, a member of the management team. As I approached the store, I followed the mask guidelines by using my jacket to cover my face. Despite this, I was repeatedly approached about my face covering. Multiple employees seemed to keep an eye on me while I shopped, and I felt as though I was being watched until I left. When I tried to address my experience with Victoria, she responded rudely in front of other customers, suggesting I shop elsewhere. I am a Brooklyn native and a seasoned professional in Luxury Retail Management, and I followed all safety guidelines during my visit. I am requesting a review of security footage to confirm the events, additional training for Victoria on customer service, and a conversation with Senior Management. This is not about seeking compensation but addressing a real issue that should not be overlooked. Date: 6/11/20 Time: around 4:40pm - 5:07pm Description: Grey Tee shirt, red track pants, white/orange sneakers, and a grey du-rag. I can provide employee descriptions if necessary. Thank you, Adriana Servellon

This report has been submitted to the Oakland Police Department for processing. The incident involves identity theft with tracking number T[redacted]1 reported by Selamwit Ayele. The theft of her driver's license led to unauthorized purchases using her information, resulting in bills sent to her for payment. Ayele seeks assistance from the police to apprehend the perpetrator and address the fraudulent activity. She has also written a letter explaining the situation, including her efforts to report the issue to Wells Fargo Bank to no avail. Ayele requests a thorough investigation and correction of the fraudulent charges made under her name. Enclosed with the letter is a copy of the police report for reference in resolving the matter.