Trader Joe's Customer Service Issues

Good evening, I encountered an issue at TJ on Victoria in Ventura, CA, where the door attendant insisted I wear a mask despite my medical condition. Even though I was wearing a face shield that covered my forehead to below my chin, she provided me with a mask that caused me breathing difficulties due to my health issues. I believe I am exempt from wearing a mask as per Gavin Newsom's updated Face Covering bulletin, which I provided a link to for reference. I felt disrespected as the attendant forced me to disclose my medical condition and showed a lack of empathy. I believe I should not be required to share such private information publicly. I only seek respect and understanding while still following the guidelines set by the Governor. I kindly ask for clarification on your policy regarding face coverings and how it aligns with the exemptions outlined by Gavin Newsom. Thank you.

I'm curious why Trader Joe's decided to discontinue their refrigerated coconut milk. I visited my local store hoping it would be back in stock soon as I was informed, but after checking repeatedly, I was disappointed to learn it had been discontinued. I noticed other customers also searching for this popular product. I find it puzzling that they would stop selling their top-rated refrigerated coconut milk. It feels frustrating and unfair to loyal customers like myself.

Hello, my name is Cole. I had an issue at Trader Joe's in Santa Fe, New Mexico yesterday. While I was shopping with my elderly mother, I was asked to leave the store by a manager for no apparent reason other than what seemed like visual prejudice. It was a Sunday afternoon, and due to the COVID-19 capacity restrictions, we had to wait to enter. After helping my mother, I went to look at the liquor display, but since it was early, it was covered. Even though I was 5 to 6 feet away, the manager approached me and asked me to leave. I explained that I was a paying customer, but he still insisted. I reacted with frustration due to feeling unfairly judged.

Last night, I called the store in Lake Zurich and spoke with someone named David, who might be the manager. I inquired about the German wine that needs to be warmed up, as it is seasonal. David mentioned they had 5 bottles but couldn't hold them for me. This morning at 9:00 am when I visited, only one bottle was left. I asked a woman why, and she hinted that an employee might have purchased them. It's quite a coincidence. I believe this man decided to buy 4 bottles after speaking with me. People like that shouldn't be in customer service. It's disappointing and unprofessional.

I recently saw a troubling video on social media about an incident at Trader Joe's that left me questioning their customer service. The video showed a woman being refused service at the store, allegedly because of an incident involving her autistic son not keeping his mask on the day before. As a grandmother with an autistic grandson, I was dismayed by this treatment. The lack of sensitivity and professionalism displayed by the store manager was concerning, and it made me reflect on the values of kindness and compassion that seem to be fading away. I sincerely hope that this situation is not a reflection of how Trader Joe's treats all its customers. Sincerely, Regina M.

I am requesting the removal of mask mandates as they seem ineffective, and I recently watched a disturbing video showing Trader Joe's workers in Santa Cruz behaving aggressively toward customers not wearing masks. Masks have not proven effective given the rise in covid cases in [redacted] and disclaimers on their packaging stating they do not prevent covid. Many places have lifted mask mandates, and I urge you to do the same. The violent incident at your store was unnecessary, and I, along with others, will no longer support your business. Hopefully, the employees involved have been dealt with appropriately. It is crucial to end these restrictions promptly, as they are causing more harm than good. I believe your employees' actions do not reflect the company's values, and steps must be taken to avoid such incidents in the future, starting with allowing maskless individuals to shop.

Dear DTJ-CS, I am writing to inform you about a case of a Listeria-like infection that affected two of us after consuming Trader Joe's frozen bell stuffed peppers with meat bought at the Shoreline TJ's on 175th St and Aurora Ave, in Shoreline, WA. It is important to investigate the handling of this product and others from the same supplier. The frozen bell stuffed peppers are identified as the probable source purchased at TJ Shoreline, WA on 17th St. I am a certified member of the WTC Health Program with number WTCHP# [redacted]29 governed by Federal NIOSH at [redacted]. Both individuals who consumed this product displayed typical symptoms of food poisoning such as cramping, diarrhea, and malaise, lasting for three days and improving on the fourth day post-consumption. I am Rico Cook, a loyal customer of 30 years since my time at Arroyo Pkway, Pasadena, CA. Warm regards, we appreciate Trader Joe's nationwide! Rico c/o R. Cruz, [redacted] Linden Ave, #[redacted], Seattle, WA [redacted]

On 2/22/21, I experienced a distressing situation at the store. Despite the store not being busy, I was publicly singled out and made to wait in the cold for 20 minutes for wearing a face shield instead of a mask. While the local manager was polite, I believe there was a misunderstanding of the mask policy. I would like to speak to someone in the legal department to ensure that I, along with others with medical exemptions who wear face shields, can shop without facing discrimination. It is important for me to follow local health regulations and not be subjected to humiliation or harassment in the process. I kindly request for the store to be re-educated on accommodating customers with medical exemptions who wear face shields to meet local mandates.

I wanted to share a positive experience I had at Trader Joe's in Marlton, NJ. While checking out, I mentioned to the cashier about my flat tire. She immediately advised against driving on it and got Matt, along with helpers Peter and Manvir, to assist me. They changed my tire, going above and beyond anything I expected. Their kindness and proactive assistance were extremely appreciated, especially during these challenging times. I am grateful for frontline workers like them and the welcoming atmosphere at Trader Joe's. Thank you for employing such amazing individuals who truly care about customers. A visit to your store brightened my day and felt like a brief escape in the midst of the pandemic. Thank you all for your exceptional service! Warm regards, J. Lindberg

Dear Customer Service, I need to share a recent negative experience I had at the Camarillo Trader Joe's store. On February 27, [redacted], at 11:49, I encountered cashier operator #[redacted]. While I understand the varied policies due to the ongoing pandemic, the lack of basic courtesy from cashier Melissa was disappointing. She did not greet me, lacked enthusiasm, and made me feel unwelcome by being condescending throughout the transaction. I observed that cashier #[redacted] handled transactions with unsanitized hands, which raised concerns. She refused to touch sanitized Trader Joe's recycle bags, but accepted cash without maintaining proper hygiene. This inconsistency was off-putting and unprofessional. When I raised these issues with the duty manager/supervisor, I felt my concerns were dismissed. The manager defended the cashier, labeling her as "sweet" despite her rude behavior towards me. I felt unheard and undervalued as a customer. I recommend clearly posting the rules regarding customer-owned sanitized bags to avoid confusion in the future. While I am willing to purchase Trader Joe's plastic bags, the store's stock was unavailable, leaving me no choice but to use my disinfected bag. I also had a negative interaction with Nicky from the corporate office, who displayed unhelpful and unprofessional behavior. Her dismissive attitude reflects poorly on the company's customer service standards. Overall, I believe that effective communication and accountability within the customer service team are crucial for customer satisfaction. I hope to receive a prompt response regarding these issues. Thank you.

I want to share my recent experience with the boneless New Zealand Lamb Leg from Trader Joe's in Falls Church, VA. After purchasing it, I found the amount of thick fat on the leg excessive when I tried to trim it for lamb cubes, cutting off 9 ounces. This left me with less meat than expected. I have been a loyal Trader Joe's customer since [redacted] and used to shop at the store in Novato, CA. Currently, I frequent the Falls Church Store in Mclean, VA. While I usually sing their praises, this time the fat content was disappointing. I also miss the lamb loin chops that were once sold. I hope Trader Joe's will address the excessive fat issue with the boneless lamb leg, as nearly half a pound of fat on a 2 lb leg seems excessive. I won't repurchase this product until this is resolved.

To the concerned party: I regret to report mistreatment at the Florham Park Trader Joe's amidst heightened covid concerns. While customer service used to be exceptional, my experience has soured due to the insistence on wearing a surgical or cloth mask instead of my face shield, which provides more protection. Despite explaining the difference, I am often harassed, hurried through my shopping, and made to feel embarrassed and unwelcome. Being a 73-year-old woman, I don't deserve such treatment. I have considered not returning but refuse to be intimidated. The situation is distressing, and it's unfair. Some staff members have been respectful, while others have been overly aggressive. Apologies are rarely extended, adding to the frustration. The inconsistency in treatment is unacceptable, and I feel compelled to voice my discontent. I hope this message conveys the ongoing issue adequately. Sincerely, Maria

Good afternoon, I'm a Crew Member at the [redacted] store in Centreville, but prefer to remain anonymous. Recently, I had a troubling interaction with my General Manager, Stephanie Carter. Despite understanding her perspective, her handling of the situation upset me. Following a recent accident where I was hospitalized for five days, I eagerly returned to work. However, Stephanie's cold and unprofessional demeanor during our conversation left me in tears. I shared the details of my accident with her, hoping for empathy, but instead received a warning about potential future absences jeopardizing my job. This threat felt disrespectful considering the circumstances. My work history and dedication to the store were ignored. I have considered reporting this to HR due to the ongoing issues with Stephanie causing a hostile work environment. I value my position at the store and hope for a resolution to this troubling situation. Thank you for your attention. Have a pleasant day!

I am a frequent visitor to Trader Joe's located on 14th Street below 1st Avenue. I always bring a smaller cart and often struggle to find one with hooks. This causes a backup of customers behind me, some searching for carts with two hooks, while many have none or just one. Another nearby store has a convenient single hook in the middle that accommodates both smaller and larger carts quickly. I suggest Trader Joe's consider adopting this system due to the high customer volume. Additionally, I enjoy your snack variety, but I'd like to highlight the need for UTZ No Salt Added potato chips for customers managing high blood pressure. Your lightly salted chips can be too salty and hard for some. I have previously mentioned the absence of white fish in your selection, forcing me to shop elsewhere for white fish, despite your availability of bagels and salmon. Thank you for your attention to these concerns. Sincerely, Bob Stevens

It has been recently mentioned in the news that Trader Joe's is allowing vaccinated customers to shop without masks. Are vaccination cards being checked at the entrance? I have been fully vaccinated and would be willing to show my card. However, I will continue to wear a mask to show respect for the employees and other shoppers. Relying on an "honor system" without verifying vaccination status may pose risks to your staff and customers. If you trust in this system, then it implies allowing customers to leave without paying at the register. Prioritizing profits over public and employee safety may lead loyal customers like myself to shop elsewhere if such risks persist.

To Whom It May Concern, Good evening, I recently visited my regular Trader Joe's in Long Beach on Bellflower Blvd. and was alarmed to find that the staff is no longer cleaning the shopping carts due to pandemic restrictions being eased. I took matters into my own hands by using wipes provided at the store entrance. To my dismay, the wipe quickly showed significant dirt on the handlebar and basket. I was surprised that Trader Joe's had abandoned their cleaning protocols, as a clean environment is essential for a safe shopping experience. When I informed a staff member about the dirty carts, I received no apology, and even the store manager had no response. In light of the ongoing pandemic, it is crucial that all shopping carts are regularly sanitized to prevent any health risks to customers. This issue should be reported to the Long Beach Health Department to ensure sanitation measures are in place. Customers rely on stores like Trader Joe's to uphold cleanliness standards for their safety. Maintaining cleanliness is vital to prevent illnesses, especially during these times. My trust in Trader Joe's has been shaken by this experience. Thank you, A. Hauser

I picked up Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle shampoo and conditioner for my bathrooms. I'm pleased with the price and quality, but encountered a couple of issues. The conditioner bottle was difficult to squeeze, needing 5-6 tries, unlike the shampoo bottle. After using the conditioner, a white, bubbly residue was left on my shower floor, which didn't dissolve easily. This is unusual for me as I haven't faced this problem with other shampoos over my 60 years. Despite this, my hair feels soft and shiny after using the conditioner. When using the Tea Tree shampoo, I noticed an odd, sticky texture that didn't feel smooth. This made me question if my hair was being cleaned effectively. I've always trusted and enjoyed your company's products. Do you also offer color-safe shampoo and conditioner?

Dear Trader Joe’s Customer Service, I want to share my recent experience at Trader Joe’s Greenbrae, CA on June 18, [redacted]. It was my birthday, and I wanted to buy myself flowers. I chose a $12.99 mixed bouquet but noticed a wilted sunflower. When I asked the cashier if I could replace it, he rudely removed it without getting a replacement. I then approached an employee for help, who reacted unkindly, refusing to assist me properly. She eventually replaced the flower with a lot of attitude, making my birthday shopping unpleasant. As a customer since [redacted], this encounter has left me disappointed. Sincerely, Jennifer Muñoz

I recently tried to reach out to Trader Joe's regarding their excessive use of plastic wrapping on their products. As we all know, plastic waste is harming our oceans and is made from toxic materials. Trader Joe's, known for offering natural and healthy products, should consider adopting more eco-friendly packaging options for their extensive range of products. However, I encountered difficulty in sharing my feedback due to the lack of a direct contact method on their website. They request specific product information and do not provide a contact phone number, making it challenging for loyal customers like me to express concerns. Trader Joe's should make it easier for consumers to communicate with them and focus on reducing their plastic usage to align with their environmental responsibilities.

Hello! I'm a loyal Trader Joe's customer and wanted to share a suggestion based on my recent experience. I typically use your reusable bags to pack my fresh vegetables to minimize handling, especially during these times. However, during my recent visit, the cashier removed the veggies from the bag even though it was see-through and I had already informed her of its contents. I politely requested not to handle the produce, but there seemed to be a misunderstanding. This raised concerns about customer trust and sanitation practices. Providing additional training to staff on handling customer requests during the ongoing pandemic could enhance customer service and differentiate Trader Joe's in the market. Your attention to these details would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! - Linda S.