Trader Joe's Customer Service Issues

I recently bought Carne Asada steaks and salmon for a family barbecue. Unfortunately, one of my family members got sick, so I couldn't use the remaining food. I went to Trader Joe's in Federal Way to return the items, but the staff member, Jacob Anderson, was unhelpful and wouldn't provide a refund. Despite the store's refund policy stating I can get a full refund if unsatisfied, Jacob insisted I return to the same branch, which is far away. I felt he was being discriminatory and providing terrible customer service. I just want a refund for the unopened items, as per your return policy. This experience has left me upset, and I may need to escalate it further if not resolved promptly.

I recently purchased Carne Asada steaks and salmon from Federal Way's Trader Joe's for a barbecue with my family. Unfortunately, after trying the salmon and one pack of steaks, a family member got sick leading us to cancel the barbecue. I attempted to return the items due to dissatisfaction, as your return policy promises a full refund with no questions asked but was met with unhelpful service from Jacob Anderson at the store. He insisted I return to the same Trader Joe's location I bought the items from, which is inconveniently far away. Despite explaining the situation, he was uncooperative and refused to process the refund. Frustrated by the lack of assistance and feeling discriminated against, I am disappointed by this experience and do not plan to shop at Trader Joe's again. I simply seek a refund for the unopened items purchased and consumed. The disrespect and poor treatment received during this exchange has soured my opinion of Trader Joe's as a customer service professional myself. I hope to resolve this matter promptly without the need for further action.

This is the third occasion I've visited your store in Boca Raton, Florida on Federal Highway with my service poodle. Two years ago, an incident led to a two-year ban due to a misunderstanding with my dog's behavior. Despite this, the Delray branch on Linton Blvd. never had issues. After returning to the Boca store, a recent encounter with an employee named Sam raised concerns about how service dogs are handled. While the manager, Jack or Joe, handled the situation well, it highlights the need for better customer communication regarding service animals. I believe improved training and understanding from staff like Sam could prevent similar incidents in the future. It's crucial for employees to approach customers with service animals respectfully and recognize that appearances can be deceiving when it comes to these animals' roles.

I've been purchasing Trader Joe's 1000mg Vitamin C with Rose Hips, [redacted]-count for almost three decades, but sadly, it's missing in all the Silicon Valley stores I've checked. I have a long-standing relationship with your stores, dating back to the original location near MGM Studios. I've always appreciated your various products, especially the 1000mg Vitamin C with Rose Hips. The 500mg version doesn't work for me as I prefer taking my vitamin C in grams rather than fractions. Additionally, I'm unable to locate the 125mg vitamin D that my GP recommended last year. The 25mg version doesn't meet my needs. I hope you haven't discontinued these products. Sincerely, D.H. Santa Clara, CA

Dear Customer Service, I am a frequent patron of Trader Joe's in Nashville, Tennessee and I wanted to express my concerns about a recent employment opportunity at your new Franklin location. My twin sister, Linda Phelan, who has been working at Publix for four years, applied for a job at your store looking for growth opportunities in terms of full-time employment, better benefits, and increased pay. I was disappointed to hear that she was not selected for a position. Having been a loyal customer of Trader Joe's, I believe she would be a valuable addition to your team. I feel that both my sister and her colleague have been overlooked despite their commitment and hard work during these challenging times. As companies value exceptional customer service, I believe giving them a chance to work at Trader Joe's would benefit both parties. I just wanted to voice my concerns and hope for a reconsideration of their applications. Sincerely, Brenda Phelan

To the appropriate party, Today, on 9/14/21, I experienced a disappointing interaction at Trader Joe's for the first time. I am a regular shopper at the Charlotte NC location and have always appreciated the friendly and patient staff. However, during this visit, I encountered a situation that I would like to bring to your attention. While shopping with a cart full of groceries totaling over $[redacted], I picked up four jars of Brazilian Nut Butter. Upon being informed of the two-jar limit per customer, I inquired about splitting the purchase for gifts. Despite being initially told it was acceptable, a manager named Pam intervened abruptly and impolitely enforced the limit. Her demeanor and handling of the situation were unprofessional and disrespectful. I believe Trader Joe's is known for its welcoming atmosphere and dedicated employees, and I hope this feedback helps uphold those standards.

To whom it may concern, As a loyal customer of Trader Joe’s in south Miami for over 5 years, I recently visited the store at [redacted] S Dixie Highway, Miami, FL [redacted]. I intended to return a few products and spoke with the store manager, Ms. Ashley Bartow. Sadly, I encountered a rude reception, interruptions, and was informed that I could not return the purchased items. The Light Sour Cream smelled rancid upon opening, the Habanero Lime Flour Tortillas had mold before the expiration date, and the organic Baby Kale had withered prematurely. Despite explaining this to Ms. Ashley Bartow, she declined to refund the products. I was taken aback and left speechless. While I do not request her dismissal, I do believe she should improve her manners and communication with loyal customers. A fair refund or gift card for the items would be appreciated. Thank you, and I trust that this matter will be promptly addressed to prevent its recurrence.

To the concerned party, I am a devoted long-term customer and wanted to bring to your attention an issue with the "Nut Creamers" that I have enjoyed for many years. Despite changes in ingredients over the past year, I have noticed a recurring problem with the small paper-packaged containers of Nut Creamers, particularly the TJ's Coconut and Almond Creamer. My recent purchase, just two weeks before the expiration date, turned into a "glop" in my cup during the cool season, leaving me quite frustrated. I hope you can investigate and address this matter promptly as I truly value this product. Thank you for your attention to this issue. Sincerely, Gayle L. Conklin Hillsboro, OR Email: [redacted]

I visited the Trader Joe's in Mission Viejo, CA today and noticed several customers were not wearing masks. There is a statewide mask mandate in effect from 12-15 to 1-15 for all public indoor places, and I spoke to a Manager who mentioned they still check out customers without masks. I believe strongly that those without masks should not be allowed to check out. Despite being a loyal customer, I will not return until everyone in the store is masked. I appreciate that all employees were wearing masks. I plan to rally friends, family, and others in the city to do the same. Happy Holidays! Hugh A.

I recently purchased a Cobb Salad in Colorado Springs and was shocked to find raw uncured bacon hidden in it. This is concerning, as consuming raw meat can be dangerous. I would appreciate it if you could ensure that your food is properly prepared before selling it to customers. If necessary, I can provide a photo of the bacon for reference. Thank you.

I recently made a purchase at your Santa Clarita location on Bouquet Canyon at store 13. Unfortunately, I was charged $87.90 for a pizza instead of the correct price of $8. The cashier was able to rectify the mistake with the assistance of the Store Manager. The Store Manager approached the situation by asking how the error occurred in a rude manner, without offering an apology or investigating the issue further. In contrast, the rest of the staff was friendly and helpful. It was disappointing to encounter such behavior from a manager. As someone with experience in upper management in retail, I believe this matter should be addressed internally. This is the first time I have felt compelled to complain about a retail experience. I hope that this feedback will be documented appropriately. Thank you.

I contacted the store where the suspect in the crime I am investigating is reported to be employed. I explained the situation and received the customer service number [redacted], which is only operational on weekdays. I am worried that they might tip off the suspect, leading to their escape before the police can apprehend them. My sole intention was to verify the suspect's employment at that store. I experienced being placed on hold twice with repeated "Hold on one minute" responses after explaining the reason for my call. Ultimately, I was provided with a seemingly useless number that doesn't help me currently. I am incredibly frustrated by the lack of assistance, especially as I was genuinely interested in visiting the store, but considering this poor customer service, I am now hesitant. It is disheartening to see a customer brushed off while an employee engaged in criminal behavior is seemingly protected.

I noticed that the Trader Joe's vanilla and cherry soy-based ice cream is missing from the shelves in Escondido. I ended up spending more to get the oatmeal options in smaller quantities instead. I haven't had dairy for 10 years, so this was a great option for me. I talked to the store, and they said they've been disappointing customers all week. If the focus is on providing excellent products and not just profits, maybe the company could find a way to offer these items without producing too much. Allowing customers to place orders and making the products to order could be a solution. The ice cream used to come in gallon containers, but today I had to buy three pints and a small box of mini cones, spending three times more money. In today's economy, this isn't a sustainable long-term choice. Thank you.

Dear TJ, I am writing to share my concerns about the oils used in many of your prepared foods. Canola (rapeseed) oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, grapeseed oil, rice bran oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil are considered to be among the least healthy seed oils. The significant increase in their consumption over the past century has been linked to rising rates of obesity, cancer, and heart disease. These oils originated without proper health regulations and their popularity grew based on flawed studies suggesting they were beneficial for heart health. Moreover, many of these oils are known to cause inflammation in the body. Healthier alternatives such as avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil, palm oil, and ghee or butter are recommended. Even if it means adjusting prices, I believe it would be beneficial for you to prioritize using more health-conscious oils in your products and communicate this change to your customers. As a long-time fan of TJ, I urge you to prioritize the well-being of your customers over profit margins. Sincerely, A Concerned Shopper

I went to store [redacted] at San Francisco Stonestown Galleria. I usually shop at five different Trader Joe’s in Los Angeles - Marina del Rey, Westchester, two stores in Culver City, Palms. Returning items with a receipt has never resulted in being asked to bring the product back at other stores. However, in San Francisco, the manager insisted twice that I bring back the product next time. This experience makes me hesitant to try new items if returns will be problematic. The customer service at this specific Trader Joe’s disappointed me. I tried to discuss my concerns with another manager but she was not receptive or understanding. She seemed indifferent. Despite the store being busy, it was not excessively so. There was no valid excuse for the treatment I received.

I have been buying Dried Mango Slices for a long time and they were my favorite snack, enjoyed throughout the day. However, the recent change to the Soft and Juicy version has left me disappointed. The new version is soft and lacks the chewiness and sweetness that I loved. I believe this change was solely for financial reasons as it has not improved the product. I hope you will consider reverting to the original version or offer both options. I will refrain from purchasing them until this matter is resolved, and I plan to return the Soft and Juicy pack that I recently bought. Kindly address this issue promptly. Thank you. Carolyn V. Marrocco

I want to express my gratitude for the outstanding service at the Edgewater location. The market has a very friendly atmosphere, and the staff, including Dave, Jojo, Brian, and others, always go the extra mile to help me get paper plates for feeding the feral cats in the area. I've been buying dried cat food since your distributor went out of business. Are you planning to bring a new provider on board soon? Your store is well-managed, and the team is welcoming. Thank you for everything. Linda L.