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Vons

Vons review: Poor customer service 11

K
Author of the review
2:04 am EDT
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I went to Vons at about 8pm on a Sunday night. I only had to get about 6 things. I thought this would be a quick trip. When I approached the checkout there were two VERY long lines. I looked for other checkouts with the light on. I looked for the 15 item or less line. The only lines open were the customer service line and the 15 item or less line. Each line had at least 14 people in it. This is not my idea of how to get people in your store. I waited a very long time to checkout. My husband was in the car waiting for me because this was supposed to be a very quick trip. I got into the wrong LONG line because the checker in my line was dealing with what looked food stamps. She had many in her hand and was looking things up in a book. When I finally reached her at the checkout she looked exhausted. She did ask me how I was. I also asked her how she was. She told me, "Look at this line. And they won't get us more help." I understood her frustration. I worked retail in the past. It is the people working directly with the public that take the brunt when corporate decides to make cutbacks.

I have always liked Vons but if this continues I will take my business another block down the road where there seems to be plenty of employees available and there is never more than 3 in line.

Clean up your act Vons...

11 comments
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tom nielsen
Feb 23, 2008 5:19 am EST

I went to buy a berry pie for home use, I saw that the pie had an ID of berry pie, so I bought it, when I returned home and prepared to eat (with my family) it, I found out it was a cherry pie, even though the product label on the box said blackberry, I returned the box (we ate the pie) to the manager and explained, he did not seem to grasp the importance of accurate food labeling, we had a conversation during which I explained that since they bake the food on-site they had labeling control, to which he said "there is nothing I can do now" now you see why I am sending this to you...what if the mis-labeling were on a medical product or one of importance?

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tom nielsen
Feb 23, 2008 5:21 am EST

I went to buy a berry pie for home use, I saw that the pie had an ID of berry pie, so I bought it, when I returned home and prepared to eat (with my family) it, I found out it was a cherry pie, even though the product label on the box said blackberry, I returned the box (we ate the pie) to the manager and explained, he did not seem to grasp the importance of accurate food labeling, we had a conversation during which I explained that since they bake the food on-site they had labeling control, to which he said "there is nothing I can do now" now you see why I am sending this to you...what if the mis-labeling were on a medical product or one of importance?

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Sherilyn Mott
May 13, 2008 6:12 pm EDT

Toooooo Crazy. First of all, if you hadn't eaten the damn pie, you might have gotten somewhere with your complaint to the manager...I can't believe this. What nerve you have. To expect to get something because you ate a mislabled pie, and all proof that it ever happened. Who dropped you on your head?

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TONY CRUZ
Aug 26, 2008 1:59 am EDT

January 8, 2008

Vons
4550 Atlantic Ave
Long Beach, CA 90807

To whom it may concern,

Hello, I am a Long Beach California resident and I am writing to you with my concerns with the Vons Grocery store located at this address - 4550 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807.

My concerns are that I think you need to do a health inspection at this store. Especially the Service Deli Department.

I went to purchase some items from the service deli and I notice a cockroach walking on the counter. I also noticed the Soda Machine was very filthy and sticky. My other concern is a few items in the lunch meat cold case had very old and hard looking edge surfaces. So I left the store and I am never going to shop at that store again. When I left the store I noticed a few employees on their breaks smoking cigarettes and still wearing their smocks. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t the reason why employees wear smocks is to cover their street cloths from the product. So why do the employees wear smocks they should just wear their street cloths.

Please do a thorough health inspection on this store especially the service deli. My concern is for the other residents of Long Beach.

The employee that I noticed outside with their smock on was your Service Deli Manager Alzia. She is the Service Deli Manager at this store.A

Sincerely,

Concerned Resident

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KissMySass
Garden Grove, US
Jul 27, 2009 10:05 pm EDT

It is important for things to be labeled correctly, but he won't care now especially if you ate the wrong pie to begin with.

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Jaime R. Dasugo
Ventura, US
Jan 08, 2010 12:22 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I'm visiting a friend in Garden Grove, California. I live in Ventura, California, where as my credit union is there and needed cash, so I went to Von's in Garden Grove on the corner of Chapman & Haster. I asked a worker if I could cash a check here and this cashier had loudly said "If you're a member here and have good credit with the company, you can cash a personal check for over the amount and cash back". Which was fine, but during this conversation with the other employee I had, she boldly interrupted us. The big issue I had with her, was that she talked down to me infront of all the customers in line. Another thing she had said was "you'll have to make a purchase before cashing a check". Fine, after listening to her loud voice and talking down to me, I walked to the produce department and then walked up to her and asked her what her name was, she replied "Kathy" and I politely said, "thank you". Then immediately after I said thank you, she then said, "what? you're mad at me now?). Being a customer service man for 42 years, with rewards and compliments from management, I do believe I handle the public well with cause, not to offend anyone. The customer is always right and if not, it should be taken to a higher level. As far as I'm concerned, this woman should have a little more courteous in approaching a customer in public, instead of embarrassing them in front of others. The right approach would be to pull me aside, instead of letting everyone know my business. Yes, I felt embarrassed by her talking down to me and if it's her way of talking to the public, then she shouldn't be in contact with them. The customer service I'm in is in the restaurant business and we aim to please the customer and people who can't please them and don't know how to deal with the public should look for another job. Because of my experience with the public, I will voice my opinion on anyone who don't know how to please a customer. There's a right way and a wrong way. The reason for this complaint is that all the Vons' I go to have a good customer service. This is the greatest thing ever for having this in Grocery stores. Employees are very helpful and I'm grateful for that and for me to approach this "Kathy" with her attitude, I felt I had to say something. It takes a lot for me to write something like this. I have no problems with cashing a check in any other Vons and I realize that she was doing her job, but she could have used a little more tact, then to have embarrassed me. I was thinking of being a "secret shopper" for the company, but I said to myself, that Von's today, has the best customer service until this morning at 9:30 a.m.
I thank you for your time to view this case, as I've never been in this store before, nor will I ever go back. Sometimes it takes one person to rudely embarrass me and that keeps me away from that store and also believe that this goes for others.
Sincerely, Jaime R. Dasugo Vons Club Card # 600315 [protected]
January 8, 2010

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CA Consumer Advocate
Santa Clarita, US
Oct 31, 2010 9:29 pm EDT

I had the service manager, David or Daniel, an Asian man, refuse to let the meat department clerk grind up a roast stating that because it was on sale he could not. I am sorry but I was a butcher for over 5 years and this is exactly what the service counter is for. To deny a customer service because the roast was "on sale" has to be against company policy. There was nothing in the ad that stated the meat could not be serviced. Needless to say, I am not going to shop there any more. Neither should anyone who is tired of the poor service the grocery chains are providing these days.

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RogerLee
Canoga Park, US
Jul 04, 2011 5:52 am EDT

On 3 July 2011, I went into my local Vons, more or less the corner of Topanga Canyon & Roscoe. I only needed a few items so I was done shopping fairly quick. I normally don't go through the Express Lane (15 items or less) as the normal lines are actually quicker with rare exception. Many times the customer going through the Express Lines have multiple coupons, need special services, can't find their coupon, tend to argue about what items their coupons are good for, etc., so I avoid them normally.

Today, I thought since there was only two shoppers in front of me, I would try it again. Actually there were no problems and I was next in line when a women came up with maybe thirty or so items, most wrapped in free Vons fruit & vegetable bags although the items weren't either. I noticed the number of items as did the women in line behind her. We, the last women in line and myself mentioned and showed her the Express Line signs with the 15 or less items wording. She acknowledged their existance but stated it wouldn't matter as they would take her and her more than 15 items anyway, they always do, she said. I thought the clerk would perhaps attempt to enforce the posted Express Lane policy but, I was wrong. They greeted her like any other Vons customer.

I initially continued outside to my vehicle but after starting to load up my few items, I decided to approach store management to see what store policy was. I reentered the store and asked for the manager in charge. I was guided to a short, female with short hair, I believe her name was Alice. I asked her the store policy on Express Line / 15 items or less. She stated that since she had been working at this Vons, there was no enforcement of the policy. I asked her then why bother with the signs and special lights. She stated that they had secret shoppers that came into the store and the signs were required to be in place but no one enforced the Express Line policy.

I expressed my displeasure and made a poor analogy and asked if I walked out of the store without paying would that be alright. Naturally her response was no.

If there is no enforcement of the policy, then why bother putting the signs up or holding the stores responsible for having signs up or lit. I appreciate customer service. I also appreciate rules, policies and guidelines. I understand exceptions to all of those but, they are not supposed to be the norm. If the managers are afraid to enforce policy, either train them, replace them or just do away with all policies we don't want to enforce and let everybody do what they want.

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Charlie Roberts
US
Jul 27, 2016 6:35 am EDT

very unkept, egg shells in my eggsalad, asked for 1/2 pound of potatoe salad 4.99 pound, paid 3.43, same with the sick egg salad 4.99, paid 3.06 ! drink area was a full mess, no straws, or cups, AND DIRTY. people were just hanging around waiting for free giveaways and it was very uncomfortable. it was my birthday and i received a 50 email card BAD

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fedup with bullies
US
Apr 18, 2018 2:18 pm EDT

Vons Redondo Beach, CA
Inglewood Ave, Marine

Concerned Customer,

There have been several occasions while shopping at this store I witnessed the manager (white baldheaded guy) verbally abusing the employees.

Taking into consideration these employees have always been very pleasant and helpful. I have been shopping at this store few many years and have never seen this type of bullying from management. and it is bullying.

that being said, I can assure you that should I witness this behavior again I will educate the employee on their rights, and the proper course to take to file a hostile workplace claim. and they will win because I will gladly go to court and give witness.

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whatisthepoint
US
Feb 11, 2019 8:06 pm EST

Standing in line waiting to be checked out. There is one checkout open. We are all standing in line...wondering why another checker is not opening up. Several minutes pass and finally another checker opens up. And the mad dash is on, and your employees couldn't care less. They let people who have not been waiting in line run to the front of the line, and do nothing for the folks who have been patiently waiting and wondering.

This happens at your stores all too often. So much so that I resist shopping at your stores whenever possible. I slipped up today and thought I would run in for a quick few items...my mistake, I suppose. I won't make it again.

Try going to Trader Joe's sometime and see how they properly handle customer lines...it's simple and fair...first come, first served...it's a simple concept. Have the cashier peel off the line at the appropriate spot and move the line to the new cashier...simple, fair, and predictable. Yet your employees continue to repeatedly ignore this concept...I am sick of it. Until you change your policy and train your employees as to the value of this extremely simple concept, and convince your managers to strictly enforce this idea, I will not shop at Von's anymore. It really is simple customer service that goes a long way toward showing respect and value to your customers.

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