Frederick Tincher
Google
To Whom It May Concern,
I want to share my recent and disappointing experience at the Fred Meyer on Interstate in Portland, Oregon.
Today, I purchased several items, including Stumptown Coffee, which was marked with signage indicating a price of $12.49 per 16oz bag when you buy three or more. I bought three, but after checking out, I noticed I had been charged $17.99 per bag instead.
I returned to the store, confirmed the signage in the coffee aisle still displayed the promotional price, and even pointed it out to a manager who happened to be nearby. The manager told me the tag had expired — which I later saw in very small print. When I mentioned how often this happens and that we’ve started photographing sale signs because of repeated issues, he shrugged, said they’re understaffed and hadn't had time to remove the tags, then laughed, waved me off, and walked away. That kind of behavior is unacceptable from anyone, let alone store leadership.
Frustrated, I went to customer service and waited in line for 30 minutes, where I ultimately decided to return all of my groceries — over $100 worth — not because of the $17 mistake alone, but because this is part of a pattern of misleading pricing at this location. When I explained this, customer service offered to refund the $17, but I declined. If a company repeatedly misleads customers and disrespects them when they raise concerns, it doesn’t deserve my business.
To make matters worse, as the associate processed my return, she remarked, “Wow, this is taking forever.” I replied that if the tags had been removed on time, we wouldn’t be in this situation. Manager Chad, who was nearby, overheard and threatened to stop the return and make me pay for everything unless I stopped speaking. I complied, completed the return, and left.
I’ve lived in Oregon for over 30 years and have been a regular Fred Meyer customer that entire time — but after today, I will never shop there again.
On a positive note, I went to Trader Joe’s afterward, bought even more groceries, paid $30 less, and was treated with respect.
Thanks for listening.