Boris B.
Yelp
My visit to Kroger this evening was a firm reminder of why I prefer shopping at smaller, neighborhood-oriented, customer-focused markets. For one thing, Kroger is huge -- but not huge and somewhat welcoming in a Meijer sort of way; rather, it's impersonal and cold in atmosphere. It's shabby in its presentation, even though the store is fairly new.
As I walked in, there were no baskets available for shoppers only looking for a few items; you'd have to get a shopping cart. I decided to go cartless, as all I needed was some ground turkey for my dogs. The first thing I noticed on my way to the meat department was a conversation (20 feet away) between a customer and a clerk at the deli counter. Actually, I couldn't hear the customer, but I could definitely hear the clerk maintaining, shrilly: "I'm closed! I'm closed!" How nice. I realize that it was a few minutes before 9 pm, but... really?
I finally found the ground turkey and Kroger offered a 3-lb. freshly-ground pack for $3.66 a pound -- that's 67 cents more per pound than I paid just days ago at one of my favorite local markets, Hollywood (they'd closed at 8 pm). Then, I noticed another 3-lb. package, encased in a tube, from a national brand -- but with no price displayed. This was a real problem at the meat area -- prices were either not displayed or were not displayed under the corresponding item. It was very hard to determine prices. Anyway, I figured the tube would be cheaper than the Kroger pack, so I grabbed it.
When I reached the self-checkout area, I asked the attendant if the station was open (the station number's light was dark). He flicked the switch to light the number, but said, "it's open now, but won't be in a few minutes," referring to the imminent closing time. He wasn't unpleasant, but he made sure I knew it was almost time for him to leave.
You know what? I'm the customer, and I really don't care if it's close to the end of your shift! You're should be willing to assist with checkout as long as I'm in the store -- hopefully, with a cheerful smile! That's just part of good customer service, and I'm sure that there's someone else out there who would be happy to have your job if you don't like it! I didn't appreciate the remark at all, and it was completely unnecessary.
I checked the price on the scanner and found the tube of ground turkey to be more expensive than the Kroger pack, so I had to void the purchase and return all the way back to the meat display to get the other package. It was an inconvenience that could have been avoided if the meat items had properly-displayed prices.
Well, Kroger is what it is -- a factory grocery. The overall vibe of the store is one of corporate indifference. They're not glad that you're there. I get the feeling that they believe they're doing you a favor by being open and taking your money.
I'm really, really, going to avoid going back in that place.
UPDATE: While cooking up the Kroger brand ground turkey, I found a 3-inch-long hair in it. If I could give zero stars, I would.