Julie T.
Yelp
On 4/25/20 I had a terrible experience at TJ's on Culver in Irvine.
I'm not going to lie. I never had a bad experience at TJ for over 10 years except on 4/25/20 during Covid-19 at this Culver location. Yes, I'm aware these are new normals. However, I don't need the added stress from this terrible entire experience. I also feel degraded by store manager while he's "watching me" head to the registers.
Because of new guidelines, I've been avoiding going out. But, I ran out of food, so I needed to restock my fridge. I arrived Sat. around 6:30 PM. I waited patiently 20 mins before entering and stood 6 feet apart in line. In the meantime, I was watching the employee's disinfecting techniques with the shopping cars. He only wiped the handle areas which I thought was incomplete.
At the entrance, I also noticed a bald headed male employee (30's, about 5'7") directing the traffic flow. I naturally thought he was the store manager. But, I noticed he wasn't wearing a mask. So, I thought that was very weird and quite unnerving.
By the time I entered, it was 6:50. I did my best to hurry and do my grocery shopping for at least a week of supply. Well, I'm not that familiar with that store. I usually shop in Woodbury. I noticed the same bald male employee by the bathrooms still NOT WEARING A MASK. I asked him about how they disinfect the carts. He replied that they wipe the carts like the guy is doing outside. I thought that was such a nondescript answer.
Well, I continued picking up my items. About halfway into the store, I met the actual store manager. I asked him the same question about sanitizing the carts. He said that they wipe the handles and the perimeter. "What about the inside?", I asked. He also said they DON'T WIPE the INSIDE the cart. Oh, that's TERRIBLE and GROSS !!!
Also, the store manager gave me a warning that the store's closing at 7. Well, I waited 20 mins and I have only been shopping less than 10 minutes. He told me I had to go to the registers now. Then, I remembered I needed to get some sparkling water. As I headed over there, HE actually FOLLOWED me!
I've never experienced anything like that, ever!!!
It felt like I was going to steal something and he was watching every move. QUITE DEGRADING!!!!!!.
I found the sparkling water section. I don't want to leave my home again just for one item. He asked what am I looking for? I replied that I'm looking for the blueberry lemon flavor. The manager told me that they don't carry it. REALLY? I just drank the last one at home. I don't believe your answer. Anyways, I took a different berry flavor to buy.
He then WATCHED ME go to the registers.
I felt like a thief.
Because I had such a bad experience, I gave my first input online to corporate. Two days later, Captain Jeff, another store manager, called me to apologize & to clear up anything for me. At the end of the phone call, he said he would follow up with that store manager (male, 40-50s, salt and pepper hair, about 6 feet, medium build with a tan).
Well, I haven't heard anything from corporate or from Captain Jeff about the follow up. It left me hanging and I still feel the same bad thoughts. I will NOT GO BACK to this Trader Joe's.
Besides, I'm not the only one who feels this way. From the other people's reviews who posted after my shopping date, it looks like this Trader Joe's doesn't care.
TJ's LACKS the proper treatment of people.
TJ's LACKS how to make me feel better after my phone call.
***Most importantly***
TJ's LACKS the proper protocol to disinfect thoroughly !!!!
It would take a lot of convincing for me to shop at TJ's Culver, Irvine again. I don't live that far from this location. What an inconvenience.