I HAVE been a long standing customer of the Co-Op but not anymore.
I live within walking distance and have found it very convenient over the years for all sorts of products, particularly wine.
In the past I have bought a couple of bottles that are less than perfect upon opening but have never taken one back. I have accepted that some have oxygenated a little.
On June 4 I bought a bottle of Elephant Trail Pinotage Shiraz, Co-Op's own brand, only to find upon opening it had 'corked' and was undrinkable.
Most of the red wines in this particular shop are 'reduced to clear' incidently.
I decided to take it back in the evening, the first time I have returned anything to this shop, only to be passed from cashier to cashier to cashier (the final one was Jamie) who spoke on behalf of the supervisor who was out the back.
The answer was: 'No, nothing can be done' and the reason given: 'The wine can't be off because it's not out of date, due to the fact there's no date on it'.
I found it difficult not to laugh out loud at this.
I'm not sure what's worse, the spectacular lack of knowledge by all staff regarding wine, the fact there was no date on the bottle (which they freely admit), or the policy of telling customers to 'go away' when they have an issue.
The money I handed over to purchase this wine was perfect in every respect and not a penny was missing, and if it was I would have expected a protest and to have been unable to leave the shop with the bottle.
The money was perfect, the wine undrinkable and I'm told nothing can be done - 'Go away, good customer' was the implication. Well I have obliged,forever.
I left the wine there and asked the cashiers, who know me well, to pass on the message to the supervisor out the back that I won't be going in there ever again.
ALAN MANNING,
by email.
