Sprout's Farmers Market

Well, I recently went to the store to get some usual items. I bought all of my items and got checked out. I stopped as usual at the ice machine and picked the "free" ice bag for my meat. I left the store and seconds later I was tackled from the back by the "security" guy named "Bill". "excuse me, but I need to check your bags". Oh, apparently he did not see me at the checkout and pretty much assumed that I have left the store with four bags full of items. Wow. I felt really kind of violated. I am a customer of the store. I shop there regularly. I often shop at Walmart, and have never once been stopped or accused of having taken anything from any store. I shop a few times at this store and guess what? What does this say about customer service. Do I want to shop in a store where I am treated as if though I am a criminal, stealing groceries. I resented the fact that I was subjected to this treatment. I am a respectable citizen with money and I felt that I had the right to shop in a store without being hassled or accused of being a criminal who may have stolen some groceries. Perhaps I will not shop inthe store again.

In either case, I asked that we return and speak with the manger. The manager Brian, had a lengthy conversation with "Bill", the security force. The manager approached me and asked once again, "what seems to be the problem"????. Ok, so I had to re-hash the details to him while he stood there and inspected my receipt and was trying really hard to peak in my bags. A suspected criminal is here after all. Brian listens to me, not really, but repeats "Well, the security has to do their job". "We are in a bad area and we have to be careful". I said, "Auh, I see, you are therefore profiling me as someone who maybe a criminal", he immediately responded "No, no, I do not profile, no". OK, so why did I get stopped outside then, he replied "Well, Bill, may not have seen you at the check out". Wow, so if you shop there, please make sure that the checkout people inform the security that you are checking out.

I was not happy and tried to explain to him that what he is doing is inappropriate and not customer oriented. He threw his hands up in the air and said to me with a half look as he swept away "have a nice day". Wow. I left the store briefly and decided to return immediately back and return all the items. I explained to him that an apology would have been in order, so repeated" Security has to do what they have to do, and besides I apologized to you, my apology". I said it was too late then and got my $84.00 back.

This makes me value the stores that I shop at where I get respect like Safeway, Frys, and Walmart. I also get treated with respect at Whole foods. I will not be shopping at this store anytime soon.If they believe that they are "above average" for the neighborhood they are in, then maybe they should not be in the neighborhood. Brian, in my opinion is the type of manager who have a tendency to look down upon customers and dismisses the value of customer relations.

Now here is the bottom line. Customer service is an essential part of any marketing aspect. Being customer oriented is treating your customers with respect and being helpful and professional. Being dismissive, throwing your hands up the air, and sarcastically telling the customer to have a nice day by the top manager sets the expectation of how the store will be reacting. I will never shop there again simply because I would feel uncomfortable. Being at the checkout while Bill, the security, Stands there with spread legs and folded arms monitoring every event is a scary thing. This store has failed. I have read many of the reviews. You can read the good ones, but really the ones that should be noted always is when an issue is up for challenge. I am back to other great and comfortable stores.

This place is perfect to find organic food. They have a great variety of products at great prices. The food always looks good and fresh and the have products other than food available at the store. You dont have to make a long line to buy your product plus the ambience its relaxing. I highly recomend it.

I really enjoyed this market! Not only do they have an amazing selection of Organic, natural and healthy products but their prices are fantastic. Its really hard to find a good assortment of natural baby products but at Sunflower they're fully stocked.