- #1
YoshiMoshi
- 233
- 10
TLDR: Why do grocery stores not allow you to return sealed perishable items within four hours of you purchasing it?
I purchased two huge vegetable platters (1.5 kg) from a grocery store that is half a mile from me. I got home and saw one expired tomorrow and one in three days. I decided that I wouldn't be able to eat it before it expires and I should return it. Total cost was about $30 so I figured it was worth the time to return it. I didn't open it and was still sealed.
The person at customer service wouldn't take it back after I pointed out they expiration date. I asked why because I bought it less than an hour ago. The person called up the manager and they said they would make an exception and would allow me to do it. The person put a not for resale sticker on them and took them back. Apparently they can't resale them. I felt bad that they lost money (and apparently the product sense they won't resale it) and I asked them why they would not normally take it back. She said even if it's five minutes, they can't accept returns of perishable items, because they don't know how it was stored. I explained that I was previously serv-safe certified and know that the temperature danger zone is 41 deg F to 135 deg F. Something that needs to be stored in refrigeration or frozen and is in the temperature danger for four hours or more grows bacteria that is not safe to eat. Because it was less than four hours, it was still a good product, it doesn't matter how I stored it there was nothing wrong with it and they can resale it. I explained that it was sealed so it's clear I didn't open it or contaminate it in anyway. Not to mention, these are vegetables that don't necessarily need to be refrigerated. Although one product included a dressing dip, which I guess apparently did need to be refrigerated. I'm not sure, because dressing is normally stored on open shelves at grocery stores.
So can someone explain to me why, if I bought a gallon of milk from a grocery store, walk out the front door and see that it expires today, and then walk back inside to attempt to return it, they normally won't take it back? This is even if I don't open it. If it was greater than four hours I would understand why they wouldn't take it back. But if it's less than four hours, it doesn't matter how I stored it. Apparently grocery stores also apply to this to all perishable products, even products that don't need to be stored in the fridge. Like canned vegetables etc.. Why? I'm thankful that they took it back, I just don't understand the policy. I feel bad that they lost the product because they claim they can't resale it, and the money because they refunded me. Although I don't think someone who looks at the expiration date would be buying the products I returned if they saw the expiration date before buying it. If it's still a good product and safe to eat, than why can't they take it back and sale it to someone else? Can some explain?
Apparently this is a common policy for grocery stores.
I purchased two huge vegetable platters (1.5 kg) from a grocery store that is half a mile from me. I got home and saw one expired tomorrow and one in three days. I decided that I wouldn't be able to eat it before it expires and I should return it. Total cost was about $30 so I figured it was worth the time to return it. I didn't open it and was still sealed.
The person at customer service wouldn't take it back after I pointed out they expiration date. I asked why because I bought it less than an hour ago. The person called up the manager and they said they would make an exception and would allow me to do it. The person put a not for resale sticker on them and took them back. Apparently they can't resale them. I felt bad that they lost money (and apparently the product sense they won't resale it) and I asked them why they would not normally take it back. She said even if it's five minutes, they can't accept returns of perishable items, because they don't know how it was stored. I explained that I was previously serv-safe certified and know that the temperature danger zone is 41 deg F to 135 deg F. Something that needs to be stored in refrigeration or frozen and is in the temperature danger for four hours or more grows bacteria that is not safe to eat. Because it was less than four hours, it was still a good product, it doesn't matter how I stored it there was nothing wrong with it and they can resale it. I explained that it was sealed so it's clear I didn't open it or contaminate it in anyway. Not to mention, these are vegetables that don't necessarily need to be refrigerated. Although one product included a dressing dip, which I guess apparently did need to be refrigerated. I'm not sure, because dressing is normally stored on open shelves at grocery stores.
So can someone explain to me why, if I bought a gallon of milk from a grocery store, walk out the front door and see that it expires today, and then walk back inside to attempt to return it, they normally won't take it back? This is even if I don't open it. If it was greater than four hours I would understand why they wouldn't take it back. But if it's less than four hours, it doesn't matter how I stored it. Apparently grocery stores also apply to this to all perishable products, even products that don't need to be stored in the fridge. Like canned vegetables etc.. Why? I'm thankful that they took it back, I just don't understand the policy. I feel bad that they lost the product because they claim they can't resale it, and the money because they refunded me. Although I don't think someone who looks at the expiration date would be buying the products I returned if they saw the expiration date before buying it. If it's still a good product and safe to eat, than why can't they take it back and sale it to someone else? Can some explain?
Apparently this is a common policy for grocery stores.
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