H-E-B — Attraction in Austin

I really wish i could leave this store zero stars.. I went in grabbed 4 items and went to self checkout so I could be in and out. I had my children, and my niece with me. A employee by the name of Jacob asked me to go to a different register other than the one i approached “no problem “ I did as told. He then walked over and asked the kids to move over (I understand clearing the walk way) they did as told, he left but came right back and asked them to move over more,at this time I was a little annoyed because we had already done everything this man asked and I felt that he targeting us . For what reason I have no clue! So I told the kids to move all the way near the door so he could shut up and leave us alone... I just wanted to finish my transaction and leave. At this time he came over to where we were nearly knocking over my daughter to get to where i was (no excuse me or anything) . He came around and got directly in front of me and said “ what u say” and at first I was confused because I hadn’t said anything to him.. so he repeated hisself and added I said it when he walked away and I told him what i said and that i was speaking to my children! He told me don’t tell him to shut up, repeated that i was not speaking to him but to my kids, this man was so ready to argue with a woman that even in front of children he still approached me to argue .. he told the manager Chris Jacobs and he walked over to and without even so much as asking me what happened he told me that it’s his job to direct ppl.. and I cut him off and simply said I just want to pay for my stuff and go.. he then reached over and canceled my order and told me i could leave! I was mistreated and also disrespected.. I was not confrontational in any way I just wanted to grab 4 items,pay, and leave.. I will not be letting this incident go because that man “Jacob” had no business getting in my face!!! Even had i said something to him (wich i didn’t) as a H-E-B employee he should’ve ignored it.. I was no threat.. I wasn’t saying anything to him, I wasn’t even near him, a woman with about 5 kids in tow trying to check out!!! And the manager needs to be demoted because his customer service skills are terrible. He didn’t ask me “the customer “ what happened and he did nothing to defuse the situation.. I will go to corporate and anything else I have to until something is done because that whole situation was not acceptable and those men need to know that their actions...

HEB, it's time to call it a day for this location. I don't know why you have the HEB logo on this store. It is run-down, cluttered, and chaotic. Worst of all, the management is not trained to be anything other than verbally abusive to customers, and the employees have all but lost hope. I couldn't imagine working there. This is not what we expect when we go into an HEB.

And before you get defensive--I'll agree that the customers can be surly, but the fact is that if you ramp up your positivity with your customers (actually implement the attitude we expect from HEB), the customers will return the favor, I assure you. I've been there many times after work--I've been hot, tired, and not looking forward to having to go home to cook and clean after a hard day. It's that simply nice attitude and smile from your employees that could turn someone’s spirit around and make everyone’s day that much brighter.

There are some things that won't change--like parents allowing their kids to scream and run amok. And we don't see you improving the God-awful parking lot any time soon. However, maybe you could...at least whittle down some of your offerings and make this store an "HEB-Lite". For example, the business service center only serves to make the front end a disorganized crowd of people clogging up the human traffic flow. (Tip: there are a dozen other check-cashing, bill-paying, financial services across the street. Let them take that off your hands!) Maybe rethink the way some of your goods are displayed. Example: does the floral dept really need to clutter up the entire store with balloons?? Do you need an entire floral dept in this store when a refrigerated case will do? Also, maybe have a front end manager on staff who is TRAINED to handle humanity instead of people who are natural-born bullies.

p.s. This location has consistently been a soul sucker for at least 15 years or more. So, mine is not a...

This is not a superstore, which honestly, I like. It is a quick in and out, if you come at a time when a parking place is available. The lot is smallish, but that also means you don't have to walk far from your car to the store.

All HEBs cater to their neighborhood. This one is mostly older Anglos who bought in the 1970s when the area was new, along with African-Americans and Hispanics who moved in more recently. This store seems to cater more to people who cook their food fresh, but has some boxed meals. The frozen food section is generously sized.

There's a large meat department which seems to get a lot of business. I don't each much meat, so I haven't bought much here other than holiday turkeys. Those were wonderful.

The produce department is incredible. A lot of diversity and good prices.

There is an in-store tortillaria. You can buy your tortillas fresh and hot. There's also a stand inside that appears to make something similar to a snow cone that the Hispanic community likes.

Along with cookies and donuts, the bakery has a large assortment of Hispanic baked goods. The cakes there are very yummy and beautifully made to order.

This store got a really bad rep in the 1980s due to some drug dealing that was done in the parking lot. The store manager got together with Austin Police to find out how to clear it out and stop it they did. I've seen no sign of it in the 10 years I've been back in the neighborhood. The parking lot is well-lighted and patrolled by security.

The only reason I'm giving this store a 4 is that I really don't trust reviews with a 5. Also, they don't carry everything I want. Then again, no HEB store in town does. For a quick in and out, or even a big grocery run, I really...