Wegmans — Attraction in Washington

Terrible experience at the DC Wegman's on 12/22. The kind and professional new employee at self check-out was unable to figure out why I could not enter my phone number before ringing up my order. She called over a co-worker who explained that since I had already begun to ring up my stuff, I'd have to wait until everything was scanned. She explained that their system only allows you to enter your phone number/scan Loyalty QR code from app at start or end of checking-out. I thanked her and continued scanning my order.

Unbelievably, the register still would not accept my phone number even after ringing everything up. I requested assistance again. The new employee was very professional and spoke to the same coworker again. I could see that she was annoyed. Then she came over and I knew for certain she was angry.

She proceeded to speak to me in a loud harsh voice insisting that I had entered my phone number. I attempted to calm her down by using a friendly voice saying that I had not entered my phone number nor scanned my QR code because the system would not allow me.

Then she yelled at me while pointing at the register screen (which did NOT indicate that my Loyalty membership had been entered). I was absolutely shocked by her unprofessional and hostile attitude. I patiently suggested that perhaps the register was broken? This really angered her. She glared at me, "NO! You already entered your phone number!"

Then she shrugged her shoulders mumbled, "It's not my problem you don't know what you're doing," and walked away. Then, while standing 25 feet from me she started yelling that I didn't know what I was talking about. She insisted (while yelling) that nothing I purchased was on sale (untrue, the spiral ham was on sale) and screamed, "You have a happy holiday!"

The new employee was dumbfounded and apologized for her poor behavior. She then asked an assistant manager for help. He was very kind but also could not figure out the issue.

Eventually he transferred my transaction to customer service where the register DID accept my Loyalty membership. Yes the spiral ham was on sale just as I'd tried to explain to the unprofessional employee.

I'd also like to add 2 more things. At around 9:40 AM, 12/22 while in the meat dept I could not find the spiral ham. I did not see any employees on the floor. Oh but wait! A tall man chatting on his phone was in fact a Wegman's employee. Another customer and myself attempted to get his attention for assistance. Then the customer whispered a question to him to which he responded by pointing. I patiently waited for the chatty employee to see me but he was too involved in his personal conversation. I could hear most of it. It was not work related. I had to speak very loudly to finally get his attention. He gave me incorrect information while continuing to speak on his cell phone while hanging out in the meat dept. Completely unprofessional and a could-care-less.

I will not be shopping at the Washington, DC Wegman's location ever again. If I wanted to be be badly treated, I would shop at Aldi,...

A little disappointing. Like many of us - I was excited for the first wegmans in DC. I’ve never actually been in one before today; only ever using instacart to deliver from MD.

Context is crucial. It was opening day today so tons of people and things still need to be worked out.

What I didn’t understand was: why were there so many Wegmans employees standing around blocking space so shoppers were gridlocked. Not wegmans employees doing things - it looked like managers or even wegman higher ups that wanted to witness the first day. They legit stopped and had conversations in key mobility points meaning there was so much unnecessary waiting to get around people, have people move, or ask people not to stand in the middle of everything preventing everyone else from moving.

The main entrance pours people into a very narrow path which also happens to be the only location for organic berries. Talk about a cluster. Bad design - I hope they rework this.

I witnessed an older white man nearly hit his cart against a young women who worked for wegmans. Rather than ask her to move or say “excuse me” he almost rammed her to move. Maybe that’s why I left feeling icky and underwhelmed. Suddenly there was a lot of privilege and classism that left a lingering bad vibe.

The whole store is tucked back making catching a ride share challenging and currently there’s only one entrance/exit. This also needs to be reworked.

The only windows were by the cafe otherwise the whole store feels like you’re in a basement. Talk about a missed opportunity and lower quality shopping experience. I don’t want to feel like I’m in a dungeon with zombies when I’m shopping. I want good lighting and high ceilings (ala Publix).

Mostly I left feeling sad and concerned for all the workers. What are they going to need to deal with for this NW DC clientele and how long will shoppers tolerate bad flow and design before they inevitably take it out on minimum wage (albeit dc minimum wage) shoppers?

Going the first day it opened was my mistake. Crowds make me panic. I think this visit also allowed me to see something that can be hugely problematic (classism; and flow) and I hope shoppers and Wegmans see these early and...

This store is expensive. It's more expensive than Whole Foods in Glover Park. I never thought it would be possible. I thought WF orange juice clocking in at $5 (around 16 oz?) was expensive but Wegmans one upped them with $6 OJ. The slice of cheese cake? $5.50. A personal sized dessert dumpling $8. Watermelon $12. In this economy? I have one important question: What are they paying employees? I think stores should pay employees enough to shop at their stores. A sandwich + OJ + fruit + dessert would cost close to $30. Are they ensuring employees can afford lunch?

I went to explore this Wegmans because I was interested in a sandwich. The Wegmans in Virginia has/had a station for shoppers to make-to-order a sub or sandwich. Not at this Wegmans. They decided to go the burger route. Why? And, hey, why could the two not co-exist? I'm not sure why grocery stores think shoppers wants pre-sliced deli meat or pre-made sandwhiches but nothing can convince me this is a smart direction for stores. Why would I want meat on a piece of bread all day with random packets of condiments and whatever toppings someone decided makes a good sandwich? All I think is soggy bread. Allergies. Bad decisions.

Lastly, this Wegmans is not spacious. It's crowded. All that space and it was not properly maximized. I have so many questions. yes, the store is clean. It's also new. So that's not surprising. It's difficult to figure out where to enter because on Wisconsin Ave you're pointed in the direction of the parking garage and walking down there seems like a bad idea? Google maps suggests the Ridge Square back entrance but that area is closed to foot traffic and cars. Once I made it inside, I figured out the second entrance via the street route.

I'm not sure if I'll be frequenting this location. There's a recession and the price of watermelon is more expensive than a gallon of gas at its height.

I will say the employees are...