Sobeys Urban Fresh Yonge & Balliol — Local services in Toronto

The produce isn't always of good quality and the price points aren't attractive but the worst aspect is the customer service. My partner and I used to shop here regularly, purely because it is the closest grocery store to our home, however we have not visited the store for weeks and will never return after our last experience here. When we were using the self-service check-out we had to cancel an item. We followed the instructions on screen and let the attendant know we were swapping one of our products. After that however, the machine started malfunctioning and every time we scanned a new item it would stall and tell us to put the last item in the bag. The assistant was very rude and asked us loudly, in an accusatory tone, in front of a busy line - up if we put our items in the bag. Then she came over to us, grabbed the product I was scanning out of my hand and scanned it herself, she also read out what we had scanned but didn't check our bag. Then she said loudly, but not looking at either of us, "it would work if you stopped cancelling things" before walking off. For the rest of the transaction she stood at the main screen staring directly into my eyes with her arms crossed and not saying anything. After leaving the store my partner told me that when he was returning the product we cancelled he heard her say "what are these guys f*ing doing?" and he saw her call someone to come stand at the other side of the checkout and gestured to that person to watch us. My partner decided not to tell me at the time for fear that I'd be too embarrassed. Obviously anyone can be a thief and businesses need to be aware of that but if there is reason to believe that something untoward is happening then it is very easy to follow certain steps to check. For example, the attendant could have checked our bag when she was checking the scanned products. If this situation was completely unique I would have made a serious complaint and may have continued shopping there but actually it was just the worst example of the general lack of good customer service I have experienced here. There are a couple of staff members who have been lovely, but they are the exceptions. I am not only embarrassed and angry by this experience but I'm also tired of this kind of attitude being permitted in the workplace. I come from a retail and service background and I know the challenges assistants face - but I also know that there is no excuse for such terrible attitudes. I will never, for any reason, step foot in this...

It's very obvious that the owner of this store, whoever they are, truly cares about their customers. and the store is SO CLEAN!

While prices are skyrocketing everywhere, I feel like this location always has great deals and affordable prices on different things each week. Like seriously, some of these prices are just insane! If I only have $10 to spend, I can still build a full meal. The fruit and veg is better at the fruit market nearby, but for pantry staples and the rest I don't have to travel super far to put together a great meal for my family with the stuff on sale. They also have limited edition flavoured things once in a while.

I also love the staff - the cashiers are always really friendly! I struggle with the self-checkout things constantly, but the people there work so quickly to fix any system glitches. If there's nobody nearby and I'm having trouble, then a cashier calls someone over for me. The ladies working at the deli are so nice too, and attentive.

My favourite thing is their prepared food near the entrance. I hate cooking so it's nice to have nutritious options ready to pick up at a moments notice, cheaper and better tasting than some restaurants. Like today, I picked up two asian style meals for about $5 each. They also have little snack boxes that are nutritionally complete with protein, veg, carb, fiber.

The fruit and veg platters are a bit pricey, but I don't mind because they're not trying to price out the independent grocers nearby, which tbh is super cool.

My experience today compelled me to write this review, because I think the staff and owner definitely need a shoutout for their consistent...

JAYLEN & SANDRA (I think) embody fantastic customer service. I was standing in line tonight for less than a second, only long enough to notice three staff talking amongst themselves at the cash register closest to the prepared food at the front of the shop, heads down. Maybe they were comparing their check out statistics on company mobile devices, they may have been on break, I will never know. I do know they were completely oblivious to a customer standing there. Sandra noticed! She may look tough with chains on her glasses, but she was so sweet to pull the plastic curtain back enough that I could get past the completely unaware staff blocking the way. Sandra’s eyes smiled brightly finding happiness in helping others. Jaylen was a wise fellow, caught my attention with a waive to the last register across from the self checkouts I avoid. Jaylen was warm, professional, offered a bag with a friendly tone and chose not to draw attention to the three staff in the clouds. Jaylen’s efficiency got me out quickly and put a smile on my face. Please congratulate Sandra and Jaylen for doing all the right things! Term 5 / Tran 1973 / Store 933 / Oper 108 /...