H-E-B — Local services in Austin

I wanted to share an experience I faced with the HEB florist dept. last Friday, 7/5/24, I went with my children to put in a balloon order for Saturday morning, 7/6/24, we got there and the florist was already out for the day and had a sign to speak to someone from produce for assistance with balloons. We located a nice man who was honest enough to let me know that he was working his station by himself at the moment and kindly asked for us to return in about 30 mins for his coworker to return from his break. He asked what I needed, and said I just wanted to place an order for balloons for the next day, I said it was around 30-50 balloons. I’ve done this many times at this location without issue for my kids past bdays! Anyways I said “sure” we’re gonna grab some bobas and return. Came back and located the same man, and he kindly rejected our balloon order stating that the “manager” refused to do it per “policy” upset, I said thank you! And went up front to locate a manager. A portly defensive, blonde woman by the name of Trisha, came up to me. I had a smile and addressed my issue and stated how many times I’ve brought my own pre-purchased balloons and had balloon orders placed without issue. She kept repeating “I cannot place the order due to the risk of popping your balloons and having to replace them. It’s a waste and too expensive.” I stated if I was already PRE-PAYING for the service and letting you know now that I am aware of the risk and you do not have to replace them, who really loses here, I DO! Where is your lose? Time? Well I’ve paid for that as well, she proceeded to state that they have the right to endorse their policy. I asked for it. No answer. She then offered for me to speak to her manager. I accepted and a 12 yr old blonde came by the name of Tyra. And both repeated that “the just WON’T” do it after requesting for an explanation on where their lose is. And where the new policy was. I even asked what happens to the fourth of July balloons they had, where do they salvage that waste? No response other than, “we have the right to endorse our policy” I responded with, it just sounds like you really just don’t want to do it. And they said they would have a conversation with their produce man for giving me false hope. LOL I said he has nothing to do with this, I just want to know where exactly is the problem is other than you straight up refusing the order?? No response. I left feeling very defeated.

And guess what, SHOUT OUT TO HEB ON PARMER LN AND I 35!!!! Not only did they take my order with ease, they did it on the same day! I was too busy arguing with the “florist management and her management” that I missed the florist at the other location. The manager there was so kind and said that they would be in at 7am and I can place the order the same day. Hallelujah!

What upset me the most is that those blonde women at the H-E-B on Mopac endorsed their gross power that almost potentially ruined my child’s birthday without any remorse. No apologies. Just the words “we won’t do it”. Although they would never admit that they just didn’t want to blow up 30-50 balloons, and used a made up policy as their defense. I wanted to share the experience because that was the first time I ever had any kind...

This HEB has been under construction since 2020. I do not recall the neighborhood residents, who are directly behind the fence, given any sort of notice about the construction and how long their time frame was going to be. Their top store manager, Tammy, informed me that they work with Spaw Glass and gave me the phone number for the supervisor managing the construction, Adam Warden. Tammy informed me that HEB does in fact work with Adam to schedule construction. Since 2020 they have rigs and construction trucks driving next to our fence with repetitive high pitch beeping sounds, trucks repeatedly slamming commercial garbage bins on the ground, and even this past Friday despite the numerous calls from other neighbors at 11PM they were removing huge concrete slabs from inside the store and slamming them right by our fence. All of this has been taking place from 10PM to 6AM during the week. Our elderly neighbors, children, and infants are constantly shaken awake. There is no way anyone could sleep through the noise and vibrations as it shakes the entire house like an earthquake. Our neighbors and our own health has been significantly impacted. We are exhausted.

I have spoken to Adam Warden of Spaw Glass myself and asked him to come talk to the construction crew. He told me that he wasn't aware they were working during those hours. Austin Police Department is investigating the building permitting at this HEB location.

At 4AM today HEB was doing heavy construction again and when I called the store they informed me that they DID in fact get a building permit for after hours construction.

Why is a building that is only separated by a fence allowed to have a construction permit for after hours knowing full well that anyone in the radius is going to be impacted?

Why get an after hours construction permit AFTER neighborhood customers begged HEB to let us sleep?

What are HEB's standard operating procedures to inform residents of after hours construction and maintenance?

We lived here before the construction took place, were not notified in any way even though it directly impacts us, and do not have the money or resources to move.

Additionally, there isn't an accessible sidewalk for wheelchairs or strollers to even get into the store! If you want to get into the store good luck because you're basically walking the same path as the cars that drive by. Just negligent.

Myself and various residential neighbors plan to move forward with the City of Austin's Community Development office, City Council, as well as the local media to ensure this issue is addressed. I have yet to hear back from HEB to inform us of...

So I was desperate and needed some necessities when I came to this HEB. I had been avoiding it even though it is right around the corner from my apartment because the parking lot always looks like a post-apocalyptic chaotic hot mess, so I can only imagine what goes on inside...

I went after 7pm on a Monday and the parking lot was insane and inside was not much different. I was dreading the grocery jungle hellscape and trying to navigate a store I have never been w/o any form of caffeine, chocolate, or alcohol sedation...

But, I have to say, the staff here really saved the day! Every employee I asked for help or directions was so nice and actually took the time to either walk me where I needed to go or explain where the item was hiding, which is so refreshing since most just act aggravated you are bothering their existence with yours.

And the trophy for super-niceness by any grocery store employee goes to Marisela. I had survived the checkout line onslaught death match, and even though the cashier was very nice and courteous, I noticed on my receipt as I walked out that I had been double charged for an item and a coupon had not been applied. So I went back in and explained to a very nice lady at the business center what the issue was and she got Marisela, who was extremely courteous and professional! She quickly went and got the coupon I told her I was missing and credited me accordingly and then her and another very nice gal credited the duplicate item charge and apologized for the mistake.

I gotta say, in this day and age when real customer service is the exception and no longer the rule; it made my day to be treated like a human being, with respect.

You just got a new Loyal...