H-E-B — Local services in Bryan

Previously posted 5 star good review but changing it now to make management aware of the following:

I used to go to this HEB all of the time because it is closest to my home but it’s continually had low selection, stocking issues, and poor customer service over the past few months, so I started driving an extra 15 minutes to go to the HEB at Jones Crossing. I’ve even seen neighbors there for the same reasons.

Last night I decided to do a quick trip for groceries and again dealt with the poor service. As I was walking in, the cart wrangler blocked the entrance and didn’t give any directions or even look at the people crowding up trying to get past. When I finally got around him and got a cart the (produce side) doors were not opening - but there was NO sign. Nothing. No sign, no employee directing customers, nothing. I was one of dozens of confused people I saw coming up to the door while HEB workers watched, some with smirks, until we guessed we had to go through the EXIT to get in (this was way before closing time).

I did my shopping, and went to check out. They had only a couple of lanes open so it was a longer wait than normal for an HEB. I purchased groceries and a gift card as a Christmas gift. The cashier gave a cursory greeting, and then I bagged almost all of my own groceries since no one came to help. At the end he bagged up the last items and gave me my receipt. I left, drove home, and unpacked my groceries only to find my gift card wasn’t there.

I had to drive back and when I walked in I saw my gift card sitting next to the register. I tapped him on the shoulder and said “can I have my gift card?” This is why I’m posting the review - he looked angry and disappointed and said NOTHING. He didn’t apologize, he didn’t even offer an excuse or explanation, he said NOTHING and looked mad at me for coming back to get it. He handed it to me quickly and went back to his current customer.

As I’ve thought about it I realized he had kept the gift card intentionally in hopes of taking it for himself. (1) He hadn’t put it in my bag, (2) he didn’t give it to me with the receipt, (3) he didn’t tell me it was “up here” if he put it on the little shelf, (4) he didn’t notice it still on the shelf or on his otherwise empty desk, (5) if he did notice it on the shelf or in the desk when the next customer came, he didn’t make any effort make any effort to catch me on my way out or in the parking lot, (6) he didn’t apologize or offer any explanation - he said nothing, (7) he looked mad when I returned for it.

This employee looks like he’s using his position to steal gift cards from customers, which is honestly pretty clever because he can’t get caught very easily (he could always say it was a mistake if someone confronts him). This HEB needs to retrain their people immediately and keep a closer eye...

UPDATE: So, one member of my household is all about H-E-B. I went with him tonight and was pleasantly surprised by Southwest egg rolls from the deli section, made in-store. Grab a side of their store-made ranch dressing and one of their salsa sides! Very tasty! I think their hand-beaten tortillas are 2nd only tp Papasito's...they've improved their self check-out registers, as well...good job!

UPDATE-ISH: Nothing has changed. Self check-out is still monotonous and pales in comparison to Wal-Mart's user-friendly efficiency. They kids, whose grandparent I could easily be, are as robotic and impersonal as the armored truck guards they seem trained to imitate--from their steely demeanor and watchdog presence to their expression-free unfriendliness I've tried to give this chain another chance, but I just don't get it's allure. I can't shoot comfortably or effectively here,and their products are not appealing to me...nothing screams "buy me"...it's savings program falls short of the rewards/digital coupon combo that is Kroger's ace-n-the-hole. Of the 2 things they once offered of interest to me, only one survived post-Covid lockdown nonsense: the buttered flour torts. The 24/7 store hours , like Wal-Mart's are gone forever. Not the retailer where I'll ever be dropping my $400/week for my household of 3...

From the hectic parking lot to the unfriendly staff (if you aren't going to be approachable, even a weak smile would suffice), why these stores are such a TX staple is beyond me. They have 2 things going for them: charitable owners and pre-made, grab-and-go foods ideal for students, who seem unaware there are other grocery stores in the area, and...

I'd rather go to the one in Brenham, TX than this one. Shelves are frequently empty of sale items and non-sale items. Digital coupons require phone number and a pin (unlike Kroger or Dollar General where you just need your phone number - Kroger [or Kroger card] at least gives you fuel points). They moved the sushi where it had more space, I guess more space just means a lot more pot stickers? There were less choices of sushi and more pot stickers. After eating the sushi, both my fiancé and I felt sick to our stomachs. Can't find a lot of the items that have digital coupons or they simply don't carry it, sometimes it's located on an endcap some where else and not on the main aisle (prime example are $1.00 off Hill Country Fare Lemon & Fresh Scent Disinfecting Wipes, 2 pk. / 75 ct. - they weren't with the other disinfecting wipes and they were all moved to an endcap by the pharmacy). Parking lot is kind of a mess by the pumps because in one direction it's a one way only and you have to go make a U-turn if you want to use that exit to get out of the parking lot. They added a self-checkout and it takes up a lot of space. A lot of "10-15 items or less checkouts" and not a lot of regular checkouts. I don't go to a big HEB to buy a few items... Checkouts are also stacked and not in a nice line so if one checkout ends up with a line, it could cause people to end up in the way waiting for their turn (tons of people will be in your way at this HEB - baskets are giant, small, or small carry - there is no...