Wegmans — Local services in Gainesville

(Update from my 5-star rating 4 years ago...) I've had an on-off relationship with Wegmans pretty much since I was introduced to the chain, but they've fallen so hard since 2020 I think it will be hard for them to bounce back this time from my perspective. And this particular location is no exception.

Since 2020, this location has become very cheap. Cold bars of any kind have not yet returned. There is no salad bar, and in spite of other locations bringing back the self-serve Mediterranean/olive bar, this one has not. This particularly annoys me and has driven me to shop at other locations or even other chains. The bakery has also seen a downgrade in the past three years. While the doughnut selection isn't bad, the bagel selection is very scant compared to pre-2020, and bialys have yet to make a return altogether.

One of my biggest pet peeves with Wegmans chain-wide is the termination of offering plastic bags during checkout and instead offering paper bags. Not only do the paper ones tear easier than the plastic ones, but they charge 5 cents a piece for the paper ones. This move is very cheap and not something I would expect out of a grocery store that tries to portray themselves as “upscale”. Additionally, some cashiers charge you for the bags, and some forget, so it’s up to you to remember which ones forget and always go down those checkout lines. Those nickels that are lost on paper bags add up, and some of us don’t want the inconvenience of using reusable bags.

One of my least favorite things of all about this location is the customer base. The customers that shop at this location tend to be rude and very entitled. You can be doing something completely innocent like passing someone in an aisle that's moving slowly, and you’ll get yelled at for it like they own the aisle or the entire store. Your cart could be blocking a shelf, so you move it for another customer out of politeness and you still get a look from that other customer like it’s their shelf and you never should’ve been blocking it to begin with, as if I don't have shopping to do myself. This location is full of karens, and it makes shopping here miserable.

Customer service has also declined at this location. To be fair, customer service is even worse at other Wegmans locations I’ve been to, and this one feels better than its sister locations, but it still feels like a step or two down from where it used to be. I also know the general manager changed within the past couple of years, and while I’ve never interacted with her myself, I’ve heard she herself is pretty rude, and knowing the customer base here, I believe it. Normally karens ask to speak to the manager, but in this case it sounds like karen is the manager lol.

Why do I continue to shop at this store in the first place if I dread shopping here? Two reasons: the first being that they do offer a good variety of specialty and healthy options that many other grocery stores in the area don’t offer. (This does however come at the expense of being unable to find many name-brand products, another pet peeve of mine when shopping here.) The other is the deli/charcuterie department. The quality of the products offered here has been consistently good for years, and the staff here are really friendly too. The deli/charcuterie is the one part of my shopping that I do here that I don’t dread. Nonetheless, neither of these are reason enough for me to give this store an extra star. A 1-star review is perfect in this scenario (as opposed to a zero-star review).

Ultimately, it saddens me to see Wegmans fall so far. Even though they portray themselves as an upscale grocery store chain, the sad reality is that they really aren’t one anymore, and this location shows it. Any supermarket that doesn’t have an olive bar and charges for disposable grocery bags I will never consider upscale. I wish other chains nearby, such as Giant and Harris Teeter, would consider improving their offerings, because if I could break free, stop shopping here, and shop somewhere...

I recently had the pleasure of working with Nick and Zaylin from the catering department at Wegmans, and I cannot express how impressed I was with their professionalism, attention to detail, and outstanding service. From start to finish, they went above and beyond to ensure that my event was a resounding success. I would wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone in need of top-notch catering.

To begin with, the level of communication and organization displayed by Nick and Zaylin was truly remarkable. From the very first inquiry, they were prompt, courteous, and eager to assist in any way possible. They took the time to understand my specific requirements, offered valuable suggestions, and worked closely with me to create a customized menu that perfectly suited the occasion. Their expertise and knowledge of the culinary arts were evident in every interaction.

When it came to the execution of the event, Nick and Zaylin's dedication and attention to detail were simply unparalleled. They arrived well in advance to set up the catering area, ensuring that everything was meticulously arranged and beautifully presented. The display of the food was not only visually stunning but also showcased the quality and freshness of the ingredients used. It was clear that they took immense pride in their work.

The quality and taste of the food itself were absolutely outstanding. Nick and Zaylin's culinary skills shone through in every dish served. The flavors were well-balanced, and each item was cooked to perfection. They effortlessly accommodated dietary restrictions and allergies, ensuring that all guests were able to enjoy a delicious meal without any concerns. The variety of options provided catered to a wide range of preferences and left everyone thoroughly satisfied.

Moreover, the professionalism and attentiveness displayed by Nick and Zaylin throughout the event were exemplary. They seamlessly managed the flow of food service, ensuring that each guest received their desired items promptly. They constantly checked in with attendees, making sure that everyone had everything they needed and were enjoying their dining experience. Their friendly and personable demeanor created a warm and inviting atmosphere for all.

In addition to their culinary expertise and exceptional service, Nick and Zaylin demonstrated remarkable problem-solving skills. Despite unexpected challenges that arose during the event, they remained calm and composed, quickly finding solutions to ensure a seamless experience for everyone involved. Their ability to adapt and handle unforeseen circumstances with grace and efficiency was truly commendable.

Lastly, I would like to highlight the outstanding value for money that Nick and Zaylin provided. The level of service, quality of food, and overall experience they delivered far exceeded my expectations. Their pricing was competitive, and they worked closely with me to create a catering package that fit within my budget without compromising on the excellence of their offerings.

In conclusion, working with Nick and Zaylin from the catering department at Wegmans was an absolute pleasure. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine passion for their craft were evident in every aspect of their service. I wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone seeking an exceptional catering experience. They are true assets to the Wegmans team, and I look forward to working with them again...

I had an awful time trying to return rotten Organic granny smith apples. already bagged & Organic mispriced Salmon. The fish was so overpriced I thought I had bought the wrong kind. or the man labeled it wrong. The sign said E.U. Organic salmon $18.99. and there was a whole salmon unsliced. Next to that it read per 3ozes or $7.99 each. next to that they were pre sliced already. So I assumed each slice was $7.99 each. Instead of misleading a customer and causing confusion*, why not mark prices correctly , & clearly! It makes sense only to wegmans to mark the price of fish per ounce. AS A CUSTOMER, I tell you, I'm sorry, I don't have a scale in my pocket as I shop for groceries. I trust the signs posted for prices when shopping. so much so that I didn't notice the label price he printed read $35.00! I bought 3 slices of organic E.U. SALMON at $11.71 EACH bring each slice of pre cut and weighed salmon to be 6 oz. not 3oz. WHY CAUSE SO MUCH CONFUSION? Label things for customers, to make it easy, for them to SHOP MORE!! The sign should've read per 6 oz. or $11.71 EACH SLICE. If you MUST MAKE IT CONFUSING and price by ounce then let me weigh it myself so I can see what to buy or not to buy! each slice of salmon was 6ozes so why price it per 3 oz. or $7.99 each? THAT IS CONFUSING TO ANYONE. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I GOT HOME. MAD, I HAD TO WASTE MY TIME TO GO BACK TO RETURN it. YES IT'S MY FAULT FOR not noticing it at the store . but now I know to not shop there for fish and i'll just go to wholefoods for my Organic fish. because at Wholefoods the prices in the seafood are as posted! YES THEY ARE expensive but its clear and HONEST! AS, IT, SHOULD BE. To make matters worse Nearly alll my organic apples where rotten and bruised! I GO TO return the items and I get asked 3 times by debbie well whats wrong with it? out loud as if to shame me! I spend a lot of money at wegmans and I go there over and over for the same things over and over I BUY THE SAME THINGS! i know what to expect. Rotten organic apples is not one of them!! also the plums were rotten. My goodness the amount of rotten produce they sell the amount of times I just throw it away! NOT THIS TIME IT'S GETTING OUT OF CONTROL . I'm going to just shop at wholefoods! its worth every penny of my hard earned money! I place high value on organic fruits and vegetables! If an apple is unbagged I can see if it's rotten or not! I buy organic for a reason and for the most part it's because its always delicious, at least at wholefoods, that's for sure! As soon as I get home I always unpack my groceries and wash all my organic vegetables and put them away. I prep things ahead of time! That's how I noticed the rotten Organic apples. I always buy the same things over and over again at wegmans I know what to expect! I also shop at wholefoods which is my preferred place to go! But I just moved from Fairfax. Either way I shop at wegmans in fairfax, and wholefoods almost equally When I lived there. But now I'm not as close to wholefoods and shop at wegmans more. HOWEVER Not anymore. I called wegmans to explain what happened and they didn;t care = ( . So much so that if they bothered to look me up with my wegmans account they would know I shop there a lot. They just dont care! they think they are the best grocery store to ever hit the east coast, and they can do no wrong. it saddens me, because I love wegmans a lot for...