International Market — Local services in Metairie

I was a frequent customer to this place. However, once I found few rice worms in the Royal Basmati Rice I bought from them. I brought my 40lb bag (approx. 39lb remaining) and tried to return it. To be honest, they agreed to give me a new bag. But with a complete humiliation. They opened the bag I brought in and asked me to show worms like I was lying to them for a pound of rice. And to be honest, I could not find it at that time either (since white rice worms looks just like rice itself and I am not an expert on that job). With a whole sarcastic smirkle on her face, she handed me a new bag and asked me to open it in front and check it on the spot as if I was faking about the worm. There were many people on the store looking at me. The whole time they were just arguing saying- they have never heard any such complains. Feeling very humiliated, I left both the bags and walked out.

The gist is- It might be true that they might not have heard any complains about the rice so far. And I can vouch that too since I have prolly bought more than 20 packs of rice with then before. However, having a worm in a packet of rice is not something that can never happen. So I just wished they would have owned up to that and saved me a humiliation.

I will still have to go to them because they are the only ones to sell that variety of international product. And I wont let my ego change my eating habits. But I just feel such a great victim of monopoly...

Huge market, amazing selection of spices, Indian ingredients, and accoutrement. BUT, my only complaint is the British selection-which is what I came for (I'm English). It may be due to the current situation, but there was only a plethora of jams (?), a couple biscuit options, Birds Custard, HP, Lucozade, and a handful of small items that I found strange to import, as there's no discernable difference (baking powder?) when comparing to the American version. The 4* is also because I was so happy to see Cadbury (not the USA knockoffs version) that I almost cried, and bought $50 worth of chocolate. Only to realise that it was the Indian version of Cadbury, and NOT British. I felt embarrassed because I should have turned it over and read it first. So shame on me. Yes, there's a huge difference (you can research Cadbury licensing to other companies online to find the explanation). Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Indian food, but when I drive 2 hours for a bit of British to soothe the homesickness, I should reasonably expect it to actually be British. I'll go back for their amazing selection of curry and Indian ingredients, though! But please, more authentically BRITISH...

If I could do -100 stars, I would. After being a customer for over two years. I went today and bought tahini in a glass pot and 4 cans of fava beans. The cheap cashier placed all 5 items in a single plastic bag. I drive the cart to my car. As I got home, I picked up the bag and in two seconds the bag teared and the tahini pot fell, broke, glass shattered, and tahini spilled out. Took the stuff back to the store and told the cashier what happened and she raised her voice on whether it happened at their parking or my home parking.?! I answered at home parking and she said oh that’s not our responsibility. I told her you put all those items in a single bag and it’s your fault. She replied and lied that she put the pot alone in double bag. I responded no u did not and went and brought a new one and bought it. While I was paying she was trying to tell me that she put the items in double bag, responded: mom you are wrong it’s your fault and I won’t waste my time arguing over 8 bucks.

I will still go to buy my grocery that I need and won’t let my ego stand in the way of my diet.

Terrible cheap...