Tony's Country Foods — Local services in New York

After regularly shopping at Tony's Country Life for years, their poor customer service finally took its toll on me, making the leap from cold, unfriendly demeanor to outright hostility. Though never quite satisfied with the staff's aloofness, Tony's is the closest, most well-stocked health food store in my neighborhood. So I'd gotten into the habit of buying my favorite items there, re-upping at least once a month, spending between $100.00 and $200.00 a trip. The last time I was there, in January, the woman at the register (and presumed manager/proprietor) stuffed a single plastic bag so full of my purchase items, that the handles on the bag popped when I was barely even out of the store. The bag crashed to the ground, shattering the containers of those products in glass jars/bottles. Even though the damaged items wound up being less than $35 of merchandise - of an approximately $150.00 purchase - ol' girl refused to replace them. She blamed me, saying I should have brought my own bags and that she had done me a favor by giving me one (though we never discussed bags at all during the point of purchase). Further, when I asked her where the garbage can in the store was, she refused to tell me, insisting I throw out the mess that ensued from the breakage in a public can outside. I advised her that I'd been shopping at Tony's for years, spending over $100.00 a month there, but that this would be my final trip. I recently called Fresh Health Food Emporium on 1276 Fulton Street to inquire if they stock the items I use; and they do. They were extremely courteous on the phone - and even more so in person - displaying a level of customer service I've never experienced at Tony's. Fresh Health is a greater distance from me; but excellent customer service goes a lot further than proximity. So I've switched to Fresh Health Food Emporium. And left Tony's in my...

WORST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE in my life, yesterday!!!

I have lived in the neighborhood since 2009 and have shopped at Tony's ever since, and never had a problem. I suppose with all of the development in the neighborhood, they have become leery of people who don't look like them.

I was with my partner and as soon as we walked in the store, the manager was hostile. He wanted to know why we were in the store and if we have been in before. We said yes, we have been coming for years. He says he doesn't recognize us and doubts we are customers; that we aren't here weekly. We say, we don't need to buy weekly, but we shop here several times a year. We’ve bought TVP, May Wah "meats", vegan cheeses, and other Worthington/Loma Linda products. He says, "The store is not for sale!" I say "Good, because I can't afford a whole store!"

I have my phone out so as to write down item names/prices of products for future visits. I shop everywhere and like to keep track of spending. Manager yells, "No photos allowed! It is against store policy!!" I say to him "I'm not taking photos, I am writing things down." And I show the notes app in my phone. As I am typing, he kicks my partner and I out, saying we are casing the place, we are not customers and we are not buying anything! All the employees say they have never seen us before, but I know every single one. The woman at the register is always there!

This is NO WAY to treat someone! Who cares how often a customer comes in? Just because I am causcasian, doesn't mean I am some developer looking to buy the joint. We weren't bothering anyone, and we were the only customers in the store. Just talking amongst ourselves, deciding on what to buy, and writing things down. That's it! And to be accused of something based on how we look is appalling! I will never...

I have been coming to Tony’s for years about 15 of them. I am so confused about the reviews of this location. Reading some of them don’t even coordinate with this location. However I have stumbled upon Tony’s health food store which is a completely different location on Glenwood rd. Which has horrible customer service. This Tony’s is on Fulton and every time you walk in the door the family that owns it treats you like family. They have the best items, will order items you need and they don’t have and all of the staff are extremely nice and helpful. There is only one person behind the counter and she is the only person to work behind the counter. The entitlement I read on some of these reviews are atrocious. Ie: “I was running late and wanted them to reopen, cut the register back on and ring up one item for me.”HUH? The hours are on the door and it’s nobodies fault one strolls in late but they are supposed to reopen for your one item? That sounds crazy. You don’t grab the item and they throw the money for it in their pocket. It has to be rung up which involved reopening a store and cash register. people need lunch breaks. They do close I think from 1pm-2pm or something like that for lunch so keep that in mind. Oh I get it, people work on your time but you disregard theirs. I can’t. People get Wi-Fi and don’t know how to act. I do not work there, have no affiliation but I am a customer, a steady customer and even after moving out of New York I pass 1,000 health food locations to get there and will continue too” do so. This place is amazing and I’m glad...