Woodman's Food Market — Local services in Oak Creek

Like many folks, I've seen and heard Woodmans' broadcast ads -- apparently featuring the chain's owner, and his son. At the end of all such ads, the tag line is: "Better products, better prices, better service -- because WE'RE EMPLOYEE OWNED!"

"Employee owned"? Maybe. "Better products, better prices, better service"? Ummm......no.

On Dec. 8, 2021, I had occasion to visit this store. Because I had the time today to do so -- and having grown frustrated with other food store chains, especially the impersonal behemoth in Cincinnati -- I thought I'd give this store a closer look.

What a spectacular waste of time.

This store is massive -- with no real rhyme or reason to its layout. As such, I spent more than an hour looking for what is, essentially, the small basket of products I'd typically shop for on a Wednesday. At one point, I stopped by the deli to ask about the location of a certain item -- and was met by a female clerk clearly annoyed at my interrupting her nap.

Given its size, the store is able to stock a wide variety of brands. But nowhere did I see how the products are any "better" here than at any well stocked Target; Walmart; Meijer; et al. (Indeed, there's a vastly superior Meijer store just steps from this Woodmans). In addition, while pricing within this Woodmans appeared to be competitive with those other chains, there's nothing to suggest it's any "better" than those other chains. (Yes, this Woodmans had some enticing "loss leaders" -- but, in any given week, so do the other chains.)

But here's the kicker:

After completing my trek through this store, I made my way to a self-serve checkout machine. At one point, I had trouble scanning a produce item. Out of nowhere, two female employees appeared -- never acknowledging me; and practically yelling at each other in what sounded like the Russian language -- and corrected the issue.

Upon scanning my items, I inserted my American Express credit card into the machine -- only to learn that Woodmans accepts no credit cards, other than Discover.

Well, I'm glad I wasted an hour to learn that fact. I suppose putting signage on each entryway, alerting customers to that fact, is asking too much.

I understand that this isn't charity. Woodmans is a business looking to make money. One way to improve business is cut costs -- in this case, the transaction fees associated with the major credit cards. Okay, that's fine.....IF Woodmans passes on the cost savings in the form of lower shelf prices. I saw no evidence that one's overall tape total will be any less here, versus the other stores, because of this policy.

So, going forward, I'll skip the cutesy, schlocky (and misleading) advertising -- and take my business to other entities that, while hardly ideal, are at least up front about...

Great selection of food. If you get lost in large stores, this chain isn't for you, as there setup is a little confusing.

Non-organic produce quality isn't the greatest.

Don't come here for organic produce as the selection isn't large and everything is wrapped in plastic to avoid contamination with non-organic. Most people I know that buy organic are doing so for their health and the environment. To then wrap the organics in plastic, kind of compromises the whole point.

They do have items that I can never find elsewhere. And a whole aisle dedicated to gluten-free.

Their hygiene selection is frickin' amazing. Natural, organic, and otherwise, you will definitely find what you need.

Edit: I don't believe I will be coming here in the future. Their use of plastics is really a deterrent.

They don't take back plastic bags for recycling like other large grocers.

Today I was just told by a cashier that I can no longer use reusable, cloth bags due to the fact that it slows their line down. She told me you can use them in self checkout, but not in the full-service lanes.

I also went in to do an even exchange on a new bottle of lotion with a broken pump. When I got home, I realized the lotion didn't come out at all from the pump. It was a $10 bottle of lotion, so I wanted to get a different one that actually pumps. When I went to customer service, the woman literally told me that this wasn't a new bottle and why didn't I have my receipt. I didn't realize I needed my receipt for every little exchange I did. She then implied that I used up the bottle and was trying to get a new one by breaking the pump. She then went to call her manager and tried to talk the manager into the idea that I was up to something. To what, I have no idea. The manager was very nice, had no problems with my complaint, and issued the exchange. Noting that the bottle was still full of unused, new lotion.

You literally have just lost my business. If I wanted to steal a bottle of lotion, I would've walked out with one....

This has to be the best food store I've ever been in! Just loved it! You can go on one end, and not be able to see the other end! I've never seen more selection in our store before! They have four aisles of cheese, it's unbelievable. Since this store is employee owned everybody seems to be happier probably because they are getting paid more which is what I would do if I own the place! It will be the place I shop from now on! There is a robot checking prices on the shelves it was fun to watch! I thought that was a great idea because whenever there is a mistake on my receipt it's always in the stores favor! It happened three times in Walmart last time I was there! And it was on the highest valued items, kind of fishy. When I brought it up to the Walmart managers they laughed at me almost! It will be the last time I shop at Walmart! Their liquor store is amazing took a lot of pictures in there! Check my pictures out! My best friend flew a tripacer airplane and I know he could land his airplane inside the store and take off, it's that big! The employee is being happier because they're getting a share of the profits make sure the shelves are stocked, and stocked well! I've never seen a more organized grocery store! I will be going there from now on! The great thing about the store is it is open all night as far as I know! The store is located in a great friendly place in oak Creek the town square. It offers a huge parking lot and when you're done shopping you can stop for anything you could possibly wish from lunch to brunch to cocktails :-)

The other thing I like about Woodman's is there shopping carts which are very well thought out. The place for your phone and drink. They are actually fun to drive with the...