Guido's Fresh Marketplace — Local services in Pittsfield

With staff that can be surprisingly rude and unhelpful (especially in certain departments -- like the cheese counter), products that are priced three times what the same product is priced anywhere else in the area, and parking that is either impossible or rarely available in front of the store, how does Guido's stay in business...?

In my role as a consultant over the past 30+ years, I've noticed an unfortunate pattern in otherwise smart and capable clients: they assume that because something costs more, it must be better. Whether a service or a product, the instinct is often to believe something with a price ten times higher must intrinsically be superior to cheaper options.

This is, however, simply not always the case -- and Guido's unfortunately offers countless very good examples.

In fact, the ordinary mainstream brands of items stocked on Guido's shelves are the EXACT same products that you would find in any other local supermarket. It's just that they are 1.5 to 3 times more expensive when you buy them at Guido's. So if it's a name brand staple of any kind, you'll probably want to shop elsewhere.

On the other hand, there is some unique variety to Guido's offerings, especially in cases where food is locally sourced or has qualities you just can't find anywhere else. And perhaps it is worth the premium Guido's price for those items. I still shop here for the Faroe Island salmon, for example. Yes, it's considerably more expensive than farm raised or even wild salmon available anywhere else...but it's sushi grade, very tasty, and my wife loves it.

These exceptions are the reason Guido's gets two stars instead of one. Because really, for folks who want to unload their money just to make themselves feel pampered or privileged, the hour drive to Whole Foods in Hadley is probably a more suitable option. At least at Whole Foods, many of the exorbitantly priced items are a Whole Foods brand, or are sustainably or locally sourced, creating the illusion of added value.

At Guido's, however, you are often simply paying more for the privilege of a slightly shorter drive, fewer parking spaces, and products branded exactly the same as they are in Stop & Shop or Market 32 -- just in smaller containers, lower quantities, and with less variety.

The freshly cooked pizzas and cafe's beverages are certainly above-average, too...but of course so are the prices for...

Hello, Guidos, I have posted this review on Yelp as well. I love your store and am so grateful for it. I live in Berkshire County. So here is the review: Please after shopping at your store for 33 years I wish you would make returning an item a less fraught experience. In the 33 years during which I have shopped regularly (weekly) I can count on one hand the number of items I have returned. Every time I have been met with rudeness (by the same person). I love your store but sometimes (rarely) an item does not meet (your) mine standards. This happened recently with the grilled artichokes in the cheese case recently which were really poor. No big deal, it happens. I returned them and did not have the receipt although there is no other business that sells these in the area. The manager reluctantly gave me a $6 credit (havind deducted the estimated cost of the couple of artichokes we sampled) I said thank you and she (tall, thin, blond) walked away without either apologizing or saying you're welcome. I know this sounds silly, definitely first world problems but Guidos remember if if you're reading this its folks like me that are your bread and butter thoughout the year. Treat your very loyal customers (which I am) and not just the summer time crowd, with a bit more courtesy. And really it is just this one manager aka the gatekeeper to returns that I have ever had any issues...

I'm so tired of hearing businesses when they give excuses about who they hire because they can't find anyone. Go to Guidos today and among other items went to the deli dept where the entire staff I think was hired all at once. Young kid is seen eating at the counter where your sandwiches are made and turns around to help me. With mayo and food covering his mouth I mentioned to him he has food all over his mouth. He wipes his mouth with the gloves he has on that he plans on getting my order with. I was annoyed and asked for someone who wasn't a pig and eating at the counter. He just looks at me a laugh. I mention it to the Caucasian employee who I told what I he just did and he didn't seem to care either. Mentioned to front end supervisor who seems aware of the empoyees work habits who work in the back and took my name to give to the manager who works in Great Barrington. These employees who work at the deli have been seen on previous occasions with bad unhelthy wprk habbits previously and nothing changes. Well I myslef who goes multiple times a week and spends hundreds of hard earned dollars to be disrepsected and veiw disgusting habits by employees will never return again and go to other grovery stores. I guess after numerous times with feedback you have now lost a...