Fine Fettle - Willimantic Dispensary — Local services in Windham

After many months of rec, I can finally say the following with certainty: fine fettle has definitely fallen from grace and it's not getting better any time in the near future. I also take no pleasure in reporting this because I used to love FF.

It's also the growers that are partially responsible, actually; but, I've decided that based on how they operate their business, FF has given me three excuses to go to other dispensaries.

Reason 1: I once saw a dude with a cane have to wait for over 30 minutes for the rec line to get served as a medical patient (he was in medical non-walk-in with me and no cashiers were there, naturally); he looked like he was going to faint. You scarred me for life with that one. This was never addressed by the GM/any management and I reported it to some higher ups the day of. I'd also note that the medical section of the store is separate but the flow of customers is not. IE: you have to walk through the rec lane to get out of the medical lane. Kinda cramped, objectively.

Reason 2: their original GM (Debbie Reyes) left/quit/transferred and whomever replaced them clearly cares about profits over patients. I get it, I really do, but I'm also openly criticizing that mindset because it's ultimately a choice to be had under CT law. I'm surprised no dispensary has said this next quote in plain terms or more obscurely: "We're going to treat our medical patients even better than we're required to." I'd explain how or examples of how to do this to fine fettle in this review, but I respectfully do not think they care for my opinion. Fact is: they could do more and do not.

The new General Manager is admittedly a reasonable and nice guy though, after meeting him recently. I'd go so far as he is just as good as the former G.M. But still, I do think new management, specifically some much, much weaker lower management has led to issues for rec/issues that persist today.

And last, reason 3: the pricing. They can no longer say 'they have the best deals.' Even the...rewards program is mostly busted now. It's usually old stock or low quality medicine they have deals on in the first place and they rarely send out straight up coupons anymore.

Their menu is a PAIN to navigate and always was but rec made it even worse because while there are more strains, the organization is by grower/alphabetized I think, but that's not that helpful when I just want to know if x strain has y potency. In short, it's not good for simple questions. It is good if you have OCD and need everything alphabetized by grower.

For example, let's say you find a pre-roll on sale. Wow, 1g for only 7$? BUT WAIT: It's only...12%THC. See, they get you in the fine print, these guys. And honestly, uh, other dispensaries have better selections even right now during the first year of rec. I also can no longer understand/appreciate the whole 'fine fettle fam' thing now that they are very clearly and outspokenly about making money from rec. I don't blame them, but, alas, I hoped they'd 'do it right.'

TL;DR-- their in store staff is genuinely excellent in my experience with them as a patient for years and for that I'd rate them more than three stars if the following did not occur but, unfortunately; it seems the business itself has been getting worse/medical patients are customers first and patients second. And, uh, well just read on because this review will remain one star forever after today.

Today, I had a rather great visit to this location that ended in self-sabotage by FF. It was also the fastest I had gotten in and out of the store in months but the workers were really nice/CT PATIENTS: THIS JULY, THE STATE IS NO LONGER CHARGING US FOR MEDICAL REGISTRATION.

ANYWAY, I left the store all smiles and, long story short, one assistant manager who is not fond of me (the feeling is mutual after today, at least; after this quasi-harassment) decided to hold me up after I had left the store for reasons that are irrelevant but what matters is, I walked away and got yelled at because I thought he heard what I said/I'm mostly deaf in one...

I went here for the first and last time. I was allowed in but not my daughter who drove me because she is 19yo. My hip is bad, extremely painful at times occasionally giving out. She helps me get around and has prevented me from falling. I can not drive myself at this time.

They said its the law, I was polite and asked if she could stand inside to wait (in the enteryway because it was pouring rain). My daughter smiled and laughed a little. The women who scanned my ID RUDELY said no (There are actually better and polite ways to talk to people). My Daughter paused to look at me, I know she was questioning whether or not I would want to go in without her or not depending on how comfortable I was walking by myself. Especially considering we could not see where I would be walking. You have to go around corners so we couldn't see the distance or how long I would be standing there in line. As I was telling her it was OK I would still go in, the woman insisted she couldn't stay in there (she apparently had no patience for us to speak to each other) She RUDELY pushed past her flung open the door with a nasty look for her to leave. My daughter stepped outside and told me she would wait outside and I went in. The woman at the door RUDELY instructed me to walk past the window and to go left. She was blatantly irritated by our presence, it made me feel very uncomfortable and unwelcome but I would have brushed ithat off as just one horrible employee.

The woman at the counter was nice I made my purchase (despite discounts it is extremely over priced, their highest quality products are no different than whats sold on the street, its just over double the cost).

When I went to leave, my daughter, thank god wasnt intimidated by the man who apparently RUDELY came storming out of Fine Fettle and ordered her to leave the sidewalk, first claiming she was blocking the enterance but even by the exit he then claimed her presence outside on the sidewalk was preventing customers from "wanting to go in." IT was POURING RAIN there was no line. One customer came in the entire time I was there.

He demanded she leave becoming loud and attempting to intimate her. She said he was blatantly angry to the point of verbally aggressive.

I know she wasnt exagerating because he was rude enough that he startled an elderly woman who was exiting just before me. She was not happy with what she saw and heard apparently it was extremely inappropriate and disrespectful how he spoke to her. She Genuinely appeared shocked. I mean seriously, how dare anyone speak to anyone that way. Who employs people like this, in the year 2023.

Working in healthcare I can tell you this place will close if he is permitted to continue to not only provide poor customer service but be verbally abusive and rude to people physically assisting his customers. My daughter has no interest in fighting with people but said she wouldn't leave me to walk off the sidewalk in the rain to the car, and I'm grateful for that. Flat surfaces aren't bad but steps and curbs could easily make my...

This used to be my absolute favorite dispensary, for years! As of the last 6 months it has become a chore to come here. The ONLY reason I even entertained this circus for so long; was because of the convenience of location and vicinity to my job. What is the point of a pre order if you are going to be inside no less than 20 mins minimum???? Not to mention if you are rec FORGET IT, as they take all med customers first regardless of a preorder. I expressed my frustrations more than a few times VERY NICELY to different people over the last month. Today, I was told that in order for me to use my $10 off( that btw takes FOREVER to accrue since the new point system, so a lot of $$$ already spent) that I had to now PURCHASE a lighter as I ordered gummy’s for $10 bringing my total to $11 and change. Having read the disclosures and seeing NOWHERE does it say anything about this, I only brought $2 inside, so you guys still need to squeeze me for another $1 because the computer doesn’t want to look like it’s giving something away for free?? ITS NOT, as I am paying the $2 difference ALREADY!!! After waiting the 15 -20 mins as usual, I was told at the counter I could not use the $10 because of this little loophole. As someone who is there almost everyday and SPENDS hundreds of dollars here, you can’t waive the $1 as you’ve already wasted 15 mins of my time and I don’t have anymore time to now go out to my car and re enter, not to mention how absolutely ABSURD this is. I Will never go back. As someone who has never written a bad review in their life, they really pushed it too far and I will be telling everyone I know to absolutely stay away, and I know a lot of people! What a shame. Get new management, whoever runs this place is a clown

Addendum: In reply to the managers response. I had my timer going as I set it when I am on my break to ensure I am not late getting back. 13 minutes…that’s how long I waited today....