WinCo Foods — Restaurant in Pittsburg

I chose this store for its reasonable prices and adequate selection; however, I feel it’s important to address the inconsistent customer service experience. While I’ve had some wonderful encounters with cashiers who genuinely embody politeness, warmth, and helpfulness, there are others who seem to overlook the crucial role they play in customer care.

I completely understand that working in customer service can be incredibly challenging. Employees encounter a wide variety of personalities and situations daily, which can test anyone's patience. Recently, I had an experience during a visit to the store that left a lasting impression. I witnessed a cashier make a rather sharp comment about a man who was struggling to find his money at the checkout. He was very apologetic, clearly embarrassed as he searched through his pockets for the right change.

When he turned to me to apologize for the delay he had caused, I took a moment to reassure him, saying, “Don’t worry about it, sir. You’re doing just fine! You waited for your turn just as we all have to wait for ours.” He gave a slight smile, and I could see some of the panic leave his eyes. However, the cashier couldn’t help herself; she responded by stating, “Well, he’s holding up the whole line!” This comment felt unnecessarily harsh, emphasizing that he was taking too long and making it clear that the wait was not her fault but rather the man’s.

I felt it was important to speak up, so I gently told her, “Ma’am, I think you might be in the wrong profession. He is doing his best; everyone in this line knows that shopping at WinCo comes with waiting in line.” It was disheartening to witness such a lack of understanding toward someone simply having a tough time. The cashier then resorted to more passive-aggressive comments and facial expressions that I chose to ignore.

As I was checking out, I realized I had mistakenly grabbed two tri-tip steaks when I only needed one. When I returned the extra steak, the cashier seemed visibly annoyed. Instead of simply calling for assistance to take it back, she grabbed the tri-tip very aggressively and walked to the far corner of the store with it at a frustratingly slow pace, seemingly to make a point that she was unhappy with my previous response and wanted to prolong the wait for everyone in line. I found this behavior counterproductive to the experience for anyone waiting.

As I left, I turned to her and expressed my hope that she finds a job that makes her happy. She snarled at me, saying, "Maybe it is you who is making me unhappy." At that point, I had given all the energy I wanted to this woman. I turned to the man, who was still bagging his groceries, smiled, and said, “I hope you have a blessed day, sir.” He smiled back, and I walked away.

My experience at this WinCo is not isolated; there have been several other instances reflecting similar concerns about the complete lack of compassion and simple kindness toward people. While I appreciate the store’s lower prices, this shouldn't excuse the lack of focus on customer service.

Management needs to seriously evaluate how they prioritize the customer experience. After all, customers are the reason that businesses flourish, and a positive attitude can make all the difference. With a renewed emphasis on kindness and understanding, this store could truly enhance its reputation and foster a more welcoming environment for both employees and...

Update: as of this week(10-5-24), their ice vende4 has added a 3rd freezer!!

They have a great selection of items as well as up to date supply of seasonal offerings that are prominately displayed throughout the store. They have been ongoingly upgrading their equipment and appliances to ensure quality control of their perishable products. I admit I've arrived within 20 minutes or less to closing on several occasions, cutting it close to shop more leaisurly,so my overall experiences are hurried and at times frustrating,as they are in the process of closing. It's become a little intimidating because I feel they are watching the clock by having security turning customers away at the last 10 minutes. Don't get me wrong,I insist on spending my money locally,but being a regular customer should bear more value overall in the time frames made available and not met with scrutiny of why I'm there in the first place. 8/7/23-update: I waited to well after the sun and I presumed, the heat of the day, to no avail, so at 10pm I entered and changed up my store shopping routine usually based on my items needed, and headed straight for deli area of store, which I most time finish from before heading to checkout since it is the farthest part of the store to reach, to cool down and keep my head out of the heat fog I was sporting. All's good from there, to the chilled beers and hard seltzer, down the dairy isle to round corner to ice cream, then couple bags of ice, proceeding the pet isle then pop over to last isle for water jug refill. Head towards checked and remember I wanted to get fruit(the first place I most times start since you can't access the chips isle from the entrance/exit area, you have to enter store then head towards produce and loop around the first isle. No issues so far and I didn't need chips so I skipped that isle and headed towards the season and new items display isle to head back to checkout. I was still wearing my safari shade hat so my sight range is a little hindered to noticing anything above my head. I didn't want candy so I skipped that isle and went towards the next but stop in the open area to grab a bottle of the TROP C MIST they were selling for $1.98,why not I say, and grab the Blackberry Merlot( it was so refreshing chilled)and put it my cart. I turn back around and about jumped out of my skin as I'm gazing above my head and see this 15ft blown up Grim Reaper garland over the next isle area. Then I'm noticing the whole short stay seasonal isle area is full of nothing but blow up HALLOWEEN display items. Just a couple summer totes on shelf on other side, but I mean, ALL HALLOWEEN! I wanted nothing more than to just ditch my cart and run towards the exit, but I promised my pittie I was bring her some jerky and water and she's pretty serious on scary if I don't. (She was waiting with my bf out front). I was taken abake because WinCo was kinda good about not pressing the commercial holiday stuff too early and it made grocery shopping less hectic. I don't want to think about Halloween when I just trying to get home before my ice...

This is my home store I go here like 2 3 times a week because of the good prices and sometimes quality produce and meats but laitly the chicken has been greatly declining in value over all.. There is only so far the best price point other then the frozen section at Costco can get you. When the quality of the product is horrible and inedible what are you really saving? Extra money for trash that should not have been purchased! 🤑💰💸💸💸🚮😢😢😢😢 I like the chicken tenders which have just permanently gone up in price no matter what day or level of product they have.. But they have also permenintly gone down in every other category! They are supposed to be ready to go already skinless boneless not have rib meat (an excuse to charge you for bits of cartalage vines and fat!!) also the bulk chicken breasts that they will drop down to 1.98 a pound but don't buy without looking that's because they expect you to cook that night!!! Also they are all different colors in the same packaging!!! Not OK!!! Walmart and winco now have the same exact supplier for these neither one has it better than the other! You toss out 1/3 of what you buy just for - is it really safe to eat??!!! Other then that the rest of the store is pretty great I wish they would start carrying the big bags of mike and ikes again - the mega blue flavor please!!! To any smart shopper that is forced to pay attention to every penny the prices have recently gone up a lot for the same amount of product!...