Orchard Nutrition Center — Restaurant in Redding

To the Business Manager of Orchard Nutrition Center:

Your response to my review is factually false, legally questionable, and deeply dismissive. Here’s the truth.

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The Beverage Incident Was Not Theft • I was standing in line, it was my turn to pay, and I took a small sip of the drink due to extreme thirst. • My card malfunctioned temporarily. I offered to run to the ATM, but your staff refused and demanded the drink back. I handed it over—still nearly full. • Your staff said nothing about it being “opened” or “consumed” at that time. • You later filed a claim, were reimbursed, then made me pay again months later when I returned. • I asked, “If I’m paying, can I at least get the product?” The response: “It was already claimed out.” I was told I’d be contacted when it came back in stock. I left empty-handed—you got paid twice. • That’s double-dipping and potential insurance fraud.

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You Lied About the Product Being “Consumed” • The drink was 98% full. Staff couldn’t even tell it had been opened until I said so—your own employee admitted this. • When I came back to pay, I was told I would receive a replacement. Your staff wrote down my name and phone number. No one ever followed up. • Instead, I was threatened with a store ban unless I paid for a product you already got reimbursed for. • I’ve spent thousands at this store. To be treated with such reckless disrespect is unacceptable and discriminatory.

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Sea Moss Incident – Expired, Defective Product • I purchased the product between June 20–23. The expiration date was July 7. • The product is meant to be taken once per day for 32 days. It expired before the 32-day protocol could be completed. • I returned it on July 29 with my receipt—only a few days past your “30-day” policy. • The product was barely used, still 80–90% full. I wasn’t scamming—you sold me an expiring health product. • Staff gave multiple contradictory excuses, refused to process the return, made a scene, and humiliated me publicly. • Jen, your own staff, looked at the bottom of the jar and said: “This product is expired—some clients use it three times a day because it goes bad quickly.” I told her: “This was my first time using sea moss, and I planned to take it once a day per the instructions. There are 32 servings in the jar—it wouldn’t last if I tripled the dose.”

I was sold an expiring product on or about June 20–23 with only 17 days left before expiration, yet the product listed 32 servings—clearly intended for a 32-day protocol. I was not informed at the time of purchase that I’d need to rush through multiple servings daily to avoid spoilage. There was no warning, no signage, no accountability. That’s deceptive and negligent.

This store does not treat all customers equally. If you are a minority—especially Black—you will not receive the same respect or flexibility extended to others. I’ve witnessed the difference. It’s not imagined. It’s lived.

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Racial Bias Is Happening in Your Store • I have personally witnessed white customers getting flexible service, even without receipts. • My experience as a Black woman has been: • Aggressive • Publicly humiliating • Dismissive • Punitive • Your public response proves that instead of accountability, you prefer gaslighting and damage control. • DEI statements won’t save you. Respect shows in actions, not optics.

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I Stand By My Review – And I Am Escalating

I will be submitting this full complaint to: • California Department of Consumer Affairs • Shasta County District Attorney’s Office – Consumer Protection • Better Business Bureau (BBB) • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) • And I will be filing in Shasta County Small Claims Court for: • Fraudulent business practices • Emotional distress • Retaliation • Racial discrimination

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Your response wasn’t accountability. It was cover-up. You may lie to the public—but you will answer to regulators and the...

🚫 PUBLIC WARNING & COMPLAINT: Do Not Shop Here

This business has repeatedly mistreated me, disrespected me, and shown blatant disregard for fairness, professionalism, and basic customer rights—especially toward Black customers.

Here’s what happened:

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INCIDENT ONE – Beverage Theft & Intimidation:

Several months ago, I opened a drink while waiting in line—only taking a small sip because I was extremely thirsty. My payment method failed at the register, and I told the staff I could quickly run to the ATM and return to pay. They refused, demanded the drink back, and I complied. I left with nothing.

Fast forward 2–3 months later: I returned to the store to buy supplements and was publicly confronted by a staff member (the same woman from before), who accused me of “costing the store money” over that $3.49 drink and told me I had to pay for it then or be banned from shopping there. I calmly explained the situation, including that I had attempted to pay and was refused at the time.

Despite this, I was forced to pay for a drink that I never received. When I asked for the drink I was being charged for, she told me they had already sent it out for claims and been reimbursed.

Translation: They filed a claim and got refunded, then charged me for it again. That is fraud—double-dipping reimbursement for a single product. I will be reporting this to the BBB, State Attorney General, and appropriate consumer protection agencies.

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INCIDENT TWO – Expired Product, $40 Loss, and Humiliation:

On July 29, I attempted to return a nearly full sea moss supplement I purchased between June 20–23. I had my receipt in hand. The product expired on July 7—before I could even finish the standard 32-day regimen it was sold for. • The taste was unbearable and the product was degrading. • The expiration date made the item unsuitable for its full intended use at time of purchase.

Despite this: • I was told “we can’t return items just because of taste.” • Another said “we can’t accept it because it’s opened.” • Then another said “we can’t help, call a manager.” • The manager finally came and said my receipt was “too old,” despite it only being a few days past their 30-day window.

Let’s be clear: They sold me an expired product. Then they embarrassed me in front of other customers and refused to return, exchange, or even offer a gift card or store credit. I was humiliated, dismissed, and left with nothing. I ended up throwing the $40 product away in their store in disgust.

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LEGAL ACTION & WARNING TO THE PUBLIC:

I will be pursuing a formal lawsuit for these multiple unethical practices. These include: • Charging for a product twice (fraud) • Refusing to honor reasonable consumer returns • Selling expired health supplements • Racially biased customer treatment • Public humiliation and hostile customer service

This store has a clear pattern of unprofessional behavior, disrespectful treatment, and predatory practices, especially toward Black customers. I do not recommend anyone of color shop here. There is no accountability, no integrity, and no proper customer care.

I will be leaving this review everywhere and filing complaints with: • BBB (Better Business Bureau) • State Department of Consumer Affairs • FTC (Federal Trade Commission) • The corporate parent company (if applicable) • And I will be filing in small claims court

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Final Note:

If you are a Black customer, or a person who values integrity and professionalism—take your business elsewhere. Protect your money, your time, and...

really disappointed in how they treated a man who was hungry. he came to me asking for a sandwich. nothing frivolous or outlandish, just a sandwich. didnt even ask for chips and a drink...He was genuinely hungry and thankful to just have something as simple as a sandwich. so I said absolutely I'd love to get you that sandwich. we walked into the store and I brought him to the sandwich area. I handed him the slip that gets filled out to place your order for whatever sandwich you want. This sweet man didnt even get to put his name on his order slip before 2 Male staff members showed up and told him that he had to leave. I asked "why are you kicking out a paying customer?" one of the Male employees put his hand up towards me with his palm out and said "it's not something I can discuss with you, he just needs to leave". I told this poor sweet man not to worry. to go outside and sit with my husband and I'll be right out with the sandwich he picked. after paying for this sandwich I walked to him and my husband and handed him his sandwich. he ate it as though he hadn't had food in days. we asked him if he was in need of anything else and he said "no, this sandwich was all I needed I was very hungry ".... this was my very first experience with this store. I am new to the area and honestly wasn't expecting to be so disappointed in the service. they seemed to of forgotten that low income people are people to. That sometimes people can be down on their luck. This man was sweet as could be. he was very mild mannered and did not appear to be on any drugs. he was just hungry, in need and reaching out to a fellow human. Orchard Nutrition Center you should be ashamed of how you treated that man. you never know, you could one day be in the place of the man who you treated like scum.

In regards to their recent retort on my experience I plan to begin bringing the less fortunate into their store and testing them on the things their saying. I will edit my experience and rating based upon what takes place...