Brighter Day Natural Foods — Restaurant in Savannah

As a new resident to Savannah I was beyond excited to visit the store as I enjoy supporting smaller businesses and was excited to explore everything there was to offer. I drove from twenty five minutes away (with a badly fractured foot and parked two blocks away just to stop by. It’s actually neither here nor there but point being it was an effort I was willing to make.) I was extremely interested in a tea product and another supplement but when I inquired about the return policy was advised that the “new policy” is no returns because “they were losing money.” I completely understand not accepting customer returns without a receipt or when the product is mostly gone, however, this was a twenty dollar box of tea which is a expensive. I was willing to try it and would have been more than happy with a store credit if the product did not deliver. Both the young women that initially helped were kind and one was going to get a manager and as she was trying to help find a solution I saw the cashier to the right (listening to the interaction) roll her eyes and shake her head and smirk at me and the situation. I was not unkind, just wanting to understand a store that would not stand behind products they choose to carry and how we could figure it out. It is unfortunate that an employee with no professionalism cost the store a potential customer for life. I did call back to advise the manager and she was understanding and tried to remedy the situation as best she could. She explained that it was a policy under new ownership and they were firm on this new policy. I understand her hands were tied, however I am not interested in giving my money/business to an establishment that does not want to support their products or their customers. I understand that supplements may work differently for different people, but considering the expense of a product, there are grey areas. I also pointed out to the manager that it is unfortunate that the owners do not give the managers discretion to honor returns on a case by case basis. There are people that take advantage of things however, a good manager can read a situation and make a decision that is in the best interest of both parties. I do understand larger stores have more fiscal cushioning to handle returns, but smaller business can figure it out. I’m happy to give my money to Amazon and Whole Foods because I know they will honor product satisfaction. Maybe coach your employees to act in a grown up manner and trust your managers to make your customers happy. Small businesses figure it out every day and do well. Word of mouth is a powerful thing and you get one chance to make a good first impression.

Reply to owner: Thank you for taking the time and responding. I completely understand people taking advantage of businesses generosity and willingness for customer satisfaction. I also completely understand not every product is going to work or be completely satisfactory for every individual. However, as I stated, most businesses (large and small) recognize gray area especially in more expensive products. The almost militant approach was what came across poorly and was compounded by the associates immature and undeniable behavior (which was not mentioned.) I can appreciate navigating the bumps of a new business and at at the same time there is a spectrum of various situations that a flexible approach can only benefit growing a clientele. The consumer should not be expected to shoulder that.. it’s the cost of doing business. Once again, appreciate the response...

customer service skills varies depending on the customer .

The cashier Maxine was excellent with providing product details and suggestions to one guess ( who was already being helped by another cashier )

... so I stood patiently waiting for one of the cashiers to become free from discussion (of a item that wasn’t in stock. )

While waiting patiently at the counter Maxine approached .... never looking up to acknowledge me or ask me did I find everything okay... she continued with the previous conversation....

The cashier rung up all my items gave me my total (by this time the previous Customer was no longer in the store ) ..... I paid the total .... After paying Maxine held my receipt and asked “ do you want this ?” ...

For a second I was confused because she and I where already in mid exchange of the receipt. But I simply replied “yes “

Maxine handed over the receipt and walked off.

I was actually kind of shocked ... so I stuff still for a sec and reviewed my recipe.... and thought about my experience ..

There was no “ thank you have a nice day ... thank you good night “ nothing she just walked off.....

Now usually I don’t let things like this bother me but seeing that I just waited and watched Maxine’s exceptional customer service skills with the pervious customer ...

I wondered if her lack of eye to eye contact, assistance...or even a simple thank you had anything to the difference in appearance of me and the previous customer .... 🤷🏾‍♀️

I usually love going to brighter day. I have suggested brighter day to my family friends and co-workers. My experience is usually a great one. I’m usually greeted at the door with a hello or welcome , someone is almost always available to assist me and during check out I’m asked if I was able to find everything and given a thank you once I have purchased my items .

I understand everyday is not the best for people but Unfortunately today’s customer service for me was Definitely upsetting.

Since I knew it was later in the day and a manager might not have been around I wanted to provide the cashier Maxine with some advice.

So I asked the cashier if I could get her my feed back and I told her that it would be nice in the future if you would acknowledge the person purchasing items .... a simple thank you or have a good night would do wonders ...

Maxine replied ... “oh okay, well I’m sorry about that BUT you where on the phone “

I advise the cashier Maxine although I did have my phone to my ear my conversation was paused during the time of transaction and I don’t find that me bring in the phone a good excuse for not trying to do your best with every customer.

I pointed out the two things she said to me (my total and do you want this ) those where the only words that where spoken from the time I walked in to the time I walked out ....

I honestly don’t feel like Maxine actually understands how important customer service skills are and how no matter what you think someone is doing everyone is always paying attention and expecting the same great service when they are paying the same price.

I hope customer service does not continue to be like this here at...

EDIT: After speaking with the manager I was assured it would be corrected and decided to give it another go. Guess what it’s NOT!!! I was told by deli staff VG means vegetarian in the back so that’s how they mark things - again NOT like their sign shows, still the same sign by the way. The employee immediately became defensive, and said well he had nothing to do with that sign. If you are someone with serious allergies like me do not go here. I truly wish this place well, I will miss it but for this to be shrugged off, still happening and apparently no one cares? I’ll spend my hard earned money somewhere else. I pray no one here or their loved ones ever have to struggle with an allergy like this, because it’s NOT funny or dismissible like the employee seemed to make it today. For sure NOW I’ll never be back. I’d rather be able to breathe.

Bought this yesterday - VG has ALWAYS meant vegan, even according to their sign. As shown! I have a milk allergy and got INSANELY sick after eating it. I even asked before I left and was assured by a worker VG is vegan and they take allergies seriously. It said cheddar so I asked 2 more times to make sure. Went in to talk to them today and one worker said no VG means vegetarian not vegan - look it even says cheddar. The other worker said no VG is vegan. No it was not I haven’t been that sick in YEARS. All she said was well sorry VG means vegetarian OK CHANGE YOUR DAMN SIGN. Clearly she made that pizza and messed up! Everyone needs to get on the same page ESPECIALLY when it’s THEIR sign. They could have easily killed me if I didn’t have an epi pen NOT OK!!!!!! Might want to pull that from the shelves before you kill someone. I wasn’t even offered my money back - it’s ok - guess it’s worth risking someone’s life. All I received...