Check Expiration dates!!

I havent had any of these horrible experiences yet with that Safeway. Most Safeways seem to be pretty decent. Shoot, go to Food Lion and then you'll really see some old produce, meat, bread, and milk. Unfortunately those bad experiences stick out and scar us so much more than the good ones.

The only pain in the rear I've had with them is having had to wait a while to get one of the deli sandwhiches there because yes, they do hire some people who probably couldnt get jobs elsewhere. And it's a little irritating to have to watch and make sure they are getting things right. But you know what, in the grand scheme of things it really doesnt matter that much. I'm really impressed that Safeway has been able to find places in their company for developmentally challenged people. And they do it pretty much at every Safeway I've ever seen out here. In fact, I intentionally give my business to them because they do that.

 

I have had no problems since shopping at Safeway. I too have ordered deli platters with no problems. I have also ordered their prime rib and turkey dinners which were yummy. I also like the fact that I never have to wait in line.

 

Hello, my name is Tom Haake, I am the Safeway District Manager responsible for this store. I am sorry for the problems with dates we are having. I have spoken with the Store Manager, Mike Eidson, and we are reviewing the store with a fine tooth comb trying to remedy this problem sooner rather than later. The last thing we want to do is offer either out of date or poor quality product for sale in any of our departments.

I was just made aware of these problems and this thread this morning (6/28) and am very disappointed. I hope we can improve and would welcome the opportunity to meet with the leadership of the community to find out what we can do better or improve upon.

Please feel free to contact me via e-mail (tom.haake@safeway.com) or by phone in my Fairfax, Virginia office (703-941-0670).

 

Tom-
Thanks for responding. Our community has, for the most part, been very pleased with the Broadlands Shopping Center. There was a lot of excitement about getting a grocery store anchor, and most were pleased when it was announced as a Safeway.
I can assure you we want to see this store succeed and appreciate that you are addressing these issues. As you probably know, competition among grocery stores in Ashburn is strong, and if a store does not measure up, it will lose business.
Cliff

 

If you want this store to succeed, you've GOT to lower the prices. There is just too much competition in the area now to be charging so much more. There is nothing unique about the store to justify paying the higher prices. If you solve the expiration problem and lower your prices, I think people will start shopping there. (Just my 2 cents)

 

Thanks for your comment, as I speak we are working on the problem and hope to have it solved shortly. Competition is tough, but not just in Broadlands. The fuel station is coming and as the center grows we hope to grow with it. We do want to be part of the community.

 

I understand your comment, and I will pass that information along, while I am responsible for the total store operation, I do not have much to do with pricing. I can tell you that we do monitor all of our competitors on a regular basis and coupled with our club card and special buys, we remain close if not better than all of them. Thanks for your comments.

 

I think that'll be good to have that store to 100%. Once that light gets put there and additional shopping, I dont think that safeway should have much problem with a good customer base. I know some people have to come from Brambleton over to Ashburn to shop, not only for food, but to get video rentals and what not. And I think that safeway (and the giant off claiborne) are the closest grocery stores Brambleton has. I think Ill give safeway a couple of weeks to get squared away before I return. Im certain it wont be a 1-2 day "fix", but Im glad to see that they are resolving the problem.
"--- Ahhhhh, the power of the internet"

DwArFlOrD

 

To all:

While I spend most of my time in the field, I may not monitor this board very frequently, but again, Mike and I are willing to meet to discuss problems and do what is within our power to improve.

Thanks in advance for your help and we look forward to serving you!

Tom Haake

 

Brambleton's getting a Harris Teeter. What about the lackluster service? Also, please do everything possible to have the light pollution generated from the gas station minimized. Only in America would you put a gas station right next to an ecologically sensitive wet lands....

 

Don't blame Safeway for that .. they're just taking advantage of the existing permits that (I believe) state EPA and Fed EPA probably granted for use.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Oh BTW, when is the gas station going in?

 

Maybe I should blame Canada? The zoning is awful. All I'm asking for is Safeway to be considerate of the people who are living less than 100 ft from the gass station. Since you are on the board now and I voted for you how about you help us out by ensuring that the lighting is not on all night and only points down and not to the side and up? And just b/c you CAN do something does not mean you SHOULD do it. It boggles the mind....

 

The gas station is in the final steps of approval by both our corporate headquarters and the county. We are sensitive to the surroundings, and the county has strict rules as far as lighting, signage, product displays, etc.. Again, we do want to be a positive part of the community and would do nothing to detract.

 

I hope you are right. Thanks!

 

Harris Teeter is going to be tough competition. I find their incentive program great. They offer incentives for their employees to be friendly. A real plus. Their shoppers club is outstanding, last year we got a ham, shrimp for Thanksgiving free. WE also got two lawn chairs for the kiddies, a grill set, a portable grill and tons of coupons. I found it wonderful.

I have nothing against Safeway, it is very close to get to. However, their deli salads, etc... have not been good. I go to Giant right now for mine or Wegmans when I want to fight traffic. The staff attitude is really poor. We have one or two checkers we like but the rest have such an attitude. We heard two of them talking about how much they hated their jobs yesterday.

The selection is good. However, another major gripe, everytime I have bought prepared food (though the trip yesterday proved to be a first) the frozen food or one of the frozen foods I bought was busted on the inside when you opened the box. Also I got a gallon of bad milk there a month ago.

My two cents.

 

Thats the thing, you shouldn't HAVE to offer incentives for your employees to be friendly...thats part of the job description. If you're not friendly...zip, you're gone.

Thats like hiring someone to do a toothpaste commercial then offering them extra cash if they smile...

 

I'm gonna take some heat for this but...Isn't that kind of like how we give extra war pay to military personel in a war zone?? I thought they were already getting paid to be soldiers??

 

You bet you're going to get some heat for it ... and here is some right now.

<rant on>

[Edited by Moderator] right they get paid to be soldiers, at a rate that has many families using food stamps, at a rate that may allow a family a night out every few months at the movies (even at the reduced prices you get on post or base), at a rate that compares favorably with what you get working at McDonalds.

I don't begrudge anyone in a combat zone, hazardous duty pay. It is a premium granted to those who have their [Edited by Moderator] on the line, taking REAL heat; not just paper cuts, keeping people back in the States safe in their air conditioned beds at night. I don't begrudge giving them hazardous duty pay, when each day they risk losing their life, or coming back minus a hand, foot or entire leg.

However, lets just write them off; not give them anything additional. [Edited by Moderator] I got my tax cut, they don't need that extra money !!

<rant off>

The average E-3 with under 4 years of service makes 1585.25 a month, BEFORE Federal and state (if any) Taxes .. that's about 9.91 an hour IF they work just a 40 hour week. In my time, I rarely saw 40 hour weeks, in the field, I rarely saw 60 or 70 hour weeks. In the military, you're on duty 24/7 ... and often are called out in the middle of the night, in the rain/heat/snow.

If they have a family, they get some additional assistance. If they're lucky and are E-3 and above, they may be able to get a house on base. If not, or there is no room on base, they may be able to find a decent place for the 483.00 they get for housing. Throw in the 283.00 they get to mess separately, they may actually find something in a good neighborhood!!

Oh yeah .. lets begrudge them their additional pittance !

MSgt (E7), USAF, Ret.

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

You are absolutly right Neil. Folks who don't have family in the military just don't know what it's like. Thank you for your service.