Complaint Dept #3

Arlene Blackman Yolles ♦ April 17, 2013 ♦ 1 Comment

Call me a noodge.  Call me a kvetch.  Call me an agitator.  But I get things changed!  Here’s the latest case in point:

I’ve been buying No Fat plain yogurt in a quart container for about 10 years.  I like either Dannon or Stonyfield, because they keep the calories down.  It’s a weekly item on my shopping list; my store is Stop and Shop.  For the

Where’s my yogurt?

last 3 or 4 months, they haven’t stocked it.  At first I thought they ran out each time, so I was patient, but when I inquired, I was told “there is no spot for it anymore in the dairy dept.”  Maybe it was usurped by another brand, or the tag accidentally disappeared.  It would be taken care of.  Nope.

Next try: I spoke directly with the Dairy Manager who told me I’m not the only person who has asked for those yogurts, but, unfortunately, they were no longer available in the warehouse.  What that meant was, he was not allowed to order them for delivery in his store anymore.  Since he wasn’t able to change that policy, I next headed to:

The Stop and Shop website where I wrote in a clear, concise, intelligent and coherent email to the Customer Service department.  I got back an email, which basically echoed what the Dairy Manager had said citing that other brands sell better, more room was needed for new items, yada yada yada.  (Personally, I blame it all on the Greek style yogurt that has become so popular.)  I was ready to throw

A simple request!

in the towel and resign myself to picking up my No Fat plain yogurt at Trader Joe’s on the way home.  But then…

I received an email from the Store Manager of my local S&S in which he said: Thank you for your recent email requesting the Dannon or Stonyfield no-fat plain yogurt. I have contacted our head office. Good news is that these items are both going to be carried by Stop And Shop again. They were discontinued, however, they are coming back.

Once more: persistence and perseverance paid off.  That, and knowing where to go to affect a change.  And not getting angry.  That, too.