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Original poster

Butcher substituted my turkey

155 replies

LML1989AL · 19/12/2025 20:18

Okay, so maybe I’m just wanting to rant.

I received a text (yes, a flippin’ text) from the butchers saying my Christmas turkey has been substituted for 12 turkey breast roulades and my collection time will be between 4pm - 5pm on Christmas Eve

I rang them, as firstly I’d booked the 9am collection (and paid £5 for the privilege) and most importantly I don’t want 12 turkey breast…. After much back and forth (and very little apology from them) I asked for a refund which they agreed to, however was told “this most likely won’t be processed until the New Year”

Please tell me what would you have done, DH thinks it’ll be in my bank my Monday, and I know I can go to a supermarket but I’m still really annoyed, I’ve been Googling ways to cook turkey roulades and when you read they’re often really dry… as was half tempted to just accept them

OP posts:
Perplexed20 · 19/12/2025 20:20

I would be really annoyed. What was their reason?

Sillysoggyspaniel · 19/12/2025 20:21

Definitely don't accept and I'd also leave them a shitty review. They charge a premium and have provided terrible service and left you in the lurch.

NearlyXmasy · 19/12/2025 20:21

Well my local friendly butcher has never made a mistake like this and only takes payment on collection. How do they know exactly how much it will weight and therefore cost?
So in summary the one thing I would definitely do is never order from them again.

Figcherry · 19/12/2025 20:22

I would be in the shop tomorrow asking for the refund including the £5, preferably when they are really busy.

Namechangeforthis88 · 19/12/2025 20:23

I'd probably go in and cause a scene until they refunded me cash out the till, and post a warning on a local Facebook group. That is atrocious. Of course they know full well you don't want turkey roulades.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 19/12/2025 20:23

I would be furious!!!!

MrsDoomesPattersen · 19/12/2025 20:25

That’s outrageous! Completely different er thing like ordering pork joint and then giving you sausages as a substitute!!’

BernardButlersBra · 19/12/2025 20:27

They would be my ex butchers after this stunt.
They are taking the piss at Christmas

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 19/12/2025 20:27

I would just go to the supermarket. It’s disappointing but there’s not much they can do about it!

Figcherry · 19/12/2025 20:28

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 19/12/2025 20:27

I would just go to the supermarket. It’s disappointing but there’s not much they can do about it!

They could have offered them with a sincere apology and a 50% discount.

Original poster
LML1989AL · 19/12/2025 20:29

Perplexed20 · 19/12/2025 20:20

I would be really annoyed. What was their reason?

They didn’t really go into detail, said something about not having enough birds at the weights that were needed, which is why I think I was offered roulades, as I think they must have only skinny birds 🤣

OP posts:
tartyflette · 19/12/2025 20:29

That's really bad -- turkey roulades are no kind of substitute for a whole roasting bird. And I suspect you would be absolutely right about the dryness!
To text you so late and without a fulsome apology I would not give them my custom in future.

ColdHenrietta · 19/12/2025 20:31

That’s dreadful! Not least because they’ve sneakily given you a collection time that they’re hoping will leave you no chance of getting anything anywhere else.

Are they usually reliable or is this your first experience with them?

Original poster
LML1989AL · 19/12/2025 20:32

tartyflette · 19/12/2025 20:29

That's really bad -- turkey roulades are no kind of substitute for a whole roasting bird. And I suspect you would be absolutely right about the dryness!
To text you so late and without a fulsome apology I would not give them my custom in future.

There texting system is automated, so I think they updated my order to show a substitute and new time which then triggered a text to me, when I rang the man did say I should have been called and offered the substitute - apparently they’re very busy and didn’t get chance to call.

Definitely not going back, glad I didn’t get the roulades.

OP posts:
Original poster
LML1989AL · 19/12/2025 20:34

ColdHenrietta · 19/12/2025 20:31

That’s dreadful! Not least because they’ve sneakily given you a collection time that they’re hoping will leave you no chance of getting anything anywhere else.

Are they usually reliable or is this your first experience with them?

Edited

The collection time wound me up as much re bloody bird, I didn’t even think to ask if this will be refunded! I’ll be calling if it isn’t.

It’s a local farm shop, so I’ve shopped there plenty, and bought from the butcher, but this was the first pre-order I’ve done.

OP posts:
Growlybear83 · 19/12/2025 20:34

I would be livid and I would be knocking on the door when they open tomorrow to demand an immediate refund. On what planet does the butcher think that 12 turkey breast roulades are a reasonable substitution for a turkey?

Luxio · 19/12/2025 20:38

I agree with other posters I would be going in, in person tomorrow and demanding a refund including the £5 extra you paid.

I would also be leaving them a very firm but accurate review online.

Original poster
LML1989AL · 19/12/2025 20:38

NearlyXmasy · 19/12/2025 20:21

Well my local friendly butcher has never made a mistake like this and only takes payment on collection. How do they know exactly how much it will weight and therefore cost?
So in summary the one thing I would definitely do is never order from them again.

You order online and select a weight you want, so I picked a 6 - 8kg bird.

I do understand them taking payment in advance, as they could be left with loads of turkeys (that people don’t collect) and no way to sell as they close between Christmas and New year.

Although given my lack of bird maybe they shouldn’t worry about a surplus

OP posts:
Original poster
LML1989AL · 19/12/2025 20:40

Growlybear83 · 19/12/2025 20:34

I would be livid and I would be knocking on the door when they open tomorrow to demand an immediate refund. On what planet does the butcher think that 12 turkey breast roulades are a reasonable substitution for a turkey?

Worst is, as the bird I picked was to feed 8 people, they said they were being generous offering 12 roulades 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
LML1989AL · 19/12/2025 20:43

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 19/12/2025 20:27

I would just go to the supermarket. It’s disappointing but there’s not much they can do about it!

The man on the phone (not sure if he was an actual butcher) said there is nothing they can do, did offer up some local butchers I could call, but lets be real they’ve not got spare ones…. I’ll just have to brace Tesco/ASDA/Sainsburys/Waitrose and see what’s on offer.

OP posts:
Original poster
LML1989AL · 19/12/2025 20:45

Namechangeforthis88 · 19/12/2025 20:23

I'd probably go in and cause a scene until they refunded me cash out the till, and post a warning on a local Facebook group. That is atrocious. Of course they know full well you don't want turkey roulades.

Oh god, I’m not that brave nor do I really have time to be arrested for breaching the peace 🤣

OP posts:
Buscobel · 19/12/2025 20:46

Butchers are very busy at Christmas, of course, but that’s no excuse for such a mistake. They should know how many of each size of bird they need to source. That is why you pre order.

I hope you find what you need elsewhere and get your money back promptly.

GrooveArmada · 19/12/2025 20:50

I'd be very unhappy, this is the main Christmas meal they've messed up.

I'd definitely not want the roulades and I'd request an immediate refund, otherwise you'll post negative reviews. Harsh - but they can and should refund you asap after they've royally messed up, they just don't seem to care enough and they're convenient, which is exactly why I'd make life more difficult for them.

Had they played it better, I may have been more forgiving.

Therealjudgejudy · 19/12/2025 20:56

That's awful op. Hope you get it sorted, and dont order from them again!!

Gagagardener · 19/12/2025 20:59

Has your turkey really been substituted for 12 roulade, or replaced by them?