to be annoyed at service at Tesco?

[gabsid]

Today I went to the meat counter at Tesco and asked for 1.5-2kg of rolled lamb shoulder?

The 'butcher' (?) showed me a small piece of lamb on display and said that that is what they had. I told him that that piece was too small, he put it on the scales and said: that's 1 pound 6 ounces.

Then I repeated that that wasn't enough and that I was after 1.5-2kg! Only then he bothered looking in the fridge behind him, pulled out a reasonable piece of meat and said: that is the biggest we have.

He put it on the scales and it weighed 1.680 kg! Bingo!

But it felt a bit like pulling teeth. Either he had no idea what a kg was or he just couldn't be bothered serving a customer. And that was the second time I felt that way at the Tesco meat counter.

I feel I really should make the effort and find a good butcher again! Our old butcher/farm shop sadly closed down, but they would show you a whole piece of meat, cut off what you want and thin roll it in front of you, so I exactly know what I was buying.

You just can't get away from bloody Tesco anymore!

I once asked at Morrison's 'butchery' department for some cubed lamb. The response from the 'butcher' was that they couldn't do that!!! They had loads of lamb for sale and actually had pre-packed cubed lamb further down the store. So I was never convinced after that event that any supermarkets really had butchers.
A bit like DH's experience in Tesco recently at the 'bakery' counter where he asked if they sold fresh yeast. The 1st 'baker' didn't know waht DH was asking for and called his colleague over who said "I think you'll find that in the home baking aisle". To which DH responded "I think you'll find that it will only be dried yeast and I wanted fresh". The item he wanted was obviously an alien product to Tesco 'bakers'.
We now buy our bread at the 'artisan' bakers around the corner from Tesco in our little town which still has 4 butchers shops and 2 bakers.

Gabsid, AA are really good, and if I want something that isn't on the website, I email or phone and they can normally always oblige. Yes its weird ordering meat off the internet (and yes the turkeys are a stupid price, but most of the other stuff isn't) but its fantastic meat and service, especially for us since we both work long hours and can't get near a butcher.

I have just written a letter to Tesco and attached it to one of their comment cards. I couldn't really find anywhere on their website to lodge a complaint as such, even their comment cards seem to invite positive comments. Will see what they say, I hope they do respond.

I am just so angry that some good trades people who give brilliant service and have pide in their profession are pushed out by the likes of Tesco. And I have to admit I didn't use the butcher we had enough because Tesco was nearer and the butcher was 3 miles further away out in the sticks.

Ah, fresh yeast, I would love some of that too sometimes because dried yeast doesn't always seem to work for me - only if I leave it overnight. I thought I once saw someone at Asda with it but I never asked. I assume some people out there do know what yeast is, they probably have it in the bakery unless the dough is ready when its delivered. It might be a good idea just to ask a different member of staff.

I complained about service on the fish counter at Tesco last week. I've already had a whinge-up on AIBU about my gripe. They've apologised and offered me a £10 gift card.

We're lucky to have a fab village butchers but here in the landlocked E'Mids there's not much in the way of decent fishmongers

There is one guy on the fish counter at our local Tesco who knows what he's talking about. Can suggest which fish would be best and can cut, fillet, do whatever you need. I assume he used to be a 'proper' fishmonger and that how he knows his stuff though as the rest of them seem to be weighing/putting stuff in carrier bag technicians.

Oh well, £10 gift voucher would be something, however, I don't think they can solve the problem so easily.

You are lucky with your fishmonger, but is he being paid accordingly? Its just sad that these trades are not valued and appreciated anymore. Tesco certainly doesn't ask for any knowldge or skills when employing staff.

Our local butcher sadly closed, probably because most people used the supermarket mind you! I tended only to go in at Christmas because yes I did find him much more expensive and I have never tasted a difference really, I know a lot of people say they do, dont shoot me!

I buy chicken breasts at our local cash and carry to. Rarely use a whole roast chicken but I did buy onde from Tesco last weekend and it was lovely! Morrisons is where I shop most often and their butchery and fish dept people always seem knowledgeable to me. Plus working full time through the week the butchers was always closed when I got home, and by a Saturday morning I just wanted to relax, not trail round shops.

My DH is a butcher with 45 years experience in Morrisons only qualified staff are allowed to work on the meat department. He used to work for Dewhurst in the end they franchised their shops out o that could explain why the person didn't seem a proper butcher.