...to try and return this fruit?

[lookatallthosechickens]

I've been getting the same 4-pack peaches and nectarines from Waitrose since July and they've always been really nice, but the most recent ones are soft but dry and flavourless. I guess the season is coming to an end - fair enough- but they still cost £2.50 for a four pack. I put the three remaining on the side with the receipt to return the next time I shop, but partner says they'll laugh me out of the store and you take your chances with fruit.

Who's right, me or him?

My husband bought some orchids for his mother from Waitrose. When I saw them I thought they were poor and certainly not going to give them to my mil. Waitrose not only refunded the money but let me pick a bunch of flowers for free.
However, if the fruit is not faulty (moldy for example), just lacking in flavour, then I think most stores would not refund, but Waitrose just might as the John Lewis Partnership pride themselves on their customer service.

@YesINameChangeEveryDay not making a special trip, as I said, I’ve put them to the side for the next time I shop. Partner goes once a week and then I usually go in between his shops for a top up (we live about 300 metres away from a Waitrose).

Oh for God's sake let it go

@Weebitawks if this completely low-stakes idle chatter isn’t your cup of tea you are absolutely welcome to go read something else.

But you don't know if gathered 3 you want to take back are as nice as usual?

The BEST peaches which tasted like peaches I ever had in the UK were from foreign foods market. Oh god how bloody delicious were they.

Waitrose will accept them back, refund you, and not laugh at you.

If it's worth the effort is an entirely different question.

Why don't you turn them into a cake or crumble or something?

I used to work in a shop and we would have refunded or replaced, and waitrose is known for good customer service. So you'll be fine to get a refund as long as you don't leave it so long they're past the date.

YANBU at all. Even supermarkets have a returns policy if their items are not up to quality.

I’ve returned mouldy or bruised fruit and veg, even a loaf of bread that inexplicably entirely crumbled into pieces when the first slice was taken out. Never had a problem, always got a refund and that’s from Tesco. I’d expect Waitrose to have a higher standard of customer service.

Agree with your partner. I wouldn’t embarrass myself with 3 peaches. It might be peach season now but the UK just hasn’t got the weather for it I’m afraid. So you take your chances if you want to eat fruit that has to be shipped half way round the world.

What are you going to say when you return them ? ‘They’re not very tasty’.
I’ve returned mouldy veg in Asda, once, when I remembered.
I think most supermarkets have 100% satisfaction, or something like that guarantee with food, so I think you could probably return them and I doubt the customer service clerk would care much. I had one rolling her eyes at me after a customer had returned a 10p carrier bag for a refund, so they’ve probably heard it all.

Take them back. The money you spent on them is hard-earned, why would you not?
They will probably refund and replace.
You’ll probably buy a few more bits as well.
If you’re a bit worried just give them a ring beforehand, but it will be fine,

I wouldn’t embarrass myself with 3 peaches.

It's interesting you think it would be embarrassing, why is that?

If they don't taste like anything then they shouldn't cost that much. The shops need feedback anyway.

Try shopping for fruit in your local market, there you will get ripe and tasty fruit. Peaches, nectarines and cherries are at the season's end and so, are past their best. Grapes are coming into season now. If you buy fruit while it's in season it will taste better. It's not Waitrose's fault but yours for wanting to buy them out of season!

They will laugh at you. Not to your face though.

Your partner is. Unless they are mouldy I wouldn't take them back. All fruit have good seasons and bad seasons, and the supermarkets can't know whether fruit is going to taste good or bad unless they take a bite out of each one before packaging.

@Billben eh I’m not easily embarrassed. As to your other point, up until this pack, the expensive peaches and nectarines from Spain (so not ideal but also not halfway around the world) have been for the most part absolutely amazing this year. I guess the season is coming to an end now but I was hoping it would last a little longer at least.

In some supermarkets peaches cost less than a £1 and can be really sweet and juicy. I never even bother to buy peaches at Waitrose.

Your partner is right. unless they're mouldy/squashed or otherwise damaged you take the risk

Although if you're not easily embarrassed it's worth a try, you may just get an exchange if you're lucky

Just go to your local market or ethnic grocer's. I've never met a peach I likes in Waitrose.

Try roasting them with some sugar and vanilla, that will make them nicer.

Better to contact Waitrose now and let them know that the peaches weren't up to the usual standard. They might send you a voucher anyway. It's all useful feedback.

No good waiting until your next shop when they've turned.

If you're only 300m away I'd just go rather than waiting for the next scheduled trip!