85 replies to this topic

[eVader]

Anyone else try their pizzas? I popped over there last week and sampled the Hawaiian pizza from the sampler tray and was impressed. Might spend $12 for a large take and bake from Papa Murphys and here you get a wood fire pizza oven baked pie for $13 and tastes so much better.

The store is small. I visiting cashier commented about it too saying when she needs to go to the back, she is there in half the time. This may be the problem for minimal perimeter displays and a tiny bakery. Wish they it was larger but still like some of what they offer.

[Roger]

Seemed a little smaller than the other WF's I have been too.. or may be it was just too crowded since it was their first week... Bidwell seems to be the place to drive to for all our needs...

[casualforce]

funny. I noticed that the people who have been hired to work at WF in Folsom looked pretty friendly, while some of the trainers (clearly identified by their aprons embroidered with their home store, like "Cuptertino", etc.) looked like they were slightly less than excited to be having to rub shoulders with the suburbanites. LOL. Surely they can't be confusing us with the 1 percent!

If they were from Cupertino and Los Gatos, I'm sure it was the other way around. As much as Folsom people like to consider their city upscale, it's only upscale with respect to what's around it.... let's see... Orangevale, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova. Oh yea and EDH.... Home of the mass mortgage delinquencies. Having said that, I love Folsom, but come on, nobody from the suburbs of San Jose is going to confuse it with the 1%.

I think the Whole Foods staff is extremely undertrained, or burned out from drugs at an earlier age, cuz I've witnessed some stupid things by their employees. As far as the prepared foods, with the exception of an exceptional cheesecake, everything else is very inconsistent in quality. Some days some things are good and some days other things are good, and some days nothing is good. First I noticed it in the taste then I started paying attention. Meatballs change color, sauces are stale a lot of times like at the hot Indian food section, fresh fish has that color change and hardness of texture on the edges because it's been on the shelf too long, prices aren't clearly marked on deli items, etc, etc. Rarely do the employees have an answer to a question nor do they have the motivation to get the answer, shrugging is big there. I know a lot of people are going to think I'm extremely critical, but for the premium prices they charge, everyone of us should be extremely critical.

[caligirlz]

Good news, they've rearranged the produce section & the aisles seem to be wider. It wasn't very crowded, so I was unable to confirm whether 2 shoppers w/ carts can actually pass.

IMO, the cashiers are inexperienced & appear to make up the rules to suit them. I had a carry basket with just a few Items, yet the "10-15 items or less" (young) cashier refused to help me, claimed she was closed. However, when I was standing in another line, she was checking out other people....perhaps coworkers, friends, or maybe she was on a break when I walked by. She seemed very busy after she refused to help me. Next time, I'll have a little talk with the manager.

[Dave Burrell]

If they were from Cupertino and Los Gatos, I'm sure it was the other way around. As much as Folsom people like to consider their city upscale, it's only upscale with respect to what's around it.... let's see... Orangevale, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova. Oh yea and EDH.... Home of the mass mortgage delinquencies. Having said that, I love Folsom, but come on, nobody from the suburbs of San Jose is going to confuse it with the 1%.

I think the Whole Foods staff is extremely undertrained, or burned out from drugs at an earlier age, cuz I've witnessed some stupid things by their employees. As far as the prepared foods, with the exception of an exceptional cheesecake, everything else is very inconsistent in quality. Some days some things are good and some days other things are good, and some days nothing is good. First I noticed it in the taste then I started paying attention. Meatballs change color, sauces are stale a lot of times like at the hot Indian food section, fresh fish has that color change and hardness of texture on the edges because it's been on the shelf too long, prices aren't clearly marked on deli items, etc, etc. Rarely do the employees have an answer to a question nor do they have the motivation to get the answer, shrugging is big there. I know a lot of people are going to think I'm extremely critical, but for the premium prices they charge, everyone of us should be extremely critical.

How often are you going there and buying their prepared foods? It sounds like its almost daily?

I haven't tried any of their prepared foods yet but agree, it's very expensive. I looked at their Chinese Chicken Salad and it was $9 for a very small container. That's priced way too high IMO.

I went to a Whole Foods in Porter Ranch (in SoCal) last week and it was super small compared to the Folsom store.

[aztransplant]

Paul, in the produce department, is very knowledgable and helpful. Whenever I buy a case of produce, he helps me through the checkout line and out to my car. I've seen he is this way with everyone. So, if you need extra produce service, make sure you seek out Paul.

[casualforce]

How often are you going there and buying their prepared foods? It sounds like its almost daily?

I haven't tried any of their prepared foods yet but agree, it's very expensive. I looked at their Chinese Chicken Salad and it was $9 for a very small container. That's priced way too high IMO.

I went to a Whole Foods in Porter Ranch (in SoCal) last week and it was super small compared to the Folsom store.

I actually go there a lot, as you can tell from my review. But I"m starting to go less and less as I become more aware.

Nugget is better in many ways. I'm certain the employees of Nugget would beat the employees of Whole Foods in any mind game.

And I do agree with someone's analysis that they make up the rules as they go. I believe that as well. Next time you go in, take a look at how many employees are doing nothing but standing around. That's one reason why the prices are so high. Big payroll, small ROI (return on investment). I'm really starting to wonder if the only way to get a job at Whole Foods is to FAIL a drug test.

[ducky]

I actually go there a lot, as you can tell from my review. But I"m starting to go less and less as I become more aware.

Nugget is better in many ways. I'm certain the employees of Nugget would beat the employees of Whole Foods in any mind game.

And I do agree with someone's analysis that they make up the rules as they go. I believe that as well. Next time you go in, take a look at how many employees are doing nothing but standing around. That's one reason why the prices are so high. Big payroll, small ROI (return on investment). I'm really starting to wonder if the only way to get a job at Whole Foods is to FAIL a drug test.

I'm not sure why you keep saying that. I sure didn't get that impression and I think it's unfair. I ran into a young man that is now working at Whole Foods who used to work at another establishment here in Folsom where he always provided excellent service and Whole Foods is lucky to have him. He even remembered me by name, which I was amazed at since I hadn't seen him in a while. I must have been asked by at least three other employees as I was going through the store if I was finding everything I needed.

I will say I was disappointed they had run out of pancetta in the deli section, which I needed in a chunk rather than thinly sliced for a recipe. It was really the only reason I had driven all the way down there to shop. They did apologize profusely and let me know when they would have more, but I needed it that day and had to drive up to Nugget to get it.

[casualforce]

I'm not sure why you keep saying that. I sure didn't get that impression and I think it's unfair. I ran into a young man that is now working at Whole Foods who used to work at another establishment here in Folsom where he always provided excellent service and Whole Foods is lucky to have him. He even remembered me by name, which I was amazed at since I hadn't seen him in a while. I must have been asked by at least three other employees as I was going through the store if I was finding everything I needed.

I will say I was disappointed they had run out of pancetta in the deli section, which I needed in a chunk rather than thinly sliced for a recipe. It was really the only reason I had driven all the way down there to shop. They did apologize profusely and let me know when they would have more, but I needed it that day and had to drive up to Nugget to get it.

I say it because I've spent a lot of money there and I pay attention to the value of my spending. It's not unfair, I wouldn't review WinCo the same way, nor would I have the similar expectations, because if I shopped at Winco, the value is in my savings. Whole Foods should be better than that, or I might as well shop at Winco and burn the money I didn't spend.

In the beginning I couldn't wait for Whole Foods to open so I wouldn't have to trek up to Nugget. They're not living up to their reputation, I"m sorry if that upsets you, it is fair given the amount of times I've shopped their and the quantity of data points I've taken into account.

[EAH]

I say it because I've spent a lot of money there and I pay attention to the value of my spending. It's not unfair, I wouldn't review WinCo the same way, nor would I have the similar expectations, because if I shopped at Winco, the value is in my savings. Whole Foods should be better than that, or I might as well shop at Winco and burn the money I didn't spend.

In the beginning I couldn't wait for Whole Foods to open so I wouldn't have to trek up to Nugget. They're not living up to their reputation, I"m sorry if that upsets you, it is fair given the amount of times I've shopped their and the quantity of data points I've taken into account.

Wow. That's not just sweeping false accusations, but really uncalled for. I freely admit that I shop at WF at minimum 4 times a week. I have found the tellers to be kind and patient. Quite a few are natives of Folsom, and are new to the WF family and there is a learning curve. The only trouble I have ever had was at the coffee bar. One of the young girls does seem to be a little confused every time I am there. I chalk that up to her being young, not drugs. That said, the meat department is staffed with well trained highly knowledgeble and very friendly people. I have only positive experiences with the produce department employees and same for the bakery,deli and health/vitamin employees.
Was a time I only went to WF for hard to find organic produce and organic meats/poultry/fish.
Raleys and Bel Air ( and Trader Joes) filled in the rest. Sadly after having to return sub par, spoiled , and past due dated produce, dairy and dry goods 8 times in the last 3 months..( and I usually throw it away as returning it is always time consuming) at Raley's/ Bel Air, with the last straw falling on Thanksgiving this year when I went to open a tub of premade Pesto for a torta I was making as an hors d'oeuvre, only to find it opened and someone had taken a big scoop out of it, I have finally resorted to shopping mainly at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.
I agree Nugget is also an excellent market, however they do not carry the wide variety of organic and humanly raised products that WF does.

[casualforce]

Wow. That's not just sweeping false accusations, but really uncalled for. I freely admit that I shop at WF at minimum 4 times a week. I have found the tellers to be kind and patient. Quite a few are natives of Folsom, and are new to the WF family and there is a learning curve. The only trouble I have ever had was at the coffee bar. One of the young girls does seem to be a little confused every time I am there. I chalk that up to her being young, not drugs. That said, the meat department is staffed with well trained highly knowledgeble and very friendly people. I have only positive experiences with the produce department employees and same for the bakery,deli and health/vitamin employees.
Was a time I only went to WF for hard to find organic produce and organic meats/poultry/fish.
Raleys and Bel Air ( and Trader Joes) filled in the rest. Sadly after having to return sub par, spoiled , and past due dated produce, dairy and dry goods 8 times in the last 3 months..( and I usually throw it away as returning it is always time consuming) at Raley's/ Bel Air, with the last straw falling on Thanksgiving this year when I went to open a tub of premade Pesto for a torta I was making as an hors d'oeuvre, only to find it opened and someone had taken a big scoop out of it, I have finally resorted to shopping mainly at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.
I agree Nugget is also an excellent market, however they do not carry the wide variety of organic and humanly raised products that WF does.

I agree with you on Raley's having stale merchandise.... Safeway is even worse. But WF should be offering more than a confused coffee girl. . The meat guys are polite, and they are well trained if your criteria is reading a scale. I do find myself trekking to Nugget more. THEY have a well-trained staff. Not WF, I'm sorry to disagree. I'd be glad to send you stories offline. Also, if every time you go to the coffee bar, the girl is confused, it probably is drugs. Let's raise the bar for our young people, let's say, they should be able to learn how to use the equipment they use every day by the one month anniversary, or replace them with a young person that is smart enough to figure it out. Losing your job is great motivation for doing a better one next time. My prediction is whole foods will either downsize or fail unless they shape up, but Coffee Republic will go first, they really suck. lol