First and foremost, the quality of service and the level of attention the staff takes in keeping stock organized and, well, in stock, is superb. I haven't experienced better even at places like Publix. But, there's something off about the quality of their perishable product, specifically the non-refrigerated items...
I've bought several things over the past couple months, from Nestle bottled water to Crest toothpaste, all the same products which I had been buying for years at Publix and Wal-Mart. For the first time ever, I noticed a difference in the nature of the products I bought.
Take for example the Nestle water. When I buy it at any other location, the water is tasteless. When I buy it from Rouses, it has an odd, almost-chlorine-but-not-quite taste to it. The bottles are sealed and wrapped in the packaging as they are everywhere else, and they are even within date. But there's definitely a taste to the water.
Then there is the toothpaste. All the packs I have bought are sealed properly and within date, just like the water and other products. But when I open it, it comes out watery and with a foul smell, almost as if the products were left out in a hot sun for days on end. I'm wondering if that might not be what happened? It's odd, given the cold weather we've had recently as of this review. But I've been having this experience since the store opened when we were still having summer heat. I really don't know what to blame it on, but there's definitely something up with their perishable non-refridgerated goods.
It's a word of warning for those looking to switch their mainstay store from someplace like Wal-Mart or Food 4 Less to Rouses. Again, the service is excellent, but beware of certain dry goods. Do a sample shop to start with, perhaps.
-- P.S. When I brought this up with management, they directed any and all possible blame to the manufacturers of the products, which is understandable but incorrect in this case. If other people are having this experience, then please let them know! This isn't a product-based thing for sure! read more