Definitely the poster-child for Big Y, Wilbraham is far superior to its Springfield/St. James Ave…read more sibling.
They carry a heck of a lot more gourmet, organic, and otherwise "trendy" foods. Their produce section, while being a bit more expensive, looks less like a chain grocery store and more like a Sixteen Acres or Trader Joes.
The men who staff the meat and fish department are a little too lackadaisical for my taste. One can hear them bantering, making jokes, and making their evening plans from aisles away! A bit more professionalism would do them a world of good.
However, this store does have some true gems working for them. Allow me to lay out the scene:
(It's early afternoon on a Sunday, and spring has come. The people are buzzing with excitement, picking up ribeye steaks, garden-fresh veggies, and cool cocktail mixers. A woman comes to the cash register with an armful of such groceries, plus a handle of Bacardi rum. She's tired from working all day in the yard, but a hint of a smile is on her face as she looks forward to relaxing the rest of the day.)
Me: Can you do a price check on the Bacardi handle? It says it's only $17! What a steal!
Cashier: It's ringing up for $20, do you want me to send someone to check the price?
I nod in agreement. She sends the boy who is bagging.
Bag Boy: It's $17 with mail-in rebate.
Cashier: Let me get that mail-in rebate for you. (Goes to customer service for me, and then hands me the rebate). Can I see your ID?
Me, fumbling about, hands dirty from working in the garden. No ID. "I think I may have left it in the car. Just ring up the rest of it and I'll come back in for the alcohol."
Suddenly, I'm realizing I don't have my keys.
Me: "Uhhhhh I think I've lost my keys."
Cashier: "OK, don't panic, did you bring them in with you or could you have locked them in the car? Let me send him over to customer service to check for your keys. We can check around the store, too."
Bag boy returns with my keys. "Someone turned them in!"
Me, sighing in relief, go out to my car, grab my ID and come back in to buy the handle of Bacardi.
"Whew! Glad we were able to find your keys for you! Enjoy the rest of your day!" the cashier beamed down on me.
I DEFINITELY rung that "excellent customer service" bell that day. And called the manager to thank her for such friendly, outgoing, and helpful employees.
