Albertsons is in Buellton and I live in town. I do shop here, but I'm very selective. I do NOT shop…read moreat the fish counter. The fish counter needs to be closed down. Selections are not fresh and most are farmed fish selections. The fish is defrosted and seems to sit for days. The shrimp is from Asia- Thailand and Vietnam - those are the shrimp you want to stay away from. I sometimes buy beef there, but if I do it's mostly organic ground beef. If I want fish, chicken, or beef, I will most times go elsewhere. This makes my shopping trips more complex. I know, first -world problems.
The deli-counter is ok. I don't order from the deli. I asked and from what I was told, the deli selections are not made from scratch. The ingredients come pre-packaged and are put together. They are not freshly made, not the best ingredients.
The produce staff get my award for the unfriendliest group in the store. The produce manager is NEVER friendly. Never says hello. And the staff pretty much follow his lead. Oftentimes the produce manager is chatting it up with the staff, talking sports and stuff, but the staff don't seem to acknowledge customers. I find it entertaining, and irritating.
I do buy some produce, but the organic items are from Mexico. We've started going to the local organic farmstand for our vegetables instead.
I'll buy select pantry items and such.
And I do like their fresh flowers.
The store manager seems to be nice. I've talked to him a few times when I had comments or questions. He is polite. Seems to care. Sometimes I think he has his hands more than full with this store, and the staff. It's hard to get good employees obviously.
Too many of the employees are indifferent and unfriendly. A few are friendly, but most don't give you a greeting or eye contact. I understand that we all have bad days, but these few employees apparently have a bad day everyday. No, it's not just with me. I watch and notice with customers ahead of me.
You could walk the aisles looking around, obviously trying to find something and employees will walk by you and not say a word. Oftentimes when I see people looking lost, I'll ask if they need help. I figure that I can help.
The curbside shopping employees will cut in front of you to get what they need, and they block aisles with their rolling bins.
The store employees seem to be scheduled to minimize staffing and maximize customers using the "self-checkout" terminals. I find it irritating at times. If I'm expected to work as a cashier, I should get a 15% discount for using self-checkout. I don't mind self-checkout when I have a couple of items; however I do not want to self-checkout when I have a full cart. Sometimes there are two cashiers and long lines of people waiting. I try to be patient, but at times it's not easy.
One time I needed assistance at the self-checkout and the asst manager came over and told me what I should have done. She sounded irritated. I responded that "I must have missed that section in the training class." It seems that I'm expected to know how to use the self-checkout terminals without training. Please don't be cranky. I know it's a tough job, but it's your job.
My experience is not the end of the world, but it is frustrating at times. I will continue to shop here because it's close to my home, but it's not my number one choice in markets. It is what it is, and I am glad they're here, overall.