Thoroughly impressed with the bakery department! For my son's birthday I ordered a custom slab cake, adding an extra layer (for which I was not charged extra), and gave sample photos regarding what I had in mind (truck themed) also mentioning that I would add sprinkles myself to the cake later. Instead, they exceeded my expectations making the cake look better than I anticipated, making the sprinkles look like dirt piles similar to what I would have done myself but better! They also added the ramp which I loved! The cake tasted great, served over 15 people with leftovers and was incredibly affordable. Their customer service leading up to the party was excellent and communication was great. The cake was even ready ahead of my original pickup time. Don't think we'll ever get our cakes anywhere else.
Finn Fuerstenberg
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November 22, 2024
Thrifty’s in Comox Valley: A Disappointing Experience
I’ve been shopping at Thrifty’s in the Comox Valley for quite a while, and I have to say, this is by far one of the least friendly grocery stores I’ve encountered in the area. As a regular customer, I’ve experienced a range of frustrations, and after seeing how others are treated, I feel compelled to share my thoughts. There are three main reasons why I believe Thrifty’s needs to improve its service and atmosphere:
1. Terrible Customer Service
In my own experiences, I’ve had a few run-ins with staff who were rude or unhelpful. I recall being told to put my backpack down, which seemed unnecessary given that I wasn’t acting suspiciously. While these instances may have been minor in comparison to what others have gone through, it’s a small example of how unwelcoming the store can feel.
However, the real issue isn’t just my own encounters—I've witnessed a troubling pattern of behavior towards younger customers, especially students. It seems these kids are often assumed to be troublemakers or potential shoplifters, and I’ve seen staff harass them for perceived slights or even question them without cause. The worst part is, I’ve never once seen any of these young people actually steal. As a retired person who often spends my lunch breaks grabbing a sandwich at the store, I can say that the treatment of students has been consistently unfriendly and disproportionate. It’s disheartening to watch, and I can’t help but wonder if there’s a bias at play.
2. Lack of Respect for Regular Customers
Another issue I’ve noticed is the lack of respect for long-time customers. I have been a regular shopper here for a while, and it’s frustrating to feel like we are treated with indifference at best, or outright disdain at worst. For a grocery store that prides itself on being a community hub, the overall atmosphere can sometimes feel cold and transactional. Employees don’t seem to take the time to engage with customers beyond the basics, and there’s a noticeable lack of genuine care in their interactions. The personal touch that you’d expect from a local business is sorely missing, making the experience feel more like a chore than a visit to a place you can trust.
3. Unpleasant Store Environment
Beyond the customer service, I’ve also noticed that the store itself can be an unpleasant place to shop. The layout is often confusing, with aisles that are hard to navigate, especially during busier times. The store can feel cramped, and it’s not always well-organized, leading to frustration when trying to find specific items. Adding to this is the general lack of cleanliness in some areas. There are times when the floors are sticky, and it feels like the store could use a more thorough cleaning, particularly in the produce section. When you combine these physical discomforts with the poor service, it’s hard to justify coming back regularly, despite the fact that the store is conveniently located.
Yagyaseni
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December 25, 2019
One of the best places for getting groceries from! They have a great frozen foods section as well!
The store has make up, skin care, fruits, vegetables, frozen items, snacks, etc!
The Christmas decorations were festive and fun. I had a great experience here! ❤️
Heather Crider
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July 28, 2022
Very nice store has a great selection of products and the staff are very helpful. The produce is excellent and the deli is very good they make the salads in the store. The ladies in the deli are wonderful they look after you extremely well.
Alexander Yeadon
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October 18, 2024
While it seems that the produce lasts a bit longer than those from the Superstore it still seems nowhere is immune to the produce rot curse of Vancouver Island. Nice alternative choices available and price is on par.
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444 Lerwick Rd #100, Courtenay, BC V9N 9G4, Canada
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Thoroughly impressed with the bakery department! For my son's birthday I ordered a custom slab cake, adding an extra layer (for which I was not charged extra), and gave sample photos regarding what I had in mind (truck themed) also mentioning that I would add sprinkles myself to the cake later. Instead, they exceeded my expectations making the cake look better than I anticipated, making the sprinkles look like dirt piles similar to what I would have done myself but better! They also added the ramp which I loved! The cake tasted great, served over 15 people with leftovers and was incredibly affordable. Their customer service leading up to the party was excellent and communication was great. The cake was even ready ahead of my original pickup time. Don't think we'll ever get our cakes anywhere else.
Thrifty’s in Comox Valley: A Disappointing Experience I’ve been shopping at Thrifty’s in the Comox Valley for quite a while, and I have to say, this is by far one of the least friendly grocery stores I’ve encountered in the area. As a regular customer, I’ve experienced a range of frustrations, and after seeing how others are treated, I feel compelled to share my thoughts. There are three main reasons why I believe Thrifty’s needs to improve its service and atmosphere: 1. Terrible Customer Service In my own experiences, I’ve had a few run-ins with staff who were rude or unhelpful. I recall being told to put my backpack down, which seemed unnecessary given that I wasn’t acting suspiciously. While these instances may have been minor in comparison to what others have gone through, it’s a small example of how unwelcoming the store can feel. However, the real issue isn’t just my own encounters—I've witnessed a troubling pattern of behavior towards younger customers, especially students. It seems these kids are often assumed to be troublemakers or potential shoplifters, and I’ve seen staff harass them for perceived slights or even question them without cause. The worst part is, I’ve never once seen any of these young people actually steal. As a retired person who often spends my lunch breaks grabbing a sandwich at the store, I can say that the treatment of students has been consistently unfriendly and disproportionate. It’s disheartening to watch, and I can’t help but wonder if there’s a bias at play. 2. Lack of Respect for Regular Customers Another issue I’ve noticed is the lack of respect for long-time customers. I have been a regular shopper here for a while, and it’s frustrating to feel like we are treated with indifference at best, or outright disdain at worst. For a grocery store that prides itself on being a community hub, the overall atmosphere can sometimes feel cold and transactional. Employees don’t seem to take the time to engage with customers beyond the basics, and there’s a noticeable lack of genuine care in their interactions. The personal touch that you’d expect from a local business is sorely missing, making the experience feel more like a chore than a visit to a place you can trust. 3. Unpleasant Store Environment Beyond the customer service, I’ve also noticed that the store itself can be an unpleasant place to shop. The layout is often confusing, with aisles that are hard to navigate, especially during busier times. The store can feel cramped, and it’s not always well-organized, leading to frustration when trying to find specific items. Adding to this is the general lack of cleanliness in some areas. There are times when the floors are sticky, and it feels like the store could use a more thorough cleaning, particularly in the produce section. When you combine these physical discomforts with the poor service, it’s hard to justify coming back regularly, despite the fact that the store is conveniently located.
One of the best places for getting groceries from! They have a great frozen foods section as well! The store has make up, skin care, fruits, vegetables, frozen items, snacks, etc! The Christmas decorations were festive and fun. I had a great experience here! ❤️
Very nice store has a great selection of products and the staff are very helpful. The produce is excellent and the deli is very good they make the salads in the store. The ladies in the deli are wonderful they look after you extremely well.
While it seems that the produce lasts a bit longer than those from the Superstore it still seems nowhere is immune to the produce rot curse of Vancouver Island. Nice alternative choices available and price is on par.