I’m still not crazy about HEB-the local SuperS is closer and has organic local produce and grass fed free range meat-so I shop there.
There weren’t any chain grocery stores out in W Texas ranch country where I grew up, but when I was in college in SA, the Piggly Wiggly a few blocks from my apartment was the closest grocery store-I really liked their meat department-they sold the end cuts-and ground beef-in bulk really cheap, and there was always a special on hamburger helper, canned tuna, Spam, mac and cheese, etc-probably because there were so many students living nearby...
When my 1st hubby and I bought our 1st house, the closest store was an HEB, but we drove to the Handy Andy on West Ave to shop for groceries because their produce was better and fresher, and they had a good meat department where you could get something custom cut if you didn’t want what was already packaged-and it didn’t cost any more-they always had frog legs and fresh oysters in the shell too...
I drive 4 towns over to buy produce at Walmart. The stuff HEB here gets looks like seconds that no other store would accept.
They only stock half of what’s in the weekly ads. For some strange reason, they’ll pull a product that has a national coupon. Many times, it’s welcome to Venezuela with half empty shelves. It never fails, I have to ask someone in the back to look for an item and I never find half the grocery list. No, I do not put anything but the bare basics on the list because 1) I know it would be useless and 2) I’m on a tight budget.
They have admitted the shelf bread comes in frozen so that’s why the loafs aren’t soft.
I’ve told many times about the having to do what amounts to drug deals by calling and calling and finally being told to meet the guy at the back door at a certain time to get something. Then getting to the check out and the cashier and bagger shocked because they didn’t know they had the whatever.
They haven’t sold fresh cauliflower in years. Same with pork ‘n beans. Corn tortillas will be in “on the next truck” but they’ll only be getting one package of 8. Yep, one single package, not a pallet or case. The entire meat department could fit on two of the desks I’m typing at so cuts are limited and there may only be a couple packages of what you want.
And you have to check the receipt because they’re bad about over charging. Last time, I was over charged $24. Yes, I made them correct it but how many people don’t realize they’re being ripped off? Sending emails to their HQ is a waste of time.