New Western Beef Smackdown

Way back during out first month of writing ATP, we posted this tidbit asking our readers to weigh in on which was the better: Western Beef or Fresh Direct.  We voted for Fresh Direct.

The murmurs about frustrations with Western Beef seem to never end, understandably.  Someone posted to the Lefferts Yahoo! group begging the question, if Western Beef can clean up elsewhere, why not here?  Says the poster:

"I used to live in Williamsburg in the early 90's when there was a rundown Western Beef serving the neighborhood.  In the span of a few years the place was completely transformed into a great place to shop."

Given WB's history in Williamsburg, it seems reasonable to suggest that they clean up their 44 Empire Blvd. store.  The poster offers a couple ways to make your voice heard:

Email: bethd@westernbeef.com

Online feedback form: http://www.westernbeef.com/contact.htm

Our best guesstimate is that the direct email address is the more effective option.  In our opinion, WB could be a great place to shop if only management would listen to feedback coming from PLG, where everyone either gets in their cars or gets on the internets for their groceries.

Comments

[peacelovenap]

I once sent (via their online form) a comment regarding their shopping baskets and how they looked as if they had not been cleaned in 10 years. I never heard a reply.

I hope Beth is more responsive!

[babs]

Doesn't look as though there is a WB in Williamsburg anymore -- closest one is Bed Stuy, on Myrtle Ave between Throop and Marcus Garvey.

[Dan]

I ust wrote Beth - I hope others take the time as well. Thanks for the post ATP.

[leffres]

And I am waiting for the Associated on Flatbush to be just like the one on W. 57th.

[Ed]

What should I say when I write her? "Please don't let rude and rowdy people into your store because, on average, the store is unnecessarily chaotic and a fight seems to break out every time I'm there?" Howabout this: "Please hire friendly, hardworking cashiers because the current ones seem disinterested and unpleasant?" Unfortunately, my biggest gripe about Western Beef has little to do with food; rather it has to do with the staff and some of the clientele it seems to attract. But they have a right to work or shop there as much as any of us do.

[carrie]

Just fyi, email and online forms are generally poor ways communicate with customer service depts., government officials, or anyone that you're directing complaints to. Emails are usually ignored.

If an issue is worth taking the time to write about, it's worth printing out your letter and sticking it in an stamped envelope:

Western Beef Inc
47-05 Metropolitan Ave
Ridgewood, NY 11385
Fax: 718-628-2431

Also, maybe call (718)417-3770 and find out whose attention to send this to...

Sending a letter both ways is also good...

[PLG rez]

I sort of agree with Ed. I have never seen a fight break out there, but I have noticed a bunch of employees just standing around doing nothing while huge lines pile up in the check out lines. It's irritating - those lines move slowly!

[Dan]

Employees not doing their jobs is a management issue - which is a perfectly appropriate thing to complain about. It's definitely more than the food that makes WB such a drag.

[Ed]

Employees not doing their jobs is not just a management issue. A manager may only be able to do so much with an unmotivated staff.

[babs]

Unmotivated employees are not only to be found at WB -- I've had similar experiences in stores all over the city. Cashiers speaking to each other and not saying a word to their customers (or even acknowledging their existence), employees aimlessly standing around as the line keeps getting longer, ignoring peoples' questions, carrying on personal cell phone conversation while they work, etc., etc. I work (and mostly shop) around Union Square in Manhattan and most of the stores around here are just terrible, so this is clearly not just a WB issue.

[noq]

A lot of it seems to be a management issue. The last time I was there, all of the cashiers had their shift end at the same time. None of them knew that all the other cashiers were closing. So I kept moving over, and the cashier would say "next lane, she's open" until there were no lanes open and the manager had to open one up. They need to stagger the shifts.

[AJ]

Ed, how did you make out with Shahn Anderson anyway? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Ed]

Who's Shahn Anderson? Does he work at Western Beef?

[AJ]

I don't know where he works. Maybe it's at Western Beef. In any event, he's that guy on Brownstoner whose pants you were desperately trying to get into.

[Ed]

Yes of course I know who he is. If you must know, nothing happened. The little cock tease wouldn't call me, no doubt because he was tangled up in wifey's apron strings.

[Bob M]

I guess it's time for "Mr. ATP" to start moderating posts again--what a PITA!

[Ed]

Bob, why would he need to start moderating again?

[Bob M]

LOL!!

[diak]

I know, I know, I know it means driving to Red Hook, but one of the best things (among many) about Fairway is the staff. They actually work! I'm fortunate enough to shop on a quiet weekday morning but its not unusual to have half a dozen checkout lines open and the deli and cheese counters are, if anything, overstaffed.
Another reason to avoid Western Beef: the shopping-for-two-weeks shopper in the "express" line.

[donna]

I am boycotting Western Beef. I was treated very rudely there on several occasions. After the last incident, I called & spoke to the manager and he was apologetic and helpful, offering to have me come in and have the staff apologize but the whole thing was too embarrassing for me and I haven't gone back and don't intend to. It's been over 6 months so they've lost over $1000 in business from me.