Forum Topic

MORRISONS

Thank goodness I am not the only person fed up with bad service at Morrisons. Anyone else with a bad experience please post as I am sure we are not in the minority. We need to set up a campaign to improve our local supermarket and for the management to raise their game significantly.   I do nearly all my shopping in Sainsburys Chiswick even though it is further away for me and less convenient as the customer service is so superior it hurts. Sainsburys is neat, tidy, and well organised. Products are in their right shelf space not like at Morrisons who fill up empty shelves with the wrong product just to make their shelves looked stocked. Sainsburys staff will go out off their way to find a product that is not on the shelf either from their stockroom while you wait or they will put through a request for it to be restocked as soon as possible.My REPLY TO THE GENTLEMAN THAT SAYS THAT MORRISONS IS THE CHEAPO OPTION is that it seems he has got more money than sense. Morrisons is no cheaper than Sainsburys,Tescos,Asda etc or similar supermarkets. They have no loyalty cards and because they have no competition from a similar supermarket price wise it does seem that the management do not care. I do not wish to shop elsewhere but improvement in price,organisation and customer service is badly needed.  A new Waitrose will not make them raise their game and most middle income families do not do their majority shop in Waitrose. As for buying from local independent shops like butchers, bread and deli shops they are not a cheaper option and is not an option for someone who wants a supermarket that they can go to for their affordable main shop under one roof. I admit their fresh fish and meat counters are good but customer service is very low down on their agenda. Many times I have looked for products only to find that are out of stock and have been told by the main manager and staff that they will be delivered the next day. Staff have no idea when the delivery will be. Some staff say morning, some say evening, others lunchtime. I should put up a tent in their delivery area to see when this elusive delivery van arrives. I have been told by customer service to ring their warehouse myself regarding stock enquiries which I actually did once as I was so fed up with the lack of action by the management and staff.  This is shockingly bad customer service.  I have been into morrisons five days in a row, each day the product I needed shelf empty, each day I have been promised next day. Manager was very offhand when I very politely given the circumstances complained of my frustration. His 5 words were "I will look into it",before leaving me standing like a lemon in the middle of the aisle my blood boiling. No goodbye or so sorry about that or on what day I should  even dare to try again. No promise to ring me when product was back in stock. If the new waitrose comes to the oaks as planned Iceland, the99p store and poundstretchers will probably all go, they are cheap and cheerful and you can always find a bargin or something that you need the same can not be said for waitrose but then again I am not a snob and visit them regularly but they are not for your main shop. They will probably be replaced by yes you've guessed it another café or estate agent. My last post on this site was about local people being unable to afford staying in the area. I have lived here all my life. Why does many replies to my last post say that it will be good as house prices and standards will improve. I DO NOT WISH TO SELL MY HOUSE, I have lived in Acton many years, I SEE IT AS A HOME NOT AS AN INVESTMENT AND WANT TO LIVE IN ACTON FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE IF I CAN. I do not wish to feel I am being pushed out by the investment and make as much money as possible and move out again brigade that are rapidly taking over Acton. I earn a middle income and I am not just standing up for people on a low income. I am not obsessed in moving in and selling up to make as much profit as I can.  I THINK THAT IT IS A VERY SAD SOCIETY THAT WANTS TO MOVE OUT ANYONE THAT DOES NOT FIT THE IDEAL IMAGE OF A PROSPEROUS AREA. YOU NEED A MIX OF OLD, YOUNG,MARRIED,SINGLE,FAMILIES,RICH AND POOR IN AN AREA TO CREATE A COMMUNITY ATMOSPHERE AND YES YOU MAY CALL ME OLD FASHIONED BUT YOU NEED A MORE STABLE COMMUNITY THAT IS NOT ALWAYS MOVING IN AND OUT AT A WHIM.I KNOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO MOVE FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS BUT MANY ARE MOVING IN AND OUT JUST TO MAKE A FAST BUCK. AREAS OF ACTON THAT HAD A COMMUNITY SPIRIT ARE LOSING THIS RAPIDLY AND AT A FRIGHTENING SPEED . PLEASE CAN OTHERS WHO AGREE WITH MY SENTIMENT PLEASE REPLY AND VOICE YOUR CONCERN AS OTHERWISE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT SEEM TO REPLY ARE THE MONEY KERCHING BRIGADE. I know there are problem areas in Acton that need to be improved of that we all agreeE but when I tried to make a valid point about morrisons and how it needs a similar style/priced supermarket nearby for competition I seemed to be bombarded by the kerching brigade. I was suggesting maybe an aldi's or Lidl's  as they sell a good mix of food and items for the home at a competitive price. I am not saying that a Waitrose could not be located somewhere in Acton but it seems that it is to be put in the middle of a very controversial development as a sweetner by the council and developers to push their scheme through. It looks like they have got their way because as usual money talks and anyone who disagrees are just a minor inconvienience or nuisance. This looks like the way Acton is heading. Instead of keeping its character it is to become yet another Chiswick or similar. Hugely overpriced, great if you want to eat out every evening at extortionate prices or if browsing through estate agents is your thing. Acton deserves better and something different. I am sure that if there were no restaurants or pubs in Chiswick it would become a ghost town. How sad!!! Rant over!!!

JERRY BYRNE ● 4709d28 Comments

I very rarely use Morrisons. Sainsburys on Churchfield rd is where I do most of my shopping now, or the one down in Chiswick. Acton outgrew morrisons years ago. It badly needs to expand as it's far too small and badly run.

Apple Leiper ● 4709d

Not small - or badly run actually - compared to the Churchfield Road Sainsbury which is erratically stocked, has poor fruit and veg, a tiny range, is staffed by an ever changing sea of faces and is incredibly expensive. A lot of comparable stuff is considerably pricier than at Londis which offers independence, continuity of staff, localism AND newspaper delivery

Sara Nathan ● 4709d

Pity they don't sell paragraphs at Morrisons...

Keith Iddon ● 4709d

I favour the Sainsbury on Churchfield Rd over Morrisons and think Sainsbury's  fruit and veg much better,  I find the people working there friendly and it is less stressful than Morrisons.  I only ever have used both to top up things when running low as I do my big shop online.

Emilia Fitzpatrick ● 4709d

totally agree Emilia

Gary Sinclair ● 4709d

I agree with Sara - Sainsbury's in Churchfield Road is expensive and has a very limited selection - even for my 'top-up' shop. The fruit and veg are not of very good quality - perhaps that is true of all Sainsbury's, but I don't shop in others very often. One day I wanted some tomatoes and I found a pack of mouldy ones and the rest were rather 'squiggy'. I pointed out the mouldy ones to a member of staff, and they didn't seem very bothered. No garlic either when I wanted it. I agree that Londis is cheaper then Sainsbury's for some items too - bread being one of them. My main objection to Sainsbury's was they allowed a 'cloned' card to be used with a signature, not a pin! I was not happy about that!The original poster, Jerry, makes some valid points about Morrison's (even if it is rather hard to read them). I found the manager polite when I spoke to him, but his promises of better stock control and delivery and an improved store have come to nothing. Like Jerry, I too have no desire to move from Acton, I just would like Acton to have some decent shops, so we can shop locally without having to go by bus or train to buy something as basic as a pair of shoes!  House prices rising may be good news for some, but what about those who want to buy their first home here like we did 31 years ago? My son cannot afford anywhere in Acton to rent or to buy and there must be others like him. If prices to buy and rent continue to rise at the current rate the population of Acton will end up being those of us who have lived here for many years who don't wish to move, and people who can't afford Chiswick but earn high enough salaries to buy a property in Acton. The 'new-comers' will want Acton to become a totally different place - i.e. a 'new Chiswick', as some on this forum have already shown!

Amanda Knights ● 4708d

Ha Keith!  I only got half way through the rant as it was so difficult to read!Got the message though...Sainbury's is more expensive than Morrisons and funnily enough Sainsbury's Chiswick is more expensive than other Sainsbury's I know which is odd as I didn't think they tailored their prices to the class of the area, but on some products they seem to.I use Asda in Park Royal.  Plenty of parking, can go 24 hours, just as cheap, if not cheaper, as Morrisons.

Sarah Harris ● 4708d

Sadly Asda is only viable with a car and I only have a push bike. I tend to order on line and get it delivered, and then use Sainsburys in Churchfield Road for top ups, like milk. The Tesco near Bromyard is pretty good as well.

Chris Hurley ● 4708d

The last time I tried Asda at 7:30 in the morning on a week day it was not open despite the web site saying it was.We need Morisson to shape up, I like the convenience of it's closeness but it is a mess. The freezers are always broken and the packs are covered in frost. Many a time I have bought ices that had obviously melted then been refrozen. At the hight of the heat wave this summer, remember that, on one visit to buy ice cream for a whole party of children there was none to be had as the freezers were again off!The only good thing about it is that it is so grim that I rush through it sticking to the list and don't pick up anything I was not planning to get. That makes it easier to stick to budget.Sainsbury Churchfield is a top up store for me, the choice is very limited and everything is in small packs, like 12 dishwashing tablets for as much as 36 in Morisson. The co-op on horn lane has more choice and good value.I wish I could afford to do my big shop at waitrose but as for many Acton families it is for special treats only.

Kim Rugg ● 4708d

Hi Jerry, I'm not sure why you believe the advent of Waitrose will lead to the demise of Iceland?I would have thought they have very different target audiences and both could live in harmony.Not sure I really get the Kerching point either. I don't feel people should apologise for wanting their area to improve and the value of their homes to improve with it when the rest of London is doing the same.Nonetheless, of course it's important that Morrison's and the like raise the bar and do the best they can, but the reality is that the Acton branch is a jewel in their crown (financially speaking), so I'm not sure they are really incentivised to improve at present. Nor am I sure that Waitrose is going to too negatively impact their bread and butter custom.In short, unless more people start to feel the same as you and people vote with their feet, I don't hold out much hope for Morrison's to improve.Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 4708d

And so this thread proves that all the supermarkets will do well and if we do get a waitrose the others will not suffer as each has it own audience.

Emilia Fitzpatrick ● 4708d

Very true, Chris.  Morrisons is much more accessible.Interestingly (or maybe not!) I've just looked up Asda opening times and it's no longer 24 hours.  They seem to have stopped that aside from Friday night... Monday         9am - MidnightTuesday 9am - MidnightWednesday 9am - MidnightThursday 9am - MidnightFriday  Opens at 9amSaturday Closes at 10pmSunday         11am - 5pm

Sarah Harris ● 4708d

Jerrynot too many supporters on your concerns for Acton . All focus on the supermarket issuesThere is room for all But your Acton doesn't cater for the new more affluent community .I want the social infrastructure of of restaurants decent bars and some quality shops . Don't you want more for ActonThe gentrification in my road has seen 2 slum like houses , one a sad 8 bedsit and looking unfit or safe to live in sell for near £1m . They are changing to quality fsmily homes . Surely better than the slum landlord and better for the communityChange is happening

Peter Truesdale ● 4708d

Keith  Sorry my writing was not up to the very high standard expected of this website. I must get my proof reader in next time. I shall think again before posting. By the way what is a paragraph?

JERRY BYRNE ● 4708d

The way you are all going on about the various supermarkets you'd think there were no other places to shop in Acton.If you want food cheaper than the supermarkets and of comparable quality.  For veg try the Iranaian shop (Global 4 Seas)on market place towards the high streetFor fish Mayar, the shop on Churchfield roadFor meat and veg just around the corner (can't remember it's name, 166 high street)All within 2/3 mins walk of Morrisons.They are cheaper and need your support if you want to maintain a diversified high street, try them.

Jeremy Beckett ● 4708d

Indeed - for fruit/veg you go to the two of them on the High St (Hakikat and the other by the former pharmacy, just look around and see where things are fresher) plus the one round the corner in the one-way system, and all is perfect. Market stall(s) also help, love fishie Mayar, have had great meat from butcher's round the corner from market place (guests loved it, I don't eat meat, hence can't tell myself). All you have to do is to spend a few mins extra, walking past all of these shops that are so close to M. In return, you will find much better fruit/veg and absolutely lovely shop keepers eager to help, happy to chat and advice you on exotic things, tempting you to try yummy stuff you havent even haerd of, folks who wish you a happy Christmas on the 24th (not that I care much as am atheist but still think it's nice gesture), but it is a different world from a supermarket...Sure, not the same on your first visit, of course, but people do take notice fast. Become a regular, and you get told that pssss, fresh peppers have just arrived, and you get them for the same price as the ever-so-slightly tired looking ones outdoors that are on 5-for-a-quid offer.I love Acton and its individual shops.

Urs Esser ● 4708d

You could say, a`load of words on a graph, written by the Paras.A paragraph (from the Greek paragraphos, "to write beside" or "written beside") is a self-contained unit of a discourse in writing dealing with a particular point or idea. A paragraph consists of one or more sentences. Though not required by the syntax of any language, paragraphs are usually an expected part of formal writing, used to organize longer prose.

Nikki Howard ● 4708d

I recall seeing a sign recently that Asda will be closing at midnight for a while while they do some upgrades to the store. I beliee the plan is to have it back to 24 hour shopping - although I still seem to want to go late Satuday night when it's closed or on a sunday evening when it's closed!24 hour Sunday trading - now that'll be good (I'm expecting a frosty response to that suggestion from some people).Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 4706d

Interesting to see in today's Times that Morrison's won several categories in Good Housekeeping's list of best Christmas stuff, including their Christmas pudding and stuffing balls.

Susan Kelly ● 4704d

Christmas stuff, including their Christmas pudding and stuffing balls....all this and it's still October.  Could someone remind me when Christmas is.Second thoughts...Christmas is cancelled, due to lack of interest.

Nikki Howard ● 4704d

You're fighting a losing battle, Nikki. You might just as well surrender to the forces of evil that want Christmas to start earlier every year.

Susan Kelly ● 4704d

Happy Easter.:-O

Emilia Fitzpatrick ● 4703d

My friend popped into Morrison to get some lemons yesterday.not terribly exotic or unusual but there were none to be had!

Kim Rugg ● 4703d

For two months now, I have been asking for puppy sausage in the dog section.  Everything for the moggie, but nothing for dogs.  Are Morrisons anti dog?Oh well, it's a trip to Asda.

Nikki Howard ● 4703d

I'm not sure I understand the point of workshopping every item that isn't available at Morrison's. This problem isn't unique to them. I go into Asda and they often run out of bits. I don't find Morrison's any worse than any of the others - and if the convenience of shopping on your doorsep is overshadowed by the odd missing item, and if it's that ditressing, you can go to Sainsbury's in Chiswick or Asda, or into Ealing or Shepherd's bush.Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 4703d

Nikki,  for a horrific moment there I feared you favour puppy sausage i.e. the taste of little puppies!!

Emilia Fitzpatrick ● 4703d

Instead of grumbling, buy your lemons for less at the veg shop!

Jeremy Beckett ● 4703d

EmiliaNot me, Riley likes his treats.  Also he much prefers his meat from Tim (English Butchers,) including pork sausages.

Nikki Howard ● 4703d