Sep 23, 2009 03:12 PM
6814 Views
Bangaloreans know (or knew) of Namdharis Fresh as a store with a standard for stocking fresh fruits and veges; claimed to have grown with low doses of chemical fertilizers and insecticides. The vegetables 'were' fresh, the fruits were fresh and all was well.For the past about an year, there is a constant shift towards the worse. The store managers, switch off the air conditioning systems in the evening which keep the food cold and fresh even the next morning.
This has been happening inspite of repeatedely complaining the owner. The veges are wilted when u go to collect them in the mornings - much worse in the evenings. The fresh stock is typically hidden below the old stock so that the old is bought out before. Many times the fresh stock is not entered in the computer system even at 10:00 am. This further forces the customers to buy off the old stale and rotting stock. Especially veges like palak, methi which appear wilted are actually rotting in the inside. Keep them just one more day in your fridge and they will catch fungus all over.
This happens with oranges also (remember that each of those oranges costs about 20-22 rupees). I have to come back empty handed several times as the appearence of the vegetables is worse than what you find in a roadside shop. I wonder why Namdharis charges a premium for all this. The reason is that they know they have a steady customer base and loosing a few quality aware customers may not matter much. About 25-30% of the customers dont even know where namdharis store is - because its their drivers and maids who come and do the shopping for them. But even if we leave these apart, the rest @ 70% are aware and want value for their money.
Not sure if the Namdharis guys will ever read this, but perhaps other customers will. Just wanted to get the awareness movement started. If the stock appears state, inspect it carefully from inside and immediately contact the store manager to inform him of this. Dont buy if you are not satisfied. The manager of late has developed a negative attitude, which is clear from that he doesnt want to speak to the customers and address their complaints. Not sure if this has happend to you but it has to me. I have complained several times about the fresh stock not being in their system and so cant be bought, the AC switched off, some items on their racks but not on the system. So far there has been no resolution. Friends, its our duty as well do insist on getting what we pay for. If we leave it just to Namdharis, this situation is only worsen and we will be going back to the local veg/fruit shops.
