Tops Friendly Market

girlwheels

I tend to go at night. It's mellow, but not what you'd call helpful or friendly. I have tried being polite, but I think it actually annoys the staff; I end up feeling foolish, so I don't talk to anyone when I go in anymore. An example of the lack of helpfulness: I was looking for an item. I was told the only place I could get it was at Tops. It was out of stock. It was the sole reason for my presence in the store. I got mad and left, accidentally leaving a cold bag and ice pack behind. I called when I realized my mistake. I asked the service desk employee to check for it, saying I'd be back soon. I initially told him one area to look in, and corrected myself. He left the phone for maybe 30 seconds, and came back saying he had checked all around. He said that someone must have walked off with it, said "Bye" and hung up. I had not had a chance to say anything since he got back to the phone. Immediately, I came directly back from the other store. The bag and ice pack were exactly where I had left them. I tried to talk to the kid. By then the service desk was closed, and no managers were anywhere in sight. So, strike one, item out of stock. Strike two, the kid clearly didn't really look for the item, and hung up on me. Strike three, no manager in evidence, and no one picked up the phone when I called, (called back twice, letting it ring ten times.) I tried to deal with them directly. Even before this, I would never have done a full grocery shop here. Tops is BY FAR the most expensive grocery store in Syracuse, and at Nottingham Rd., the prices are halfway between a grocery store and a convenience store, probably because it's close to South Campus (the most expensive SU housing). I do not buy soda here, frozen foods, toiletries, cat supplies, or cleaning supplies because of the prices. Oddly enough, food prepared on the premises is fairly priced. You can get a salad big enough for two meals for about $7. There are also things to take home and heat up which are a fairly good deal. The store-made bakery is quite good. Still, I only get there what I can't get elsewhere because of the prices. I'm sure the prices decrease their in store traffic. The night staff doesn't help matters.