Market City Meats: A Butcher Shop Both Praised and Panned

A Mixed Grill of Experiences: What Customers Are Saying About Market City Meats

Market City Meats in Canning Vale (phone: +61 8 9455 2208, located at 280 Bannister Rd, Canning Vale WA 6155) boasts a 4.2-star rating, suggesting a generally positive reception. However, a deeper dive into customer reviews reveals a surprisingly complex picture – one of fluctuating quality, inconsistent service, and pricing that draws both praise and criticism. Open seven days a week (check their opening hours below), Market City Meats appears to cater to a wide range of needs, from quick visits to stocking up for family dinners. Accessibility is a definite plus, offering both wheelchair accessible entrance and a parking lot, plus they accept credit and debit cards, and NFC mobile payments. But do these positives outweigh the concerns raised by a significant portion of their clientele? Let's break down the feedback.

Opening Hours:

The Quality Conundrum: Freshness and Accuracy Under Scrutiny

The most prominent and concerning theme emerging from customer reviews revolves around the quality of the meat itself. While some celebrate Market City Meats as a source of incredible deals on poultry, specifically praising their prices compared to larger chains and other butchers, many others have experienced significant issues with freshness and accuracy.

Here’s a breakdown of reported quality concerns:

• Inaccurate Weighting: Several customers reported instances where they received significantly more or less product than they requested. One customer recounted receiving 3kg of diced steak when they only ordered 2kg. This "over-giving" can lead to unexpected charges and wasted time correcting the order. Others reported underweight packs, particularly in value packs – mince, diced pork, and casserole beef all coming in under the claimed 1kg mark. The advice given is to meticulously watch the weighing process from now on, or to take the business elsewhere.
• Questionable Freshness: Beyond the weighing discrepancies, multiple reviewers expressed concerns about the meat's perceived freshness. A beef rib purchase was described as having a “not like beef” taste, leading some to wonder if it was pork or simply old. The tripe was deemed acceptable, however. Another customer reported receiving inedible, bloody muscles when purchasing beef tendon previously.
• Unpleasant Findings: Multiple reports mention finding undesirable elements within the meat products. Small bone chips were discovered in Italian sausages, while the Boerewors contained gristle and potentially skin-covered fat. This raises serious questions about quality control and preparation processes.
• Rapid Spoilage: One reviewer noted the meat started turning comparatively quickly, suggesting a potential issue with storage or handling. In fact, it was stated that even compared to woolworth/coles, it lasted less time, with woolies and coles lasting for longer.

It’s important to note that not all experiences align with these negative reports, however the consistency of complaints is worrisome.

Service and Attitude: A Spectrum of Interactions

Customer service at Market City Meats appears to be just as variable as the meat quality. While some customers consistently praise the staff as "helpful and friendly", other encounters have been markedly negative.

Here's a summary:

• Positive Interactions: Several reviewers highlight the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. This provides a counterpoint to the more critical feedback and indicates that positive service experiences are possible.
• Negative Interactions: A recurring theme involves unenthusiastic or even dismissive service. One reviewer specifically cited a young girl at the counter on a Saturday who displayed a lack of a smile or engagement, making customers feel "very small and very poor." The butcher with ginger hair/beard was described as presenting a "less than impressed" demeanour and appeared unwilling to provide assistance or answer questions, creating a discouraging atmosphere.
• Hygiene Concerns: Adding to the negative impressions, one reviewer raised serious concerns about hygiene practices. Specifically, they observed the butcher handling meat without gloves, a violation of standard food safety protocols that understandably raised concerns about potential contamination.

Value and Versatility: Hits and Misses

Despite the concerns raised, Market City Meats still attracts customers due to its perceived value and the range of products offered.

• Competitive Pricing: The most frequently cited positive attribute is the pricing. Many customers appreciate the "extremely great prices," especially for poultry, which are considered unbeatable compared to other butcher shops. The oxtail at $15 for 600-700g is highlighted as a bargain for family meals. Buying in bulk appears to be advantageous.
• Convenience: The location in Canning Vale near restaurants and stores is viewed as a significant convenience.
• Value Packs: Despite the weighting issues, customers mention purchasing value packs, suggesting that the potential savings are still attractive, albeit requiring vigilance during purchase.
• Drawbacks: The general consensus is that while the prices are attractive, the meat quality frequently brings the overall value down. One customer felt that the products were "overpriced" when compared with meat machines. It’s a trade-off—potential savings versus potential disappointment.