AZ Seafood & Butcher: A Cautionary Tale of Meat Mishaps and Service

A Deep Dive into Recent Customer Experiences at AZ Seafood & Butcher

AZ Seafood & Butcher, located at 322 Clayton Rd, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia, currently holds a concerning rating of 2.4 stars. While the shop boasts accessibility with wheelchair access and parking, coupled with convenient opening hours (7 AM – 5:30 PM daily), a significant number of recent customer reviews paint a troubling picture. These reviews highlight concerning issues regarding quality control, pricing accuracy, and notably, customer service. The numerous complaints shared suggest a marked decline since a change in ownership, with many former patrons expressing disappointment compared to the previous management. The shop accepts credit cards and caters to quick visits, offering convenience alongside their products. However, the concerns outlined below warrant careful consideration before choosing to shop here.

Recurring Complaints: Quality, Pricing & Dishonesty Concerns

The most prevalent and worrying theme across customer feedback relates to inconsistencies in meat quality and, more alarmingly, issues of dishonest practices. Several reviewers detail scenarios where they were significantly overcharged for their purchases, often requiring considerable effort to rectify the errors.

Here's a breakdown of the recurring issues:

• Weight Discrepancies: Multiple customers report being sold significantly more meat than they requested. A common complaint involves ordering 500gm of meat and receiving close to 1kg – and experiencing resistance to correcting the issue.
• Pricing Errors: One customer was incredibly overcharged for chicken wings, initially being billed $60.40 instead of $6.04. The subsequent handling of this error, including demands for bank statements and delayed resolutions, deeply frustrated the customer.
• Poor Quality Products: Beyond pricing, the quality of the meat and seafood frequently comes under fire.
  • Meat: Reviewers describe finding excessive bones ("all the bones in curry beef")even when purchasing pre-cut pieces. Complaints about poor cutting techniques, specifically leaving small, sharp bone fragments, are consistent.
  • Sausages: Several customers have purchased sausages with a foul odour and rotten taste, leading to concerns about hygiene and food safety.
  • Seafood: Reports of bad and smelly sardines, and bitter, mushy kingfish, further contribute to the perception of subpar quality.
• Lack of Deals/Negotiation: A customer mentions that there are "no deals" and pushing back on a weighing error is met with resistance.
• Inconsistent Pricing: Reviews uniquely note that "Prices and qualities vary everyday!!" suggesting an unpredictable shopping experience.

“Selling rotten meat is a real health hazard.” - A concerned customer.

This widespread dissatisfaction strongly suggests systemic problems within the shop's operations.

Customer Service: Rudeness, Incompetence and Unprofessional Behaviour

Beyond the concerns about quality and pricing, numerous patrons report extremely negative interactions with the staff and, particularly, the owner. The customer service issues are often as distressing as the product quality concerns. Accounts include:

• Rude and Aggressive Behaviour: Multiple customers report being yelled at and subjected to bad language by the owner.
• Defensive and Accusatory: Staff are described as treating customers as "thieves" even when mistakes are made by the shop. One customer recounts being accused of dishonesty when querying the halal status of duck packaging.
• Lack of Knowledge: Staff are perceived as incompetent and lacking knowledge about the products they sell.
• Unprofessional Conduct: The owner's refusal to wear a mask during a discussion about a pricing error is cited as a concerning lack of professionalism, particularly considering health guidelines.

These interactions contribute to an intimidating and unpleasant shopping environment. The lack of empathy and the dismissive responses to concerns suggest a need for serious retraining and a fundamental shift in customer service priorities.

A Few Glimmers of Positivity Amidst the Negativity

Despite the overwhelming negativity, it's important to acknowledge that some customers have experienced positive interactions with AZ Seafood & Butcher. These accounts, however, are significantly outnumbered by the negative feedback and offer a contrasting perspective.

• Good Meat Quality (Occasional): Some reviewers attest to the meat quality being good, although this appears to be less consistent than it once was.
• Excellent Customer Service (Prior to Ownership Change): Several customers recall a previously high standard of customer service, highlighting staff who genuinely cared about customer satisfaction and were helpful in sourcing specific cuts.
• Availability of Curry Pieces: The shop is recognized for having good curry piece cuts available in the area, which can be a valuable asset for those seeking specific ingredients for their cooking.

Ultimately, the current balance of reviews strongly suggests that AZ Seafood & Butcher faces significant challenges in terms of product quality, pricing transparency and, crucially, customer service. Potential customers are strongly advised to heed the expressed concerns and consider alternative options within the Clayton area, especially given the availability of other butchers and seafood retailers.