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Tasman Butchers Pakenham: A Mixed Bag of Quality and Service
Rating: 4.3/5 – Phone: +61 3 5940 0092 – Address: 35-37 Bald Hill Rd, Pakenham VIC 3810, Australia
Tasman Butchers in Pakenham has long been a popular choice for locals seeking fresh meat and excellent value. With a strong 4.3-star rating based on customer reviews, it’s clear that many shoppers have enjoyed their experience at this bustling butcher shop. However, recent feedback reveals a more complex picture, highlighting both stellar highs and concerning lows.
The Good: Value, Variety & Friendly Faces (When They're On!)
Many customers consistently praise Tasman Butchers for its fantastic prices and the sheer variety of meats available. "Definitely a great purchase today, as it was on special!" is a common sentiment, with shoppers often finding exceptional deals on quality cuts.
- Excellent Value: Numerous reviews highlight the great value for money, particularly for families. One customer wrote, "we shop here all the time for my family of 3, but unfortunately..."
- Wide Selection: From standard cuts to more unique options like goat meat (which was initially a significant hit!), Tasman Butchers caters to diverse tastes.
- Loyalty Program: A customer rewards program offers discounts and incentives, with some regularly receiving "$10 off purchases."
- Convenience: The shop boasts convenient parking, easy accessibility, delivery options and is open from 8 AM to 6 PM Monday to Friday and 8 AM to 5 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
- Previously Excellent Service: Historically, the staff have been praised for their friendly and prompt service. As one customer noted, “Friendly courteous customer service, that is very prompt and very little time waiting when it is busy.”
"Thank you to the butcher and the owner for rectifying my enquiry today ❤️" – A testament to the shop's willingness to address customer concerns (when they arise).
Concerns & Complaints: A Deteriorating Quality?
While many rave about Tasman Butchers, a significant number of recent reviews express serious concerns about quality and service, creating a more nuanced picture.
Quality Issues: These frequently appear to be the most pressing complaints.
- Mince: Several customers have reported finding "dark grey" matter within the mince they purchased.
- Chicken: A particularly alarming review detailed a horrifying experience with honey soy chicken, stating, "Chicken curry pieces had a stench smell... We bought on Sunday morning. Totally disappointed. Couldn’t serve guests. The smell was horrible as soon as opened the packet." Another customer reported the honey soy flavour was absent.
- Lamb: Recurring complaints involve lamb with an unpleasant odour and "so many hairs." One customer recounted a "traumatic" experience with lamb that was "GREEN" and caused them to nearly vomit. Sadly, similar complaints about lamb have been repeated over time.
- Cutting Services Decline: A long loyal customer noted: "Earlier we could get goat leg cut by the butchers but now they just cut it in 4-5 large chunks." and concerningly, chicken curry pieces are no longer being cut by staff.
Service Issues: While positive comments about customer service exist, more recent reviews paint a different picture.
- Rudeness: One customer reported experiencing rudeness from a cashier, describing her actions as "practically throwing the meat down" and exhibiting an unprofessional attitude.
- Discriminatory Pricing?: A customer raised that they were consistently being charged more for a service compared to other customers, alleging a form of discrimination. This is a serious accusation and warrants urgent investigation.
"I’m absolutely beyond appalled by the quality of the lamb meat I purchased from Tasman Butchers in Pakenham today. When I opened the packaging, I was hit with an extreme stench so horrific that it made me physically dry reach! The meat was GREEN...Eating something like this could genuinely make someone seriously ill even fatal." – Powerful words highlighting the severity of some of the quality concerns.
Our Verdict
Tasman Butchers Pakenham presents a puzzling case. It clearly offers good value and a wide selection of meats to many regular customers. However, the recent influx of negative reviews regarding quality control and service inconsistencies is a serious cause for concern. Improvements are urgently needed to maintain the shop's reputation and ensure customer safety. Management should seriously investigate these complaints, implement stricter quality control measures, and ensure all staff members are providing consistently respectful and fair service. Until these issues are addressed, potential customers should proceed with caution.
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