Space Chick Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 I know there was the news story and controversy a few months ago where the supplier they were using was not as ethical as they thought. However, you would have thought they would have got another free range duck supplier. However, went into the Cardiff store today to buy free range duck and came out empty handed I have since sent this stroppy email off anyone who fancies joining this campaign, feel free to email too, we all know what Omlet power can achieve I would like to express my disappointment that you are no longer selling free range duck in your Cardiff Pentwyn store. I feel passionate about only eating free range poultry, and always purchased your free range duck. However, the duck you are now selling is not labeled as free range, so I can only assume that it isn't. I am sure that I am not the only consumer that cares about the welfare of the meat, and I am surprised and disappointed that you have left your standards slip. I expect better from Waitrose, a company that I always believed prided itself on the quality and provenance of it's food. I would be grateful if you could respond, and also reassure me that the considerable drop in standards is only a temporary issue. Kind regards Deborah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 I'm just off to our Waitrose ( Abingdon) so I'll check there. Cinnamon might know what's going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Not a clue - I just work there I will see what we have instore today,if I can get off of the tills (doubtful on a Saturday) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 I dont shop at waitrose (i dont even know where our 'local' one is??? I cant understand why they would go backwards though. Selling a FR product then stopping. Its bizarre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 I checked. No free range duck but everything else available free range. What they have are Gressingham products with a "special purchase" duck crown for £5. I wonder if there is a real problem finding free range duck farmers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted July 30, 2011 Author Share Posted July 30, 2011 That's the same as they had in mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 No news from me. it was a hectic busy day,but I did put a few of those duck crowns through. I had a look at one & the customer looked at me a bit oddly - I explained that I was wondering if it was free range or not. She replied that its dead now anyhow I responded that its life is what I was concerned about - she rolled her eyes. Will let you know if I manage to find out anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Ok...Cinnamon you may want to stop reading here ...this is how Waitrose and all the other supermarkets work.... look at your potential sales, find a supplier, knock that supplier down in price, to make a better profit for you...just when your supplier thought that they might stand a chance of making a bit of a profit for themselves, run a special offer...tell your supplier the special offer must be in special bags (that you don't supply and won't be paying for) and that you are doing two for the price of one, (or £5 for a duck crown or whatever) and so guess what..you won't be paying the supplier as much for the produce as the supplier had previously agreed for those weeks because he is funding your special offer Animal welfare, pictures of happy farmers on packaging...they are just marketing tools... sorry if I sound cynical...... I've watched the supply chain for too long to believe otherwise Go Spacechick...if you've set up your particular marketing niche as being Britain's most ethical supermarket then you'd better live up to it!!! Edited for spelling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Well yes,you do sound a touch cynical. And to be honest I don't see why I should be warned to stop reading......I work for them,but I am not a fool,particularly about marketing which was my previous career. It is widely known that my employers are probably the best of a bad bunch,& I am generally proud to work for the partnership. Getting back on topic,the daughter is working today & she is going to ask about the free range duck,if she can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 Thanks Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 I worked for a farm which supplied a number of supermarkets, Waitrose included and I must disagree with Sadietoo. Clearly commercial companies must make and indeed maximise profits if they are to survive, but it is not in their interests to drive good suppliers out of business. Waitrose were good customers and whilst, yes they did expect you to do special offers and specialist extra packaging from time to time, they also paid promptly and pretty much guaranteed reliable orders. We would not have the variety and quality of affordable food today without them. I agree with many criticisms of them, but like the tabloids, they too are driven by the demands of their customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 To be honest I dont think Waitrose could win in this situation If they dont sell duck at all - people get upset If they sell duck but have honest labelling not claiming it to be something it isnt - people get upset If they panic and source free range duck at all costs and prices go up - people get upset If they buy from suppliers on the continent - people get upset Farmers will have signed contracts ahead of time so Waitrose are probably finding it hard to source free range duck I find it more worrying that they are still selling Gressingham products, presumably Gressingham have dropped Green Label or they have put a more stringent farm checking procedure in place and are sure that other farms have a higher standard of welfare than Hall Farm did I think the reply to your email will probably give us an idea of Waitrose's intent for the future - hopefully this is a short term situation and they are working hard to sort things out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 Well, the 72hrs have passed, and no response yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Well, the 72hrs have passed, and no response yet I would assume it's working days - so you wouldn't include saturday and sunday as usually office based positions aren't open on those days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 As well as it only being Tuesday, I can also imagine that they have to handle this particular type of request carefully. I once contacted L'Oreal by phone to ask about whether animal testing was used in one of their products. I can't remember what it was now. They asked for my contact information, and they wrote to me. The information they sent answered my question and gave me a lot of background information to explain in detail why they did it and what theu did. I only wanted a yes or no. I understand that some things are tested on animals. I realised that they probably find that this sort of little enquiry is the precursor to a campaig against them which is why they would not give me the answer on the phone but wanted to send the additional info. I can imagine that, given the publicity around the cruelty on the Duck Farm, they need to handle any duck questions very carefully, so it may be that yur request has been escalated, or a reply referred for review before sending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
