Smart & Final Extra!, Tulare CA

I suppose it's not their fault but I couldn't believe how expensive things are getting. I go to Grocery Outlet usually.

The store itself has great sales but the veggies aren't as fresh as you'd think they would & should be & the employees aren't very friendly & there is a couple employees here who will give you a hard time over coupons. They even fraud by not following the rules that are stated on the coupons & when you ask for the manager they won't get the manager for you & if you have to pay for bagges then you would expect them to be usable & not fall apart. (The picture I'm posting shows one of the handles missing on it). I'll make sure to go elsewhere for now on! (I was asked to do an update review so I am, I've been shopping elsewhere like I said I would.)

They have everything you would want or need. The prices are a bit high (higher than other places). They always run out of stuff pretty fast (someone needs to figure out the ordering stuff better so they don't run out as fast). The manager here is a bit rude when your using coupon's & is extremely rude when you point out a price error (they have the price marked on shelf & we walked back to check & she got upset, ripped if off & said that's not the right price).

I run a small business called Jazzy’s Sweet Treats and earlier this year I introduced ice cream sandwiches, ice cream sundaes, and adding a scoop of ice cream to my treats (a la mode)! But first I was on the quest for the BEST vanilla ice cream sold in a 3 GAL tub in the Visalia/Tulare area!

I stopped by Smart & Final one day in Visalia off Mooney and saw they had the Thrifty vanilla ice cream sold by the 3 GAL. Yes, Thrifty as in the brand that we all know and love when you buy a scoop (or two) of ice cream at Rite Aid! It’s super creamy and ultra delicious! I think people began to also realize this because I have had the hardest time finding it at either Smart & Final location in Visalia lately. I had a big event coming up, the Springville Apple Festival and I wanted to have the Thrifty ice cream there for my customers but when I went to both locations in Visalia, all they had was their First Street brand vanilla ice cream! I was super bummed because it doesn’t even come CLOSE to Thrifty.

In a time crunch, I went ahead and bought two First Street vanillas cuz I really needed ice cream at the event. But something told me to look up other Smart & Final’s in the area and I saw they had one in Tulare. When I pulled them up on Yelp.they had terrible reviews because of the customer service. I was like “Okay, I’m gonna call them and see if they can turn around their 2 star reviews and give them a chance to deliver EXCELLENT customer service for me”. And they did just that!

I called them at about 10am asking if they had any Thrifty vanilla ice cream in a 3 GAL tub”. The employee put me on hold and came back and said “We’re out BUT let me see if our truck is due to have any on it. It’s coming today around noon. ” She put me on another brief hold and said “Yes! The truck is gonna have 3 Thrifty vanilla ice creams on it! Would you like me to put one aside for you when it arrives? ” I asked her if I could have 2 please and she said sure! I also asked if it’s possible to exchange my two First Streets for the Thrifty, she said no problem! Just bring your receipt.

So once noon rolls around, I call them to confirm if the truck has indeed arrived with the Thrifty vanilla ice cream. It had and she reassured me they already had my two Thrifty’s set aside with my name on them all ready for pick up! So I pack my car with my ice chest and ice packs, go to my kitchen here in Visalia to pick up the First Street ice creams from my freezer and drive down to Tulare ensuring they don’t melt and make the exchange. Right when I walk in I noticed they had pulled my Thrifty ice creams out of the freezer and put them on a dolly by the registers in anticipation of my visit!

HUGE shoutout to Daisy in the freezer section (and I believe the managers name was Jaclyn)! You saved my event and it wouldn’t have been possible without your outstanding customer service and going above and BEYOND to help a stressed small business owner with something as simply as vanilla ice cream! 10/10 HIGHLY recommend!

Very rude young workers working there, all had an attitude had to ask about 3 workers and neither helped me! They are definitely in need of better customer service skills!

I always come here to bulk buy but my cashier daizy was being super rude I asked for bags and she only gave me one? And she just tossed my stuff on the side, the rest of the stuff I had to carry by hand and on top of that she was talking and giggling with her co workers and taking forever and on top of that she over charged me I didn't complain because it was 3 dollars and I'm in a hurry on top of that there was people behind me, if people don't like there job thats understandable but don't take it out on people, this place needs better management because the one they have here seems to be too relaxed and especially very rude and laid back and this isn't the first time they seem to have people going in to buy stuff from them so I will have to go somewhere else.

I fine what I need and smart and final especially around the holiday seasons the cashiers are very pleasant and friendly in the store is very clean I will continue to go back into the store.

The worst Smart and Final I trade with on a regular basis. To many empty shelves or product locations. Sometimes they don't have everything that is advertised in the sales papers. Not nearly as enjoyable as Visalia and or Handord locations

Excellent service nice clean store and its kept well stocked some hard to find items are stocked here as well.

This store has it all its well stocked.very clean.fast service.friendly employees. I never leave empty handed. I find meats well priced juices frozen items sodas.can veggies fresh veggies all well priced stop by and try it you won't be sorry

It's a great place to shop always go for the ads and sales great produce Bakery frozen foods customer service is excellent very clean store highly recommended to shop with family and friends it's very very clean store

Smooth going in the morning. They had 6 out of 7 items I went in for. Cashier was friendly.

This place is better than Walmart. It's loke a mini Sam's club with option to buy bulk in everything. Prices are better than Walmart. A lot of selection for every product. Place was clean. You have fresh produce section too. 10/10

Customer service is great, employees are always friendly and efficient. They struggle to keep product on the shelf and routinely or out of product I routinely purchase. Not sure why the Visalia store can maintain stock.

Good place to buy bulk with out a membership. Some things are cheaper elsewhere some not. Really depending what your looking for. Everything from huge roll of cling wrap to Dino nuggets. Friendly staff.

It was very busy, could not find staff when needed, but my cashier Vanessa was very sweet and patient

Cashier was very nice and friendly my only complaint was that they are out of everything that was on the sales ad and the sales barely started today