“I’ve been a notable Yuppiechef addict for many years, going back to no stores, online only and the Steenberg warehouse. It’s my happy fun place!
So last Tuesday I took two friends, one an overseas visitor, to the Cavendish Square shop, assuring her she would find the best ever nifty gifts in store.
I’ve never been so embarrassed by something I’ve recommended. It was about 2.45 and the two ladies didn’t give any sign of being aware that we’d entered the store. My friend stood at the counter and had to ask for service, which was given with a grudge and no enthusiasm. Furthermore the item was marked at one price and charged at another and the lady made a big show of showing the price on the item on the shelf and that it matched the amount she had rung up. Obviously the prices had been changed and 1 or 2 items had not been remarked with the new price. This customer was made to feel very comfortable and unwelcome and my other friend who had come in for a specific item was so angry at the lack of service she just walked out.
I know you have expanded rapidly but if you don’t have the passionate, cheerful, enthusiastic staff that are at Constanta Village it’s going to fall flat.
You’ve got great stores with great products but they need to be staffed by the same standards as the Constantia Village team-I know they’re pretty unbeatable but it’s what management should be aiming for in all the stores.”
“Today I rang Yuppiechef to enquire about Wusthof knives that I wanted to buy to the value of R3 600. The lady on the other end of the phone said they do not have those knives in stock so I asked which was the nearest branch to them and if I should try the Sandton branch.
She replied in saying I could try driving there. I asked what the Yuppiechef process is - do they have a system to check up on first before going through. She said it's best I drive to the different branches or go check online myself. I explained I work full time and don't have the time nor the petrol to drive to a number of stores and enquired for a 4th time if there was a way of checking up on the system whether stock was present before wasting my time and petrol.
After 10min of trying to ask what process they have for helping customers, she eventually agreed to check on the instore system. She said stock is at Sandton and I could drive through at my own risk because sometimes what is on the system doesn't accurately reflect what is in the store.
I asked whether she can check that or if I were to look it up myself. Once again she encouraged me to rather drive to the store myself and that a store somewhere would have the knives aswell as well as being able to try online.
I asked to speak to someone who could please assist me with stock availability anywhere in the country before driving to that store.
Another person came on the line and when checked , I was told they do infact carry both the knives that I needed at that very store. I had to turn the car around and go all the way back.
I have never had such poor customer service at any store in all my life.
I was infuriated at the aspect that not even a little help was offered and it took me 10 min to "bleed blood from a stone" only to find they do infact carry stock right there.
I expressed my disappointment at the store and infact was so angered upon arrival to which I got an apology. I somehow don't think an apology will change the actions going forward. I was told this person was new and had been at Yuppiechef for 6 months. I wondered how many other customers were turned away and how much money the store was losing as a result. I doubt I was the first customer this happened to.
Sadly I will never return to Yuppiechef again anywhere in the country. This incident completely tainted my lenses to the brand which I had always seen as premium. I will be buying my chef knives elsewhere in the future as well as other items.”
“Bought a very expensive item from these people based on all the glowing reviews said item had received. Big mistake! The item turned out to be atrociously designed and poorly engineered, and I don't see how any sentient being that hasn't been living under a rock for the past 30 years could give this thing a five-star review. So, I went out of my way to write an honest review detailing some of the multitude issues with the product, generously giving it 2 stars out of 5. Well, a week later, the review remains unpublished. No feedback either. Oh, well, maybe they didn't like my writing style. But, wait, what's that? Most of the products on Yuppiechef appear to be 5-star wonders, so I attempted to submit a positive review of the same product. Behold, the dreaded "Something went wrong" is all I got in return for my efforts. Looks to me like I have now been banned from reviewing things on this site or from saying things in general. Here's some facts for you, Yuppiechef: the reviews aren't there for your enjoyment or to promote the products you're selling. People go out of their way to write them to help other people make informed decisions concerning products they are considering purchasing from your business. To pick and choose and therefore deny these people access to ALL other customers' reviews is unethical and borders on fraudulent when a profit motive is involved. Stay away from these people!”
“Completed a refund 2 weeks ago with Yuppiechef. First I have issues with them collecting and I am still awaiting my refund! Such disappointing service.”
