A & Z Convenience Store - St Albans

Sherryl

I have recently had a very bad experience with this store and if there’s an -0 score in here, I will 💯 choose it. Firstly, please allow me to explain why this store need to be avoided at all cost.

I am normally a supporter of small stores and I for one will encouraged to patronise your own local store.However, the experience I had with the “owner” -as (he called himself- this is my store was so horrible and a bit traumatic.

I went to collect and send my yodel parcel and said good morning to the guy. His face suddenly went dark and proceeded to be a little uneasy with me knowing that I am not buying but sending a parcel. Mind you, I have some purchases here before as well and as a customer, I was always polite.

The owner has left me embarrassed by shouting at me that I was trying to destroy the front of the till where the sweets and the chocolate are kept and rudely said I was leaning on them - to my gasp and exasperation! I swear I was holding my box and not destroying anything! I am petite of 5’2 and not in any case would do such a thing. I explained my side and still can’t believe he treated me like a child. I guess he was just targeting me and and I’m still baffled why! There was an argument where I have to tell him that this is not right and I came to his store politely and not in my intention to cause abuse of words or harm in any way. He said I was just going there for this service!!! I still can’t believe that I was going to be treated like a child and thrown some spectacular accusations! All I want is to get and send my Yodel parcel which “they provide”. The guy is totally out of line and yes. OUTRAGEOUSLY RUDE to a woman like me but I guess he picked the wrong one. The customer service is appalling and so unprofessional! Accepting a service - Yodel and not being happy about it is totally wrong! Avoid this store at all cost if you don’t want to be treated and verbally abused like me.

M O.

The store owner was very polite and welcoming. Has atm in shop

Neil H.

I’m going to try and be fair and balanced with my review, I have been a regular customer here for many years and have mostly always received good service here, they usually have what ever it is that I need. As local business myself, I always endeavour to try and shop in small local businesses whenever possible, and especially since the large Co-Op opened just across the road a few years ago. Until a few days ago, I would have given them a 4 Star review. However, I was really very disappointed this weekend when I purchased an item there that when I got home turned out to be faulty and by this time they had already closed. I returned the following day and politely explained the issue, I didn’t ask for a refund and I only asked for it to be exchanged for another. The chap behind the till immediately and rudely told be that it my problem as it was a manufacturers issues and then flatly refused my request, I explained that this is not correct and that I was entitled to either an exchange or refund under my consumer rights and that to the contrary, it was them would need to take it up with wherever they originally purchased it from, which again was sadly refused. In fairness, I realised that he isn’t the shop owner and maybe he isn’t allowed to authorise to deal with this type of problem, so after continued discussions he then called the owner for permission and this was also refused, In my opinion this is not the way a local business should customers and especially regularly ones. There are so many people that I know locally, that like me, choose to shop there rather than go across the road where there is a bigger selection of items available and most things are cheaper, purely out of loyalty. I would never post or write a review suggesting that anybody should avoid here, although maybe consider what you are purchasing if it’s something that could potentially be faulty and need returning. I’m sure that most people probably haven’t experienced this kind of poor customer service, but sadly I will not be shopping here again in the future, so not wanting to sound petty I feel my 3 star review is extremely fair.

Michael D.

Disgusted with the attitude of the owner. Having been a local resident for 15 years I frequently visit this shop for drinks and snacks, however I’ll never return. Having just popped in for some lottery tickets, the owner laid into me suggesting I didn’t trust his ability to count, and that I only come in for lottery tickets. Well, this is the first time I’ve ever bought lottery tickets from him, and will certainly be the last. His attitude was completely unacceptable and unnecessary- I really cannot understand why he got so upset and angry. Clearly having a bad day. I told him in no uncertain terms I would never set foot in his shop again. Such a shame as the old owner was so nice and pleasant.

Akaash 1.

Nice guy at the till, quite small and cramped but overall they have good stock and low prices, what you expect in a convenience store.

vb V.

The owner is extremely rude, staff is unhelpful and store is wrecked. It has won the award of ‘ the WORST inconvenience store in St Albans’.

Ben M.

Always stuff in stock, always really nice to customers you couldn't ask for more from a shop like this.

Edward B.

Charming, courteous and very helpful staff, especially during the current Covid-19 crisis. Many thanks to Rajeed, his wife and assistants.