I keep buying bad watermelons...

[autumn4596]

I buy watermelons and when I get home to cut them, I find that the middle of it isnt as good as the rest. It seems dry, flaky, breaks easily, it tastes sandy...does anyone know what I'm talking about?

I'm tired of buying bad watermelons. Is there a way I dont know about to find the good ones?

I read to look for green ones without the white lines, for ones heavy for its size, I cant tell much difference when slapping them...but is there something I'm missing?

Do you know if I'm allowed to return the watermelon for a new one? This one is really gross....

Jen

[tracyinfo]

I would definitely return the watermelon to the store. If they don't refund you the price you paid, I would not shop there.

The way I tell if a watermelon is good, is I knock on the melon. It should sound hollow. I don't know if this is a foolproof method, but it has so far worked for me.

Blessings

[Revvell]

I doubt you can return them although, can't hurt to ask can it?

I usually slap mine ~ looking for a really hollow sound. Usually I'm doing well w/ that. It's nice when I cut into one and it just cracks open for me.

Anyone have a better solution?

Ahhh, guess Tracy and I were typing at the same time. :)


Revvell

[Doe]

Autumn4596,

Never got a dry, sandy textured watermelon. The bad ones I end up with look like red jello inside. Usually it is because they are old or out of season. Yes, take it back. Just stick whatever is left in plastic and tote it right up to the customer service desk. If the store sells them they are responsible for finding you a good one. Ask the produce manager to cut the replacement melon open for you to see that it is good. Assure him/her that you do want the whole melon. They are usually very apologetic and glad to do this for you.


Teri

[autumn4596]

oh man, they are going to look at me so weird if I do that.... I'm an 18 year old girl....I dont even know how seriously they will take me...

[Revvell]

You are still worthy of purchasing and receiving quality foods. Do you have the receipt? If so, return it w/ the receipt. If you don't have it, they might say you purchased it from another store methinks.

[Doe]

Nobody has ever given me trouble about it. The best I remember they've always had a 'yuck" look and agreed that it should be returned. I love watermelon and spend a lot of my grocery money on them. Also I can't tell a good one from a bad one to save me. For a while when they were not in season but the store was still selling them I got every one I bought cut open first. They wrap both halves and just put the sticker on one of them. Again they need to be assured that you do want the whole melon.

I felt a lack of confidence the first time too. Like I said the customer service people felt the same way I did about it and the produce people were very accommodating about helping me get a good one and showing me that it was good. No problems.

It's up to you what you do or do not want to do about the one you have now. It doesn't have to happen again. Ask for help, that's part of what they are there for. When you get to know the people in produce they can be very helpful in other ways. Reprising spotty bananas (which is the only way we eat them), special ordering organic, getting something from the back that is fresher. It is good to talk with them whenever you shop there. They are a valuable asset.

Teri

[SwishTN]

with absolutely no problems at Wild Oats. They were extremely accomodating. I didn't actually get to eat the Melon he picked out for me, b/c I ended up leaving for something else, and gave it to my friend. I think she said that it was good, though....
I didn't even take the not so good melon back to the store. I just went in and told them what happened.

Lauri

[VeganVixen]

try calling them first ?

[rawpriestess]

I take back fruit all the time, and never once had a problem, just put it in a plastic bag, and walk right into the store, if you have your reciept great, if not, no big deal, just ask for another one.

the sandy part means it's over ripe, not big, deal won't hurt you or anything, it's just not a sweet and water-melon-ey

Also, a water melon costs what $5 $10 it's not like you're taking back a $200 dress you wore to the prom, just walk in take it to the customer service, and tell them the truth.

You might even ask THE PRODUCE manager to teach you how to pick out a good one, then whenever you go into the store, talk to that same person and make friends, they will then start saying "hi" when you are in the store, and helping you. It can be soooooo nice.

[CAdreamer]

Watermelons are tricky, for sure. I bought two the day before 4th of July. They looked like they were seedless, but lo-and-behold were filled with a ton of seeds....loss of tasty watermelon in the seedy places, and time consuming.
I have dozens of little green striped beauties growing in my garden...I just hope the intense heat we are supposed to have Tu-Th doesn't cook their little bodies.(105, 106, 105, 103....I'm wilting just thinking about it.) The largest is only about 4" in dia.

[VeganVixen]

oh yes ,the heat is wreking havoc on my garden!

[Saint Jerome]

You might even ask THE PRODUCE manager to teach you how to pick out a good one, then whenever you go into the store, talk to that same person and make friends, they will then start saying "hi" when you are in the store, and helping you. It can be soooooo nice.

That's an awesome idea!!!

On another note: Canada Safeway used to have a policy that any bad produce would get you double the money back. I once returned a watermelon that had cost me about CAN12.00 so i made 12 bucks on the deal. I think they have scrapped that policy now.

[Goldenrod]

I returned a watermelon last year with no problem. I called first and the customer service person told me just to toss the melon and bring in my receipt. Most places will cut a chunk out for you to taste before you buy. Any place with good customer service is going to be helpful and maybe I'm just lucky, but the places I currently buy my food at all have very helpful staff.

[autumn4596]

I'm definately going to go back to the store, the thing is...I'm worried that they will get another bad watermelon, open it up, then get mad at me because another one is going to waste....what if none of the watermelons are good? I got it at smart and final....I dont do much shopping there... does anyone else buy their produce there?

[Revvell]

Not I, yet, if they have any integrity they'll want to know that they are being supplied w/ poor quality produce.

So, if the next one is bad, ask for another. That's the reason you are asking them to cut them for you. Don't be shy about it. It's o.k. It's your right to have good produce. IF they get squirrely about it ask them if they would want to bring that home.

Revvell

[autumn4596]

Thanks everyone! I took it back to the store, they gave me a refund and I went to Trader joes (where I feel more comfortable with the people and their service) and I bought one for 10 cents less....yay me! No more getting things I cant see from stores I am not comfortable with.

I havent opened up the new one yet, but I'm sure it will be a lot bette than the last one...ick..

thanks again!!

[VeganVixen]

HOORAY for you! :D

[CAdreamer]

Jen...

Most of us were 18 at one time or another...some of us have to look back a
l-o-n-g ways to remember 18. I can remember not knowing what to do in many situations, sometimes just not doing anything about it, or making big blunders. Your questions about things like this are refreshing, and you deserve the encouragement and motivation to do what is right. We've all learned by trial and error....here's a story to tell you how unsure I was at 16 about how to handle a situation.

I stopped by a lunch counter in a dime store (I'm REALLY dating myself here) on my way to work. I ordered a tuna sandwich and the lady behind the counter made it for me. As she was spreading the tuna on one piece of bread, she sneezed right on it !!! I didn't know what to do, and didn't want to embarrass her, or myself, , so I just ate it !~!~!~!~! Can you believe it...I'd NEVER do that now...but I didn't have anyone to ask and I was afraid to stand up for myself, and it called for an immediate decision.

Experience is a great teacher...however, if you ask what you think might be a silly question here, and get a good answer, then you don't have to go through the awful experience of trial and error.

[VeganVixen]

Jen...

Most of us were 18 at one time or another...some of us have to look back a
l-o-n-g ways to remember 18. I can remember not knowing what to do in many situations, sometimes just not doing anything about it, or making big blunders. Your questions about things like this are refreshing, and you deserve the encouragement and motivation to do what is right. We've all learned by trial and error....here's a story to tell you how unsure I was at 16 about how to handle a situation.

I stopped by a lunch counter in a dime store (I'm REALLY dating myself here) on my way to work. I ordered a tuna sandwich and the lady behind the counter made it for me. As she was spreading the tuna on one piece of bread, she sneezed right on it !!! I didn't know what to do, and didn't want to embarrass her, or myself, , so I just ate it !~!~!~!~! Can you believe it...I'd NEVER do that now...but I didn't have anyone to ask and I was afraid to stand up for myself, and it called for an immediate decision.

Experience is a great teacher...however, if you ask what you think might be a silly question here, and get a good answer, then you don't have to go through the awful experience of trial and error.

yes, I feel like this too!!!! exept I would NEVER let someone sneeze on my food ,let alone, order a tuna fish sandwich ;) :p

[autumn4596]

Jen...

Most of us were 18 at one time or another...some of us have to look back a
l-o-n-g ways to remember 18. I can remember not knowing what to do in many situations, sometimes just not doing anything about it, or making big blunders. Your questions about things like this are refreshing, and you deserve the encouragement and motivation to do what is right. We've all learned by trial and error....here's a story to tell you how unsure I was at 16 about how to handle a situation.

I stopped by a lunch counter in a dime store (I'm REALLY dating myself here) on my way to work. I ordered a tuna sandwich and the lady behind the counter made it for me. As she was spreading the tuna on one piece of bread, she sneezed right on it !!! I didn't know what to do, and didn't want to embarrass her, or myself, , so I just ate it !~!~!~!~! Can you believe it...I'd NEVER do that now...but I didn't have anyone to ask and I was afraid to stand up for myself, and it called for an immediate decision.

Experience is a great teacher...however, if you ask what you think might be a silly question here, and get a good answer, then you don't have to go through the awful experience of trial and error.


wow....I've been getting better at stuff like that. I would ask for no cheese or non dairy...and now I dont care...its their mistake....they can feel however because my health doesnt need to suffer because of their mistake.... I'm trying to get better about things like that...sending it back, returning things..... Thank you for sharing your experience though, its gonna stick with me for a while, every time I feel unsatisfied with what I've gotten and feel I should get a new one or something...good story...