Publix and Hess Stations were the only places selling half & half without any additives. Publix was more reasonable. I do not buy Publix cream any longer. I buy my cream at WalGreens but it is more expensive. So I have a choice, pay more money or stop buying cream altogether.

Do you intend, any time soon going back to producing your half & half without additives?

I do my best to buy mostly produce and never any packaged or prepared foods with the exception of low sodium products.

Modern technology has prolonged the shelf life of our food and shortened ours.

The money I spend on food is still cheaper than for doctors and drugs.

I worked for a Publix at 13th and 39th in Gainesville, FL. When I joined the Deli, I agreed to my hourly salary at 7.75/hr.

At Publix there are three job evaluations for the first year (one at three months, then next at 6 months, and then next at a year) and two evaluations a year after that.

I received my first evaluation on time. I received a wage increase promptly due to the increase in my quality of work, never being late, and 'being a team player'.

Between my first evaluation and my second evaluation, the deli manager changed. This manager and I did not get along (nor did he get along with most of the other deli workers). I continued to do my job, irregardless of my personal feelings for the new manager, and continued to get better at my job and come to work early/on time.

After the new manager was there for 2 months, I decided that I wanted to transfer stores as there was a store 20 mins closer to home that had an opening in both the deli and meat dept. I was told by both my manager, assistant manger, and store(!) manager that I could not transfer stores for another month. When I asked, I was told that I was the only person so far to request a transfer.

So another month roles around and I ask again. None of the managers recalled that I had requested a transfer and said that there were others who had requested a transfer before me, so I would need to wait.

To make matters worse I found out that a new hire was being paid 9.25/hr while I was being paid 8.25/hr. When it came time for my evaluation (which came 3 weeks after it was supposed to), I was told that I would be getting a raise of .25/hr, b/c I had been late 2 times (mind you I had never been late for work or from a break, ever) and I was "not being much of a team player" for the past 3 months.

I asked if I was preforming better than the new hire, I was told yes. Then I asked why I wasn't being paid appropriately, in turn I got a blank stare. I said the new hire is being paid 9.25/hr and is expected to do less work than me (on account of her learning the ropes), why am I being paid less? My assistant manager said that she didn't know how much the new hire was paid nor could she know until her evaluation (that's a lie, btw, the managers and assistant managers have access to that information and know it before the new hire's first day, the information is usually in their desk, in a folder).

I complained to my store assistant manager and store manager. I got no response from them. I decide to call out the next day (Sunday) and looked for new work. I found a new job (with better pay) and resigned on Monday. Later (after a few months) I found out from a friend, who was working at another Publix in Gainesville, that I had been lied to and could have filed all the paper work to transfer whenever I wanted to.

So current and future employees beware of Publix:

1. You should enter your evaluation with all your facts ready and if possible a copy of your time sheets. Also have them set a time and date for the eval, not just whenever they want to do it, you have the right to be ready for it. And the evaluation should occur withing two weeks of the proper evaluation date.

2. If you ever want to transfer and the management won't let you, go over their heads and call corporate. Call the regional manager and district manager if you need to. Also, talk to other store managers and ask about the process of transferring. Some stores really need experienced workers and will work with you to get you transferred to their store.

Although I did not have to wait in line at there store I did however discover that publix uses bulbs in there meat case to enhance the color. I bought a package if rib-eye steaks that looked fine in the store but the moment i stepped outside, you would not believe the color!! There is a grocery chain down here called Winn-Dixie and it may not have all the nice decor of a publix you can guarantee that there meat is the best. I always buy from there. I just hope they hang around!

Please consider a change in your music selections for food shoppers. Right now I run in and run out - FAST- picking up the two-fers only because the so-called "music" puts me in a Very BAD MOOD. I can't wait to get out!

Some palatable or lighter strains of listening moods are plentiful and available. Why not accommodate your shopping clientile instead of 20 or 30 year old people? Many of my friends also wish for this change. You want customers happy while shopping and certainly feel somewhat happy when they leave. I never feel that way when I leave any Publix.

I"ve made this comment to people at the service desks from time to time with their comment to me that we have no control over this. We just tune it out."

Sorry, but my friends and I can't do this and shouldn't have to choose that option.

If your excuse is to please the workers while they do their job, please consider the pleasing of the customers who are spending their hard-earned money for groceries.

Majority rules, I hope, in this case. Thank you for your time and consideration.

I might add that Publix is rated high in my book for their store presence and friendliness and organization of stock items.
But, I'm going to have to make a choice whether I continue to shop Publix in the future. Would you plese respond to this e-mail. Thank you.

Have shopped Publix for many years in FL & GA. Not sure what their customer service issues are but after 25 years I won't be shopping there again. Just a recent list of issues:
Briarcliff Village Cashier, the only one open steps away to make coffee, when I asked the assistant manager, Dagmar, where the cashier went she stupidly says..."to make coffee, she'll be back in a few minutes." I left a full cart of groceries on the conveyor belt.
Briarcliff Village Deli: waited 10 minutes for service and no one was there. Ended up getting store manager to wait on me.
Hugh Howell Express lane 10 ITEMS OR LESS: Today went to grab a few items, the person ahead of me had 40 items in her cart and the cashier did not say a word. Spoke to store manager Irene and her response was "we don't make a customer go to another line" The other 8 people behind me were also upset.
Why have an express lane if you don't intend to enforce the rules???

Called consumer relations in Lakeland FL. Pam, could not have been less interested.

Publix is now off my list of stores my family and I will frequent. Theres Kroger, Ingles, Whole Foods and others thank goodness as customer service at Publix is a thing of the past.