Ingles Markets 1141 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805

"This morning (1/17/24), at about 10:40 am I went into this Ingles (east Asheville across from VA hospital). I go here multiple times a week and typically spend hundreds of dollars a week. Today, I simply needed to go to the bathroom. I did not know at this point what would ensue. When I was getting out of my car I was approached by a woman asking for spare change. I informed her I didn’t carry cash and really just needed to use the bathroom. She said thank you, but given all the car break in’s in store parking lots I’ve seen reported lately, I decided I’d take my bag in with me even though I wasnt going to originally. I go inside, no problem. Head directly to the bathroom. Go to the bathroom. And head directly back to the front door engaging with the workers as they asked how are you today. I get all the way outside and I’m on my way to my car in the parking lot. At this point I’m approached by a man who didn’t identify himself (ended up being a security guard) and he motioned me to come back inside. My initial thought was that maybe they wanted to tell me to buy something since I used their bathroom, even though I didn’t know or think it really mattered that much. However to my surprise, I was met with a produce worker and the security guard demanding I am open my bag because “they get ripped off all the time.” When I stated I have worked in retail and know my rights and know for a fact I do not have to open my bag, I was told “convenient you don’t want to open your bag” A manager came up and essentially blew the situation off entirely even though this was all done in the entryway of the store and a crowd was gathering at this point because the worker was talking so loudly and firmly. I am visibly upset that I am falsely being accused of stealing because I have never stolen a thing in my life. I opened my bag and told the security guard to look and asked him to run their cameras back and told them that this was ridiculous. I ask them if anyone saw me even physically touch anything and no answer. Another manager finally comes up and apologized and told them to involve him next time?? At this point the produce worker say, “I’m trying to apologize and she doesn’t know how to accept an apology.” you just humiliated me in front of several customers, co workers, managers, security guard and now you’re giving me a half apology in the same firm tone you were accusing me in? sandwiching your apology by repeatedly saying you get ripped off all the time and gaslighting me saying you weren’t accusing me? That’s not an apology. and if you aren’t accusing me of stealing then why are you bringing me back into the store and demanding I open my bag and telling me you get stolen from daily? The employees of this store should be absolutely held accountable for the way this was handled. A limp apology after falsely being accused of stealing while making a scene in front of a gathering crowd does not just take back the humiliation and panic attack caused. Bob P. in produce and the security guard should have to face the consequences of not only following a customer out of the store, but then making false accusations in a public spot. If you think someone is stealing it’s a good idea to address it privately. Especially when you’re dead wrong. Needless to say, this unnecessary, stressful, and embarrassing encounter lost this Ingles a loyal customer today. I will never return. Ironically, the same produce worker was one that I saw last week using a used rag to blow his nose and put it back in his pocket and then coughing then continuing to put out produce without washing his hands. The manager was aware of this as well. Bob P is not making your store look very appealing. I’ve worked in retail and food industry management for over a decade and this type of behavior is grounds for termination. Unprofessional, unacceptable…yet there will likely be no repercussions. Bob, next time you might want to be positive someone is actually stealing before blindly accusing. you made a pregnant woman bawl her eyes out and have a panic attack for no reason"

"This store has an impressively wide selection of merchandise, and a very friendly staff. They had a LIVE CASHIER! None of that "u-scan" nonsense. I like to see this chain open a store near me."

"Due to theft they have you pay for your hot bar food at the register at the hot bar. No big deal to me. The person that helped make my food was so sweet. Then at checkout a different lady with glasses started ringing me out and forgot to ask for my ingles card. No big deal. She then got impatient with me when I told her I need those gas points. The nice person came back and said she could just manually put my phone number in. I had already warned her I had no service inside and I would have to step outside to transfer funds. A long line had formed behind me causing her to get more agitated with me. I reminded her I would have to step outside to transfer funds. A nice but aggressive man said he would just pay for it. I am pregnant and this experience caused me to cry. I spoke with a manager about the instance and he was so kind and caring."

"HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR A DISABLED PERSON WITH SERVICE DOG!! Brought my service dog as I am disabled. Dog noticed customer with Florence construction vest & barked to ALERT me as she is TRAINED to do. Instead of accommodating the disabled person -myself, as per the ADA...I was TOLD- NOT ASKED-TOLD to leave & my dog is NO LONGER ALLOWED in the store! SERIOUSLY TREATED UNFAIRLY & FELT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST! To make things EVEN WORSE- 2 employees came charging up to me claiming "that is not a service dog bc a service dog wouldn't bark" ARE U KIDDING? I am disabled & my dog is actually TRAINED & REGISTERED AS A SERVICE DOG I tried to explain the customer's florescent construction vest caused my dog to BARK as an ALERT, but they didn't listen. I chose to leave my groceries and walk out instead of arguing. I WAS NOT ONLY OFFENDED, BUT DUMFOUNDED THAT I WAS BEING TREATED THIS WAY! I later found out that customer was homeless, not a construction worker and just wearing that vest as regular clothes. But Still, I was TOLD- my highly trained service dog doing exactly what she is trained to do, was no longer allowed in that store. I've never had a problem in any other Ingles, and I frequent several different stores. HOWEVER, if this is how Ingles allows disabled customers to be treated, I may take my biz elsewhere. AWFUL EXPERIENCE, I DO NOT recommend this Ingles"

"Over priced, and like a virus in asheville. Weres foodlion? Where's the other grocery stores you find in every other city?"