Molding Subway
Let me share a little story with you.
A week or so before we came to Virginia, Cory and I went to breakfast at the local Subway that was in the Wal-Mart in Orange, Massachusetts. I ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich and an orange juice. We sat down to eat and after a few minutes, Cory asked me if I was going to drink that. When I looked closely at the orange juice, I saw a solid green film of mold on the rim of the bottle I’d just drunk from.
Yes, I was totally grossed out.
I checked the “sell by” date and it was something like a month past due.
I returned the bottle of orange juice to the young woman behind the counter as she offered me a replacement. The replacement bottle had the same date, in fact, the woman had to take all of the bottles out of the refrigerator and into the back room because they were all too old to be sold.
I settled for a fountain drink and waving the flies away from the machine was nowhere near as gross as the feeling I still had from the moldy orange juice.
Now, I’m not for frivilous lawsuits, but now I can see why people go that route.
I left a message on the answering machine for the Town of Orange Board of Health, as well as a brief comment on the Subway corporate website.
After moving to Virginia, I was told of a call I got from someone at the regional Subway office.
I talked to the man and for my inconvenience and negative experience, the man said he would send me Subway coupons… for two six-inch subs. No footlongs for a month, no chips, no drinks; not even a damn cookie. Like I said, now I can see why people sue.
Anyway, I accepted the offer and a couple of days ago I received the coupons. All day today, I thought about a six-inch sub for dinner. Sure, we’d push our luck and ask for double meat as the coupons said “Any” when it came to our selection. Alas, it was not to be.
We went to our local Subway with the coupons that had my name and address handwritten on it. However, the woman there told us that we could only use the coupons at the Subway where the coupon was issued. I told her the coupons came from a corporate office, and offered to show her the letter. She didn’t want to see it.
So it would appear we can’t use these coupons until we go back home to Massachusetts during the Thanksgiving holiday.
I don’t know what irritates me worse: the fact my craving for a BMT wasn’t satisfied, Subway corporate coupons are apparently regional and their restaurants don’t feel obligated to honor them, or that by being the nice guy, insult was added to injury.
And I still want a fucking BMT.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Imagine how grossed out you would have been if Cory hada spotted that after you drank it. Pardon me while I gag.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I personally cannot stand Subway when there are soo many other good sub shops to choose from. Firehouse Subs and Jimmy Johns are just two I would take any day over Subway.
And if you want some real good food Chipotle is about the best fast food chain ever. Though I might be biased being from CO where it was founded… then again the food is just that good anyways lol.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Wal-Mart has made billions buying products that have a limited shelf life when they are near their expiration date at a reduced price. Additionally, I doubt if they have an adequate system to track shelf life dates. The next time you have some time to burn, check out a few of your regular foods and compare the dates with those of your favorite grocer. You may also notice that the chips and other items may not be quite as fresh and crisp.
I first noticed this years ago when my employer stocked their soda machines from cans bought from Sam’s Club. The Coke can would feature a contest for NFL Red Zone (or something similar) and we would get it in April after the contest and season was over.
October 27th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Bob,
Seems like customer service along with employee pride has gone right out the window in the last ___ (fill in the blank) years …
I am not surprised that they did not honor your coupon – seems like corporate stores have nobody who can actually assist a customer anymore, they figure the paying public won’t take it as far as the corporate level .. and that we’ll be back … frustrated but willing to try again because that is the way ALL stores are.
Don’t go back – I would mail that damn coupon with a lovely letter stating what happened when you tried to use it right back to the corporate office – then drive down to your local grocer head over to the deli counter pick out you fav meats cheese and toppings with some fresh baked bread from the bakery and enjoy your favorite sub from a clean kitchen … OR find a local mom and pop place that is trying to make it in these hard times, we’ve got a couple here in SC that are way better than any chain place – you just have to find them – maybe tune into the food network Diners Drive-In’s and Dives show for some info on local places …
October 27th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
jeeeeeeeeze..I’ve never heard THAT one before. Granted my mom is picky about the bread at a few of the Subway restaurants we have here in Dixon, but I don’t seem to mind. I do understand the flap with a sandwich chain as we had one several years ago and were sent some coupons for our trouble as well. Can’t quite remember how it turned out though
I AM confused however – Bob, you said you went to BREAKFAST at the Subway..for a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich? I had no idea they did that. I thought they opened about 11am or so, ahead of the lunch hour?
October 28th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Certain Subway franchises don’t have to honor any naionwide offers, either.
Subway. Meat you can see through…