u/Flourcoveredkitchin

Yesterday I placed an order for delivery using Wegmans app. I was home so indicated to simply leave the groceries at the door; within 10 seconds of receiving the text indicating my order was delivered, I went to my door. There was no delivery.

While still out on my porch I immediately sent a text and called the text message number that confirmed my order and delivery, neither was answered.

I immediately called customer service at the Wake Forest Wegmans store where I placed the order. The first customer rep said they could not help me and needed to transfer me. The second customer rep asked me how I placed the order; I stated I used their Wegmans app. He stated orders placed on their app had nothing to do with them and I needed to contact Instacart. We went round and round about the fact that I didn’t place the order on Instacart, but on Wegmans’ app. He insisted there was no way for them to resolve the problem because Instacart handled all deliveries and it was an Instacart problem.

I called the Instacart number he gave me. Instacart CS rep said they could see I had an order, but stated since it was placed on the Wegmans app they had no access to any payment information and could not even see the details, so could not resolve any problem. They said I needed to contact Wegmans directly.

After a bit of back-and-forth about Wegmans insisting they could not resolve the problem and it was an Instacart problem, they connected me to Wegmans corporate customer service.

Wegmans corporate CS rep stated the Wake Forest store CS was incorrect in stating the store is not responsible for delivery issues for orders placed on their app. In the past, Instacart ran the delivery app for Wegmans. But Wegmans took it over a year or so ago. While Instacart does the shopping and delivery, Wegmans controls the app.

She refunded the Wegmans charge of $65 for the undelivered groceries, and the 30% ($25) tip I gave to the driver. However, Instacart charged a separate $15 service fee of which I was not refunded. Wegmans did issue me a digital coupon for $10 to apply to a future purchase. So my net loss is $5.

While $5 is not going to hurt me financially, the fact that Instacart charged me for a grocery delivery order I did not receive is concerning. If Instacart is keeping delivery fees of $15 from every customer who did not receive their orders, under the guise that they cannot access payment information from their third-party partner’s apps, they are essentially scamming consumers. I don’t blame Wegmans because it is Instacart keeping delivery charges for services that were not rendered. I just wanted people to be aware of what Instacart is doing when consumers use a third-party partner app to place orders fulfilled by them.

I looked at the La Coupole website a number of times over the past few months, but hesitated to order a banneton bcause I was skeptical about their claims of a splinter-free banneton. But my frustration with all the crappy ones I own finally got the best of me, and I ordered one.

I’ve purchased a lot of bannetons over the years, both rattan and wood pulp, from Breadtopia, Saint Germain, Central Milling, Amazon, Flourside, and Brod & Taylor, just to name a few. All have had issues: rattan covered in splinters, cracks and large gaps, and horrible shaping; wood pulp with soft spots and way to narrow bottoms that restrict necessary expansion during the long cold fermentation. Literally every liner I bought from Breadtopia was delivered with a hole in the seam.

Only fellow sourdough bakers will understand the surge of joy and the happy dance I did in my kitchen when I unboxed this beautiful banneton! Not a single splinter in sight. No cracks. No gaps. And not only is it smooth, it’s beautifully constructed with balanced in shape! The bottom is not too narrow or too wide. It has just the right depth. The liner is really well made. I use a liner with 80% hydration doughs and above. So I am thrilled to have one delivered without holes. I am soooo excited!

There’s no icon for me to post a photo. but trust me when I say the banneton I received looks just like the banneton on their website.