Is returning ‘awful’ produce, meat to store an option?
Dear Heloise: When is it OK to return fresh produce or fresh meat to the grocery store? Obviously if it’s spoiled, but what if the produce has no taste? Example: A watermelon or peaches. Sometimes they have no taste, and peaches can be mealy or dry.
What if the meat is tough? I realize the grocers have little control over this. With peaches, if one or two aren’t good, I can return the leftover fruit. With meat, we eat it anyway and there’s nothing to return. — Wants to Do the Right Thing, via email
Great question! I have returned produce — some tomatoes, etc., that were just awful. The produce manager even agreed with me.
Most stores are happy to either replace or refund the price of the item.
Meat may be a different story, especially if you have eaten the whole thing. Something that is costly, such as meat, is a lot to ask the store to refund in this situation.
It may have been just that cut, the way it was cooked — there are too many variables. If this happens several times with the same cut of meat, from the same store, ask the butcher! — Heloise
P.S.: Readers, want to weight in? How would you handle this situation, and has it happened to you?
No lost socks
Dear Heloise: Sorting socks after washing was tedious, and losing one of a pair was common.
I solved both by keeping safety pins in my sock drawer. Simply pin a pair together and send down the laundry chute. Automatically sorted. No more lonely single socks. — Dr. William D., Spokane, Wash.
Single-cup coffee
Dear Heloise: Do you own a one-cup coffee maker that uses regular coffee (not the prepacked single-serving pods)? Try this:
Take a paper napkin or facial tissue and cut into squares. Round off the edges and place one in the filter container, along with 1 or 2 tablespoons of coffee. Continue with directions. — Lois N., Corona, Calif.
Super! I’ve done this in hotels. — Heloise
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000.