Giant Eagle
Reviews and Complaints

this place in robinson pa. is terrible and ruined my life. please fire and imprison the employees and shut it down.

As a resident of the Downtown Pittsburgh community, I recognize Giant Eagle as one of the largest grocery store chains of the region. As a result, I had the expectation that your chain would provide a pleasant experience when I went shopping at the Southside location. However, I have been a patron of the Southside Giant Eagle for about 7 months now and, at first, I thought I was just at the store at a bad time, but I have finally determined that it always seems to be a “bad time” in this store.

It did not matter if I went to the Southside Giant Eagle at 9AM on a Sunday, or 3PM on a Saturday, there were almost always only 3 or 4 registers being operated by cashiers who did not seem to understand what it means to work with a sense of purpose or urgency. Consequently, the lines in this location are consistently long when there's surely no reason for them to be.

Simply put, I am just asking Giant Eagle to investigate the efficiency of operations at the Southside Giant Eagle location, specifically the checkout process. Since grocery shopping is something everyone has to do, it would make the experience more enjoyable if the checkout lines did not take almost ten minutes to get through all the time, even when it is not even busy in the store. A simple solution to this problem would be to have more checkout lanes open during busier times in the day.

All 4 GetGo's to which I have regular access are using sub-standard "everything" bagels for their breakfast sandwiches. They just don't taste good any more! This has been an ongoing problem for at least two (2) years and no one has responded with ANY answer or indeed with any response of any type at all, either directly to me or as a general communique posted somewhere, or as any change in the product sold. I have submitted emails to the local stores as well. I have spoken personally with store managers, to no avail. What's the story folks? My business is going elsewhere. It may not be as convenient, but taste wins out...hands down! Giant Eagle prices are the highest in this market segment any way. I have already (several years ago!) severely reduced the amount of products I buy and times I visit my local Giant Eagle & Market District supermarkets.

On Thursday Sept 24, 2015 I was scheduled to work 9am to 4pm. I had to reschedule due to the fact that I was sick. I saw my family doctor who advised me not to work for the next 4 days. I was given a Doctors order slip to give to the company. When I called to tell them what I was advised I was immediately told that I no longer had a job that they needed someone who would be able to work when needed. I was able to speak with Jordan the manager of the Morgantown, WV Giant Eagle and was suppose to meet with him on Saturday, Sept 26, 2015 at 830am. I showed up to the store only to discover that he was not there. So I left to go get something to drink and was intending on coming back to the store, but instead had to be taken back to the hospital because of having issues breathing. When I got home I had 3 very nasty phone messages from Jordan the last message saying that he would not be calling me again. This company has some serious issues, and for me to be told that I have to let the store know of my every move is stupid. Sorry but my health comes first!

I've read several complaints from various sites on Giant Eagle AKA Tamarkin and I have to say...shady! I have worked for them and had several friends who happen to be in various management positions and the company treats its employees okay on the surface but within each department and store it’s a totally different story. I assume or imagine that it's not the corporate policy to allow discrimination against women, the LGBT community, against people who have worked for the company for 20+ years, sexual harassment, "boys" clubs, and a few other things I witnessed.
I worked in the prepared foods department for various team leads some of whom were absolutely awesome and others who were completely horrible. I witnessed managers who would team up and have "boys" clubs where only men were allowed to enter. I witnessed several cases of sexual harassment's and discrimination claims that were reported to Brad the HR representative and nothing would happen if you were certain individuals within the company. First off the HR people were lucky to be there maybe twice a week for a couple of hours per shift, when they were there it always seemed they were too busy to be there for their employees. I witnessed a few people who were able to go in and complain about other individuals and either write ups or termination occurred to that other people without any kind of way to dispute the claims.
The newest store leader (Kevin) came in and within 6 months had replaced almost every team lead in the entire store, two were fired (fairly as they were changing dates on food for customers) two others transferred overnight literally never to be seen or heard from again (unless you were close friends). One woman supposedly had a slight disagreement with Kevin and was gone the next day transferred without cause or reason other than the store leader simply didn't like her. Funny thing everyone that filled the newly vacant spots within the departments had previously worked with him at other stores. Those that couldn't be transferred and had no other grievances against them were terminated for things that could have easily been actions that a simple coaching and feedback session would have warranted.
One of the Leads that I loved who was awesome and fair to everyone changed some times for employees who would come in late. I don't just mean one or two people I mean everyone. And by change times I don't mean she hid it or tried to keep it a secret. The other team leads would say go to "so and so" and they will put the correct time in. She was compassionate and understood when cars broke down, sitters didn't show up or you woke up late. She would accommodate you the best she could and adjust your time (at no expense to the company for most employees as there is a 7 minute rule for the company where no money is gained by the employee within that window). She was pulled in without notice and told she was falsifying records, she sincerely claimed she was unaware of the policy because she was allowed to let employees leave when she saw fit per the business needs same as she did when an employee came in late. In any other position she had ever held in management time was recorded but changes were allowed at the discretion of management. It wasn't as if the several employees were late everyday just a few times here and there. Needless to say they brought her in told her they were "considering" firing her but needed to do further "investigation". So they made her work another week and a half knowing that at any moment she could be fired when she deserved a small slap on the wrist and a coaching and feedback session. She was terminated just before Thanksgiving only to find out her replacement was there the day after she was gone (guess what he too worked for Kevin). And from other people who are currently still working there the new manager is doing the same things the other was fired for. ***Update she tried to file for unemployment as she should have been entitled but was rejected three times to do a final appeal with the unemployment office and Tamarkin. Edmond Ehrhardt the Tamarkin representative yelled and would not let her speak. Made her cry he was such an a**hole. He never let her talk even interrupted the unemployment rep and told him how to do his job! If people like this are allowed to represent GE I will do everything in my power to make sure that people are aware of the way they treat their employees. (Keep in mind this team lead was praised and given a great raise just before she was fired was told by the new store leader she didn’t deserve it but it was done from the previous leader so he had to give it to her, she constantly made their monthly goals and was praised consistently by the previous store manager before her termination. She had no write ups of any kind and had never in the year she was with the company ever had any kind of complaint against her.)
Another manager named Dennis Gaither who was mentioned in another posting about Giant Eagle was also a temporary lead for the department. He was hated across the board because he constantly would take credit for work done by team members. It got so bad people would call in before their shifts and ask if he was working if he was some would call out. It's pretty bad when you have to call out of a job to not work with your manager. He would also yell and constantly cut down his employees and would take over employee positions and kick them out of the positions they were trained for. He was a majorly glorified employee that was getting paid major bucks to cook the daily hot bar. He was constantly calling out and claiming "vacation time" as he was a long time (14+ years) employee at last minutes when coverage was needed making other leads have to scramble to find coverage or end up staying 12 or more hour shifts to cover. He even went as far as to tell a team lead (in the presence of about 2 or three other employees) that if anything happens and he has to throw you under the bus to save himself he would/will. He was completely serious. There was no joking haha it was a very specific point he wanted to make known that you were on your own. He was an all-around bad guy.
The Deli lead was terminated for date changes and her assistant lead should have been in line for her position he was trained and was the temporary lead for the department for over 6 months when she left, making it run smoothly. Once the new store leader took over he brought in one of his people and the 20+ year employee who rightfully should have had the position was ousted without a backwards glance.
The assistant store leader witnessed a department assistant throw a trash can across the department in front of customers and said it was okay for the assistant to do so because he was just having a bad day. In what universe is it okay for a grown man to throw a temper tantrum, throw a trashcan in front of customers and its okay? I've worked in several corporations in upper management roles and have never witnessed behavior such as that and not had a formal write up at the very least given.
I've read some of the review of people who claim it's a great company and perhaps within their stores and/or departments it may be but please be aware that not every store is this way. I was a good employee never got in trouble or written up for anything I was never fired either as I know some may think I'm just a bitter employee who was fired and giving a bad review. It's not the case. I didn't hate the company until I opened my eyes to see what they truly did to their employees most specifically their team leads and managers. I’ll add that most of the Columbus market for GE is not protected by a union so when they find something they want to get rid of you for they do without notice or just cause. I’ve read reviews about how the company is supposed to be so tolerant and excepting of people and again I have to dispute it. I know if it’s happening in this store it’s certainly happening in others. Maybe some are more under the rug so to speak and others are on the surface but even still it’s ridiculous that individual store leaders let some many of these things happen with no consequence. That certain people are protected and others are left to their own defense.
I should mention that again I’m not a fired bitter employee. I’m a very educated person who needed a temporary adjustable job to supplement my income while I was completing my third undergrad and master’s degree. I quit on my own and have an analyst position at the local university so I’m not someone who is just ranting because I’m mad at my personal situation with the company. Do yourself a favor and don’t work for them. Don’t trust them if you do. Have your own back because if push comes to shove most will throw you under the bus.

I was disrepected and had racist comments made towards me in front of other customers and my family. Then "Karen" turned off my pump and caused me to lose out on my fuel perks discount.

Giant Eagle Retail stores in Ohio do not train us well at all. Then the customer gets mad when things take time, and myself as an employee has to take the abuse of the customers. The company does not even let you tell what happened. There is a manager at the BlackLick store Susie N/A they just automatically assume the customer does not or is not a lair. They pay like crab, and expect you to be belittled and look up to management like their god. I feel they are taking advantage of the crisis this country is in, and how disparate people are to try to make a buck just to live. It's ashame we have to bite our tongues every day just to put food on the table! Does anyone agree with me?

Giant Eagle (at least the one near me) is selling Escolar as cod which makes you quite sick. I have confirmed this and it is happening quite often now according to many online sources. I am not sure if Giant Eagle is to blame or their distributor. The fish looks and tastes identical to cod but the after effects are unmistakable and could only be caused by Escolar. I am not sure how widespread this is, but thought I would pass it along. This fish is also knows at butter fish and is banned in several countries as it is quite potent.

More info can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escolar

When I have gone to use my 20 cents or 30 cents off at the pumps for gas, it comes up no points. I know it only is good for 90 days, I bought some gift cards 2 weeks ago that brought my amount off gas to 30 cents a gallon. If the amount that was on the card before the 2weeks ago made it go past the 90 days (which I don't think it was) they should still leave the amount from the purchases of the past 2 weeks. This is the third and last time they will do this to me! I will buy my gift cards and other items from other stores in the area. And there are plenty of gas stations around that are less expensive.