The United States Sun spoke exclusively with food writer and culinary teacher Cherie Mercer Twohy about Trader Joe’s convenient return policy.
Although the foodie encouraged others to take advantage of the store’s generous policy, she cautioned against sharing the secret with others.
Trader Joe’s is a popular grocery store among Americans, with a cult following of millions of customers and even tying for first place on the list of favorite US grocery stores with Publix.
While traditional grocery stores such as Publix, Target, and Walmart excel at providing convenience, tempting deals, and a vast selection of products, Trader Joe’s outperforms in other areas.
The specialty grocery store is known for a variety of things, including imported goods, store brand products, a quirky atmosphere, creative signage, seasonal items, and low prices.
Trader Joe’s is also well-known for its helpful employees and friendly customer service, with the chain’s culture exemplified by its generous return policy.
Cherie Mercer Twohy, a food writer and Trader Joe’s fanatic, has praised the policy, which is well-liked by customers.
She has written four books about the chain and spent 15 years teaching thousands of students how to appreciate Trader Joe’s food products.
Twohy spoke exclusively with The Sun about what makes Trader Joe’s return policy unique and how customers can save money when shopping at the chain.
PRAISED POLICY
When you walk into a Trader Joe’s, you will notice that the atmosphere is completely different from that of traditional grocery stores.
Shoppers are greeted with a friendly atmosphere, which is distinguished by a small layout filled with hand-painted and bright wall art, as well as handwritten signage – a stark contrast to the massive and impersonal vibe of traditional grocery stores.
Twohy explained that one of the reasons she kept returning to Trader Joe’s was the unique and positive atmosphere, even if she had to travel 60 miles to get there.
“I very rarely have fun at a regular grocery store,” the culinary expert told The Sun. “It is only an errand. But I look forward to visiting Trader Joe’s every time.
“The corny music, the bright colors and clever signs, the lush floral displays – it all puts a smile on my face even before I get to the cheese section.”
The customer-centric ambiance is further reflected in Trader Joe’s extremely generous return policy, which Twohy encouraged fans to use.
“If you take something home to try and you do not like it, they will refund or replace on your next visit,” the customer explained.
Cherie’s Top 3 Trader Joe’s Products
Culinary expert Cherie Mercer Twohy shared her three favorite items from Trader Joe’s.
- Frozen Puff Pastry: “This winter seasonal item is an all-butter pastry, which is what we want in this flaky, laminated dough.”
- Unexpected Cheddar Cheese: “This product is full of those salty, crispy crystals – tyrosine – that good Parm has. It is my dairy-driven dog’s favorite too.”
- Roasted Oregon Hazelnuts: “Because hazelnuts are my favorites. I’m also from Oregon, and roasting them is a messy process.”
Exploring Trader Joe’s constantly evolving range of new products is one of the most exciting aspects of the company, and the company’s lenient return policy allows customers to experiment with grocery items without fear of disliking them.
The iconic grocer usually gives customers a full refund on items they do not like, even if they are opened, used, or missing a receipt.
Trader Joe’s does not have an official return window, so customers can return unwanted items even if they were purchased years ago, according to employee claims on Reddit.
The generous return policy, similar to Costco’s 100% satisfaction guarantee policy, has received high praise from Trader Joe’s customers.
Many online have called the policy “amazing,” while others have praised the store for “pretty much tak[ing] everything back.”
While the chain’s return policy is highly regarded, Twohy cautioned Trader Joe’s fans against being overly forthcoming about the policy.
She stated that, while the generous return policy is convenient, it is preferable to keep the policy under wraps to avoid abuse.
“We do not want this option to be overused, because that will ruin it for all of us,” the specialist commented.
In addition to the popular return policy, Trader Joe’s customers frequently visit the store for its unique products.
For example, customers are flocking to Trader Joe’s for its new $3.49 “sour candy belts,” and even employees are hooked.
Furthermore, the store recently launched a new rich night cream for only $9, which fans say rivals Estee Lauder’s $135 alternative.