The 1 Customer Request Trader Joe’s Employees Can’t Ignore

Trader Joe’s prides itself on excellent customer service. It also has a longstanding policy that benefits customers, and employees can’t ignore it.

Per Business Insider, some Trader Joe’s shoppers may be unaware of a certain policy that is part of the supermarket’s core values. Trader Joe’s often allows customers to try items before they make a purchase.

The policy allows shoppers to try any item in the store for a sample before buying it, though employees must open the item or at least be present when a customer tastes it.

However, there are certain things that customers just cannot try in the store. These include frozen vegetables, foods, or baking mixes.

Since the pandemic, not all stores adhere to this particular policy due to health concerns. Checking with your local Trader Joe’s ensures customers understand their specific store rules.

Even if a particular store doesn’t follow the policy, the retailer has a generous and liberal return policy. It allows full refunds on most items, even if they are opened.

The store allows returns of almost any item, with no official time limit from the date of purchase, whether there’s an issue with the product or the customer just didn’t like it. Customers do not have to have a receipt to be refunded for their purchase or, at least, given a comparable replacement or store credit.

On Reddit, some TJ’s employees explained that returns are essential to the customer experience. “Crew here! Returns actually help us because we track those metrics. I always encourage and remind customers of the policy, and a lot of folks feel awkward about it, so you’re not alone there. Heck, I returned the first item I bought with my discount. That item was discontinued later.”

Trader Joe’s Friendly Policies Extend to Neighborhoods

Via its Neighborhood Shares Program, Trader Joe’s helps to expand its friendly customer policies to the surrounding neighborhoods it serves. This program allows the supermarket to donate 100% of unsold products to local nonprofit organizations. 

In 2024 alone, Trader Joe’s stores donated more than 98 million pounds of products to food banks and community-based agencies across the country. This important work happens seven days a week, in collaboration with our food recovery partners dedicated to alleviating hunger in their communities.

Trader Joe’s is known for its friendly service and customer-first approach. While it doesn’t publish a lengthy list of policies like some larger retailers, several well-known customer practices set the store apart.

The supermarket doesn’t offer loyalty cards or digital coupons. Instead, it focuses on offering consistently low prices without the need for deals or discounts.