Celebrity Prime Foods lied about warranty and made threats Internet
The company did not honor its word on more than one occasion.
My wife and I moved out to Hemet. We both worked and, since I like to cook, I wanted access to good quality meat and especially fish.
We came across Celebrity Prime Foods at a home show and it sounded interesting. We called them and a saleman came out and made his pitch. I knew we were overpaying for the food, but if the quality was what was described we decided the convenience was worth it.
Along with the food pitch, came the overpriced freezer or refrigerator pitch. However, along with the refigerator was a lifetime guarantee that if it every broke, the company would fix or replace it. Also, if a power outage or breaking of the fright occurred, the company would replace all the food. And hey, I get 10% off my order.
The saleman was very clear that I get the fridge on a 3-year payment plan at 0% interest, the guarantee and a 10% discount on all food orders.
Well, when the bill came, the interest rate was 18%. Six months later when it was time to reorder, it turns out that the guarantee was extra (about $700) and not included with the $3,000 fridge.
I called the company and they said they had problems with the salesman they sent me because he had been lying to customers and he was no longer with the company. Despite know he lied, they did not want to make good on his promise on the guarantee. I told them I wouldn't reorder and they threatened to take me to court if I didn't, saying I was contractually obligated to place two more orders with them.
I nicely told them where they could put my contract and did not place a further order.
Addendum: About three months later, I got a call from a woman from the company who wanted to work everything out. I told her if the company would make good on the guarantee, I would return. She said sure and wanted to send a salesman out "just to write up my food order." Luckily, before we both had wasted trips, the sales manager called to confirm my location and I restated my concerns about the guarantee. He told me there is no way he could give me the guarantee for free, but at half price. We ended our relationship right there.
Food quality:
I had no problem at all with the quality of the company's food or service on the food end.
The food was well packaged and held up well for a long period of time in the freezer. The quality of the meat and fish was high.
Some of the items weren't what we really wanted so we swapped them for other items without cost or hassle.
When a second shipment (our six-month order came in shipments three monts apart) of salmon wasn't of the same quality as the first, we contacted the company and they quickly delivered another shipment.
John
Hemet, California
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Jim
Vancouver,Washington,
U.S.A.
My experience has been good so far...
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, June 08, 2004
I've been a customer of theirs for three deliveries. I've found the quality of their "raw" (unprepared) food to be quite good. Their precooked "food prepared by chefs" is not really that good. When I placed my second order, I noted (on the previous invoice which I kept) the food I was not happy with. They said they would sub it out for whatever else I liked. When I placed my second (and third) orders, I made it a point to order the unprepared food only.
It may have taken them a month or two, but my replacement food order was shipped, and they did honor their guarantee.
Some other advice in dealing with them:
DO NOT participate in the "bonus plan" (I think you HAVE to order a minimum of 6 times to get an additional discount) unless you are 100% sure you are happy with the service/quality. Wait until 2 or 3 orders and find out if you really like them before making this comittment (which they WILL hold you to). I think this is similare to what you referred to when you said you were obligated to order from them two more times.
AVOID buying anything but frozen food from them (Yes... even the freezer). The freezer they sell you is commercial grade (can be used in restaurants) but is not high quality (or worth it unless you pay it off right away). The knives, coockware, crystal and all other BS they justify as "next to free when you consider your ordering discount" during the Hard Sell is not worth it.
The "$1000 minimum order" line is BS. I got that straight from their offices in CA. When they sent a salesman for my third order who said this was the case, I called their office and put him on the phone with them.
I wouldn't say I'm a COMPLETELY satisfied customer, but I'm keeping a very close eye on them.
Ron
San Jose,California,
U.S.A.
First of all, we sell freezers, not refrigerators
#3UPDATE Employee
Wed, March 03, 2004
The imperial commercial freezer is an expensive but high quality freezer. It is rated by the underwriters laboratory to last 20-30 yrs of industrial use.
Second, our warranty is not extra.
Third, the best way to avoid any shady salesmen is to read your contracts thoroughly. I am a food rep, and I won't let a customer sign anything until they understand everything. I'm sure your interest rate was clearly marked on your paperwork. I am very sorry that you had this problem, and I can assure you that this would never happen in our Bay Area office.