Returning fruit?!?

[Christine]

Agreed.

I can see returning fruit if it's moldy or rotten, but for something not ripe? That is up to the consumer to determine.

In most cases, I agree with you. I've never really screwed up picking out cantaloupes, peaches, honeydew, etc. For many melons, you can smell if it's ripe or there are certain clues at the stem or on the rind (for instance, a honeydew will often feel "sticky" as you run your hand over the outside).

Watermelons stump me and I've tried everything publicized "test" I can find and I mostly get bad ones. I do feel, in the case of watermelon, the produce manager should be sampling several watermelons when they make the buy and to make sure that he can consistenly get good ones. I think last summer I bought a total of six bad watermelons and finally gave up from buying from that store--yet the year before, I consistently got good ones. Go figure.

I now buy from the farmer's market where the guy cuts up random ones all day.

 

[momof1princess]

In most cases, I agree with you. I've never really screwed up picking out cantaloupes, peaches, honeydew, etc. For many melons, you can smell if it's ripe or there are certain clues at the stem or on the rind (for instance, a honeydew will often feel "sticky" as you run your hand over the outside).

Watermelons stump me and I've tried everything publicized "test" I can find and I mostly get bad ones. I do feel, in the case of watermelon, the produce manager should be sampling several watermelons when they make the buy and to make sure that he can consistenly get good ones. I think last summer I bought a total of six bad watermelons and finally gave up from buying from that store--yet the year before, I consistently got good ones. Go figure.

I now buy from the farmer's market where the guy cuts up random ones all day.

i have always been told that if the stem on a watermelon is all dried up and shriveled, the watermelon is ripe. i always look for one with a stem (not all of them have one) and make sure it's shriveled before buying. hasn't failed me yet. oh, and i never buy one before 4th of july.

 

[RachaelA]

I returned peppers that were bad once and I got double my money back at my grocery store (they said that's their satisfaction policy).

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I have never had to return watermelon, because my grandfather taught me the thump test for them.

but since we get almost all of our produce from trader Joes, their return policy is "no questions asked" (for anything actually) and we did return some tomatos that were bad.

 

[teacherlisa1978]

I've returned blackberries and raspberries to Costco. We eat a ton if them and I can't justify spending the money and not returning them if the ones inside the package or under the label are moldy. Should have returned some pulpy flavorless clementines and slightly mushy apples but didn't. Costco is always great about this and their quality usually is too, so we buy almost all our produce there.

 

[monkeyboy]

hmm will this work with meat?

Show up with some gristle and say "after i cooked it it tasted funny"

and then say it was a standing rib roast

 

[JLTraveling]

I swear, I learn something new every day on the DIS! I always thought produce purchases were "buyer beware." I've certainly had my share of bad produce, and I'm thrilled to know I can return it! Thanks all

 

[MamaJessie]

I'd say 98% of the time I get ripe watermelons but the last one I bought was so weird. It had dried in the middle and the inside was kind of.. split? There were some weird yellow spots too. Never thought to return it, just deemed it a dud. Good to know

 

[tasha99]

I've returned peaches that didn't ripen but got soft, dry, and mushy. I have a lot better luck with nectarines ripening.

 

[LisaR]

i have always been told that if the stem on a watermelon is all dried up and shriveled, the watermelon is ripe. i always look for one with a stem (not all of them have one) and make sure it's shriveled before buying. hasn't failed me yet. oh, and i never buy one before 4th of july.

I have never in all my years of buying watermelons seen one with the stem still attached. My DD and I are watermelon addicts. We devour a whole watermelon in a day or two. I buy one weekly or every other week from April through September.

I only buy them from my local fruit market and I always have one of the guys pick out a good one for me. They will cut them in half if you want but these guys are great at picking good ones so I never bother. While I would feel slightly embarrassed to return one, I would if it was white inside.

 

[Planogirl]

I can see returning something that is spoilt or moldy. I've never returned something for being underripe though. I also do the thump test on watermelon and so far so good! They had better be ripe because around here they're a bit expensive this year.

 

[SandrA9810]

Watermelons right now are $5.99 at the store. Last year at the peak of season, I was getting them for $2-3 at the fruit stands, which was a decent price considering I usually couldn't eat a whole one fast enough.

 

[NHdisneylover]

As far as it not being ripe enough, a little weird to me. You should be able to tell when it's ripe. I know most fruit sold in stores are usually a little under ripe for shipment time, so I always wait a few days for melons and such before chopping it open. But if it's moldy, sour, or gross on the inside when the outside looks fine, I don't see a problem with returning it.

I agree I feel the consumer should be responsible for choosing produce that is the correct ripeness for what they need. Hidden mold or rot is another matter entirely and should be returned.