Right or wrong - online butcher

[ivrytwr3]

First world problems i know

We've bought from the same online butcher (Donald Russell) for several years and never had any issues. On this occasion, we spent just under £100 and several of the packs of meat/ready meals were dated as, 'frozen Aug 22' and 'Best Before Aug 23' - as the items arrived 17 Mar 23, the Best Before is approx 4/5 months away, losing 7 months of use (we get them frozen as we would eat/use throughout the year). Most of the items in the order arrived with Best Befores of 2024.

To me this was an issue, so i contacted customer service, who firstly wanted photos of the items i was referring to and then said as the items still had 'several' months of use left, they are not short-dated and therefore, sorry, not sorry.

We've not had this before with them, so not sure if this is normal business or they have just unloaded older stock onto us

 

[ivrytwr3]

There is something about frozen meat that just doesn't work for me, Chicken is the worst

It seems to do something to the texture.

Their frozen food is fantastic - regularly buy from them. However, we have tried a frozen meal from them that got stuck at the back of the freezer and forgotten about and was past the bb date - it wasn't good.

 

[ivrytwr3]

From their own website:

Most foods, particularly raw cuts of beef like steaks, will not instantly become unsafe to eat after the ‘best before’ date, but they may start to deteriorate a little in quality – for instance, the flavour and texture may not be at their optimum.

Goods may have to be returned by the Buyer to the Supplier within the best before date or use by date on the product.

Mmmmm, think i may go back to them - i'm not happy tbh.

 

[ivrytwr3]

If you're likely to eat it inside the date, I don't see a problem, if you want fresh, buy local.

The items were intended to be used over the course of this year, not within 4 months.

Also, i don't want fresh - i'm a **** cook, so when the Mrs doesn't fancy cooking, the DR stuff comes out which i can just chuck in a oven.

 

[ivrytwr3]

I went back to them and they've apologised, added a note that future orders will have longer life when sent to me, nothing else.

I won't be closing my account as we enjoy their products, but I'll be taking a break from them whilst also looking for an alternative supplier.

 

[ivrytwr3]

Out of curiosity did you figure out an alternate supplier?

Not yet, but haven't really looked; we still have a freezer full of stuff that will last us until Jul/Aug 23 time.

Donald Russell keep sending me emails asking me to do a survey of their products, my orders etc - so i am having fun filling those in atm