L & C Butchery Eastwood: A Mixed Bag of Meats and Service

The Good: Quality Meats and Helpful Service – When It Happens

L & C Butchery Eastwood consistently receives praise for the quality of its meat. Many long-term customers, some having frequented the shop for four years or more, report a consistently high standard in the produce offered. This isn’t just a fleeting compliment - it's a recurring theme in the positive feedback. Customers appreciate both the standard of the meat itself and what they consider reasonable prices for such quality.

"I have been buying meat from this butcher for past 4 years. Meat quality is above good standard and price is also in good side, never had any issues with the bad meat."

Beyond the meat itself, many acknowledge the willingness of the staff to help with preparation. The offer of meat cutting services, priced at a modest $1 per kilogram, is frequently highlighted as a valuable and appreciated perk. This demonstrates a focus on customer needs and a willingness to provide added convenience. It’s clear that when things are running smoothly, L & C Butchery offers a positive experience centered around quality and helpful assistance.

• High-Quality Meat: Consistently praised for its freshness and standard.
• Competitive Pricing: Customers generally consider the prices to be fair for the quality offered.
• Meat Cutting Services: A $1/kg service providing added convenience for customers.
• Friendly Staff (Generally): While inconsistent (more on that below), many reviewers describe helpful and amicable interactions.

The Concerning: Freshness and Food Safety Concerns

Unfortunately, L & C Butchery Eastwood's reputation isn't solely built on positive experiences. Several concerning reports regarding the freshness of their products have surfaced, raising serious food safety questions. These aren't isolated incidents; they form a worrying pattern that needs addressing.

• Stale Duck Intestine: One customer purchased duck intestines with a packing date of August 2023, only to find them "stink" and in "terrible" condition upon opening. This prompted a food safety report.
• Rotten Mince: Multiple customers have reported buying minced beef and lamb which turned rotten within a short timeframe (by Monday night after Saturday purchase).
• Date Concerns: The duck intestine incident highlights a potential issue with stock rotation and monitoring of expiry dates – ensuring older stock is used or discounted before new deliveries are made.

The recurring reports of spoiled meat creates a risk for customers, and it casts a shadow over the butcher's commitment to providing fresh, safe products. A review of their storage practices, stock rotation procedures, and quality control checks would be prudent.

Customer Service: A Significant Area for Improvement

The most consistent and widespread criticism leveled against L & C Butchery Eastwood revolves around the quality of customer service. While some customers describe friendly and helpful staff, a significant number recount instances of rudeness, impatience, and a general lack of professionalism. The issues extend beyond simple curtness; they describe outright shouting and dismissive behaviour.

• Queue Management Issues: Customers report a lack of clear signage regarding queue order, leading to frustration and jumping the queue. Staff are seen to ignore or even reprimand customers who are legitimately waiting.
• Rude and Impatient Staff: Multiple reviewers specifically mention a staff member (described as "50ish YO") exhibiting rude and impatient behaviour, yelling at customers who indicate they are next in line, even with minimal customers present.
• Incorrect Orders and Dismissive Attitudes: One customer received nearly double the requested amount of meat and, when pointing out the error, was met with a dismissive response and an expectation that they 'eat more'. The report stated this wasn't an isolated incident.
• Lack of Service: Some customers have reported entering the store only to be shouted at to wait outside without service and told to “go away”.

The inconsistent service quality creates a highly variable customer experience. Addressing this systemic issue seems paramount to improving the overall perception of this Eastwood institution. Training programs focusing on customer service skills, proper queue management, and conflict resolution could be beneficial.

Payment and Facilities: Convenience with Limitations

L & C Butchery Eastwood seems geared towards convenience, offering a range of payment options and a focus on quick visits. However, there are some limitations worth noting.

Here's a breakdown of the facilities and payment options:

Facilities:

• Planning: Primarily caters to 'Quick Visits'.
• Payments: A good selection is available :
  • Credit Cards (Enabled)
  • Debit Cards (Enabled)
  • NFC Mobile Payments (Enabled)

Limitations & Points for Consideration:

• Limited Payment Options: While they accept Credit Cards, Debit Cards & NFC, they do not accept paper cheques (Credit cards should be noted as not enabled.) This should be updated.
• Busy Environment: The shop is known to be very busy. While this is indicative of popularity, it likely exacerbates the existing customer service issues – a busy shop requires particularly skilled and patient staff.
• No Signage: The absence of clear queuing signage contributes to the frustration described by several customers.

Address: 1 Lakeside Rd, Eastwood NSW 2122, Australia Phone: +61 2 9874 1811 Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM Daily