Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Whole Foods Market Inc's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Whole Foods Market Inc

  550 Bowie St Austin, TX 78703-4644

• 

  Whole Foods Market

  316 Kentlands Blvd Gaithersburg, MD 20878

• 

  Whole Foods Market Inc

  3100 Cahaba Village Plz Birmingham, AL 35243-5912

• 

  Whole Foods Market Inc

  2421 Broadway New York, NY 10024

• 

  Whole Foods Market

  4944 Shebyville Rd. Louisville, KY 40207

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/29/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I have been a customer of ******************************************* for the past several years and I have noticed that most of the organic bananas that I have purchased were in worse condition than they looked on the outside, even before the bananas become fully ripe. I have noticed this problem in whole foods stores I shopped in in ** and here in **. To get a whole banana for preparing meals, I have to cut up each banana, salvage the good parts and throw away the majority of it; it often takes me going through roughly three bananas to get a whole fresh one that I know is safe to eat. I have photos illustrating how bad/rotten the bananas are the day after I bought them seeing that the bananas were in good condition the day before (day of purchase). I also attached the photos here for **************** - ************************************************************************************ This has resulted in me submitting a lot of low ratings on the *********************** forms and losing a lot of money after buying so many bad bananas. It is difficult to find good bananas in other stores; at times I get lucky but often I have similar issues with the bananas being already rotten at time of purchase. I am looking for an honest, clear and transparent response to each of the questions I have: Are the organic bananas you are selling been modified; are they GMO?Are the bananas being sprayed and/or injected with anything?If any of the above answers are yes, then why are these things not disclosed to your customers before your customers buy them?Do you understand my complaint and can you resolve this issue?Will you replace the organic bananas your are currently selling with ***** quality organic bananas with full disclosers on the bananas being injected and/or treated (including spraying, etc.) with anything?Very Respectfully,******* ****

  Business Response

  Date: 07/30/2025

  Hello, we are very sorry to hear about the issue you experiencing with our bananas. Our goal is to always provide quality products without the use of pesticides or harmful products. We have created a case in our Whole Foods Market system (case ********) and will respond to the customer directly from the case. We will need to escalate this matter to our Purchasing and ***************** teams for further investigation. Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/30/2025

  Complaint: 23672566
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  I received an email from ********************* I clearly indicated in the initial complaint that I did not want to be contacted directly and to resume further communications via the BBB portal here.I do NOT and WILL NOT communicate outside of the platform when I clearly indicated to be contacted here and not to be contacted outside of the BBB communications portal.
  

  I did not receive honest, clear and transparent answers directly for each question that I asked in the initial complaint and the link I opened provided no clarifications regarding bananas specifically.

  I have a copy of the latest receipt and older receipts and I am requesting for a refund as this case is being elevated.

   

  Very Respectfully,

   

  ******* ****
  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/31/2025

  Thank you we will respond to customer

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/01/2025

  Complaint: 23672566
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

   

  Awaiting response.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* ****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/21/2025

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My disabled daughter (epileptic) and I (terminally ill) both medically vulnerable, were quietly filling our three weekly water containers at Whole Foods. Shortly after starting, an employee came directly up to us and began a pattern of intimidating and mocking behavior, I believe in an attempt to hurry us. I politely requested personal space for safety reasons due to our medical conditions. Instead of being kind and patient to a woman in a wheelchair, her clearly ill daughter and honoring this request, the employee (later revealing her name that wasnt on her badge, ********) and a nearby customer openly mocked us and ******** made no effort to de-escalate the situation. The customer left when I began filming, but ******** remained within two feet of my wheelchair, intentionally ignoring my request for distance and continuing to intimidate us. The very same moment my daughter placed the lid on our last water, ******** aggressively closed in, repeating misleading statements about having waited for 30 minutes and thanking God, in what appeared to be an attempt to provoke us. The entire process took approximately nine minutes and I have video evidence documenting Patricias conduct. Despite being informed of our legitimate needs, ******** deliberately chose to disregarded required basic *** accommodation obligations and displayed reckless disregard for customer safety and wellbeing. Creating a hostile and unsafe environment. The resulting stress caused my daughter to experience an aura (mini-seizure) during our drive home, placing her at direct health risk. This reflects the creation of a hostile environment, unprofessional conduct by Whole Foods staff, resulting in emotional distress and health risk. What assurance do I have in the future, that Whole Foods prioritizes the dignity and safety of medically vulnerable customers? Has staff had *** and sensitivity training? This occurred on Thurs. 7/17/25 at 9:39AM in ********************, *********Will we be safe there?

  Business Response

  Date: 07/22/2025

  Hello, we are so sorry to hear about your experience at our ******** location. We have reached out to Store Leadership and shared the pictures you provided so they can investigate and address accordingly. Please accept our sincere apology as it is always our goal to provide an excellent customer experience for all of our customers. We apologize this was not your experience and we will address as we take feedback like this very serious. Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/22/2025

  Complaint: 23631385
  
  I reject this response as it fails to address the documented ADA ********** the intimidation captured on video or any corrective action to ensure compliance and customer safety. Ill continue to share this process with the BBB for full transparency and posting for awareness.
  
  Blessings,
  ****** *****

  Business Response

  Date: 07/23/2025

  Hello, we have reached out to our Store Leadership team to address this issue. We are waiting for a response back from them on how they will address this matter and next steps. Once we are able to obtain that information from the store, we will follow up with you directly from the case we have created in our Whole Foods Market system. My matter is very important to us so we will continue to follow through on this issue. Thank you!

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/25/2025

  Complaint: 23631385
  
  I am rejecting this response because its Friday evening after business hours and I havent been contacted.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/20/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I purchased two products on June 20, 2025. I changed my mind and decided to return them, with both unopened. I visited the ****************, ** store and sought to return them on July 20, 2025, which was exactly 30 days from the purchase date. The policy states items can be returned within 30 days. The cashier said the system message said it was past 30 days and could not be returned, which was incorrect because it was exactly 30 days. I contacted Whole Foods **************** via chat in that same visit and they confirmed customers are allowed to return items on the 30th day and to ask for a store manager. I returned to the register and informed them of this update and they called the store manager to assist; she agreed, tried and stated that it was past 30 days because of the system message - she said because the month has 31 days (which was incorrect information anyway). That had nothing to do with it as multiple date calculators and websites confirmed my calculation that it was exactly 30 days from the purchase date and I had not passed 30 days. I contacted **************** chat again with this information and they said the store level has the final say. Regardless of this, the Whole Foods system is incorrect and miscalculated the date, leading to erroneously not honoring the return policy when I visited on the exact day in which a return should have been issued. I want my return amount to be honored.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/21/2025

  Hello, the customer has gone to the store and submitted 2 other cases to us asking for a refund. Our return policy states "If you are not completely satisfied with a product purchased from us, we will gladly give you a full refund or exchange with certain exceptions. All returns require proof of purchase. No returns will be accepted after 30 days from date of purchase. Refunds will be made to the original form of payment." The customer purchased the item on 6/20 so 30 days from that date (6/20 is included) the return would have been no later than 7/19. The customer tried to return the product on 7/20 and the system rejected it because it was 31 days. We do understand how frustrating this is but we are unable to issue a refund for this per our policy. Thank you!

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/23/2025

  Complaint: 23628223
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Whole Foods Market policy is misleading by including the purchase date. Thirty-day calculations via date calculators all state 30 days from 6/20 is 7/20, yet the company sets this policy of considering the actual 30th day 31 days based on a misleading policy, at the customers detriment. Including the purchase date means an actual day has not passed, whereas most ordinary consumers would interpret one day as 6/21 and on. This experience now impacts how I view this business as a grocer of choice and Ill proceed cautiously dealing with them.
  
  Regards
  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/23/2025

  As a one time courtesy we will refund the customer $11.58. Moving forward, the customer will need to adhere to the return policy. Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/24/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Regards
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/16/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I work at Whole Foods. Today we had an outage resulting in sale items not ringing in at registers. We opened the store knowing this issue and we left all sale signage up. Customers are led to believe they're getting a sale when the store knows they won't get it. This is deception and scamming. Customers have come to trust ******************************************* and our pricing, however today nobody will get a sale price that we have advertised. Store leadership refused to put any notice at the front door, and we are only doing something if the customer catches it, we have been instructed to give the sale price and not give the item for free per Massachusetts Law. The company is without shame taking money from people with false sale promises. I expressed how I am uncomfortable being a part of this scam and was pretty much told too bad and to wait until it's fixed. As I write this we are entering hour 5 of this fraudulent activity. Countless customers are buying items and being charged higher prices than we are leading them to believe.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/17/2025

  Thank you we will respond to this complaint. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/09/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Item had sticker saying 50% off. I went to self scan. Checked my receipt after. I did not get the discount. I showed ** employee. He said oh, you have to tell me before you scan. You can go to cust service to get credit. I said this is deceptive. He agreed and said he complained to his boss and it fell on deaf ears. He suggested I contact the company HQ.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/13/2025

  Thank you!  We are reaching out to customer.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/04/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On or around June 24, we purchased three items from your Whole Foods location at ******** in ******, paying in cash. As regular customers, we do not typically retain receipts for everyday purchases. On Sunday, we attempted to return these items to that same location. Unfortunately, the manager on duty, ******, refused to process the return solely because we did not have a receipt, despite having discretion in these matters.A few days later, my husband visited your ****** location, and the team there kindly accepted a return for two of the three items as a courtesy. However, the third itemunused, unopened, and in good conditionwas not refunded. We were unaware of this at the time and only realized it after reviewing the receipt later.This inconsistency between locations is both frustrating and disappointing. We have always shopped at Whole Foods in good faith, and this situation could have been handled with greater fairness and flexibility, especially given that this was not an excessive or abusive return. The final item in question was not even gluten-free, which was an error in selection, and we had no intention of using ***** further our frustration, we contacted your team through the websites chat feature and were told there was nothing that could be done. We also sent an email to the customer service address, and have yet to receive a responseover three days have passed.We are kindly requesting a refund for the final item, which we surrendered to the store as part of our original return attempt. At this point, the $5.99 may seem trivial, but the principle matters. The item was clearly labeled as a Whole Foods product, and we acted in good faith throughout this process. A more customer-centered approach would go a long way in maintaining trust and loyalty.We hope you will take this opportunity to make things right, not just by refunding the $5.99, but also by offering something extra in acknowledgment of the inconvenience and lack of response.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/04/2025

  Thank you we will reach out to customer.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/08/2025

  Complaint: 23556645
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I NEVER heard back from Whole Foods. Typical. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *********

  Business Response

  Date: 07/08/2025

  will reach out to the customer 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/08/2025

  Complaint: 23556645
  
  I am rejecting this response because they did not contact me despite saying they would. I received a survey asking about my interaction with the store today at 12:31 pm, but I never spoke to anyone. Just odd. See below. Terrible. 

  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *********

  Message View
  Inbox
  How was your customer care experience?
  ********************** ************* is requesting your feedback on a recent customer service experience by completing a quick survey.
  
  
  Created by Yahoo Mail
  
  Was this helpful?
  
  
  Whole Foods Market *************
  Unsubscribe
  To:  me  Tue, Jul 8 at 12:31 PM
  
  Visit site
  Message Body
  Hi *****,
  Thanks for contacting Whole Foods Market *************. We hope we were able to help, and would appreciate if you took a minute to tell us how we did by completing this quick survey. 
   
  How would you rate your satisfaction with the customer service representative you spoke to?
  
  5-Delightful
  4-Very Good
  3-Good
  2-Not so good
  1-Miserable 
  We look forward to serving you again soon!
  Your Whole Foods Market ************* Team
  
  Click here to unsubscribe from survey invitations.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/03/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I purchased a portion of sockeye salmon at 9:27 am on July 1 in the Whole Foods Market in *******, *************. The Whole Food employee with glasses swapped the center-cut portion I chose and paid for with a tail portion when I asked him to remove the skin. I was only able to find out when I opened the pack at home.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/04/2025

  We apologize for the customer experience. We will create a case and contact the customer regarding a refund.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/28/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Im writing to express my frustration with a recent experience I had at one of your store locations regarding a return and exchange.I purchased a Jasons Body Wash a few days ago and used an $8 manufacturer coupon at the time of purchase. After trying the product, I realized I would prefer a different scent. When I returned to the store to exchange it for another Jasons Body Wash of the exact same price, I was told that the return could not be honored and that no price adjustment would be made for the exchange.I find this confusing and disappointing. Since the products are identical in price, and I was not asking for a refundjust a simple exchangeit doesnt make sense to me why this would be an issue. It feels like Im being penalized for using a manufacturer coupon, which should not affect the stores return or exchange ********* appreciate your help in resolving this matter. Please clarify your return policy regarding exchanges on items purchased with manufacturer coupons, and let me know how this situation can be rectified.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/30/2025

  Hi ****,

  We are so sorry to hear about the issue you experienced at one of our store locations. Could you please provide the name/location of the store you went to so we can address this issue and have store leadership investigate? If you have a copy of your receipt, please attach it to this as well. If you no longer have the receipt, please provide a copy of your redacted bank statement with the information so we can investigate this issue further. 

  Thank you,

  *******

  Global Customer Care

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/30/2025

  Complaint: 23531977
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I can send a copy of the transaction from my bank card, however are you able to just offer a $10 gift card for me to re purchase the item? Thanks 
  
  Regards,
  
  **** *********

  Business Response

  Date: 06/30/2025

  ****,

  In order for us to understand why the store handled the exchange this way, we some basic information from you to move forward. We need to know which location you went to and proof of purchase. We need those two items at bare minimum to move forward with a resolution. 

  Thank you,

  Global Customer Care

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/30/2025

  Complaint: 23531977
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Item is a tea tree body wash by Jasons, I used Apple Pay. Im not sure how to locate the transaction. This was at ** in *****, **. What information do you need? 
  
  Regards,
  
  **** *********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/13/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  No merchandise in store!!! No one seems to know whats going on who works in store. Each day shelves empty! Called ******, told me to call Whole Foods, took my concerns but could not verify anyone would get back to me! Unacceptable! Are they closing? Whats going on? Whole Foods ************************!

  Business Response

  Date: 06/16/2025

  We apologize for the out of stock issues at this store, as well as many others. Our food distributor, ****, has had a major breach and is currently unable to complete delivery of orders to our stores, We do not know when this will be rectified.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/04/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On May 23, 2025, I made a purchase of a $500 Apple gift card at the Whole Foods store located in ********, **. After completing the payment, the store representative informed me that the activation of the gift card had failed. As a result, I was told that a full refund would be issued back to my original payment method.The representative even provided me with a refund receipt as confirmation that the refund was being processed.However, upon checking my card statement, I noticed that I was charged the full $500, and no refund has been credited to my account to date.I have attempted to resolve this directly with the store, but the issue remains unresolved. I am now seeking assistance from the Better Business Bureau to get this matter addressed.I attached the refund receipt for your reference.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/16/2025

  We will reach out to the customer, Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/17/2025

  Complaint: 23419620
  
  I am rejecting this response because: whole foods hasnt reached out yet.
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** ******

  Business Response

  Date: 06/17/2025

  Good morning, ******. Thank you for providing the refund slip. We have investigated and can see the refund was not processed properly by the store. We will be contacting you separately via your case in our system to let you know once the refund has been processed. We will put in the request today. It may take 7-10 days for the refund to appear in your account. Our sincere apologies for the error at the store. Thanks for your patience.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/18/2025

  Complaint: 23419620
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I still didnt get a refund nor I received an official email confirmation.
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** ******