Easter Consumer Challenges and How to Avoid Them
Easter brings joy, but also plenty of consumer headaches like delayed deliveries, plastic in candies or burnt appetizers. Here’s a look at the most common holiday complaints and how to avoid them.
Easter is a time for family gatherings, festive meals, and thoughtful gifts. But, like many busy seasons, it can also come with unexpected consumer frustrations. From late deliveries to faulty products, the holiday rush often leads to a variety of complaints, according to PissedConsumer research. Let’s explore some common issues!
False Advertisement
When it comes to holiday purchases, product accuracy is key. One consumer described his frustration with Haribo, a well-known brand for its gummy candies when they found discrepancies in their product counts:
“When buying multi-packs of Haribo’s for Easter, they say there are 24 packs when there are only 23. How much extra money do you make shorting the bags? Three of the bags I bought were like this! Not cool!”
Late Deliveries and “Gas Station” Flowers
Flower deliveries are another common service that can fall short during the holiday season. One customer who ordered Easter flowers through The Bouqs found their delivery to be both late and disappointing. The flowers arrived two weeks late, and the quality was subpar. The reviewer mentioned,
“They showed up two weeks late and looked like they came from the gas station.”
To avoid such frustrations, consider placing orders well in advance during busy periods like Easter. Planning ahead can help avoid potential delays, ensuring you’re not left scrambling for last-minute gifts.
Plastic in Food and Customer Service Disputes
Russell Stover Candies received a customer complaint about Easter egg chocolates that contained shards of plastic. The customer’s experience with both the product and the company's customer service was frustrating:
“When we first opened one box, we found tiny chards of plastic pieces inside of each eggs. [...] We spent almost $96 on this order, which is the last order we will ever make!”
While this situation reflects a product issue, it also highlights challenges with customer service processes. In such cases, always keep a receipt and follow up with customer service as soon as possible. However, it’s also important to understand that the resolution process may take time, as 11.6% of consumers say they waited up to a week for their issues to be resolved after making a call to a company.
Catering Mix-Ups and Food Safety Issues
Dickey’s Barbecue received a negative review from a customer who ordered catering for Easter Sunday. The order was delayed, and essential items like BBQ sauce and bread were missing. The customer recalled:
“I called the store at 2:15 and the person told me to ignore the app and that they were still working on my order and it would be another 30-60 minutes. They called me at 3:15 letting me know that my order had not been picked up and that I should go get it!”
Even if you choose to dine out during holidays, this can also be an unpleasant experience. One customer reported food poisoning after a visit to Big Boy Restaurants. After eating a meal, they said:
“My daughter got so sick she was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.”
This case, while extreme, serves as a reminder to choose restaurants that prioritize food safety, especially for Easter celebrations.
Another issue reported by consumers is receiving improperly cooked meals and then being unable to get a refund because they didn't check the food quality immediately after picking it up. For instance, one Marcos Pizza customer received wings that were charred and unsuitable for serving on Easter Sunday.
To avoid this, it’s best to inspect your food items as soon as you receive them. If there’s an issue, address it immediately with the store, rather than waiting until after the holiday.
Unwanted Advertisements and Disruptions
Even when watching TV or streaming services, the Easter holiday can bring its own frustrations. One ESPN viewer complained about excessive commercials, saying:
“Have had to change the channel 9 times because of the sickening vampire movie commercials. This sucks, if it keeps up I'm done with ESPN.”
While this is a more minor complaint, it points to growing dissatisfaction with excessive advertising and how it can impact the viewing experience. Consumers may consider using ad-blocking tools or finding alternative platforms that offer more control over ad content.
How to Avoid These Easter Challenges
To avoid these issues, consider planning ahead and being proactive. Double-check product contents, choose reputable vendors, and read customer reviews for any product or service you’re planning to use. If an issue arises, reach out to customer service promptly and keep records of your communications for quick resolutions. Lastly, during peak seasons, such as Easter, it’s wise to place orders early to avoid delays and last-minute frustrations.