Trader Joes is Trader Joes unless you encounter one where the employees are rude...then it is no longer the Trader Joes I know. I moved to Ahwatukee two months ago and was so excited to learn TJs was a mile from my apartment.
On my first trip I met Kristen (who is the only redeeming employee there). After waiting in line to pay for my groceries, the cashier didn't even acknowledge me. I questioned the price of an item and he acted like I had offended him by asking. After paying he didn't say thanks or F U or anything.
Next visit I found a different cashier. The items weren't showing up on the screen as he scanned them. I asked him about that, and he said: "oh my register needs to be rebooted." Really? He couldn't have done that in between customers?
Yesterday I was there and a cashier was talking to another employee who was eating an apple. I asked him if his line was open and he said: "yes, as soon as I'm done with this conversation." So I got into another line and waited and waited. He finally finished his conversation and yelled over to me: "you can come in my line if you want to."
I found the store manager and told him his staff was rude and that shopping there was unpleasant. I said other TJs I had been in had happy/friendly staff, but this store did not. His comment? "I'm sorry you feel that way."
I told him it would be worth a longer drive to find more pleasant staff and I got the same reply.
I'm pretty done with the Ahwatukee Trader Joes.