Patricia A Weems sent a message to Kendall J. Powell - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Mills - Email Address that said:
RE: COMPLAINT UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR BY CLAIMS DEPARTMENT FOR GOLD MEDAL FLOUR RECALL...
Patricia Weems
3:42 PM (18 hours ago)
to boardofdirecto.
I have purchased Gold Medal Flour for baking since my mother and
grandmothers always used it as the standard and best flour for home
baking. Also, I never gave the idea of tasting the raw dough a second
thought as to whether or not I could get sick from it which, unfortunately
I did for four months from January through April of 2015.
Everytime I made banana muffins, I didnt make the connection between
the raw batter and feeling like I was getting a stomach flu until I received
an email and a phone call message from Kroger (Ralphs Market) notifying
me of the Gold Medal Flour and other baking products recall stating that
I had purchased two 5-LB bags of Gold Medal All Purpose Flour in January
2015 and advised me to not use the flour and stated I could request a
refund. That was when I made the connection that the flour had been
making me feel sick off and on for four months.
I called the Gold Medal number given to report what I had experienced.
The woman who took my information seemed less than interested and concerned, but said I would receive a followup call which I never received.
I didnt receive any form of followup by email or snail mail after that initial call.
I called again this year to report that no one ever called me regarding my complaint. A gentleman named David, said my call wasnt handled properly
and that a call was made but no message had been left to let me know of the call. He escalated my call to the claims department.
I received a call from Brigitte Davis on February 20, 2017. She offered $500 to settle the issue which I accepted and recall her stating that it the check
would go out the next day and I asked how long it would take and she replied three to four days. What she failed to indicate is that the check wouldnt beprocessed until at least three to four days, but I didnt interpret what she said
to mean I wouldnt be receiving the check within three to four days but would have to wait 10-20 days. I called her on Friday, 2-17-17, but she didnt returnthe call. I called again today and got her voicemail.
When I finally was able to speak with her, she said she was in-the-field and not in the office but said she would write a letter and order the check. At thatpoint, I was annoyed with the entire process of miscommunication among all General Mills employees and the way I have been treated.
The most irritating aspect was when, during my last call with Ms Davis, was the fact that she kept talking over me and wouldnt listen. I told her I feel I
deserve to have the check cut and fedexed to me; she replied, we dont do that. She wouldnt stop talking over me so I ended the call and proceeded to find someone in a supervisory position to assist me. I kept getting representatives who were unable to to transfer me to an Executive Complaint Division and had no choice but to search for the Executives for various divisions within General Mills to escalate this issue myself which is why you are receiving this email.
After being treated rudely by Ms Davis this morning and wasting another three hours trying to find an executive assistant to help me, I feel I am entitled to at least $1,000 compensation for my inconvenience throughout this whole process.
Im NOT happy with General Mills and Gold Medal customer service representatives right now. Please take complaints seriously; recalls for products are not helping your business and treating complainants badly is even worse.
Sincerely,
Patricia Weems
