Penzeys Spices

What!!! Save the Earth by putting a regular catalog, with a «few extra recipes» into a hardback binding? What are you saving? Not more trees. This is a silly idea, I’ve known a few people who were so taken aback by this they sent the catalog/​book back. Mr. Penzey is giving the store away too! Freebies everywhere! Everything is child colored now, I guess child labor is alive and well in Wauwatosa, Mr. Penzey’s kids are obviously the marketing geniuses behind everything now. Customer service isn’t what it used to be. These folks are seriously stressed out in the call center. No new spices either, just re-​branding the same old-​same old. Too bad, nothing lasts forever. It was good knowing you, Penzeys. Good Luck!

I have been a customer of Penzeys Spices for many many years and told my foodie friends about them. I’m sad to say that for a $ 12.95 «Earth Day Book» they have lost me as a customer and I will be sharing this horrible customer service with my friends.
More detail: they send an email saying with a $ 10.00 purchase they will include the new book for free. I ordered $ 31.23 worth of spices. I input the code in the email to get the free book. Spices arrived and no book. I called and Bridgette answers. She asks if I ordered on line or called in, I ordered online. She says «well, if you had called in we would have taken care of it, you must have input the code wrong and there is NOTHING I CAN DO»…really? «That’s right, there is nothing I can do»…Then she says «well, maybe I can ask management for a special approval»… really? Good customer service = not. Then, I get «have a great day».
A company which has happy customers at top of mind would have jumped at the chance –without a big to-​do — to send the book to me. Not only did I spend the requisite amount of $ 10, I spent 3 times that!
There are many companies who now sell spices and I’ve been give an opportunity to check them out, since my loyalty to Penzeys is gone. I am sad about this and feel let down. The Penzeys stores PEOPLE have been awesomely wonderful — maybe they should go train management at headquarters — I assume that is where the call goes when you call 1−800−741−7787.
I HATE writing bad reviews. But, maybe Penzeys management might read this and see their service leaves a LOT to be improved. I’ll never know, one way or the other.
p. s. I am writing this specifically about Headquarters — not the terrific stores.

I was first introduced to Penzeys Spices in Overland Park, Kansas by my late sister-​in-​law. The store was amazing, full of spices from various countries, a greater variety than I had ever seen of each. And the smell was heavenly. A few years ago Kevin gifted Tam w/​several boxes of Penzey’s spices. There were some duplicates, which she passed on to me, along w/​a bunch of bay leaves used as part of the packing. Everything was fresh and vibrant. Recently we’ve been looking for apple pie spice. We’ve found pumpkin pie spice in the stores, but that’s not what Alan wants. Finally it occurred to me to check Penzeys on line and of course they had it. They also had smoked paprika, which I need for a recipe my brother Jim gave us. I ordered both and look forward to the box arriving. There is a Penzeys store in the area, but it’s in Menlo Park, much too far away to drive to for a couple of bottles of spices.

This is like a warehouse/​production facility, but there’s definitely one of their stores tucked in near the back. I actually love the way that its situated right off Hwy 45, it’s really convenient to hop off and on the freeway
If you sign up for their mailing list, you’ll get constant coupons for free spices, which is pretty awesome. I never want to just go in and grab the freebie, so I’ve been stocking my spice rack and replacing some older stuff.
Their boxes make great wedding gifts or you can create your own little kit, as well. I love their various neighborhood-​themed spices and their taco seasoning is my go to — from actual tacos, to sprinkling in cream cheese for my taco dip to a dusting inside my quesadilla — so much better than the grocery store packets.

I finally broke down and searched the Penzey website… and, my! How happy I am that I did so!!! If you purchase enough to qualify for free shipping, you’re paying prices equal to or less than McCormick, and MUCH better quality.
I had to call Customer Service because my shipping notice never went out, and THE SWEETEST, nicest woman answered. SO personable, while very proficient and knowledgeable.
Everything arrived fresh and exactly as ordered. They even through in a nice portion of a sample spice!
Penzey has made a lifelong customer out of this guy!

I am going to make a long story as short as possible. First of all, the spices, dried herbs and oils one gets from Penzeys are top notch.
Recently an order I placed arrived a bit damaged. I called Penzeys and they immediately sent out — no questions asked — a replacement. When I realized after a few weeks that I had not received my replacement, I called again. They searched and noticed that no delivery confirmation was noted, so they sent yet another replacement. That, I received — in record time — but today, the long lost package finally arrived, bruised battered and bandaged with a note of apology from the postmaster. Penzeys did not just replace the item that was originally damaged, they added four more items! FOUR! Not just the damaged item, not just one freebie to compensate for the delay, but FOUR items. This is way beyond the professional courtesy one would expect.
I don’t think Penzeys will be doing this on a regular basis, so don’t cry wolf just to get freebies…

Great place to get spices via the mail. They have great bulk buy pricing which really cuts the cost of high quality spices. Gift boxes are perfect celebration, shower or wedding gifts and everyone will tell you it was one of the best gifts they got (I use them frequently). They are adding more exotic spices over the years including good collection of whole dried peppers.
They are now setting up retail shops so stop in and enjoy the smell/​taste.

Penzeys is one of the best things about Grand Rapids! I love their spices. My parents have been buying from them for years, and when I started living on my own I started to receive Penzeys bottles as gifts. If you have a question about something the staff is great, and if the person there isn’t sure you can just call the company. If anything goes wrong, they will take it back. Not that I have ever need to. They have gift boxes that make lovely gifts. And their catalog sometimes includes a coupon for a free bottle of something. Darn, I’ll have to come back!