“Fly” with me

I have to prefix my story with a few facts.   Fact 1:  I probably have a bit of olive oil almost every day.  Of course my peeps know how much and how often I eat tomato/basil—not only as an appetizer, but  often for lunch, and occasionally for dinner!  I know you probably think that I should be sick of it by now—NOT!!   Fact 2:  My olive oil of choice is Newman’s Own.  I think it has a good flavor, at a reasonable price.   Fact 3:   I also really, really loved Paul Newman!!  Those bright blue eyes!!  I could get lost in them!  Besides, he always seemed to be on of the “good guys”—No scandals that I know of!   Fact 4:  The Newman’s Own Company donates a goodly amount of their profits to charity.  That makes me feel that when I buy the products, I too am making a donation (in a round-about way)

Last week I opened a new bottle of  Newman’s Own olive oil.   As I was pouring, I noticed something floating in the bottle.  As I looked closer, I discovered that there was a dead fly in the bottle!!   Not only did this ruin my tomato/basil, but of course it was necessary to inform the company of this problem.  This is the correspondence:

To:  Newman’s Own 

We use olive oil almost every day, and Newman’s Own is our favorite.  Last night I made a tray of tomato/basil on Triscuit crackers, and the last step before putting it  under the broiler is to drizzle with olive oil.  I opened a new bottle of Newman’s Own, and started to pour.  As I was doing that I noticed something floating in the bottle!!!  Well, you can just imagine how traumatic that was!  This was totally gross and disgusting, not to mention the fact that it ruined my batch of appetizers!!  And this was the only bottle of o-o I had in the house!!!

I did not take the bottle back to the store, but rather decided to write to you.  Now, if I was one of those money-hungry good-for-nothing people that go out of their way to sue companies when they find critters in there food, I would be calling a lawyer instead of writing this letter, even though in this economy, (being out of work) I could use the money, if you  know what I mean!!!  I am also not going to go to the media with this discovery, however, to be perfectly honest with you, I do write a blog, and this would make for a good one!!  I’m just saying!

However, I do believe that we should be compensated for this 25 oz. bottle of olive oil, bar code #  5764503010, BT:163  8269  BEST BY 03-2010, and for our inconvenience.   Also, I am not even sure when that fly got in the bottle—could it have been in the entire batch of olive oil made that day, and now everything has fly juice in it?  Do I ever dare buy another bottle or should I switch brands?  We buy many different Newman’s Own products, and have many favorites.  Now–what am I suppose to do with this discovery?  I look forward to hearing from you, and I will hold of blogging until I do.  Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. 

From:  Newman’s Own

Dear Terri,    I am sorry that you have had this experience with Newman’s Own Organics Olive Oil.  I would have been very upset also and I am sure it was an unpleasant occurrence – to say nothing of the fact that it ruined your appetizers.   

I can’t say how a fly got into your bottle of Olive Oil, but do think it is a very rare incident.  It is the first time I have had anyone write with an experience like this.   Manufacturing today is automated, sterile, and clean, however, on occasion, there can be mishaps.

I will be happy to replace your bottle of oil as well as send you a box of assorted Newman’s Own Organics products.  If that is satisfactory to you, please let me know and include a mailing address where I can have it sent.  You are a valued Newman’s Own Organics customer and we are committed to providing you with the highest quality products and services available.  Sincerely, Peggy ——   Director of Customer Relations

Of course I wrote back:   

Hi Peggy,      This discovery was definitely unpleasant!  In fact, I still have not bought any olive oil because of it—I am a bit nervous!!  I have never gone this long without olive oil in the house, I always make sure that there is a back-up!  I am sending you a picture that I took.  That fly is actually in the bottle, and the bottle was totally sealed!  Would you like to have this bottle back?   Feel free to send someone over to pick it up—just let me know first.

I was hoping for $10,000.00 or at the very least, a lifetime supply of olive oil, but a replacement bottle and a gift basket sounds nice    As I mentioned in my first correspondence, I am a blogger and do plan on writing a blog about this incident, with pictures.  Who knows, my readers may advise me to hold out for the cash! LOL    Here is my contact info. —–

From:  Peggy

Terri,      Thank you for the picture – that will be a big help for Quality Control.  They will also want to see it and if you don’t mind I will have a prepaid mailer sent to you so that you can return it to us.   Thank you for your blog site – I will look for your review, and I will have your box of  “goodies” sent out to you soon.   Again, I am sorry for this experience you have had.

So Now:    What am I supposed to do with this??  Do I accept the bottle of olive oil, and gift box?  Should I send the bottle (and the fly) to them and go back to buying this product like nothing happened?  I’m not sure!! It’s not like I put the fly in there!!!  I’m just sayin’—I am an innocent consumer, just wanting to enjoy my tomato/basil with my evening tequila!  Is that asking too much?   Hmm—Anyone out there with some advice?  What would you do?