Short-dated products and ruthless customer service
I ordered 10 of the same Meal Booster powder item. I have ordered this exact item from Amazon before and only received items with best before dates a year in the future. But The Health Box sent me all 10 with a best before date of 01/26, next month, and they arrived 11 days before the start of 01/26. There is, needless to say, no way that I could use what they supplied me in anything like this timescale.
When I received them, I was shocked at the short dates, figuring that the despatcher had simply overlooked the dates, and so I contacted an apparently very sympathetic customer service rep, Brooke. She told me to put it in writing in an email, which I did, sending photographic proof of the dates. Then Lola wrote to say she was “very sorry” and promised they would “rectify” the situation.
Then this morning I got this further response from Lola and I am quoting the relevant sections:
“I can confirm that all items in your order were dispatched well within date and met our quality and safety standards. Even if the product were opened today, when stored in the refrigerator and used in line with the label instructions (within 30 days of opening), it would still be used up well before the best before date.
“As the products you received were in date, correctly labelled, and suitable for use when stored and consumed as directed, I’m afraid there hasn’t been an issue with the items supplied.”
Not even a partial refund! They apologise and then effectively withdraw their apology.
I doubt that Lola or the managers would be happy to spend £67 and only get 10 short-dated Meal Booster products with live cultures. 1 packet alone would easily take over a month to go through.
I was also disappointed that it took 5 days from order to despatch.
Oh well, we live and learn—if you don’t want short-dated products, don’t order from The Health Box. And, if I may offer my friendly advice, whatever you do, don’t spend money on their membership.
They wished me a happy Christmas and good health. It certainly will be a very healthy Yuletide: Meal Booster on my turkey, Meal Booster on my carrots and potatoes, Meal Booster in my stuffing, Meal Booster in my punch, Meal Booster in my crackers, Meal Booster in my Christmas Pudding, Meal Booster on my Beef Wellington, Meal Booster on my mince pies. And, healthiest of all, Meal Booster on my Brussels Sprouts.






