What clients say about Griff's Bottle & Can Retrieval Center in Watertown (NY)
Part good, part frustrating as hell.
Griff’s is consistently consistent about 2 things: decent deals on beverages inside the store. And a god awful hellscape they call can redemption.
If you need beverages for an event, go in and enjoy.
If you want to redeem your nickels, don’t go to griffs. It’s the least efficient system in town. It takes forever. It’s inconvenient as heck.
I arrived just before 8:00 AM on a Saturday because the website stated that was the time they were open. I waited until 8:30 and still nobody came to get my bags. Looking at other reviews, it seems customer service is not important here.
Great place to take your cans and bottles to redeem.They are fast and friendly.I don't have to get out of my vehicle I just sit and wait until they bring me my money.I'm Never going to a self serve machine again where they are always full and I have to wait for someone to empty them.
I came with 2 black bags of cans and bottles. I waited over an hour with no receipt ... only my name before I went in to see why my bags hadn't been counted. There were no black bags in line and was told mine was next. I DID NOT bring white bags. I left without receiving payment! Totally disappointed and won't be back!!!
Sitting in my car as I write this. It's 935 AM, Saturday. Door and online says open 9-5. Workers are in there and have been since 900...but noone has come out to take anyone's cans. Not sure what is going on, but completely unacceptable that's there's no communication on what's happening with the business today.
My wife and I waited for over 30 minutes before anyone came out if the building. There were only 3 cars ahead of us. Another 25 minutes went bye after the took our bottles in and we still hadn't received our money, so we just left. We will not be using them again.
They made me sit there for 15 minutes then walked right past me like I don't exist... been using them for years... now will not.. if the owner reads this... whoever worked today needs to be fired
If I could give negative stars I would. My child and I went to get our bottles counted as we have for years at this location. I've had my complaints BUT my trip up there on 11/20/23 has warranted this bad review. Not only did I have to honk my horn to get some attention with 3 cars behind me since the hose you drive over that is supposed to let them know a customer is here was gone. Finally when a worker came out he told me if im waiting its going to be at least an hour because he still has to count the piles of bottles left by other customers!?
Since when does someone whos dropping off for a later pick up take priority over those who are physically waiting???
Again, been coming here for years and thats never been the case. In fact I've dropped off before and came back hours later to find my bottles had in fact not been counted yet..
He proceeded to tell me he has to count the bottles as they come in, so those who dropped off have to be counted before my bottles can be counted.
Just so we are clear, the employee was making EVERYONE drop off and pick up later,...thought it was weird that there wasn't even one car waiting but would you wait if you were told a minimum of an hour to count your 4 bags of bottles!?
Courteous, reasonably fast, and surprisingly honest. Usually get ripped off at these type places; only a few bucks, not going to lower my standard of living, but I don't like dishonesty. This place, so far, is an exception.
Horrible experience, I was there for 50 minutes they wouldn't take my glass bottles cuz they were in bags, so I had to take them to another redemption center who did except them, and I was there less than 5 minutes
Well, after reading the reviews I was a little worried, but being Griffs was the only game in town at this time, I decided to give it a shot. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. A person met me in the driveway as soon as I pulled up to help carry my bottles. A second person soon joined him to help carry the rest. Within minutes I was unloaded and a few minutes later, I had cash in my hand and it was accurate. I was very pleased! For me, they are a highly recommend, Thank you guys, great job!
Update: 7/18/2020. I've been here 6 times now in the last month or so and continue to receive excellent service! Propane tank exchange here is only $9.99 as well!!! Highly recommend!
Mike Kahle
Rolling Home RV
Watertown NY
They have a good system set up, drive up they take the cans and bottles, give you a ticket, pull around and they count your cans and give you your money. No muss, no fuss. They are polite and efficient.
If it were possible for negative stars I’d give at least -10. Waited 45 minutes for cans to even be taken for counting. Two employees finally showed to “help” and instead just walked around aimlessly leaving one worker to service the now 10 cars waiting in the lot. It’s now been over an hour wait and still have not received my money. Never again. Who knew counting was this hard.
Once again took a chance that the staff at this location would be honest and efficient. Again, they proved they were not. Waited almost an hour and I'm convinced the staff gives themselves a very generous tip courtesy of my returns. No more chances!
Waited on line for over 45 mins. Very slow, unless you want to spend your whole day waiting I wouldn't recommend returning cans and bottles here i for 1 will NEVER COME BACK!
Arrived at 1250pm. Told by employee that they were preparing to close for lunch break at 1pm and would be closed until 130 pm. So we left. I'd give zero stars if I knew how. Lost my business.
1st NY charges a deposit for each can. Then they give you know way to conveniently and honestly get your deposit back. Once a month I turn my cans in. I get the run around for about an hr from redemption center to redemption center. I usually end up at griffs, who most definitely steal from you without question. It is the only center that always seems to short change you. Between them and NY, a bottle of water costs you 20% more than it should.
Actually waiting in line now, reading some reviews as I wait. Not having high expectations from past reviews. The lady who came out when pulling up was real rude. Never been to this one so asked a simple question on procedures. Was given answer if we take your cans, pull up and we will get to you when we get to you. Nice attitude, wench. I would once, like to walk into or deal with a small business in the Watertown area where you feel like you are dealing with people that care. I understand it’s a redemption center. People are probably getting just minimum wage. But geesh, have some damn pride in the fact you have a job and you are providing a service.
I waited 18 mins before they even came out of the building to get my cans. And 25 mins for then to mis count and short me. The 2 people ahead of me turned around and left. If they are so short staffed or people hate their jobs that much just shut it down. It's not a convenience to be ignored. Its called customer service. You should try it sometime. Be courteous and Let the customer know it'll be a few mins, dont just walk past the the door several times and stare at the line forming. Never Again. I'll individually return them at Wal-Mart so I can get back an accurate amount. 0 stars. But that's not an option.
Every single time I go here they short me money and have to wait about about a half hour. The driveway is littered with broken glass as well. Never again.
I counted my bottles and cans before going bagged them up into Walmart bags them put them into big white bags and told them I had a ruff idea what I had and the shorted me! 100 cans That’s 5$ They short everyone
Only got 5 cents for my bottles and cans... not the 5 1/2 cents as advertised. I guess it's convenient that you don't have to put them in machines but with the reviews that they miscount, probably not worth it.
Never had a issue here until today. Took 5 large trash bags in. Waited for about 40 mins and only received $3 and 30 cents. Apparently I only had 66 items worth anything. Not sure what changed but I will not be returning here.
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