Water Spout

As nervous as I am to suggest another consumer revolt — the last time I did this the result was the immediate removal of the clock from the Bank of Montreal when we sought to have it repaired — I’ve got another issue burning a hole in my brain.

If you are a customer of Sobey’s, you may be familiar with their 10-litre jug of Big 8-brand spring water. The jug is a very nice size, and fits well in a fridge. In these days of water problems, and water scares, it’s become our primary source of drinking water.

When we first started buying these jugs last year, they had a very nice “push-pull” blue-coloured spout that didn’t leak and worked easily all the way down to the last drop of water. Recently Sobey’s has switched to a brown-coloured “push in” snub-nosed spout that, alas, meets neither of these tests: it regularly leaks water into the fridge, it’s hard to operate, and it just plain cuts out working once the water gets low.

If you have encountered this problem yourself, and want to make your frustration known to Sobey’s, I implore you to visit their website feedback page and send them your thoughts. I just received a very nice response back from Sobey’s consumer affairs people after doing so, and I’m sure if enough Sobey’s customers tell the chain of this problem, change will result.

Of course this probably means, with my track record, that they will immediately stop selling water altogether, but that’s a chance we’ll have to take.

Comments

Jarret's picture
Jarret on September 23, 2002 - 20:51 Permalink

I seem to have the exact same problem. I have to continually place a bowl on the refrigerator rack directly below the spout to catch the dripping. Only my problem is with the 10L jugs branded with the name Presidents Choice. Are Loblaws and Sobeys associated in any way?

Steven Garrity's picture
Steven Garrity on September 24, 2002 - 00:00 Permalink

Ever consider a water cooler? The Seaman’s Beverages Water Co. delivers to us at work and, while I’m not sure the exact price, I believe it’s comparable to to what you’d pay at the grocerty store (and it’s so cold).

Jarret's picture
Jarret on September 24, 2002 - 03:08 Permalink

Yes, I have considered a water cooler. Since it is only me that drinks the water would it be justifiable to have water deliverd to the door. Not likely. The price is more expensive and there is also the rental of the water cooler itself.