diff --git a/semantic_router/index/pinecone.py b/semantic_router/index/pinecone.py
index f885fbf7..f1ec2a7c 100644
--- a/semantic_router/index/pinecone.py
+++ b/semantic_router/index/pinecone.py
@@ -282,6 +282,7 @@ def _batch_upsert(self, batch: List[Dict]):
         :type batch: List[Dict]
         """
         if self.index is not None:
+            print(f"JBTEMP upserting batch: {batch} to '{self.namespace}'")
             self.index.upsert(vectors=batch, namespace=self.namespace)
         else:
             raise ValueError("Index is None, could not upsert.")
@@ -298,6 +299,10 @@ def add(
         **kwargs,
     ):
         """Add vectors to Pinecone in batches."""
+        print(f"{routes=}")
+        print(f"{utterances=}")
+        print(f"{function_schemas=}")
+        print(f"{metadata_list=}")
         if self.index is None:
             self.dimensions = self.dimensions or len(embeddings[0])
             self.index = self._init_index(force_create=True)
@@ -309,7 +314,7 @@ def add(
             metadata_list=metadata_list,
             sparse_embeddings=sparse_embeddings,
         )
-
+        print(f"{vectors_to_upsert=}")
         for i in range(0, len(vectors_to_upsert), batch_size):
             batch = vectors_to_upsert[i : i + batch_size]
             self._batch_upsert(batch)
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_sync.py b/tests/unit/test_sync.py
index 7397a033..352e499f 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_sync.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_sync.py
@@ -516,25 +516,45 @@ def test_auto_sync_merge_force_remote(
                 index=pinecone_index,
                 auto_sync="local",
             )
-            time.sleep(PINECONE_SLEEP)  # allow for index to be populated
+
+            @retry(max_retries=RETRY_COUNT, delay=PINECONE_SLEEP)
+            def check_r1_utterances():
+                # confirm local and remote are synced
+                assert route_layer.is_synced()
+                # now confirm utterances are correct
+                r1_utterances = [
+                    Utterance(
+                        name="Route 1", utterances="Hello", metadata={"type": "default"}
+                    ),
+                    Utterance(
+                        name="Route 1", utterances="Hi", metadata={"type": "default"}
+                    ),
+                    Utterance(name="Route 2", utterances="Au revoir"),
+                    Utterance(name="Route 2", utterances="Bye"),
+                    Utterance(name="Route 2", utterances="Goodbye"),
+                    Utterance(name="Route 3", utterances="Boo"),
+                ]
+                local_utterances = route_layer.index.get_utterances()
+                # we sort to ensure order is the same
+                local_utterances.sort(
+                    key=lambda x: x.to_str(include_metadata=include_metadata(index_cls))
+                )
+                assert local_utterances == r1_utterances
+
+            check_r1_utterances()
+
             route_layer = router_cls(
                 encoder=openai_encoder,
                 routes=routes_2,
                 index=pinecone_index,
                 auto_sync="merge-force-remote",
             )
-            time.sleep(PINECONE_SLEEP)  # allow for index to be populated
 
             @retry(max_retries=RETRY_COUNT, delay=PINECONE_SLEEP)
-            def check_sync():
+            def check_r2_utterances():
                 # confirm local and remote are synced
                 assert route_layer.is_synced()
-                # now confirm utterances are correct
                 local_utterances = route_layer.index.get_utterances()
-                # we sort to ensure order is the same
-                local_utterances.sort(
-                    key=lambda x: x.to_str(include_metadata=include_metadata(index_cls))
-                )
                 assert local_utterances == [
                     Utterance(
                         route="Route 1", utterance="Hello", metadata={"type": "default"}
@@ -549,7 +569,7 @@ def check_sync():
                     Utterance(route="Route 3", utterance="Boo"),
                 ], "The routes in the index should match the local routes"
 
-            check_sync()
+            check_r2_utterances()
 
     @pytest.mark.skipif(
         os.environ.get("PINECONE_API_KEY") is None, reason="Pinecone API key required"
@@ -889,6 +909,32 @@ async def test_auto_sync_merge_force_remote(
                 index=pinecone_index,
                 auto_sync="local",
             )
+
+            @async_retry(max_retries=RETRY_COUNT, delay=PINECONE_SLEEP)
+            async def populate_index():
+                # confirm local and remote are synced
+                assert await route_layer.async_is_synced()
+                # now confirm utterances are correct
+                local_utterances = await route_layer.index.aget_utterances(
+                    include_metadata=True
+                )
+                # we sort to ensure order is the same
+                local_utterances.sort(key=lambda x: x.to_str(include_metadata=True))
+                assert local_utterances == [
+                    Utterance(
+                        route="Route 1", utterance="Hello", metadata={"type": "default"}
+                    ),
+                    Utterance(
+                        route="Route 1", utterance="Hi", metadata={"type": "default"}
+                    ),
+                    Utterance(route="Route 2", utterance="Au revoir"),
+                    Utterance(route="Route 2", utterance="Bye"),
+                    Utterance(route="Route 2", utterance="Goodbye"),
+                    Utterance(route="Route 3", utterance="Boo"),
+                ], "The routes in the index should match the local routes"
+
+            await populate_index()
+
             await asyncio.sleep(PINECONE_SLEEP)  # allow for index to be populated
             route_layer = router_cls(
                 encoder=openai_encoder,