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March 2024 by Katelyn Garcia
This is the worst pharmacy experience I've ever had. I, unfortunately, had to visit three times to pick up prescriptions, and every time the employees were unfriendly. They avoid eye contact, they mumble, they roll their eyes, they sigh, and that's only if you're lucky enough to not be ignored.But, with my most recent prescriptions the issue was with Good Rx. Their "system was down" and they "couldn't bill through Good Rx." This, I understand is an issue out of their control. I'm sure it's frustrating for them, but it's also frustrating for their customers. Arguably more so. However, they didn't behave in a helpful or compassionate way at all regarding the issue. Considering that this system error was putting people in a tough position of having to pay more than they can afford for medications they can't do without, you'd think that maybe the employees would AT LEAST offer an apology or some semblance of solution.I would have been quelled entirely if they had apologized, or even just been nice, and suggested I call back in a day or two to see if the issue had been resolved. They also could have tried to be more helpful for people in this tough situation: they could have taken down the Good Rx information they needed for the medications to re-bill at a later date allowing the customers to pay the coupon price, or maybe they could have offered to issue a refund once the system was working again if the customer could not wait to purchase the medication. I'm beyond convinced there was more they could've done than just say, "there's nothing we can do" accompanied with the aforementioned sighs and eye rolls.Furthermore, when I called a few days later to see if Good Rx was working before going in person again, I was met with extreme animosity. I had the displeasure of speaking with Adam. Verbatim, he said "your prescription is only $13, so is that really overpaying?" suggesting that he was the authority on what customers can afford to pay. And, when I asked how long they'd be able to keep my prescription on the shelf while I waited for Good Rx to be working again, rather than giving me a straight answer of 14-days, he said, "well, I can pull out a calendar... It was filled on the 20th, so, one... two... three..." and proceeded to count loudly and talk over me as if I didn't know how to count. I just needed him to tell me how many days their policy allows for, and for some bizarre reason it was like pulling teeth to get the answer. And, finally, the icing on the cake, he hung up on me.I also witnessed Adam being rude to customers in front of me in line, and he was speaking ill of customers behind the counter when I walked up on my final visit. I'm not sure why he's being allowed to get away with this behavior, but it's pretty unacceptable.LASTLY: I was correct in assuming that there were potential solutions to offer to customers. They WERE able to process a refund for the difference in price for the prescription I paid for while Good Rx wasn't working. However, this was not something they suggested to me. I had to take it upon myself to fix the problem. And, unsurprisingly, they were not friendly about the refund.
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April 2023 by Shari Zygadlo
I’ve been using Safeway Pharmacy and bijou for many years and let me tell you they have the greatest staff and are just so kind
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March 2023 by J P!
Much better than the Safeway Pharmacy in Zephr Cove. They actually answer their phones and are courteous.I had a negative experience though. My Rx called for a 60 count of 10mg pills. The 10mg was frequently out-of-stock, so one pharmacist at this location would substitute 30 count of 20mg pills, because the 20 mg was consistently in stock. I would simply cut the 20mg in half. Same exact dose, and it allowed me to receive my medicine without a delay.This past weekend, when I went to pick up my Rx, the pharmacist on duty wouldn't give it to me, because he said that I needed my doctor to specify "20mg". The 10mg are still out-of-stock. This is not a dosage difference, as 30 count of 20mg is the same monthly dose as 60 count of 10mg.This resulted in me not having medicine that I need, because my doctor's office is not open on weekends. When I called Safeway to renew the prescription, on Thursday, I wish the pharmacist would have notified me at that point in time that there was a problem, because I could have contacted my doctor's office immediately and fixed the issue, without a gap in medication. I thought everything was OK after my phone call, until I showed up on Saturday, and could not get my medicine.This is a medication that I have been on for about 8 years.The weather and roads have made it difficult to get around Tahoe lately. It is not as if it is easy to just go to the pharmacy multiple times when there are big blizzards around. It would be great if this pharmacy didn't SUCK at communication, because I could have avoided both a gap in my medication as well as extra trips during nasty snow storms.I will be looking for another pharmacy! I am open to recommendations if people know of a place that has reasonable people with decent communication skills.
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February 2023 by Skye P.
Much better than the Safeway Pharmacy in Zephr Cove. They actually answer their phones and are courteous.I had a negative experience though. My Rx called for a 60 count of 10mg pills. The 10mg was frequently out-of-stock, so one pharmacist at this location would substitute 30 count of 20mg pills, because the 20 mg was consistently in stock. I would simply cut the 20mg in half. Same exact dose, and it allowed me to receive my medicine without a delay.This past weekend, when I went to pick up my Rx, the pharmacist on duty wouldn't give it to me, because he said that I needed my doctor to specify "20mg". The 10mg are still out-of-stock. This is not a dosage difference, as 30 count of 20mg is the same monthly dose as 60 count of 10mg.This resulted in me not having medicine that I need, because my doctor's office is not open on weekends. When I called Safeway to renew the prescription, on Thursday, I wish the pharmacist would have notified me at that point in time that there was a problem, because I could have contacted my doctor's office immediately and fixed the issue, without a gap in medication. I thought everything was OK after my phone call, until I showed up on Saturday, and could not get my medicine.This is a medication that I have been on for about 8 years.The weather and roads have made it difficult to get around Tahoe lately. It is not as if it is easy to just go to the pharmacy multiple times when there are big blizzards around. It would be great if this pharmacy didn't SUCK at communication, because I could have avoided both a gap in my medication as well as extra trips during nasty snow storms.I will be looking for another pharmacy! I am open to recommendations if people know of a place that has reasonable people with decent communication skills.
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October 2022 by Richard Cooper
Took over 2 hours and 3 returns to full two generic prescriptions.They said they would not honor good rx and grossly overcharged me .STAY AWAY!
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September 2022 by Mark M.
I've been picking up a number of prescriptions from this Safeway for the last 2 years. They have always been friendly and helpful. I don't understand the other poor reviews?
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March 2022 by Jack Young
To the people and visitors of South Lake Tahoe. I wanted to reiterate my thoughts of what Adam and Jean bring to this pharmacy. First of all this is a very stressful occupation and the both of them almost always have a high tolerance of patience. I can't think of a better combination of professionalism that the two of them display. A lot goes into the process to complete filling a prescription the doctors office, Maintaining inventory, verification of insurance if there is any.we can't just click our heels together 3 times and expect that our prescription will be ready.I think every now and then we all should step back and appreciate what this pharmacy and all of its staff do for all of us.Just reminding us that these people that work here are not robots and they are people too. An atta boy and atta girl can go along way!
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March 2022 by Russell Jones
The place to get food while at heavenly. Super friendly checkout people
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October 2021 by Mary M.
Been getting my RX there for over 40 years.. when Adam and Cassie are there, they answer your questions with the upmost courtesy and patience and professionalism. Today I tried to call and find out what time to pick up my prescriptions, it took over 2 hours when finally they pick up the phone and put me on hold and cut me off. When I finally got through another 10 minutes later only to be put on hold again and cutoff!! I understand we all are going through challenging times, but to not answer the phone and to be cutoff is unacceptable. Maybe it's time to make a change in personal in that pharmacy department. Had to let off some steam even though that the store on Johnson Lane will not do anything about it.
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March 2021 by Ally K.
Rushed across town on a Saturday after work to pick up my prescription. Tried calling 15 minutes before incase I made it after 5 but no answer. Hours posted say they close at 5 on Yelp and at the window. Made it just before 5 but they were closed already. Not happy and will probably change pharmacies to be honest.
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January 2021 by Jennifer M.
I really don't complain about people, really. We're all human and nobody is perfect, however, I will absolutely never use (at least this) Safeway Pharmacy ever.. I needed my sons medication, I don't have insurance so everything is cash pay. His doctor always searches for discounts and coupons to make things easier and this was no exception. She sent the prescription over to Safeway, and then......radio silence.. after 5 days I finally called (no mind you, sometimes we switch pharmacies for the best deals on medications and they always get filled no problem) anyway, I called and they told me they thought they received the prescription as an error.. so they just didn't do anything with it. They didn't call me, they didn't call the prescribing doctor (which seems like a common sense move to confirm the prescription is where is should be anyway, or to see if it was in fact sent there by mistake) but no.. just put it in a bin and left it alone. Then I was told it would be ready that day after 12:00. I go at 1:00 just to be safe, and not only is it not filled, it's not even in stock. And the pharmacist is the absolute rudest person I've ever dealt with in any pharmacy. He told me that his 15 years pharmaceutical experience says it's ok to just ignore prescriptions, and when I had any questions about by the pharmacy didn't at least call the doctor to make sure the prescription did in fact end up in the right place, he looked at me refused to answer my questions was super evasive and then said "sorry, nobody is forcing you to be here".. I think I'll avoid Safeway at all costs, even if that means paying more for a prescription elsewhere.
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December 2020 by shellie wilson
I shop here alot! Friendly staff fresh produce, vegan specialties!
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November 2020 by Jantzen J.
Worst service I've ever had in my life, the cashier was so rude i don't really complain about people .
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August 2020 by John Y.
Adam, Jean and staff are the absolute most accommodating people on the planet. Every single person working in this pharmacy are polite and courteous. South Lake Tahoe is fortunate to have the Safeway pharmacy because of the pharmacists and their staff. Understand if anyone thinks these people are rude in any way, it may be because they are concentrating on getting the prescriptions right. Let it be known that Jack and Wendy appreciate everything they do, and we know that their job is not easy... especially during these times. Thank you for being here for all of us!
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June 2020 by Laura W.
They definitely are the absolute rudest staff members I've ever dealt with. They act like they'd rather clean a toilet then help people get their medicine. Just switch pharmacies people, it's that simple.
