Got my booster at this location today. And, definitely experienced the staff shortage currently taking place. But, it is NOT their fault, so I was glad to see the long waiting line being patient.
However, even with staff shortages, I wasn't impressed with the techs working the front. Besides the fill-in nurse who was doing her best to help them out even though she was technically only supposed to be administering vaccines- major props to her! The two other ladies were busy, but blatantly ignored me while I stood at the drop off/vaccine counter for over 15 minutes.
The drop off counter was closed off & cluttered. It looks like an impromptu junk storage area. Very off-putting. So, I finally went & stood in line for someone to acknowledge I showed up for my appointment after making sure to check in online as instructed (even though I shouldn't have had to stand in line as I wasn't picking up a script). When I got to the counter the tech somewhat "scolded" me & told me to go wait at the opposite end, where I was already standing & waiting, not acknowledged. It was a bit irritating I showed up 15 minutes early as directed & was the ONLY person waiting for a vaccine, yet I didn't get helped for about 30 minutes until the employees who ignored me standing there decided to inform the nurse after I had to spell it out I have an appointment & have BEEN waiting at the CORRECT area.
Being busy because of shortages is one thing, but blatantly ignoring customers & then being short tempered when "helping" was enough to make me question if I really wanted to be helped here at all. Luckily, the nurse was SO much more kind & helpful than the other employees. Her job was only to be administering vaccines but she was kindly helping the staff between appointments- and she was doing a fantastic job keeping up with both!
Loved her personality- though she ended up "venting" to me about the frustrations there, I really did appreciate her chatty charm! Very insightful on any questions I had, put my mind at ease & offered sound advice. She even gave me a $5 coupon to use on any purchase in store while I waited my 15 minutes for observation!
The vaccine was extremely quick & would have been 20 minutes total (including the 15 min observation) had my appointment been on time. She really had the magic touch & I didn't feel a thing! And, also went out of her way to check in on me, getting my card stamped & on my way safely. If it weren't for her, I probably would have left & made an appointment elsewhere. This isn't a store I'd want to come back to after the experience w/ the regular pharmacy staff. I do feel for them, being stressed & understaffed- but that still isn't valid reason to be callous towards customers. read more