My boyfriend and I donate regularly now, as he has a negative RH factor and is able to make a special medicine for pregnant women whose babies have a different RH factor than them. I first started donating as a good friend needed plasma transfusions due to a medical disorder and it felt nice to be able to help people in need. The money was also a nice help with bills of course.
In my experience over the years everyone there is always friendly (unless you get belligerent with them, which is not tolerated in the center thankfully) and willing to chat a little as you get hooked up.
My boyfriend and I have tattoos also and have not found anyone insulting us or complaining about them as a previous reviewer stated. We go there at varying times of the day and have NEVER seen any high employees, or employees yelling at eachother on the floor as a previous reviewer stated either.
Anytime we're there, the staff either talks amongst themselves or to the donors, and there's a very casual feeling on the floor. It's not stuffy like a hospital or doctors office, and it's a nice change of pace to feel comfortable and normal like everyone else there. Some of the conversations can get rowdy depending on what donors are there, but nothing over the line or rude, it's just like hanging out with friends.
Overall I'd recommend Octapharma to anyone who's willing to donate. Signing up for the first time is a lengthy process, but donating isn't bad if you listen to the instructions and don't half-ass it. Drink lots of water. Eat high protein foods. Pump your fist when the cuff tightens. It takes me about 35 minutes to finish donating, and if no one is in line maybe 5-10 minutes at most for us to get checked in, and my boyfriend takes about 45 minutes to donate. read more