Where do I begin? Walking into the store (but only by the bakery/deli side because floral is closed at 7pm) the smell of urine slaps you right in the face. Don't bother looking for a shopping basket- the manager doesn't put them out because 'people steal them.' The shopping carts are either locked up with hair or just plain don't push. Most product is out, and if you ask for a raincheck on a sale get ready to wait at customer service for 15+minutes. Got a recall on a cereal due to ecoli contamination? Get ready to argue with the head store manager because she says your box 'wasn't affected' despite the email you received from Safeway corporate telling you not to consume it and to bring it back. Even after explaining this cereal was meant for a child, the manager (lady with short cropped hair) conceded after a 20 minute argument that I was now allowed to pick out a different cereal. The poor cashiers and sales clerks are so over worked. There are rarely more than 2 lanes open for customers to buy their groceries. With the new limit of 15 items for self check out and the guests who purchase alcohol you can plan to wait for at least 10-15 minutes in line. Not the cashiers fault, it is purely management greed for labor numbers that drives any customer with a brain away from this store. I will drive to 580 marketplace to shop or even farther competitors like Trader Joe's, luckys and Walmart before I step place in that black hole that is redwood Safeway. Shoppers beware because it is not a safe place to be or spend your money. read more

If i could give zero stars i would. Racist Safeway in the Bay Area. Especially employee named Billie. I was check out and she kept trying to tell me i wasn't scanning items even though you can see it on the screen that it had been scanned read more

I never go to Safeway for a multitude of reasons. But today I went to Safeway on Redwood Road to purchase corn that was on sale 8 for $1. The bin need filling I asked an produce employee if he was going to fill the bin , he replied yes, but never got the corn . I left. I noticed to get certain extra discounts on some purchase's you needed to download an app. Which I didn't want to do . The employees I saw walking around didn't look happy at all, they don't return a smile or say hello back or ask if you need help. They are not friendly or helpful they are rude. I also noticed that even the customers didn't seem happy to be shopping at Safeway. read more

Jackie in self checkout was very rude when refusing to help or problem solve with questions pertaining to Wic transaction. It's one thing to not know how to answer a question, it's another to question each item we are trying to buy and question the worth and size. Jackie needs more training in sensitivity with EBT and Wic transactions for future members. Cultural competency at an all time low, especially around the holiday season. read more

This is a decent Safeway and place to get groceries. However, I've always had issues with the checkout line. There are never enough employees available for check out. And there is one cash here lady who is consistently rude, and I dread going to her booth, but often have no option. She definitely has an attitude. read more

Deli department is way out of organized. it's chaos there. Some of the staff there did not train properly. The manager does not have the knowledge on how to lead the team to do the right job. read more

This store full of "Russian" haters!!! Watch out! Anybody can get hurt there!!!!! All kind stalkers is looking for "Russians" to start stalking and abuse you there, their hate is based on nationality origin for farmacy customers; anybody who speaks with any foreign ascent, those haters first order you to get far from them in line, initiate a scandal, very provocative, insults you closings, your looks, then use store manager ( big slavic guy in red t-short), to get foreign "Russian" customer to be kicked out, involving a security, stalking to a car, filming your car, filming how you get to the car. Also, watch out for a Chinese guy there!!! He is involved in all that as well, calling himself a manager. His name is Mike. read more

Been going here for like 20+ years was a good store, expect theres no more shopping baskets anymore from people stealing, they block entrance of the Safeway after 7pm from people stealing... been going downhill the last few years. few more years it's gonna end up like the Safeway on foothill... read more

Don't go here worst customer service. Cashier refused to look at my ID because I look under age. I'm 27 years old and look young but I have an ID for a reason. Save yourself a headache and avoid this safeway. Drive 3 more minutes to the other safeway in castro valley. Corporate needs to hire better employees. read more

A employee named Chase asked me as I was leaving did I pay for my case of 12 pack protein shakes and of course I did but I feel because I'm a black man that was the reason he even stopped me. I went to get my receipt to him digging in my bag to find it and he says never mind. It was quite Frankly insulting and unnecessary. You do stuff like that when you see the thief and confront the person. Not because you see a 52 year old black guy and you assume he's stealing for no good reason at all. I've never done anything criminal ever. Chase has to do and be better. Thank God he's not a policeman. I guess that why your stores Yelp rating is so low already.​ read more

I am really disappointed in this safeway on the boulevard. For many years I have shopped here and I live in San lorenzo. What has happened to their quality checks on their made in store food? I was there tonight and told 2 employees , 1 in produce and 1 at the register that the made in store dill dips in produce were expired. They all expired 7/9. They were brown in color on the edges. I should have taken a photo. Please stop selling expired food. And please make this store a great store like it used to be. The manager of this store should step up and do better quality checks. Very disappointed. read more

HORRIBLE!!! I used to come here every week but no more! When you enter the store and Racheal (the store manger) is there YOU better pray. I have never seen a manager so rude to they're workers. There's a reason they call that location "Slaveway" workers go hours on end without there breaks and lunches, and are expected to still work at full capacity. Private conversations between manager and worker happen at guest services. Racheal has publicly called her workers and some customers "slow" and "dumb". The workers still manage to keep an upbeat attitude and are never rude . Horrible management!!! read more

The BEST experience ever @ the Deli Dept from a woman named Debbie!! She was amazing and attentive to me and I was so happy to have her as my clerk this evening! This was the BEST communication I have had at a Safeway and I just want to say thank you for treating me me so kindly with that welcoming smile and endearing personality!! I look forward to seeing you again when I return to Safeway in Castro Valley!! Martin read more

DISAPPOINTED!! The lack of respect the employees get is DISAPPOINTING. I happened to over hear a cashier telling a customer that they had been working four hours straight with no break. I looked over to see management,too busy talking about their personal lives. It seems like every time I come to this store there's always something going wrong. Whether it's being understaffed, or untimely breaks and lunches. Something needs to be done and QUICK. It is VERY DISHEARTENING seeing all my favorite employees leaving, and being left with new ones, who haven't been properly trained. Management having a complete disregard and lack of empathy towards their employees, hurts my heart to have to witness every time I walk into Redwood Castro valley Safeway. read more

I used the myturn.ca.gov website to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination. The soonest appointment was at the Castro Valley Safeway on Redwood Road. I got there about 10 minutes early and handed in my paperwork over a plexiglass window to Stephanie, a Pharmacy Technician whose mask was down below her nose. She told me to wait in the side room. After reading a few pages in a book I brought along, the same Stephanie, still with the mask below her nose, directed me to a side room where it took all of about 30 seconds to give me a shot. Immediately after the vaccination, she said "You're all done. Drink lots of water." and gave me two coupons to Safeway along with my updated vaccination card. That was it. No 15 minute waiting period, no warning about what to watch for, nothing. So, out I went! Why the low rating? How can an employed Pharmacy Tech where her mask below her nose when she is dispensing medication as a job? How can she sit next to me essentially unmasked? How is it that none of the other staff brought it to her attention? Shouldn't she have had me sit for 15 minutes like they did with the other doses, just to make sure I was OK? It simply did not seem right. read more

Ive been disappointed with a few items I've purchased. I bought raspberries and they got moldy the same day I bought them. Purchased Tillamook Cheese with use by date August 15, 2024 and it's already moldy. There are several items I want to purchase and the shelf is empty. It would be nice to have some gluten free beer available. Also ground veal. The store isn't what it use to be. read more

Long story short Safeway needs to teach their employees how to provide a good customer service. Astara this lady at the register doesn't even ask how are you ? Or wish you a good day or night at the end of the purchase. She just says OK when you arrive to the register and "OK " as she hands you your receipt without smiling . I personally not feel welcome to this store tonight ! read more

Horrible store worst customer service I have ever seen.. And the manger I dealt with was ridiculous .. I won't be shopping there anymore they lost my business . I understand you have to I'd who's buying beer but I didn't know the person with them had to be I'd too it has happened to me two times and they have refused to sell me and my aunt beer and my Aunty is for sure over 21 ... Hahah really Safeway come on .... read more

There was a short, bald Hispanic guy with his mask pulled under his nose stocking yogurt. I was going to buy some Greek yogurt for a chicken recipe that my husband loves, but the aforementioned little guy was coughing a lot. Totally killed my appetite. Maybe they don't have to wear their masks over their noses when they are working in the cold, but he should have 2 masks on if he's coughing. Management should have a talk with him about that. read more

I visited the Redwood Road location of Safeway this morning and the service was very disheartening and it seems that every department that I visited and each employee that I encountered had an attitude, with the exception of a select few. I visited at about 5:45/6 am and checked out via self-check-out at 6:48 per my receipt. My first stop was the bakery department to inquire about purchasing donuts for tomorrow and while the employee helped me place an order eventually, the first response (before I had asked a question) was 'the donuts aren't out yet'. I then inquired with the deli department who was stocking the soups, etc. about what time the sushi would be available as I wanted to partake in the $5 Friday Sushi deal, the woman I spoke with whom I've seen several times before said that she didn't even know if they would have sushi. Not 'hello or good morning', just I don't know. I asked if someone else new and she said the 'guy who makes the sushi had an emergency yesterday and left early so she didn't know if he would be here today'. I proceeded to do my other shopping and ran into someone I knew in the seafood/meat section and he inquired about purchasing fish which wasn't out yet. Someone working nearby indicated LOUDLY that they were open yet and that the staff may be on their coffee break. The attitude in which the information was relayed was a bit crummy and there should be hours of operation posted in the section if they differ from the store hours. When the staff was walking back from break, they began complaining and mentioning that they were on their break BEFORE they greeted us with a hello and/or asked what we needed help with. I then went to the produce section and inquired with the gentlemen working in the organic section about where I could find the cucumbers. I greeted him with good morning and I'm pretty sure his response was a grumble because he didn't open his mouth to respond and appeared to be obviously irritated that I was asking for help. I checked out through self-check-out and then ordered two drinks from Starbucks which was made incorrectly. One was re-made but was still incorrect which I didn't realize until I got home. At which I called the store to inquire about what the next step should be, bring the drink back for another re-make and/or bringing in the receipt. I spoke with a woman who answered the phone who also had an attitude (seems to be a common theme today) and she said she didn't know and that I would need to check with Starbucks. When I asked her again because this wasn't the first time that this had happened and when I came back with the receipt, I was met with being asked who I had spoken with and told me it would be okay to come back and again LOUDLY and begrudgingly said she didn't know and that I needed to ask them and hung-up. My request: Serious customer service coaching needs to take place immediately because customers should not be met with crappy attitudes/responses from irritated and/or disgruntled employees. Additionally, if various departments such as the deli, bakery, and seafood counters don't open at the same time that the store opens signs with their hours of operation need to be posted so that there isn't any confusion. Lastly, Donna, Sharon and David have ALWAYS been consistently polite, pleasant, upbeat, warm and welcoming regardless of the time of day or how they may be feeling. read more

So.......grocery shopping? This location does not have all the items that the "Big" Safeway has on Castro Valley Blvd.. But..... If you want a sandwich from the deli....Now THAT'S where this Safeway shines! There are 2 peeps that are the best! I go to them before Subway, Togos,,,yadayada. A note: the Manager is quick to help you with anything you need! read more

Not much of a fan at this location. I prefer the 580 Safeway- I find that the environment is not so hectic and busy. This particular location is always busy, rude ppl, only a handful of good hard working employees,and I've witnessed customers who have stolen many items. I don't go in there too often since I rather go to the 580 location. However, when I need to go to this location( there's a U.S. Bank ) I always hear a controlling store manager when shopping, and confirmed it is when I finally reach a check stand and notice she's the only one not in uniform and barking orders over the intercom. Kills the vibe while shopping. Also, if you're looking to shop at this location- go early. A lot of the items won't be available after a certain time. The deli department is a challenge as well. Good luck finding someone. read more

I was at self check out 9/6 around 8pm. I decide to purchase some corn because it was on sale. I am not sure why the item was not discounted at the (self checkout) register. The employee said she didn't know either and walked away. She did say, probably have something to do with the coupon and it is too late to scan it. That didn't help at all. Too tired to argue, end up paying full price. I shop here all the time. The store is clean and organized. I hate to say it. I dont like some of the staff. I think about one third of the staff don't like asian and they are kinda rude. read more

I've been coming to this Safeway for years. The location is convenient and most of the time they have what I need. It's frustrating that they don't always have sale items in stock and the check out lines are usually pretty long. I'm mainly writing this review for two outstanding employees that keep me coming back! SERGIO & OMAR ARE THE BOMB! Not only are they beyond helpful but their positive attitude and friendliness make going to the store not such a chore. I actually look forward to seeing them when I shop. If other employees followed their lead that store would outshine the rest! read more

I shopped at Safeway stores in Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and various places in California for decades and am fed up. When I shop for groceries, I want good quality, good selection, good prices, transparent pricing, and good customer service. I want to go into a store, find things, purchase them and leave. Safeway fails on numerous counts. The Safeway App is a huge source of frustration. I do not want to play video games on my phone when I buy groceries. * Safeway App is Difficult to Use. Using it on a phone is hard because there is too much data and information on a small screen. You have to page through multiple pages and tabs on my phone to figure out what is on sale and what rewards you have. If you don't get it right, you don't get the sale prices. Several times clerks had to help me to use it. Once when checking out, a clerk noticed that I didn't get the discounts that I selected in the app. She suggested using my cell phone number. Later, I checked and I had set up the app to use our home number to check out. Either the app isn't working or I did something wrong. Bottom line: why should this be necessary to get sale prices? * Safeway Pricing is Too High. o Why should you only get the discounts if you use the app? For a long time, I didn't bother with the app. I started using it and noticed the app is giving 10% discounts if you spend $100. This means that if the app isn't 'used and you spend $100 a week for groceries, then in a year you paid $520 too much. The day before New Year's Eve, we purchased $145 of groceries and the app saved us $28 or about 20%. How much did Safeway mark up the prices of other groceries to lower the prices for app users? Please, just give me the sales price without using the app and stop ripping off non app users. o Safeway offers additional bargains at the end of the week. In other words, to get the sale prices you have to shop on those days. If you need something in the middle of the week and want to purchase additional items that would be on sale at the end of the week, how much more will you pay? Why not have sale prices last all week? o Are Safeway prices higher than other stores. With all the pseudo "bargains" one would expect a cart of Safeway groceries would be a big full of savings and a lower grocery bill. Nope, prices are higher at Safeway. All these "bargains" are designed to get you into the store but the overall cost of your groceries is higher because other groceries are marked up to make up for the app user "discounts". SF Gate https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/price-of-groceries-in-SF-16835729.php) compared prices of 15 grocery items at Grocery Outlet, Safeway, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's in February 2022. Results were: Grocery Outlet, $48.73, Trader Joe's $53.98, Whole Foods, $60.21 and Safeway $60.97. That's right. According to the survey, Safeway prices were higher than the other three stores. * Customer service??? Try finding someone on the floor who can tell you where something is. If you can find someone, at best, they will point you to the right direction. At Trader Joe's a person will take you to the product. The latter is good customer service. * Rain Checks. I wanted a rain check for the prime rib roast that was on sale before Christmas. I was informed that there was a meat shortage and Safeway would not issue discounts for the holiday meats. In other words, they advertised a Christmas special, didn't buy enough to satisfy demand and refused to issues rain checks. They hoped you would find something else in the meat section for your special holiday dinner. Another time, they had a discount for boneless chicken breasts at the Butcher Block. Of course, they were out. I got a rain check but never saw boneless chicken breasts at the butcher block. Recently, I asked for a rain check on an 11-ounce container of blueberries. The customer "service" woman said they were only giving out rain checks on Tuesday which is the last day of the sale. In other words, to get a rain check I would have to return to the store. That never happened before. After complaining, she finally and reluctantly gave us a rain check. Because of the app's difficulty, pseudo discounts, missed sale prices, and higher overall prices, I quit shopping at Safeway. I want to go to stores with the same price for everyone, stores that don't require the use of an app to get "bargains", and have good selections and customer service. From now on, I am shopping at Trader Joe's, Costco, The Marketplace and of course Al's Market. Shopping will be easier, there will be better customer service, and the frustration level will be lower. read more

Hot buffet has lots of food options. Beef n brocolli, bbq pork, sweet n sour chicken, mandarin orange chicken, salt n pepper chicken drummettes, chowmein, fried rice, etc. read more

Safeway - a buffet with many different types of food - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

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This Safeway location does not stock Tajin. They used to have it in the produce section and I don't know when they stopped. Horrible. I shan't patronize this location again. read more

Definitely one of the worst locations, which is sad because it's the more popular one in CV. They are always out of sale products regularly (or too many greedy mofos keep shopping too early and taking everything up!), and many of the workers have bad attitudes, especially the night shift. It's a wonder most of them still work there after so many years. The BIGGEST issue is how they DO NOT have a dedicated Customer Service desk worker at all hours of operation. Usually the person working it has to split tasks between the Service Desk and the Self Checkout, which is HIGHLY inefficient and causes so many delays. I cannot understand why they don't employ someone strictly for service desk,EVEN DURING A "LUNCH BREAK", so that one worker doesn't hve to keep jumping back and forth from the Self Check out to service desk. There should be someone at service desk at ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. Oh,and the NEWEST BIGGEST ISSUE is that they are no longer 24/7??? Wtf!!! They went from being 24/7, to shutting registers down for 15 min between 1 and 1:15 am, to closing at 2am, to being back open 24/7, and now they close at freaking 1. I WILL be complaining to corporate. Not everyone is a boring prude who goes to bed before 10pm,some of us work late and need to shop in the middle of the night when there's no crowds!!!! Go back to 24/hours!!! read more

Safeway - So this is there fancy way of saying the new hours of operation are 6am to 1am?? Like stop being complicated. - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

I was at the Safeway at Redwood and Castro Valley this morning. I had an issue with self checking, and requested help as both the manager and another worker were there. The store manager just looked at me and walked away. This is not the first time this has happened. She is rude, abrupt and condescending to customers and employees. Going forward I will take advantage of other stores in the area who actually care about their customers and employees. read more

I work in a hospital. I love that Safeway stays open until midnight , so I can cook for myself...However, today, I arrived at 11:53, and the doors were locked, and security shook his head to let me know I could not enter. I was embarrassed, and I didn't get any groceries. Does the store close at midnight? Do employees lock the doors earlier? read more

If you're going to buy alcohol with your family DO NOT go there, I couldn't even buy some beers and groceries with out asking for everyone's ID. Its ridiculous, what kind store does this? Should I just leave my family in the car while I shop? I've never had this issue anywhere else. Thank you Gabriel for wasting my time! read more

I've been coming to this Safeway for the past 15 years. I am a woman of color. Today a short, stout, gray haired clerk monitoring self check out came up to personally monitor me. There were several other people checking out too. Once I was done, she went back to where they usually stand. What a disappointment. read more

Picked up a cake for my mom it was great and the service was as well! We chose carrot, it was delicious! read more

They have the Cheesecake Factory wheat bread here now!!!!! This Safeway is so clean and friendly customer service. I like how it is very convenient located next to other shops! Did I mention they sell the Cheesecake Factory wheat bread here now?! read more

Safeway - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

This review is for Cheryl. I come to this Safeway often and don't recall ever crossing paths with her, today god blessed me with her presence. Ever meet someone that instantly warms your heart? Cheryl did that for me today. Unfortunately, so many grocery store workers are over worked these days and come off short and rude. Cheryl was running around , super busy to say the least . Yet she approached everyone with a smile and warm hello. This world has a lot of sad and angry people in it, it's nice to come across people like Cheryl, this store is lucky to have her! read more

The service is terrible. The store attendant/cashier's name was very rude to a customer just because the customer had 16 items in the express lane. Her name was Michelle. Granted that the customer made a mistake, Michelle rolled her eyes and made rude facial expressions to the customer even after the customer made an honest mistake. I think she thought the customer wasn't paying attention. read more

Came here 10 minutes before they closed and they closed the door on me. All the workers looked at me and raised both hands like they couldn't do anything because the doors were locked. Horrible...stay open until you're suppose to close. read more

Okay, this Safeway rocks compared to what I have always considered my go-to Safeway. This Castro Valley Safeway if bigger, newer and carries more stuff than the one on Foothill. It's a bit further away, but worth it for weekly shopping. I still have my prescriptions at Foothill, but I now do my weekly shopping in Castro Valley. It's arranged a bit differently, but I'll adjust. I can't find everything I need at Trader Joe's and we don't have a Whole Foods anywhere nearby, so Safeway it is. I like this one quite a bit. read more

This review is for the Deli section only. I like to buy my deli meat at Safeway's, for both flavor and quality. Today I wanted to get some Boar's Head deli cold cuts. When I got there I changed my mind because I saw no less than 3 meat slicers, all of them with mounds of residue of other things that had been sliced before. All the machines were dirty! I noticed a couple of people milling around behind the counter, doing other things. Daydreaming is more than likely. You ever notice that people today hate to work when their at work, they will walk back in forth in front of you, tell you that someone will be right with you, but it ain't gonna be them! But they keep passing you for like 10 minutes, lol. Well in this case I would not have ordered anything with all the slicers mucked up! Solution, I went to a different Safeway. Be careful of people in food service today, either they aren't being trained properly, or they really don't care! read more

Just went to pick up some food and saw new temporary hours and set aside hours for elderly and at risk people due to Covid 19. It's nice to see that businesses are thinking about people circumstances. read more

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