Been living next door for about a year now so convenient to shop here even though it's over priced. Every single time I shop here only one single register is open.. idk why they even have the other 10 registers at this point they never use them. I broke my foot so the past month I've been ordering delivery and every time the store labels at least 10 items and their substitute as "unavailable". So then I'll go into the store and find every single item they marked as "unavailable". They're just too lazy to look around when things are in new places. And now tonight.. I called the store because my groceries were two hours late and this bratty teen answers the phone after I politely explained I was waiting on groceries and the store closed in one hour and she said "yeah... your drivers not here yet, literally nothing we can do about that. I don't what you want from me." Terrible customer service. I'll be getting groceries someone else from now on. read more

Safeway - Delivery is over two hours late - Grocery Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

The area is hardly very safe at night. Pickup orders are usually okay but the last time I ended up waiting 25 minutes for it to come out only to give up and go in looking for it. There is waaay to little staff for this store to run properly. This store has been run badly for the last decade. It's a shame as Safeway has a better supply chain and lower prices than the local Giant Food stores. The store itself is mostly clean and well lit and well stocked. Just don't go there in darker hours after work. Not safe. read more

We went into our local Safeway tonight on a mission. We needed some simple "emergency balloons" . The department seemed closed but since we are regular customers, I took a chance and went to Customer Service. This is where we met Lynne, who said "Let's get some balloons" She was funny and engaging and we were out in no time. Bravo. read more

3.17.13 I stopped in while I was at the mall as I needed to pick up a side of potato salad or macaroni salad for dinner. I also wanted to pick up Goya flan box mix as I have been on a hunt for it and the Safeway website showed they carry it. Unfortunately they did not have it at this particular location, maybe only online. I tried to find an employee to ask, but there wasn't anyone to be found. Finally I asked a lady working at the self checkout. She suggested looking in the pudding or the baked good aisle. I originally looked prior to asking her, but went back. I found it in the pudding aisle, but not the brand I like. I purchased the Royal brand. It was St. Patty's Day so they had balloons, cookies, and cakes to celebrate. Also, with Easter around the corner, they have an aisle with Easter merchandise including gift baskets and candy. This location is in Harper's Choice Village Center. It has a Starbucks and pharmacy inside. read more

See all

This might be the worst Safeway in the United States. It's dirty. There's never any baskets available and when I ask where the baskets are I'm told "they're all in use." There is 7 people shopping in this Safeway ain't no way all the baskets are in use. The last time I went a woman was pushing a shopping cart with a teenager sitting inside of it. The teen was yelling at people asking them if they'd like to fight. And as I was leaving the store a Toyota Carola with its hazards on had been sitting in front of the exit for 30+ minutes and a tall white guy was sitting next to it, asking for money. He didn't even have some sob story or anything, he just said "do you have a dollar?" This was happening less than 5feet from the exit of the Safeway. This place sucks. read more

I visited the Safeway on Harpers Farm Road, my local neighborhood store, on the afternoon of March 21st to place an order for a chicken wing platter. I paid $39.99, received a receipt, and was told by both the deli clerk and his manager that the order would be ready for pickup at 11 a.m. the next day. To my surprise, when I arrived at 11 a.m. on March 22nd, not only was the order not ready--there was no record of it ever being placed. I was disappointed to learn that I wasn't the only customer affected by missing orders that morning. Thankfully, Michelle came to the rescue and turned a disastrous moment around. She was incredibly helpful, professional, and kind. I explained that I had a party to set up for and would be back in an hour. When I returned, Michelle had prepared a full platter for me, along with an additional side I purchased. Her calm demeanor, warm smile, and sincere apologies turned a frustrating experience into a redeeming one. She truly embodied excellent customer service, and she's a big reason I'll continue doing business with this store. It is my hope that her leadership recognizes her value and effort! That said, I do hope management addresses the issue with the deli clerk from the previous day to ensure this doesn't happen to other customers in the future. read more

five stars if I could give it I is so nice and the place is so the robbing the will find everything you need there saves more time and it's not too far. Just ask the staff for something it's easy five stars read more

This is a very exciting store! It showed up in the news when gangs of kidz were robbin' it blind!! They are funny too. Tonight an old fat "security" man was sitting on the rail by the front door, laughing at people trying to get in at 9:05 PM on Sunday. Those people should have seen the hours "posted clearly" on the door like in the photo I've attached. read more

Safeway - Grocery Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

If you want to purchase anything perishable from this Safeway, check the "sell by" dates carefully. The refrigerated shelves are full of expired items. The prices are higher than other grocery chains in the area anyway. read more

Safeway - This pic shows how they removed the original sell by label, covering it with new current one - Grocery Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

See all

Parking: 5 stars Prices: 5 stars (Every type of food always has items on sale) Budget Buying: 5 stars Deli, Meals & Sandwiches: 5 stars (Always fresh and with an attentive staff) Pharmacy: 3 stars (They could be more supportive of the rest of the store when customers ask questions) Store Staff: 4 stars (helpful and friendly) Cleanliness: 5 stars Overall comment: This is a very good store especially if you are on a budget. There are always all types of items on sale and with a friendly and helpful staff. read more

I have written reviews in the past and ask myself why I ever think this place will improve. Today ZERO bakery options for a doughnut or pastry. Meaning they had NONE. Wanted Pure Left tea unsweetened bottled 12 pack. Took to the counter as it was shelved with a sale label. It did not ring up so an associate when to check and they had stocked it with the label intended for the same tea only sweetened. Really you save if you purchase a product they had to sweeten and not on the same product with no sweetener?? Again misplaced sale label. I still made my purchase because I was already there but thinking back I should have just left. Seriously wish this store would close and a better option take their place. read more

Don't shop this place. Just walk around what do have on sale. The staff are nice and friendly.

I sometimes don't mind paying a bit extra if there is a good reason: better service, better quality, more features, more convenient. So I finished running an errand yesterday and was looking for the closest Giant Supermarket when I came across this Safeway in Harper's Choice. I only needed 4-5 items, so I ran in. The first item I looked for was grapefruits. The big ones at Giant are $1.50. The exact same grapefruit here at Safeway is almost twice as much at $2.80. I asked the grocery clerk if I was reading the tag wrong. He said, "No, everything has gone up lately." I said, "No, this is called thievery. It's $1.50 at Giant." And I walked out, principles still intact. Shop at Safeway if money is no object. Shop elsewhere if, like most of us, you're trying to stretch your dollar in this tight economy. read more

Awful Store. Always understaffed. Always long lines. Often they have NO registers. Snarly and uncaring staff.

I've ended up here a few times, mostly because it has a Starbucks in it, and we've needed caffeine while driving around the area. That is super convenient, and they do a pretty good job there. However, you then walk into the bathroom, and you question if you should be eating or drinking anything from this place. It is literally the worst I've seen in Howard County. It's comparable to the train station in downtown Baltimore. A strong stench of concentrated urine really permeates the place. I gave it a pass the first time - it's a walkable area, so maybe an alcoholic had passed through right before me... but I've been twice since then and it doesn't change. So yeah, as you pick out your fresh fruit, or that store packaged meat, just remember where the staff is washing their hands. read more

Improving in terms of organization, cleanliness and service but still needs improvement especially a restroom replacement.

Absolutely awful customer service. Never enough registers open and the "customer service" counter rarely has anyone there. Lines are almost always long even at the self check stand. Store is old, somewhat dirty, and doors, freezers, cart locks, registers, etc. are often breaking down. Our community deserves better! read more

Hands down one of the worst grocery stores I've ever been to. I got yelled at by a young women there for returning a plastic spoon I didn't use. Never shopping there again. read more

Managers are trashing left y change by accident came back to get it and she telling me I can't have it back. The bitch took my money talking bout I can't give it back even after checking the camera. read more

Safeway - Receipt - Grocery Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

I can understand why so many people have written these poor reviews as I have had some similar experiences. I have been going here for over 10 years and I have never encountered a rude employee or spoiled food. Sure, sometimes the prices are wrong and the bathroom is terrible. There is plenty of room for improvement but I'll keep shopping here because it's so conveniently close. Just avoid busy times because the long lines will drive you absolutely crazy! read more

Mask mandate - if you have a mask mandate please enforce it. We are all sick of COVID and need to support the mandate. Today I was at Safeway in Harpers Choice and there was a family of 4 without masks - solution for Safeway - have masks available and hand out to those without masks - if they decide not to wear them they should be asked to leave. I will only shop at stores that require masks until we get COVID-19 under control - if you aren't going to mandate and enforce, change your sign so consumers can decide if they want to enter! Thank you! read more

This review is for the pharmacy. We wanted to get a flu shot and was told we couldn't walk in past 1pm (we arrived at 1:20pm and there was no one waiting so they were not busy). Went online and immediately found an appointment at 1:30pm available and booked it. Then the pharmacy receptionist said "can't honor your appointment because it's 1:31pm". After we explained that is absurd and there were tons of appointments available, she begrudgingly said she'd let us get the shot. But then she claimed appointments don't show up in their system for hours so we would have to fill in walk in forms (we filled out all the forms online when booking the appointment). It's highly irresponsible for anyone working at a pharmacy to try to deny appointments or allowing people to get a vaccine during a pandemic of all times, especially when they had capacity and plenty of slots open. read more

The manager at the bakery don't wear gloves and I think that's nasty she don't wear a mask I wouldn't want to eat anything she cooks what happened to looking out for your customers. read more

I never thought it necessary to review a grocery store! I was in the neighborhood and ran in for a few things. . . I left my cart of groceries there and walked out because of the lines!! read more

This store has the distinction of being the closest supermarket to where I live. However, there are so many cons to going here, I figure I'll just travel farther out of my way. Today's experience was the final straw. I have been to this store on several occasions and been incorrectly charged for items such as bread, butter and (after tonight) milk. I can honestly say that it has happened here on 4 out of my last 5 visits. I would have brought it up (again) to "customer service" except there was no one there (see other reviews). The rest of the negatives - long lines, bad customer service, higher prices (compared to other local supermarkets), and the slower-than-molasses-on-a-snowy-January-night Starbucks paints a very accurate picture of a poorly managed store with ZERO employee engagement. Avoid! read more

Slow, slow, slow!! If you come here at night, be prepared to wait. Only one line open ever (yet you will find employees standing around near the registers). The line extends back into the aisles. It's happenes every time I come here at night so I generally avoid coming to this place unless I have no other choice. Not to worry though, I hear Whole Foods is opening nearby soon. Problem solved :-) read more

Safeway - If you come here at night, be prepared to wait a LONG time. - Grocery Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

So I had to hit the safeway up for some dinner (seeing as everything in this town closes at 4pm on weekdays *slight sarcasm) Of course there wasn't anything worth buying aside from sushi leftover from the AM or the 1 rotisserie chicken that got left in the bread section accidentally. I figured as much, so i said to myself "Self, just get a hoagie" and what did i do? got a hoagie, I mean you really can't go wrong for 4.99 for a 20someoddinch sandwich... That was, until this time... I usually get these because they really aren't that bad (way better than jimmy johns) but this time, for whatever reason....Someone in the Deli got mad at life and slathered Miracle whip on the subs instead of mayo or mustard.... I really don't know why this happened, i'm not really mad at ya safeway, however i feel you should ask if everything is ok at the home of the Sub maker.... because noone in their right mind would force another human being to unknowingly (or knowingly) eat miracle whip. read more

I can appreciate consistency in most aspects of going to the grocery store. Can I find what I need? Check. Are the prices fair enough? Check. Great deals? Check. With this Safeway, I am happy that is right now the street which makes it super convenient when I am short an ingredient. And, since Wegman's has opened, they have gotten much more competitive so I have been receiving great deals. However, the one area that I wish Safeway wasn'y consistent in are the bathrooms. Every time I walk into the bathroom here, and it seems any other Safeway bathroom, it is just plain dirty. It seems that no one takes the time to do a quick tidy and it is really off putting. Frankly, it is just nasty. Safeway, your deals are great, but PLEASE PLEASE clean the bathrooms. read more

Service is non existent. They have one checker then some self checkout lines. If you buy something that needs to be weighed, you can't do it in self check out. Then there is nobody there monitoring the line to help you. Also, the posted prices are not necessarily what you get charged. Again, in self check out, there is nobody to ask for help. Taking my business elsewhere. read more

Terrible customer service - My husband and I frequent this location since it's close to our home. However, after this most recent incident we will not be returning. We went to use the lottery machine putting in over $60 and it printed out blank tickets. We immediately went to customer service. The woman we initially spoke with wasn't sure what to do, so she went to speak with a manager. The woman returned and stated to come back the next day when the bookkeeper is there. The manager who she went to speak with didn't even come out to speak with us. So we came back the next morning and spoke with the bookkeeper. We explained to her what happened and she said she had to go look at the security camera and get the manager. Not even a minute goes by, which obviously they didn't look at the camera, she returns with the manager. Both basically telling us there was nothing they could do. The bookkeeper kept stating that she had no problems printing her reports, kind of insinuating that we were lying. So, now we have to contact the lottery office. Also, we went to another store and asked them what their protocol is if something like this were to happen. The gentlemen stated that these things happen all the time and that they can look up the history on the machine, which he showed us. So, basically they stole our money. But, if we were to go in there and take $60 worth of groceries, we'd go to jail! read more

Lines are pretty long... especially right after work time (the evening rush). And the person who is supposed to be working at the Starbucks inside - always seems to be away doing other things, and it takes time to hunt down an employee who can make a coffee. I wanted to review solely because I think this specific Safeway has the BEST deals on fresh flowers!! The lady at the flower area really helped me find the best flowers for some DIY bouquet projects I was doing. I checked out all the Giants around the area, as well as Trader Joe's and the new Whole Foods that opened in Columbia... For what you get, the PRICES at Safeway (for the same flowers) are cheaper! Plus, they have weekly sales that drop the prices down even more. Will come back here for flowers!!~ The parking lot is shared with other areas, so it's convenient if you're stopping by for some fast food, gas, Bank of America, etc. read more

This is the worst Safeway I've ever been visited...and I lived in DC BEFORE gentrification. If you want crab meat you have to ask at the register and wait for someone to bring it up. Horribly inefficient loss prevention policy. I bought a lobster tail from the seafood case. When I got home I realized the seafood monger had sold me a BAD lobster that was starting to rot. The prices are high, the quality is low. The cashiers are nice. read more

Service was so bad today, a woman in a VERY long line began yelling OUT LOUD for a manager to come and open up another register. I don't blame her. Like the photo shows, they could care less about checking people out quickly! Parts of the store are also filthy. The rusted out shelves (with liquid rust oozing out) underneath the meat show how little this place cares about cleanliness. Bottom line... check out the pictures... they don't lie. I'd shop somewhere else! read more

Safeway - Rusty shelves underneath the meat. Check out the old drippings on the plastic under the shelf. Shows how much they care about cleanliness. - Grocery Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Dirty store with many things out of stock. I will not return. It is worth noting, the produce was fresh.

This is the worst grocery store in Howard county. Their customer service is crazy bad, their register system is old and fails all the time. Management at this store tries to save money by not hiring cashiers and let people stand in one line. Today, I checked out in 45 minutes, I had less than 15 items and this is not my first time. My neighbors and friends had same bad experience. This store should go out of business, less and less people shop here. Please Safeway close this store or sell it and make some quick money, it has a prime location. Too bad this is the level of service you get there. Boycott Safeway! read more

I shop at the Safeway a lot. Mainly because it's nearby and I like Safeway more than giant. But, this Safeway is very poor. They do stuff like not restocking a sale item until after the sale is completed. This Safeway is so ghetto that you have to ask the seafood department to bring your crab meat to the register because ghetto people steal it. The majority of the checkers are rude. Nobody is ever at the customer service desk. One of the pharmacists, her name is Beverly, she is nasty to the core. There is always somebody outside asking for donations. I shop here because I don't want to drive to the Ellicott City location. The Harpers Choice village center is a scary place. read more

This Safeway is miserable. I have bought expired food, spoiled food and have gotten terrible customer service. It is the easiest grocery store for me to go to and I'd rather drive out of my way to any where else than go here. This store is awful, avoid it unless you absolutely can't. Terrible. read more

Hands down worst grocery store experience EVER!!!!! The lines were so long my daughter and I had time to make friends in line. We got some new Instagram followers, traded recipes, did this yelp review, all before my stuff hit the belt. Needless to say, I don't care how badly I don't want my daughter to eat McDonald's it's gotta be better than the torture I am STILL going through! read more

Worst pharmacy service ever. They just let me wait for 30 min without informing me they can't figure out how to enter the insurance information into their computer system. When I went back to the counter after 30 min they started working on entering the insurance info. It was "passed" by the older lady at first. If I don't go back and ask, they just will never get to it. Never ever come back to this pharmacy again. read more

The worst. It is said to say but my local super market is one of the worst in Columbia. Lines are always long, food is not always fresh, and the bakery department is not worth the big space the have. Safeway should really invest in this super market. It has the potential to be better. read more