4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
I have used this pharmacy often of the past, mostly for vaccinations (flu, COVID, TDAP) but also for an occasional prescription (I use Walgreens for most of my prescriptions since they are national, and you can fill them anywhere you are traveling). They are close to my home and convenient.
Though the pharmacy doesn't have great reviews, I have almost always had a positive experience. I always have made an appointment online for a vaccination and never had to wait past my time. I have found the employees, both the different pharmacists I have seen and the technicians, to be professional, friendly, responsive, and knowledgeable. They have respected my time.
The vaccine process is simple: when your date and time come for the vaccination appointment that you already made online, you check in. I have almost never waited in line, mostly because I go to the first available appointment in the day, or later in the evening when it is quieter. But I have noticed when there is a line, it goes fast, often with a second technician stepping in to help out (there are two windows).
Then they have you look over the pre-printed form, with info you filled out online, and you confirm it is ok. Then they have you wait in the seating area for the pharmacist to get the injection ready. There are like five or six chairs there, so there are plenty.
Then the pharmacist calls you in to a private room and does the injection. The first time I went there, for a COVID vaccine, I even got a goody bag, with things like wipes, hand sanitizer, masks, etc. I also have never had any pain or bruises here from the actual intramuscular injections in the arm. One pharmacist, Tom, actually does a 5-second "mini-massage" over the injection site to reduce any tightness or tension, to help with potential pain or inflammation. I like his injections the best!
Then the pharmacists give you the receipt and required FDA printed information for the vaccine and has you wait in the waiting area or shop for 10-15 minutes to make sure there are no adverse effects. They are good in that way, following all safety protocols. Of course, you could leave, but I always hang out since I am polite.
I noticed there was a free blood pressure tester in the waiting room a few years ago; I assume it's still there, but I haven't looked.
There is free Wi-Fi available too (I used to have trouble with email there from my phone, but they have fixed that in the last year or so, so now everything is reliable and fast).
I have always found the pharmacy area (as well as the entire store) clean, even their restrooms. Parking is always easy too. There is a wide storefront, so there is always parking close by. The lot is bright and feels safe, with the employees constantly coming out to round up carts.
I did have a problem one time getting them to dispense three tubes of my prescription-only high-fluoride toothpaste. The tech said they could get only one tube at a time, due to supply limitations. I had a feeling she wasn't quite right. It seemed like she had the one in stock and wanted to dispense it, and not go through the hassle of ordering more. I wanted them in quantiy, since I was paying cash, and got a lower price per tube for three using GoodRx. In the past, Walgreens had no problem getting three at a time. So, after this, I went to Walmart, and they easily got three the next day.
I also wish their online vaccine process could be more integrated, like having an online cancelation available, instead of having to call them. I've also had glitches where I have logged into my account, but when I filled out the info for the vaccine appointment, I later found out it hadn't read my login. But this has more do with how corporate (Kroger) has designed the process (Smith's is a Kroger company).
But aside from the minor above hiccups, I am very happy with this particular pharmacy, and will use them again. Nothing can be perfect. read more