I am a HUGE Walgreen's fan from way back when, but am a new resident in CA, so the Alameda store on Otis is new to me.
Today I was sadly underwhelmed by the pharmacy there. I was told with gusto that my Rx would be ready in 20 minutes, to which I responded "Thanks, I'll be back in an hour." One hour later, the Rx was not filled.
Apparently my new insurance plan doesn't cover one of my meds (naturally, the one I am almost out of). Instead of calling my Dr. for direction, they just put my paperwork aside. When I arrived they didn't indicate that they were waiting to find out what I wanted to do about it, they just stated that they needed to call my Dr. I am not saying they were waiting to hear back from her after making the call, either... they never made the call at all. So, knowing I'd be back in an hour, why didn't they do it?
Don't get me wrong... I used to be a pharmacy technician myself so I know how hectic things can be behind the counter. It didn't appear to be particularly busy, but it's hard to tell how much paperwork is piled up waiting for processing back there. And it arrives in bunches sometimes. I understand that.
I asked if I would be called when the issue is resolved and the pharmacist responded, "yeah, sure" without even making eye contact. Not a good sign. As it happens, my Dr. called me herself about something else a few hours after I got back home and I mentioned the no-coverage-for-that-med issue. She said the pharmacy never called, but that she would find out what alternative is covered on my plan and fax over a new Rx immediately.
I still have not heard from them eight hours later, and I get the feeling I never will. Am I to believe they still have not processed that new paperwork, which I am confident my Dr. sent within an hour of our call? They could have simply filled the new Rx and called any time today and it would have taken away my "Bad Customer Service" cloud. Clearly they just don't care to provide more than so-so service.
What bugs me is two things... 1) My prescriptions were "in line" ahead of anybody else who wasn't physically standing there waiting, and an hour was enough time to get them done. They either manage their work remarkably poorly or they are grossly understaffed. Both are unacceptable. 2) Why set up the expectation of service and then not even try to meet it? I did not ask them to have it ready in 20 minutes, they volunteered. Had they said, "because you and your insurance are new, can we have the rest of the day to fill this to make sure any problems get resolved?" I would have cheerfully said, "no problem!" EXPECTATION is to customer service as location is to real estate.
Instead, I am arranging to fill the rest of my Rx refills by mail order from now on and will tell anybody who asks that they should have low expectations at this pharmacy, no matter what they promise.
Boo! Hiss! read more