In my geographic area, Walgreens has become as ubiquitous as Domino's Pizza, if not nearly as dreadful or distasteful. I regularly use different Walgreens for different purposes. I get my prescription medication from the smaller-than-average Lyons Mall Walgreens. I get my photos developed, and occasionally buy incidentals, at the Walgreens in Bernardsville. I've occasionally patronized the Walgreens in Califon. I'm not entirely sure why I haven't used the Walgreens in Stirling. It's right next to my doctor's office, and it takes about 10 minutes for me to get to from where I live. I don't know why I haven't used it before, but I do know why I probably won't use it in the future.
Let me say that I REALLY don't like giving negative reviews, especially based on 1 incident. I try to be fair, and I'm always cognizant that real people are trying to make a living in the places being reviewed, even when they're working for what amounts to a corporate chain store that's virtually indistinguishable from another corporate chain store, or another, and an angry, narrow-minded rant can perhaps inflict damage on their bottom line (not that I'm having delusions of grandeur about my own contributions to Yelp and their impact...just sayin'...). I'm aware that even a well run business can have something occasionally go awry. So, in the interests of my own perceived fairness, I raised the star rating to a higher level than I was initially inclined to. Because I went for a specific service, and that service wasn't provided. Usually that rates 1 star in my experience (no stars not being an option).
After 2 years of fighting in the trenches, and struggling mightily to stay healthy, I came down with Covid. I've been vaccinated, I've had my boosters, but I was at a family gathering, and a few days later received a call from my birth mother telling me, "Your brother, your sister-in-law, and nephew have all tested positive for Covid. You should get tested." I did a self test, and it was negative. But I had a dry cough, a headache. The next day, I felt crummy. Calling again, she said she had tested positive, and that I needed to get tested.
I went onto the Walgreens website and made an appointment at the drive-up pharmacy window of the Stirling Walgreens for the next day at 11am. A short while later, I received an email cancellation notice without explanation. Frustrated, I went back into the website. The slot for 11:30am was open, and I made my "reservation." A short while later, I received a confirmation email. I went to bed that night, shivering with chills in the middle of summer.
Next day, I went to the drive-up window at 11:30, and it was closed up tight. I waited 5 minutes. It remained closed. I pushed the "Summon the Pharmacist" button repeatedly and the window remained closed, the pharmacist non-responsive. Maybe non-existent, for all I knew. I envisioned the people inside laughing as they watched on the camera, making bets amongst themselves as to how long I was going to sit there in the car like a dope.
I parked my car, went inside. Walking up to a woman who was stocking shelves, I asked, as politely as possible, (which, given my growing anger and exasperation, was a real achievement), "Do you know when the pharmacist window opens?" "2:30." Aghast, I inquired (in retrospect, like a dope), "What am I supposed to do!?! What!?! I had an 11:30 appointment!" Looking at me with all the compassion and empathy that a minimum wage shelf stocker can summon for a semi belligerent, potentially contagious customer, she blandly replied, "Come back at 2:30."
At the front counter, I asked for the manager. He was summoned, and I explained the situation as calmly as possible (although, at that point, calmness was a near impossibility). He was relatively responsive and pleasant enough, if not exactly apologetic. He asked me for my last name, looked like he was committing it to memory, and said if I came back at 2:30, he'd make sure I got tested.
Instead, I drove over to the Riverwalk Pharmacy (my doctor's office, when I called, said they weren't able to test me...why not? I asked myself, knowing I wasn't going to get a cogent response...but recommended Riverwalk as a reliable testing facility). I had to pay out of pocket, but 15 minutes after entering Riverwalk, and being tested...without any preliminary phone call or scheduling...I knew I had Covid. Written documentation was provided, in case I needed it for my workplace.
Maybe if I had gone to the Stirling Walgreens only to buy Pepto Bismol, or Unisom, or a copy of Life magazine devoted to Marilyn Monroe, my rating might have been higher. Maybe what I experienced was an aberration, a rare f*ck-up that could have occurred anywhere. Nobody's perfect.
Maybe so. But the next time I have need to avail myself of what Walgreens is peddling, I'll go to the one in the Lyons Mall, Or Bernardsville. Or Califon. Or Berkeley Heights. Or...wherever. But not to Stirling. Once was enough for me. read more
