Safeway

I’m updating my review. Even though I moved to SW PDX I’m still bitter about the rude checkout lady.

Less than desirable customer service ! The staff tries to make up for incompetency by being rude. And it’s not cheap! Fred Myer FTW!

I’m writing a review for the deli. I am a Trimet driver, and our layover is very close by to the Safeway. I frequent the deli, and they always have great customer service. This deli has some of the best food I’ve ever had from Safeway. Keep up the great work

I love to shop at Safeways but the ladies behind the hot deli at the St. John’s location are the worst. Every time I come here they have horrible attitudes, very snippy and make you wait for the longest time before they help you. Everyone has a bad day here and there, but every time I’m at this location… I don’t think so…
After five them the benefit of the doubt and multiple opportunities to change my mind, they have failed, needless to say I will not be back to the hot deli sandwich case…

For me it’s always the decision of Fred Meyer or Safeway? I choose Safeway even though there is one major draw back for me and that is checkout. I dislike self checkouts, but that is the best way here. The other LINE (usually one w/​employee) is long and slow. So your gonna have to get comfortable doing it yourself. They have a much better parking lot than FM. They also have a decent bike rack we (family of 4) use often. The prices are slightly higher than FM but it’s also a cleaner environment.

They have great potatoes, so if you like shopping then you’ll love this Safeway… Safeway have it your way

This is the text I just submitted to their customer survey:
This store appears to be having some serious issues. Due to the limited size of this text box, I will simply enumerate them.
(1) There is a wire illegally stretched from the self check lanes to a Red Bull display. Wires stretched across floors must be covered by an approved rubber strip; duct tape is not adequate. Such rubber strips are available from any commercial or industrial supply company; you can even find them at Home Depot.
(2) I often see employees smoking near the flammable and explosive propane tanks. Smoking is dangerous and illegal near those tanks. There is big sign on the cabinet stating that fact. This should be obvious to your employees.
(3) The bakery items have been extremely inconsistent lately. They are often severely under/​over proofed or under/​over baked. I asked a bakery employee about this today and he said that they had recently gotten a new employee. I asked how much training new employees get. He told me three days, but that the employee is a transfer from another store. There is no way someone can become proficient baker in three days. If an employee who has transferred from another store (and presumably gained baking experience there) is not able to competently bake, they should not be a baker.
Your staff should be embarrassed about the condition of this store, your training and employee retention policies, and especially the two safety issues I have cited. The only reason I patronize your store is because it is walking distance from where I live. I sincerely hope things improve or that a new grocery store builds in St Johns.
— - -
And in another text box on the survey asking me how they can improve:
Please see my comments in the other section.
(1) Immediately remedy the safety issues that I mentioned.
(2) Improve training. For example, at least one full 40 hour week of partner training in specialty departments such as the bakery.
(3) If in spite of training, an employee is incapable of doing the job, don’t employ them. No matter how long someone has worked for your company, if they persistently have a bad attitude or don’t demonstrate a sense of pride in their work and a desire to do perform well and constantly improve, don’t employ them.

The more I come here, the more I realize why I never shopped at Safeway before (I only do now because it’s the only grocery store near me, really). The people who work there look and sound like they could give two shits about dealing with you at all. Me and my dad ordered a small little cake for my mom for mother’s day (which by the way, was the most expensive effing cake ever. Its circumference was probably 10 inches. Baby cake). It costed as much as one of those huge cakes you see in the glass cases. It was really dry and awful too. We even called and told them about how awful it was and they did not care in the slightest. THEY EVEN TOLD US that they SHIP THEM CAKES FROZEN, AND THE PEOPLE IN THE «BAKERY» THAW THEM AND ICE THEM. What the hell? That is not a «bakery.» That is crap. I’ll make my own awesome cakes with homemade frosting (for under 5 $) from now own.

Wow, ever since Albertson’s bought them, the prices have been rising steadily. Almost $ 5 for an 18pk of eggs? $ 11.99/lb. for deli meats? No thanks, I can get high quality meats at New Seasons for less than that. Items are consistently priced wrong and the last 3 times I have been in they were completely out of very common items (parsley, Franz bread).
At this point I felt the need to speak to the manager. He addressed my concerns by talking down to me and treating me like I have never been to a grocery store before and wasn’t aware of how pricing worked. The cashiers are rude and clearly unhappy with their job (aside from the one dude who is like the slowest cashier in the world but still nice and engaging). I am boycotting this store until they can get it together.
And why do the bathrooms of every safeway smell like a mixture of urine and fruity pebbles?

I was there last night to buy things you get for people with the flu, frankly I was happy to be there lol no sick fiancé or nephews, just me, the quiet evening workers and the intercom lady that reminds you their rotisserie chicken is both delicious and on sale. After gathering the DayQuil, pediasure, nutritional shakes and some random organic microwave meal for myself, I strolled to the front. What I expected was the typical 1 checker that calls for another clerk if the line starts getting out of hand. Instead, they had the u-​scan open. Which is not usual for that hour. Not a big problem, I’m not one for small talk at the register.
All of a sudden, as I’m finishing my purchase, I hear a woman say,“which way did he go!?” There was a brief silence. From the side closest to the deli, a man walks briskly to the doors.
I’m short, so I don’t know when that man was swarmed on by the workers, as I had to stand on my toes to see anyone at all.
To my disbelief, a young girl involved in the whole thing walks up looking like the cat that are the canary, when I asked if she was amused, she laughed and replied,“yes!”. It was upsetting because I overheard people saying that they didn’t know if the man had actually stolen or not. Also, at some point, the man being forcibly thrown out of the building, was bleeding. Which I may be mistaken but it seems the larger men manhandling the accused thief may have brought about his bodily harm. And short of someone snatching a child, I can’t think of a reason they should have been grabbing someone that way, if he’d stolen, perhaps they should have called the police.
On a lighter note, they’ve rearranged the store a bit. It can take some getting used to, you’ll know what I mean when you see it, if you’ve shopped at other Safeway locations. I say, go elsewhere.

Safeway Pharmacy.
I turned in my prescription this morning around 10am. I was told it would take 45mins to fill so I started shopping and walking around the store to kill time. After about 55mins I returned to the counter to hear the pharmacist tell me that she «filled my prescription but could not connect to my insurance.» I was confused but she assured me that it happens sometimes and it usually takes about 15 mins to reconnect. So I waited an additional 20mins around the store. I went back to the counter talked to the female pharmacist again she then tells me that the medicine that needed to be filled was not at their location and that by 4pm they would have it ready. So I told them okay I lived close by I will return. I walked away frustrated due to the fact I just got my tooth pulled and needed my pain meds asap. Now, at 6:40pm I called back just to make sure my prescription was ready before going to the pharmacy which then the pharmacist tells me that «oh Angela it’s not ready yet I’m sorry, give us about 40 mins.» I questioned the pharmacist about why has it taken so long to fill a 16 pill bottle that I turned in at 10am this morning? VERY FRUSTRATING! I would not recommend this pharmacy to anyone needing urgent service. I filled a prescription a month ago at this pharmacy with a male pharmacist and he helped me right away and I had my meds within 30mins.
I am not sure what is causing these two female pharmacist to take over 8 hours to fill a prescription when they promised they «already had it filled». POOR SERVICE!!!

I’m not giving this Safeway any stars. Food in deli isn’t fresh chicken be hard as hell. Scott & Wendy as managers are not professional at all towards customers and employees. My question is what formal training have they actually had. Seems like everyone employed is family so employees who not family have to deal with the mistreatment. As a customer I’ve seen so many unfair practices in this store. I cannot shop at a store who treats there employees so unfair. When you complain seems like managers, HR and union are all clicked up. I feel sorry for the employees who work here. Restroom always nasty. I actually witnessed a customer verbally abusive to a Safeway employee saying she was gonna jump across the counter. Cashier told manager Wendy she made cashier leave register and she proceeded to be nice to customer instead of asking her ghetto ass customer to leave the store. I felt so bad for this Safeway employee I asked was he ok. He said I’m ok but I feel I should call police but manager Wendy told him not to smdh. Hint… employees should feel safe at all times!!! Ya’ll can spend your money where you like but I will NOT shop at a place like this in my community. This Safeway needs help fast… Freddy gets my money! Pay attention guys! Oh by the way Scott fired this employee just found out today. Best cashier ever & friendly SMH… & Wendy the worst manager ever STILL there along with all her family members running the store improperly. Oh by the way check dates on your products you purchase here. I won’t began to elaborate on this. #shopatyourownrisk

Why must this store suck so badly?! For being semi-​remodeled it’s still so disorganized. There are never carts or baskets available and the carts, when available, are from what appear to be 1997. The staff is beyond unfriendly — never anyone around to ask questions. Plan to wait an eternity in line to check out too. The one plus for this store (and most safeways in general) is they have a decent meat selection. The rest… total crap. I need to make time to drive the extra mile to Freddies — it’s totally worth it!

I think I’ve said it before, but I rarely go to Safeway. Perhaps it’s because I feel a little guilty shopping anywhere but Fred Meyer? I have clear memories of shopping with my Mom at Freddie’s at perhaps age three or four, and also have clear memories of being carried out of same store screaming because of a large costumed character from local TV tried shaking my hand and I was having none of that …
Oh wait, this review is about Safeway. I rather enjoyed this visit today. Perhaps it was the very cute Australian Shepherd that stopped and wanted to be petted. That never hurts. The air conditioning felt good. Overall, I think I was just in a great mood because I was buying ice cream products for an event (and I do love my ice cream) and to have plenty of money to spend on ice cream (a worthwhile dream).
OK, I’ll straighten up and fly right into a decent review here. I found the employees friendly and ready to help. I really liked those $ 5 deals they put up near the front of the store. Rotisserie chickens looked nice and plump and not all scrawny and sort of picked over already like at some stores. The aisles here are pretty roomy and allow more than one cart to traverse. Signage is good and bold, and I was able to find the beloved ice cream aisle without too much trouble. The store is newer and very clean which inspires confidence.
This Safeway is worth another visit when in the neighborhood. You can walk here easily from the main downtown part of St. Johns and also be right in line to get a lot of other errands done as well (post office, bank, etc.). It’s near the bus lines. Parking is reasonably spaced and there seems to be plenty of it, and pedestrians can move pretty easily through the parking lot into the store. I think the parking lot’s configuration doesn’t allow for much frustrated or impatient «I want out of here now» driving.
Safeway, you won me over today. It’s good I can use you comfortably as an alternative when I don’t want to travel further down Lombard. Just don’t tell Freddie’s, OK?

Aside from occasional long lines, because there aren’t enough checkers, I’ve never had a bad experience here. All of the cashiers are super friendly and the deli food is fresher than many other Safeway locations in Portland.
The only two complaints I have are that there’s always a bunch of drunks and tweakers hanging out in front, and the bottle returner area is DISGUSTING!!! In the summer when we it’s hot the sour smell of soda and beer drifts across the parking lot… pretty gross.

Moldy or crappy looking produce. THE SLOWEST GROCERY CHECKERS THIS SIDE OF THE MISSISSIPPI! My hatred for pretty much all Safeways is unparalleled, the only nice thing I can say about this place is that the people who work here are friendly.
Beef up your staff. Please.

Typical Safeway. They have fresher produce than Fred Meyer and their meats seem to be of higher quality as well. The workers are generally nice but sometimes the meat counter gentleman can act a little odd. Other shoppers seem to love him so I don’t know how I offended him somehow. Whenever I’ve asked for help the employees are accommodating and helpful!

I like this store. But it is, was and remains too expensive to be my regular shopping stop. So once in a while, I go here. Especially on Fridays when they have their $ 5 deals. Eight pieces of fried chicken for $ 5. WHAT? That’s crazy! Crazy deliscious.
But they do have some good deals on meats in the discount area. Their baked goods are pretty good as well. I’ve also had their $ 5 rib deal which is also pretty sweet. Otherwise it’s a Safeway, clean, wel-​lit, fairly easy to navigate. Staff is pretty good, not too long a wait for a cashier or help. But generally over-​priced.

Like others have stated, this place has a severe staffing problem. Whoever does the scheduling clearly has no idea what they’re doing. It seems that every time I come here there’s only one checker, with a line circling the store, and then half the self check out stands are closed. I don’t care what time it is, if there’s consistently a line, obviously more people need to be working.
My last visit will certainly be my last. Not one single checker, but rather one person monitoring the self check out stands. Literally forced to use the self check out, I hate those to begin with and politely asked the woman running it if they could open a stand because it was obviously needed. She portrayed such attitude and refused, didn’t even say a word, she just shook her head! I was so close to leaving my belongings and walking out the store, but lucky for Safeway I was really hungry that night!

I used to frequent this Safeway when I lived closer to St. Johns and I rarely had any problems here. It’s pretty easy to get in and out of, and if you’re only buying a few items, the self checkout is the quickest and most efficient. I actually thought it was easier to find things here than at the Fred Meyer a couple of minutes away.
I always found the staff to be friendly and when I did get a latte from the Starbucks, it tasted like a Starbucks latte, so no complaints here.
Overall a decent Safeway and much better than the one on MLK and Ainsworth.