Walgreens

Walgreens seems to suffer from understaffed pharmacies. I put in a prescription refill about an hour and a half before I stopped by to pick it up.
I eventually got my prescription about 30 minutes later from the time I put on the order. I don’t really understand what’s the point of specifying a pick up time on their website if they can’t honor that deadline (30+ minutes delay).
I noticed that there was only one pharmacist and one cashier on duty. The line to pick up prescriptions ended up reaching about 5 people long which is pretty bad. They should probably staff more here!

Manager and staff do not know anything about products, including where they are or they even sell them.

I got some Halloween candy since they are selling it right now.
I also got a coconut drink that was very good
The store is well organized
The store is not over crowed with customers
There was no line to wait
I will be back.

I’m still laughing at the incorrect hours posted for this place on a Sunday they are listed as 8AM to 11AM — I think they meant 11PM?
Anyway I have unavoidably been going in this place for years and it has always been a mess. The long time locals often commented it has not changed since the 1960’s. But recently they redid the interior.
My problems here are many. Usually out of stock on what you need so you have to go to the one around the corner on Hyde Street — which is usually out of stock on what you need to but between them you might what you should easily get at any chain store in one visit.
I’m writing this about their rewards program — what a crock! I got my card a couple of years ago at this store and the old chick who filled it out really messed me up. She was near retirement and has retired since then. After asking for everything except a DNA sample she then gave me a blank rewards card which never worked. I then got another one only to find she had entered my information in the system and so I have two cards and cannot redeem my points…
I’ve talked to several people at Walgreen’s and only been given the run around. The problem stems from day one with the clueless old Walgreen’s gal who set it up. So when I go in the clerk tells me you have points on your card do you want to use them but I can’t due to the mess they made of it. Last time I asked I was told I needed 5000 points to use it so i told the Manager then why are your clerks asking me to use it when I don’t have 5000 points?
I finally jut gave up I never get any points from them anyway since I took most of my business to CVS. At CVS you get 2% cash back quarterly and comped often with special deals on their products too. I’m going to keep my Wag card for when it benefits me and they can stick their 5000 points they are not worth dealing with.
And this all started at this location which is still a mess. The last time I was in an elderly lady went to the cashier and asked her what is my name? Then she wanted to return something she apparently had already used so the line just piled up. This place is a train wreck in progress and to be avoided for better Walgreen’s locations nearby if at all possible…

UGHHHHH
I’ve been coming here for almost a year and it’s one of my least favorite Walgreens in SF. Even after their remodel, which looks half done, this store is the pits! It’s not as well stocked as the one on Polk at Broadway and the service is typically slow. Don’t expect a smile.
Today was the tipping point. I ordered photos online to pick up in store. They were not ready when I came in (8 hours after the estimated ready time). The store clerk was bearly understandable as he passed me over to his manager. The manager tried his best to remedy the mistake by printing out the pictures, but then he needed to replace a cartridge. He encouraged us to sit in the pharmacy to wait. After deciding that those chairs often house sick children waiting for antibiotics, I went back to the photo desk to ask when they would be ready. He said, «about 20 – 25 minutes» (!). I told him I’d be back tomorrow. AND THEN Walgreens sends me an e-​mail saying they canceled the order due to technical difficulties and the link to re-​order doesn’t even work! Such a headache!

This review is not about Walgreens (which I use and like) but about ENERGIZER Hearing Aid Batteries they sell, which have so degenerated as to be useless. Instead of lasting a week, numerous batteries, over many purchases will only last a day or two. This is a bad product and needs to be recalled or corrected.

My family and I have been shopping here for my entireee lifeee. So I’ve been a customer for over 2 decades! I get my prescriptions here too and it’s always simple & straight forward. The pharmacist & pharm tech dude is always super nice & informative. The stuff here is ridiculously over priced (but hey it’s SF everything is inflated!) BUTTT when there’s a sale in the AD, OH BOY it’s like stealing cheap. (jkjk but seriously they get me every time with them Buy 2/​$ 1 Amazon Drinks) This will always be my home Walgreens!

Not a big fan of this store’s pharmacy. I’ve lived in the neighborhood for decades and every time I’ve gone in to have a prescription filled there is a problem of not having the drug ‘in-​house’. «We don’t have that drug available but we’ve put in an order and it should be here in a week.» I don’t have a week to wait and need the prescription today. I asked for the prescription back so that it could be filled elsewhere, like a close-​by CVC, and you’d think I was dealing with Comcast. «We can’t give you back the prescription, we’ve already entered it into our system.» Whaaaa??? «So take it out of your system and give it back to me.» «We can’t do that…»
I end up calling my doctor to ask that he phone the prescription into a local CVC. But I shouldn’t have to go to that extreme. I don’t like the service nor the attitude coming from the pharmacist.

Staff here are super slow during the day, like pace-​of-​a-​snail kind of slow. The late night ladies who work here are super friendly and helpful and probably the only reason I am giving this store 3 stars. The make up section is terrible and always understocked, it once took over 2 weeks for them to restock the shelves that were completely empty. Its a pretty clean store and if you just want the basics, you’ll find ‘em here.

So, this Walgreen’s is like my own version of «Cheers»; everybody knows my name. The staff have always been pretty gracious and engaging with me for the 500 years that I’ve lived in the ‘hood.
Major kudos to the pharmacy staff, who treat their profession like a private practice; the level of customer service is immense… many businesses should take note. The service is always super efficient (regardless of how busy it can be), and the staff is always prompt when having to deal with your insurance company, or with reaching out to your physician. Their focus on addressing any concerns you may have is amazing… I’m still impressed every time! They’ve really helped me to make well-​informed decisions on whether or not a medication is right for me… I’ve never been left to infer the outcome! They are always very thorough in discussing side effects and possible drug interactions. Pauline is always super patient and always willing to answer my multitude of questions and concerns, it’s like going to your own physician, without the co-​pay. I cannot say how impressed I am enough. Everyone on the team is fantastic and genuinely cares.
Plus, it’s always entertaining when you’re in line behind a junkie who is purchasing a needle. #TLlivin
Tales of the Tendernob…

This review is for the pharmacy. I was initially shocked with the superior level of customer service I’ve experienced here, and continue to be pleasantly satisfied with their continued amazing service. I transferred my prescriptions to this location even though it’s a little farther than the location on Franklin street that I’d been using for over a year. It was as if I was in an abusive relationship with the Franklin street pharmacy. Thankfully, one day I had had enough, and made the VERY EASY transition to this location on Polk.
The pharmacist and all of the pharmacy staff are very friendly, empathetic, competent and efficient. They go out of their way to get prescriptions filled quickly even though it seems like they are pretty busy. Whether it takes a follow up call to the doctor’s office, another pharmacy or dealing with an insurance company they make it happen, often times taking care of these administrative tasks AND having your prescription packaged and ready to go in minutes.
When you are not feeling well and/​or have a terribly long errand list, it’s nice to know you can count on these guys to make your day that much better by simply doing their job well and caring.
Parking can be a bit ridiculous depending on time of day, but usually you can find a metered space within a block. Also conveniently within walking distance of the CA Cable Car, the 1 on Sacramento, or any of the lines on Van Ness.

This review is for the Pharmacy. I’ve never experienced such great customer service at a pharmacy before. The staff at this location are really on their game; they’re also so quick and efficient. I’m usually in and out in 5 – 10 minutes.
I have also gotten my shots here.

With so many Walgreens — at every corner of health and happiness — walk past this on and go to the next. Deteriorated with the new management. I do like that they have cleared the selling floor of most obvious impulse buy items; yet is not for the convenience of the customer it’s for loss prevention. They must really have a problem because they treat every customer as a potential thief. It’s off putting.

It’s too bad that this store has deteriorated. The management let go of a lot of steady, regular, reliable and loyal employees who were part of the neighborhood and who recognized the neighbors in the community. Not only was there great camaraderie among the staff but with the customers, too.
It was a stupid, arrogant move on management’s behalf to make the change, in my opinion. Nothing has been gained from the customer’s perspective.
The store looks more like a functional warehouse or a storage space now. There’s little that’s attractive about the store, about the way the products are arranged on shelves. Everything is simply crammed onto shelves like an overloaded Chinese closet. It’s all very functional and sterile.
Management treats its staff like interchangeable cogs in a wheel, and everyone is inordinately Asian.
It makes me so sad to enter this store because i remember all the staff who used to work there for years and years and how pleasant and cheerful the store used to be. Now I can only feel how anonymous and empty the store is, despite its being stuffed with commercial packages in great variety.
There are bargains to be found, which is why I go, but I get in and then get out. I feel I’m just using a public toilet and don’t want to linger or catch anything.

At the corner of Happy and Healthy usually, but this one is just off the corner next to Chase Bank in the historic Maple Hall at 1524 Polk Street (formerly a popular dance hall well before my time). I love the familiarity about all Walgreen’s stores. End to end, I know where things are pretty much. Cosmetics on one side and food/​beverage on the other side. The local news had Health Dept inspectors flagging a few Walgreen’s locations, but not this one. Looks nice and clean here… and the folks who work here are pretty efficient and friendly. Today — a light load with just a quart of lowfat milk and picked up a few packs of Jack Links Beef Jerky for $ 2.99/ea.

The staff here are always helpful and don’t mind answering questions… EVEN at 11:45pm :)

This Walgreens is never short on incoherent local characters reading tabloid magazines on the floor, street kids drinking milk from the carton & panhandlers asking if someone could give them some money. They loiter both inside & out and their conversations are quite interesting, to say the least.
It’s a rather spacious and well-​stocked Walgreens. But products are often strewn about the floor, and lines are super long. There is an impressive holiday section.
I’ve recently discovered this location is the only one that sells prayer candles with «Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, La Virgen» that make a great home addition or gift for both religious & non-​religious alike. There are other versions, too. You can pick 3 colorful, tall, long-​burning, scentless candles for $ 4.50. *Good idea for those who have scent sensitivities or allergies.
Pro-​tip # 1: Parking is a real hassle here. Do drive extra careful on Polk Street. The main drag where a lot of the Nob Hill nightlife, shopping & eating happen are busy with super fast riding bicyclists, bus stops & pedestrians walking out into the middle of the street without looking.
Pro-​tip # 2: Be sure to sign up for the free Walgreens Balance Rewards card — you get rebates and money back on your account to use on your next purchases. You end up saving quite a bit, too.

***This is a big and decent Walgreens; quite a few products were not behind glass, which was convenient and different from several other Walgreens in San Francisco***
I am not sure what the parking situation is. It is probably difficult to find parking around here.

Ok if you need it but not a good destination to shop if you don’t.
Mama didn’t raise no fool so I don’t like places like this. Needed to buy socks and they were $ 10 for socks that I could buy at Walmart for $ 3.99.
Ops, did I offend you SF folk with the Walmart comment? Cause I know if you guys hear about a Walmart coming into town you’ll protest and get arrested and stuff like that?
Anyways, I’m glad I was just a tourist and didn’t have to buy anything else. My buddy was sick and wanted something for his cold. The clerk told him to come back after 9am when the pharmacy was opened. I never heard of that but when in Rome…

This is actually between Cali and Sacramento St.
I have come here 2 – 3 times in one day before.
Love the super helpful, friendly Asian guy who is often at the register. Five stars for customer service.
Great weekly deals.
Store is always clean and organized, though they often run out of the frozen items.
And for those of you who read the other review by Elinor, I just want to say that all Midwesterners are not racist like her.