Safeway Pharmacy

I don't know how often pharmacies get a review, but this place definitely deserves one. I had my 1st pickup here and the 3 people in the pharmacy that I interacted with were very helpful, friendly, informative and I love the "local" vibe they give because of all the regulars. I've walked passed this pharmacy 1000 times and never needed anything. This staff is amazing and should be recognized. Thank you!

The pharmacist was just fine - pleasant and professional. But the manager provided very poor customer service and was very haughty. I believe she also made an error about our insurance coverage and charged me $50 for a vaccine that should have been free. I took my 98 year old dad (blind and mobility impaired) in for a vaccine. We were informed that there would be a $50 copay. I explained that my mom - with identical insurance- had the same vaccine 2 weeks ago at a different Safeway pharmacy and there was no copay. The manager was unhelpful, unfriendly and uncaring. She refused to call the insurance to straighten out the confusion so I did but after 45 minutes on hold I gave up and said we’d just pay the $50. The manager then told me I’d have to get in the (lengthy and slow moving) prescri

Today it was an 18 minute wait in line for the pharmacist, with 3 people in front of me and 5 behind me waiting. Be it over the phone or in person they're usually crabby and they have terrible communication. Example; be it a new medication, a medication that was covered by insurance but is no longer, or something they are out of, they don't communicate it with you by calling. One has to wait in line to find out. Safeway in Sac, was always on top of my refills, here I have to call and ask for a refill for every single one. Most of the clerks look like a disgruntled, overworked carnie. But a few are almost friendly.

The manager of this location is extremely rude, he gets a kick out of holding prescription medications even when my doctor authorizes a early pickup because of the holiday weekend. The pharmacy manager called me the day before Thanksgiving to tell me, he believes that I am doing something suspicious and therefore cancelled not only the medication that was ready for pickup but also notified me that I will no longer be able to use the Safeway pharmacy at 41st Ave, Santa Cruz CA. When I called my doctor's office, they could not understand what the pharmacist problem is, I had a office visit with my doctor on the 16 to ask if I could pick up my prescriptions early, because of the Thanksgiving holiday I had planned on going to Nevada and spend the holiday with my family. The only positive thing

Compared to CVS, I like this pharmacy because it’s never very busy. With that said, the staff doesn’t mind making you wait. They know you are there waiting and all of them are just doing other stuff most of the time. I’ve been going there for several years and I mostly have a decent overall experience. Other thing that I probably dislike the most about this pharmacy is that the place closes for an hour during lunch. Really? That’s poor management and service. There’s ways to keep the place running at lunch