Safeway

Very large Safeway with a strange access. There’s a doorway to an escalator/​people mover taking you up to the second floor (or first floor if you’re thinking US).
Nice selection of produce and the standard Safeway offerings. I liked their peanut bar: different peanut mixes and peanut butters.
Express checkout. US phone numbers are not recognized. Appears you accrue air miles.

Chinese food buffet — EXTREMELY OILY AND GREASY! To the point that is makes absolutely no sense for that much oil. Karma come quick to the Chefs and Safeway executives! This should be a health hazard with huge fines!

It’s a big grocery store. Much bigger than you normally find downtown. Pricey, considering the food is nothing special, but it is luxuriously uncramped. You could tap dance down the aisles and not hit anything.

Had the unpleasant experience of going through the most careless and unpleasant cashier by the name of ‘Tu’. No greeting, no conversation no nothing. He piled groceries on top of bread, tossed them, and really gave no care to the transaction what’s so ever. Stuck a clearly opened container of ice cream in a bag, and was over all extremely unpleasant to deal with. Tu ultimately made me realize that if I am going to grocery shop here again I will go through self checkout and handle my transaction solely on my own. I feel as though Tu needs some extensive training on customer service and customer appreciation. Overall he failed at performing in his position.

I will be honest. I normally don’t go to Safeway. I find it $$$$ and I normally get what I need either across the border or Extra Foods which is closer to my house. I went to Safeway as I was given a $ 50 gift certificate through work as a holiday bonus. This location was the closest to my home without having to take a train in the cold to the Broadway location. This location is always quiet and most times I get what I want when I am walking in there. I wanted to buy some instant food items as I had to work the following day on NYE and really didn’t feel like spending an hour in the kitchen to prepare something for 1 day. I bought some fruit and veggie platters to start with. The fruit on the fruit platter had mold. I didn’t see this through the packaging as the fruit was hidden from consumer view ’cause of the label. I noticed that the same was another pack of fruit plate that I had purchased. Good-​bye healthy breakfast that day and a start to what was supposed to be a good healthy 2013 start. As for the rest of my lunch, veggies were decent, not as crisp as I had remembered them to be. I spent the rest of the gift certificate on gluten free snacks and bread.

This store never has enough cashiers — ever! The last 10 times I was shopped at this Safeway they haven’t had enough cashiers. There are only ever two available cashiers and you would think to expect with a lineup of 15 people in it they might call on another cashier; this never happens. Expect to wait a long time to get in and out.

What crap service last night nov. 11. The employees and manager have no thought or concern for its customers time. I waited with some other customers for more than 20 mins at the bakery to get bread sliced. The one lady finally gave up after 2^nd trip to bakery and asking for help. She finally took some bread that was sliced already. The first choice bread I went for was not available so next pick required assistance. None to be had and the manager walked right past me and his drowning customer service gal, to hide out on his office. He had no respect or concern for me or my time and hid in his office for such a long period of time when I requested to talk with him. I guess he figured I would go away, which I did. If customers are a bother and you don’t even have the awareness of the customer, why are you there? It’s not the first time I’ve had ignorant service at this Safeway. I’ll walk further over to Davie street store. They have always given good service there. Robson street Safeway is a beautiful store but I think it’s employees hate their jobs and the customer! It shows! And the manager sets the tone! I’ll get lost and leave you alone :-(((I’m sure you have more customers that will adjust to your treatment and crappy customer service. Good luck!!!

I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but if you’re having trouble finding parking in the area at night (because you’re trying to eat in the area), then take a chance and park in the parking structure for Safeway. I did.
We circled around for at least 15 – 20 minutes trying to find a parking spot, and couldn’t find one. So I decided to just park inside the Safeway lot, go upstairs to buy something and then venture to the restaurant nearby for a quick bite to eat. I was able to keep both parties happy — didn’t mis-​use the Safeway parking lot since I was a Safeway customer, and still utilize the remaining 1 hour 50 minutes left of my 2-​hour limited time to eat somewhere close by. Hooray! :) Win-​win for me and Safeway and the local eateries.
Also, there is an ATM inside Safeway that I wanted to use to withdraw some Canadian $; however, it wasn’t working as of this past Saturday. So, good thing there was a CIBC downstairs (another local bank) for me to get some quick cash! Relief.
PARKING LOT WAS CLEAN AND CONVENIENT!

i love this store; it’s a huge improvement over the old safeway in the same space, offering a bright, clean, massive store with wide aisles (mostly) and friendly service make shopping here a breeze.
Unfortunately, there aren’t as many real bargains as there used to be.
Also, it may be a mistake putting the frozen fish and the bathroom so close that the smells (esp. after the toilet has had a heavy use period prior to receiving attention) mix enough that its noticeable to those considering ice cream selection at the end cap, or waiting for prescriptions…
Another pet peeve, but this relates to ALL stores:
putting flowers/​perfumes by the main entrance, while understandably merchants want to put the highest profit items in a place where no one can miss them, affects those with sensitive noses and/​or allergies.; this may be significant enough to reduce their spending habits in the store, not wanting to linger after having their nasal passages assaulted at the door.

INGREDIENTS FOR A HEADACHE AND HASSLE!!!
This Safeway has an incredible staff and a great selection of most everything you would want. However, the prices are ridiculous and the management inadequate. I have tried to shop here because it is on the way home and just off my bus stop, BUT, it just won’t work. I want to support Safeway because they are a union shop, but that is just not enough now.
They have installed a new card system that won’t accept my debit, either of my two Amex cards, nor either of my Visa cards. I know this because after gathering my groceries this evening, a 20 minute adventure and 5 minutes in line, I am told that «our new system isn’t working» and everyone behind me had to move to a new line. Now, for me they offered nothing except excuses. «your cards aren’t modern enough,» and «are you sure you have enough in your accounts?’ all the while admitting that this is happening to dozens of their customers.
The manager, even when prompted to, never said «sorry”-how unCanadian is that?-nor offered a coupon, nor a discount but just a «well, I will make a mental note about this and talk to someone in our cash office.»
Safeway obviously does not want my business, not even when I beg them to take it. The real problem here is that I am a dummy for even trying. I guess the universe is telling me that supporting a store because the staff is union is a bad idea. Oh well, if Safeway apologizes, that is the manager, not the building, and asks me to return with an offer of at least a 5 dollar coupon… nah, that won’t even do it. I need a real apology and some actual discount. 5 dollars I can save on the purchase of two items from a store nearby.
Safeway, kiss my debit!

I am aghast. Not a word I find reason to use often, but that best describes it (not mad… more schocked/​stunned). Oh, and for the friends who think maybe my stories are a bit rambling. don’t read them I like to ramble, it’s me and I’m not about to change 50 years or what’s worked.
So.I’m at Starbucks this morn in Safeway. Good internet connection, free parking (not biking, is raining). I come here perhaps twice a week and have been doing so for two to three years. One employee so good I have spoken to her area manager. The other, the two central to my ramble, never carry a smile. Or perhaps they’re smizing (smiling with their eyes, thanks Tyra). I think the former.
I buy my typical drink. Tazo chai tea, venti. Always tazo chai tea, venti. She pours, takes my gold card (oooohhhh.), and produces a cash receipt. Some background. this is ‘drink special’ month and every purchase comes with a second receipt, blue, with a 2 $ coupon for anything that same afternoon after 2:00. I never use that, because my drink is tea, but I give it to the cleaning lady in our building. Saw her this morning and we talked about her looking forward to her 2 $ frappucccino.
No blue receipt which I should have questioned at the time. But the Safeway purchase receipt with the amount on it. I said I don’t need that, thanks. Take my tea, drink, return for just hot water (anyone can get some hot water in their cup). It’s dour employee number 2. I say to her ‘is there no drink special here’? And she says yes if you buy something. I explained the situation (didn’t get one) and she drills for more info… and then reluctantly produces one of the chits sitting on the counter with the special on it. It’s a blue receipt. Yay! Success. At my other ‘usual’ Starbucks they are so friendly, they give them out to anyone.
A half hour later (I drink superfast) I would like my actual refill. The economically insane and generous offer from Starbucks is… use your card and you get two teabags each time (wasteful, I ask for one) and a free refill all day long, each time, new cup, two new teabags (again, I get one bag and I reuse my cup). ALl day. Any Starbucks. It’s is so insane I take great advantage of it. I’m cheap.
She says ”Oh, I gave you water’. I say ‘yes, but I had an actual tea in this cup from this morning and here’s my card for the refill. ‘But it was just water’. I said ‘no sorry you don’t understand… I was here about ½ hour ago and the other lady over there (behind the counter as well) poured me a Tazo and I used my gold card. But she accidently gave me only the Safeway store receipt, not the special receipt.‘
So she calls the other lady over, and I say ‘Hi, remember when you gave me the tea this morning, I didn’t get the special receipt’. She looks at her partner «I DIDN“T SERVE HIM». Are you kidding me? Are you insane? Are you head injured or that stupid?
I said, there’s no one else here… and it was half an hour ago. Here’s my cup. Here’s my teabag. I didn’t walk behind the counter and get it myself. You DID serve me and I can’t believe you don’t remember.’ (maybe I’m that forgettable but I’m narcisstic enough to know that’s not true).
She says ‘no, I never served you. We can’t give a special receipt.‘
I lost it to say ‘I’ve been a customer here for about two years and you’ve probably served me ¹⁄₃ of the time. And for $ 2, you’re going to deny me one of the blue receipts sitting on your counter.’ Turn, walk away. All the way, gone, never coming back, but I am contacting the area supervisor again and giving her the bad news about these two.
I am now across the street. At Starbucks (in Vancouver, home of Canada’s first Starbucks) we have that many. Another mark of insanity. This is fantastic, the girls at the counter are hilarious, and there are more computers here than I have seen at the Apple store. Sanctuary. Shangri-​La.

I’ve only used this store once while staying at a nearby hotel (the Riviera an A++). I went fairly late in the evening.
Hmm, just noticed Unilocal’s categories don’t list this as a grocery store (florist, deli, etc.). While it has those, it’s a grocery store. Just in case anyone is confused :) I sent Unilocal a message, so perhaps that will change.
This is a more urban Safeway. It seems that means its prices are higher, but it has (some) more high-​end stuff.
I walked from the hotel. The Safeway parking lot looked large, covered by the store, reviews say free while shopping. That is a big deal in this type of location.
What I bought was ok but pricey.
The cashier was fine, in a dull way… Nicer than the Whole Foods’ one across the street.
As a note: I went to the Whole Foods. across the street. I found its prices just as high on what I noticed, but the selection was much better. I.e. fancy cheese at Whole Foods at similar prices to meh generic cheese at Safeway.
This Safeway is not a bad store, but of the two I’d take the Whole Foods. If I’m going to pay $$$, I want fancy.

I was pretty shocked to see some of these reviews… but I shouldn’t be surprised, most of them were from U.S. tourists. I hate shopping malls and don’t really like chain stores in general, but this is close to where I live and when they revamped it they did a fantastic job. I think the one thing that ALWAYS impresses me every single time I’m in there is the staff. If I ask where something is, they want to get it for me (I’m not an old lady!) or walk me there. No green grapes left on shelf — they practically run back to get more for you. Just fabulous. BUT, hear they’ve been bought out by Sobey’s — OH NO, what’s going to happen now. Oh yes, I had to laugh at one U.S. shopper who just was totally amazed there was no liquor for sale. Hey, you’re in Canada sweetie.

I still remember the small old Safeway that used to sit at this location with the two big parking lots, gone is that old small supermarket that was showing it’s age, and you have this big thing sitting on the corner of Robson and Denman. I like the layout of this store, as it is located in downtown, one might think it would be tough to come to this location, not so with the free parking on the main level, it’s not underground and you go up some long escalators to get to this grocery store.
When you enter you see the floral department, quite a good selection, considering this is a Safeway. Their produce side is sectioned off quite nicely, as with most of the newer Safeways the floor is this dark wood like finish and it’s nicely seperated also with a small organic area (for the food concious). The cooked (prepared) food area is pretty plentiful, whether you have to buy a cooked chicken to take home (or to a party/​gathering) or wanting to buy something for yourself to eat, they have it right here, and some seating too. The isles are pretty wide, as two carts can pass at ease with people walking through and you won’t feel cramped. Your normal Safeway with a big butcher department, bakery, seafood, pharmacy, it’s got everything you need in a store like this, and lots of selection.
From your self serve kiosks, to your people manned ones, this store was built to handle a load of people, unfortunately I never see a load of people shopping here. I have seen people bring their change to have the sorting machine sort their pennies, and quarters, people come in to rent from the Redbox. When you finish shopping, the one thing they always seem to ask, and they will do, is if you need a hand with your groceries to your car, I have never used this service, but I have seen people who have, it’s always nice to know there is this service.
I think this is a great location, as not everyday you can afford to shop at Whole Paycheque (Foods) and you need options. And whether your in a people dealing mood, or not, you can self checkout and get out of here.

Terrible location!
— Lack of selection
— prices are 3 times more than other grocery stores
— non perishable items are stale and growing mold
— parking in the structure downstairs is a nightmare: you are hassled by people as you try to pull a car into a spot large enough for a bicycle.
Avoid!

*Angels singing*
This is the mecca of all Safeways. I found myself walking home after my pedicure and was hungry from all that hard work: P so I popped in almost by accident. I was half way up the escalator I realized I could get it cheaper down the street, but it was too late, I had arrived. The doors open and it is a sprawling grocery store with a salad bar, deli, Starbucks, seating, self scan, EVERYTHING!
I wanted a fresh looking salad right away and proceed to load up making a Caesar with some extra real bacon bits and croutons, then I looked around for the Caesar dressing. There was none on the bar! I had to request it and she got the jar from the back! I sat and enjoyed salad and chicken wings from the deli.
It’s just hard to get in or out. I think they need some better signage or maybe people just generally do not pay much attention. Who cares, I love it and will be back for more.
I think the Safeway motto should be «get in and get out» because it is just so fast to get what you need there.

Too much of a monstrosity for me to even begin to like. I loathe chains in general, but this Safeway is massive. It took me 20 minutes to get two things and pay because the items were at opposite ends of the store.
I know it may not *look* great, but why don’t chains just have everything food related on one end, and all other «things» at the opposite side? Like I really need detergent when I am picking up bananas… or do I?
Anyhow the staff are friendly and will let you taste everything before you buy. ;) And they have a upstairs patio where you can watch the randoms on Robson below… or talk to the friendly man with a cart full of cans about life… just make sure to give him your [empty] can of pop afterwards. ;)

I can’t complain. In view of the fact that I live very, very nearby, I have no other place to get groceries.
I’ve made a habit of shopping here, so I can go up and down the aisles with my eyes closed and that’s not a bad thing. I even have lunch there sometimes when I’m really lazy. Try to miss the school lunch hour as there is a high school a few blocks up and you don’t want to eat lunch with a hoard of screaming children (in high school… I know…) laughing, scrambling, and BRAT-​ting (you heard me… it’s when the action verb for ‘being a brat’) around the eating area.
Hot tip: only shop Safeway deals. There’s no complaining it’s too expensive if you spend wisely in any Safeway. Choose you dinner according to the Safeway deals!
30 Day Unilocal Challenge — ⁹⁄₃₀

This Safeway has free wifi! So if you are visiting from the U.S. and touring the Robinson St, you can stop here for supplies (e.g. bottled water) and post Facebook updates. And yes, your U.S. Safeway cards will work here.

True story:
Man wandering through the produce section, sticking random bananas, oranges, apples, limes (wtf?) and any other piece of fruit he can fit into his jacket. Intrigued, I follow him through the store. Man continues to stuff his jacket with the strangest items: soy sauce, margarine, candy — what? I usually don’t care to get involved with Safeway thievery, but the security guard happened to be in the next isle, so I flagged him down to let him know what was up. (as an aside, I’ve witnessed this very same guard hiding in the bulk isle stuffing his face with pistachios). So I tell him, thinking I’m doing some kind of civic duty, and he says — not a word of a lie — «Oh. Oh, well, uh. Oh, well. I’ll just let him do that. Best not to make a scene.» Then the man with the stuffed jacket leaves the store.
… what the hell, Safeway.
What. the. hell.