Walgreens

I don’t normally review places like drug stores, but I was really impressed with the pharmacy here. They didn’t have my insurance info in the system and I didn’t have it with me (usually a big pain in the butt) but the pharmacist informed me that it wasn’t a problem and looked it up while I ran errands. Amazing service.

This is about Walgreen’s in general. BUT there is more info to come about this particular store and the checkout clerk.
My oldest son and I stopped in here today to get a soda, and I needed distilled water. This is a less-​than-​$ 15 purchase.
At checkout, the clerk asked if I was a Walgreen’s reward member.
Ridiculous. I just signed up last night.
So, I said yes, entered my info (which, BTW, is your telephone number — nothing sacred), and with this measly purchase, got 500 points on my account.
My understanding (neophyte as I am), is with every 5000 points, you get a $ 5 reward.
That may sound far away. HOWEVER, with each weekly ad (and more values available to see online when you’re registered), it could be pretty darned easy to get to 5000 points.
This week’s online circular offers bonus points (like 3000 extra points) for particular purchases. You would not see these online offers if you weren’t a Walgreen’s reward member. Well, maybe you could see them, but you couldn’t cash in on them.
This took NO paper. I don’t have a Walgreen’s card. And I’ve seen ads that say «with card,» something I never understood.
So, there are sales that you can’t access unless you have the reward card. I’ve mentioned this before visiting another Walgreen’s, like the one near Lafayette Square. The in-​store ad says, «With Card.» I never knew what that meant until today.
So, unless you have the reward card, you cannot participate in some of these great savings! Like 3 12-​packs of Coca-​Cola products for $ 10. Can’t do, if you aren’t «with card.»
NOW I GET IT!
So here’s the info on the checkout clerk. I told her I just signed up last night, and I did not think any of my purchases were «reward card» worthy. She said, «Put your number in.» So I did.
Then, with patrons waiting to be checked out, she quickly but patiently described the entire reward program to me so that I understood it, so valiantly she did this — without a bother to the line. But not disregarding it, mind you.
I should have gotten her name! She was glorious! And all with a smile and «Have a great weekend!»

Once upon a time, I believed that this was the best pharmacy in St Louis… and it was, at least until my pharmacy benefit plan pitched a monopolistic hissy fit and told me they wouldn’t pay for my allergy medication anymore if I went to Walgreens.
But anyway, I refrained from reviewing this pharmacy for two years because the beauty of this Walgreens is that NO ONE ELSE IS HERE. I know, I’m a selfish b*tch. Unilocalers are nice people and all that, but I really didn’t want to see any of you in front of me in line asking about your flu shot. But I’m telling you now, this Walgreens is perfect! You get your Rx filled in record time and the staff is calm and friendly.
The store itself is older than most Walgreens in town and is kind of dark and low slung. I don’t care. I don’t need brand new shelves full of Snuggies to get my prescription filled. What I want is friendly pharmacy staff and good service. And this place has it.
Sigh. Well, since I’m frequenting a different pharmacy these days (hey Schnucks!), I’m going to let the cat out of the bag. Go to this Walgreens for the pharmacy counter. You won’t be disappointed.

Very great place for people watching.
The 5 minutes I was there I was more than entertained.
The pharmacist was the best, she looked at me like I was crazy for spending money on my RX.