Safeway

The stuff here is pricy. However the place is quite clean and tidy. People here are quite friendly and polite.

I avoid shopping at any Safeway. Their stores are badly merchandised and appear run down, as do the staff in their unpressed dowdy brown shirts which are most often untucked. It also seems to me that the cashiers work in total slow motion compared to other markets. This evening I visited the Kits Safeway at Broadway and MacDonald to buy some tobacco for my pipe… yes I smoke a tobacco pipe. I went to a cashier, since there was nobody at the customer service desk where tobacco products are sold. I showed him an empty package of the product I wanted. He left for the service desk to get t for me and I followed him, since, from experience I know, approximately where he could find it. He opened the cabinets one by one and there it was! I could see it! So I explained that it was on the second shelf up from the bottom and the fourth item from the left. He could not find it, even though it was right in front of him and he had an example of the product in his hand. This process took at least 5 minutes.
Probably once a week I buy this product from various Safeway Stores. The experience is generally the same. Safeway is one of the few places where I can buy my tobacco which is why I go there. Safeway’s Produce and Meat Products are below standard and very expensive, plus the poor maintenance of their stores gives me concern about health issues. (Yeah I know I smoke a pipe). But there are other models of supermarkets. Choices. Expensive but worth it. Whole Foods, also expensive. IGA better pricing and exceptional fast service with clerks who are professionally dressed and act accordingly. Safeway need to have a re-​boot!

This Safeway is in my hood and I come here because I don’t have much choice in terms of walking distance. The store is clean and staff are friendly. Sometimes you feel that they are lost. You ask them a question and they go around in circles. But other than that, they are ok.
Food here are ok not like competitive pricing. As well, I notice some of their things are more pricier compared to the other Safeway, unless its on sale.

Totally over-​priced and the staff with a couple of exceptions are useless. I would never shop there again.

Time was the customer was always right, here evidently the customer never is.

Completed formal complaint to pharmacists’ regulatory body and consumer protection authorities on Jan. ¹⁵⁄₁₅ regarding prescription mis-​selling, unjust enrichment and sharp practice caused by failure to apply Pharmacare reduction and/​or provide reasonable, proper notice of drug cost absent Pharmacare reduction despite no-​refund policy. In short: watch out!
Here is the substance of my complaint:
Very concerned about West B’way Safeway Pharmacy failure this week to:
1. provide reasonable and proper notice that Asmanex inhalant purchased before a certain but undisclosed period would somehow not attract the usual Pharmacare reduction;
2. explain in clear terms the actual amount of the Pharmacare reduction I would forego unless I waited to purchase when the reduction would apply;
2. acknowledge and correct the error either by storing the unopened, still sealed package until the Pharmacare reduction would, in fact, be applied; and
3. (by originating pharmacist) apply reasonable business-​like conduct when the error was noted. This one — Caucasion, shoulder-​length dark hair — actually had the crust to laugh! She thought it amusing that Safeway would charge me an unconscionable $ 82.50 — $ 40 – 50 more than I usually pay. Maybe such a charge would have little impact on the budget of a union Safeway pharmacist but for me, the effect is devastating! I found her disposition in the circumstances to have been insulting, offensive and frankly unbecoming.
First, this has never been a problem in all the years I have brought custom to Safeway. Pharmacare since I qualified for it has been applied discreetly and automatically.
As to notice, originating pharmacist did ask if I have Blue Cross or some other private coverage — a strange question since the information would have been available on the computer record, surely, as would Pharmacare info. I did not equate this inquiry with notice of the HUGE price difference, of which, had I been notified would have prompted me to wait to make the purchase.
Second, how exactly is the qualifying period determined in my circs? As an asthmatic who is especially vulnerable during flu season, I thought it prudent to ensure I was ahead by one inhalant.
Third, I have noticed that it often takes several days for the pharmacy to obtain my particular brand and dosage — a brand that was recommended by GP on the basis largely of cost.
Fourth, please note that dosage is at my discretion according to MD’s instructions. I decide whether I need one or two puffs once or maybe twice a day so there can be no firm date for re-​up.
Jan. 15/​15, 5:50 pm PT Safeway called to decline refund or otherwise resolve its error, which amounts to sharp practice and unjust enrichment.
Assorted GPs have shared observations from patients who find Costco the preferred pharmacy for price and service. Will investigate.
Will update review as authorities weigh in.
Update May ²⁶⁄₁₅: As CBC Marketplace probe revealed Costco Pharmacy is the cheapest — a HUGE saving and great service — much better than Safeway. You can ask doc to fax prescription to Costco to save you time in the pick-​up line. I’ve also had confirmation this week that Health Canada does not regulate prescription drug returns, that you can take reimbursement up with extended benefits provider if you are lucky enough to have one. Consumer Protection BC reports that each pharmacy may have its own returns/​refund policy, that the province does not regulate the matter. Awaiting word from Costco head office in Ottawa confirming that it’s liberal returns/​refunds policy applies equally to unwanted prescription drugs. Will post update as the information obtains.
Update June ¹⁰⁄₁₅: VICTORY! Costco Pharmacy in Richmond, B.C. provided a FULL refund for both the Symbacourt and Advair, a value of almost $ 200. Clearly, there is no reason every B.C. pharmacy couldn’t provide prescription returns/​refunds as liberally as Costco does. Yes, I was required to provide both the white and yellow receipts for each script to obtain the refund. And although I wrote to Costco CEO at head office in Ottawa, Ont. asking for the store’s policy on prescription returns/​refunds in writing, unfortunately, Costco preferred instead to deal only by phone.
When head pharmacist Lorraine called, I was asked to account for both scripts and advised that my walk-​in clinic physician who provided each would be advised of the return. I find this excessive and a breach of privacy particularly when all medical treatment requires informed consent, but to obtain the refund, I complied.
As a general rule, I dislike the idea of sales clerks suddenly elevated to a position on par with medical practitioners so that retail outlets might charge a higher fee. Ditto optometrists, however qualified, who are financially interested in the outcome of the eye tests they give. It would be surprising if anyone walked away from an optometrist’s eye test without a script for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

I remember when this «super-​Safeway» was being built! I went to the elementary school 2 blocks away … yes, I am that old. It’s not really a «super-​Safeway» any more since most/​all Safeways are pretty sophisticated (now that the Marpole one got its long overdue facelift). But it’s still large, even capacious, and offers quite a good selection of products and helpful staff. There is the obligatory Starbucks, located in the middle rather than by the doors, and various sections are arrayed around it. It’s so conveniently located at the corner of Broadway and Macdonald, with ample underground parking as well as major bus routes on either side. I also always seem to run into people I know when I shop there, so it’s still somewhat of a friendly neighbourhood store like in the old days.

We have recently changed locations for our weekly shopping trip from the safeway on 4^th to this one. We do our shopping either Saturday or Sunday afternoon and the Safeway on 4^th was a madhouse! This one has much wider aisles and for some reason is way less crowded at these times. The products are the same and the staff are fine. Good solid location.

Saturday afternoon and only three manned tills were open and four self-​service tills. For a grocery store that calls itself full service, its a pretty pathetic way to show it.
I keep coming here though because they sell my favourite bread, Silver Hills Little Big Bread.

Some places get an idea in their heads then can’t move on with the times: even when the idea was ill-​conceived.
My sigo used this pharmacy for years because it was convenient and for lack of a better option. We put up the the way filling every prescription ate up so much of our time, the inefficient way things were handled and the lack of clarity over medications till I finally put my foot down. I dislike the artificiality of Safeway and we had to find a better place. (So we did)
I can’t describe this outdated business any better than J.N., Chloe, Adam K or Scorp and I agree with all of their comments. I just wish these places would fade to black very soon. And the air here is unbreathable. Did you ever notice how your food tastes and smells like the pervasive febreezey odour in the store? Fresh produce and packaged meats absorb the substances contained in the air and you wind up eating febreeze. What stench are they trying hide with the toxic ‘perfume’ in the air? Must be pretty nasty!

Man Safeway sucks so much. This store is the worst ever. They gouge the local community all day and it is upsurd. It is the most expensive over priced scam of a business ever. $ 8 for peanut butter? $ 7 for a small box of ceral? Green Pepers for like $ 3 – 4 a pound when they are selling at Apple Farm across the street for 69 cents.
If you are smart and want to save money and live in Kits you will shop at Apple Farm on broadway, No Frills on Alma and Parthenon on broadway. Those 3 stores have more than everything you need at ¹⁄₈^th the cost of safeway.
Get out of the community you giant pile of s**T

I remember when this store was called «Disco Safeway» and «The Pink Palace» or even «the place to meet people». That was in its heyday. But much like an outdated nightclub that has long lost its lustre, this store is just… sad.
What really happened here? It used to be okay, before people realized that Organic truly was better. Now, everything is overpriced. Overpriced produce on its last legs, drenched in water to somehow appear fresh. All it really does is give me an unneeded bath before I leave the «healthy» section of the store.
Tomatoes are so farmed that they no longer look like tomatoes. Counter people are surly, especially the fishmongers. Maybe it’s because they recognize that they are there to sell pretty pathetic looking (farmed?) fish. Sales staff pretend to care, but they are instructed to speak to you while managers hide out in the back. It’s sad and pathetic.
And no skim milk of any kind smaller than 2 litres, or with more than 2 days left before they expire, either. Maybe decent chicken if you overlook the hormones. Overpriced organic soup (which I suppose is the case, everywhere?) I suppose the prices of everything else are standard thru-​the-​roof BC prices. Cali. people, beware!
I suppose t’s still clean enough, and the check-​out clerks are always kind and efficient, so kudos to them. I guess I’m resigned to IGA or Choices now whose prices aren’t any better, but at least there I can find quality.

alwyas get good service for a grocery store… been going here for over 3 years… make sure to go on the 1^st Tuesday of every month for amazing deals

It’s a Safeway. Meh. It’s clean, which is good. It requires a Safeway card to keep you from having to pay their «regular» nonmember – and sometimes outrageous – prices, which is bad. And they could do a much better job organizing things. There are different brands of fresh salsa in two, sometimes three different locations, for instance. C’mon, pick a spot, would ya? The seafood selection leaves a lot to be desired as well. But then again it is Safeway, so that’s par for the course, I reckon.

It’s a big Safeway. When I lived in South Granville I used to drive out here and leverage the free parking for my weekly farmer’s market /​backup grocery run. The store’s got an in-​store Starbucks, bakery, deli, and pharmacy. Shopping carts here have the silly 25-​cent deposit box on them. If you’re feeling avoidant, they’ve got the self check-​outs for ya.
My favorite thing about Safeway is the single-​serving Lucerne yogurts: none of the other big grocery stores up here seem to carry 6 oz yogurt containers. Is my craving for these some American thing? I don’t know, but I dig it.
The selection here is pretty good, but if you’re worried they won’t have it, they probably won’t. There’s a basic selection of ethnic foods. The produce section is pretty good, especially if you’re looking for the odd staple they didn’t have at the farmer’s market this week. It’s nothing special or surprising, but it’s worlds better than the Soviet Safeway over by City Hall and a better deal for day-​to-​day stuff than Save-​On or Whole Foods.

Everyone knows what Safeway is /​etc.
My major complaint about Safeway is their seafood /​butcher counter.
I noticed that they have «previously frozen» written under their shrimp, scallops, often salmon and all other fish. They basically unfreeze it and lay it out in the glass window so it looks «fresh» and charge more for it.
This is a real shame. If you want frozen seafoods, you should just buy them frozen and unfreeze them when you need to. If you have a car or live nearby, angel seafoods is much preferred and probably even cheaper! their fish is sashimi grade. I would never eat safeway-​grade seafood raw. I also noticed that they have clams and mussels! I have no idea how often they get those in or what the turnover is on these things but I am scared!
I heard whole foods is coming to Vancouver. I’m not too familiar with it but they do use it on the Top Chef TV series (i’m a big fan) so I’m pretty excited to check this out when it does open.

This Safeway is way, way bigger than the next nearest Safeway location on 4^th Ave. It has a Starbucks inside and some places to sit, in case you need a boost before or after your shopping trip.
The underground parking here is also a big bonus. For those without a car, they do home delivery, so if you buy more than you can carry it’s only a small fee to have the goods delivered to your kitchen. I had a really nice delivery man bring my groceries to me after I’d taken advantage of a case-​lot sale, and he carried the boxes right to my kitchen!
I wouldn’t recommend shopping for fruit and vegetables here — there are so many produce places in this stretch of Broadway that offer fresher goods at far lower prices. But for your pantry basics, Safeway is necessary.

I am still traumatized from seeing the state of the bathroom at this Safeway. It was so horrendous I completely forgot I had to pee and used my best mind-​clearing techniques just to keep my dinner down. Unfortunately that image has tainted everything in the store.
The underground parking is very convenient, however, and selection of standard items is good. There’s even a drive-​through bank machine for Royal Bank in the lot. But watch out for parking patrol if you’re headed somewhere else on Broadway: we’ve been ticketed here.
The flowers here are often unimpressive — I wouldn’t rely on going here if was purchasing a gift and had to buy flowers no matter what. There is a small bulk food section filled with trail mixes and dried goods. I’ve also found a few unexpected gifts in the section near the seafood. I purchased a reusable mug that received lots of compliments for a good price.
Shopping at Safeway does seem like a chore, and I’m someone who loves grocery shopping. The local produce markets are a far more fruitful visit.