Ingles Markets review: Pharmacist extremely rude and demeaning

7/18/2025 Friday 9:15 am -
My mother and I were putting in a refill prescription at the pharmacy, and were serviced by a woman with shoulder length, dark brown hair. This employee was extremely rude and demeaning to us. My mother has Glaucoma, and Carolina Ophthalmology in Asheville refills her Lumigan eyedrops. In front of other employees and customers my mother was insulted by this employee. She said very firmly that my mother's Dr. denied her refill. To make matters worse, this employee was NOT kind, or personable, but cold, brisque, and rude. We tried to remain calm and asked if it was the insurance or the Dr denying the refill? She looked at us like we were the dumbest customers ever! and scowled saying flatly "Your doctor denied your refill. Call your Dr. and ask them about the issue." My mother called the Carolina Ophthalmology office in Asheville at 11:56 am; and on speaking with one of our Dr. office representatives named Julian, we were told that "no, our Dr. had definitely NOT denied the refill", also agreed with us... "this was very weird! The refill was approved this morning." Then, Julian said she would call the pharmacy and see what was going on, and call us right back. Julian called us back at 1:42 pm and said that, "yes, the refill was filled this very morning that we had come to the pharmacy, and, yes, they have the big bottle of my mother's prescription, and if she needed the 3 little bottles they could send out for them." Well! My mother, myself, and Julian at Carolina Ophthalmology were all a bit aghast at the rudeness of this employee. It's one thing to have a misunderstanding, really, but it's how an employee treats the customer that makes a world of difference. And this was unacceptable behavior! After we spoke with Julian, we called the Ingles pharmacy to try and touch base of what was going on. We were greeted by the same employee who was so rude earlier, was even worse now. As my mother's frustration increased, the employee's tone grew sharper and more icy by the minute. My mother simply kept asking "please explain why I was told (in front of other customers) that my Dr. denied my refills?" All the employee would say was "it was denied, but we fixed it now..." and try to rush the conversation to an end by interrupting my mother (who was now about to have a meltdown in tears over this ill-treatment) and then, when my mother continued to ask why, the employee barked at her like a marine Seargeant saying. "don't you yell at me!" My mother was NOT raising her voice.
Dear God, if I was this employee, I would at least try to be polite (if I was unable to be kind) and try to be personable. Even if she didn't have the answers to my mother's questions, even if there was a technical error... tone of voice, verbiage, and how to address a customer is crucial. This employee failed all 3. Then, in the middle of my mother simply asking why was the pharmacy unable to have 3 smaller bottles instead of a large one, and why must she drive all the way to Canton (20 minutes from where we are staying) the employee hung up. WOW! In all the years of shopping at Ingles, we have NEVER been so ill-treated. My mother and I stood on shock, then, not surprisingly, my mother burst into tears. Feelings of frustration and humiliation overwhelmed her. A moment later, the phone rang, it was the Ingles pharmacy. We stared at the phone, dreading what we might hear next. We answered, bracing for battle. Imagine our surprise to hear a kind voice on the phone! It was Alison, from the Ingles pharmacy. She had been working in the back, but described herself at our request to know who we were speaking with. Alison was kind, understanding, very attentive, and extremely helpful. She asked questions to understand my mothers needs, and was very kind and sympathetic. Within a matter of minutes, Alison had cleared up the misunderstanding, and fixed everything to where my mother can now enjoy the convenience of getting her refill eyedrops in 3 smaller bottles here, in Waynesville, instead of driving 20 minutes to Canton just to pick up a refill. She also said my mother would receive a text message when the Rx was ready for pickup. Probably Monday after 2:30pm. Also, we could call her directly or request Christy Ball the manager. Alison, thank you so much for your kindness and helpfulness!
Dear employees, please remember your customers are human, with real needs and feelings, just like you.
Sincerely.
Chani (and my dear mother Paliy)