Shoppers Drug Mart
Reviews and Complaints

I have continually had bad experiences visiting this pharmacy and myself and my partner have both changed to sobey's pharmacy and I will not be using the pharmacy services here again.

I picked up my prescription for a new medication on October 20th and the girl working at the pharmacy was very dismissive and rude. She gave me the new medication and did not even ask me if I had taken these before, which every pharmacy has always asked me in the past, keeping in mind this was anti-psychotic medication. I asked her if this was the new medication and she said yes and then I said "Don't i need to speak to the pharmacist about this?" Since most pharmacies will always get the pharmacist to speak with you when you start new meds and she cut me off as I was speaking and very coldly said "if you have questions go over there" and pointed to the consultation counter. I could not believe the lack of regard for this situation especially since I was being placed on a new medication and had never been on anti psychotics before.

Shortly after that on november 28th we visited this pharmacy to get our flu shots. The person administering the shots did not say a single word to us during the whole process. They didn't ask us about allergies, issues with past vaccinations, possible side effects or anything which ive always had when getting vaccines in the past. And we did not even get any paperwork which I found very strange as I've gotten a slip from other shoppers' in the past. It was a very uncomfortable experience and the person giving the shots was not friendly at all. On this same visit, my partner needed to pick up injecting needles and the pharmacist said that they "didn't know the price of each individual needle" so he asked him to pay $10 per 10 needles. Myself and my partner were absolutely floored as those needles are barely 20 cents each. My partner stated this and the pharmacist then said "okay how is 2 dollars?" I am completely shocked at this lack of professionalism and that the pharmacist himself was just making up a price for something on the spot. That is completely shocking and very unfair as those who don't know the difference would probably have paid this outrageous price that the pharmacist just came up with on the spot.

Following this, my partner went to pick up a refill of my medication on December 20th that my doctor had refilled a month prior to this. When he arrived, the person working there asked if I had picked up my last refill (which I hadn't but my partner assumed that I would have) and the person working did not even simply check to see if my refill was there and they told him there's no refills left but that they could send a fax to the doctor. I called this pharmacy 11 times that morning trying to get through to ask for an emergency refill. I kept cycling between the music and a ringing tone so I believe that the pharmacy was purposely not answering my calls. It is shameful that I called 11 times, 2 of them I was waiting on hold over 10 minutes each time, and then the other 9 times I immediately got a busy signal and was not even presented with the option to press 3 for the pharmacy. Because of this I had to leave work to go to the pharmacy and speak to someone in person. The woman working at the pick up counter was not even in uniform or wearing any kind of identification to show they worked in the pharmacy. I was politely trying to explain my situation thinking it was my doctor's fault and that they failed to refill my prescription. The woman kept cutting me off and asking for my address and DOB while I was trying to explain why I needed an emergency refill. She then says the last refill was around the end of November and I said yes that's the one I need. She says "oh we thought you picked that up already one second". I dont understand why they didn't even check to see if it was there in the first place to save me the trouble of trying to call them and then having to leave work to go down in person and sort this out. She then goes and talks to another person working there and gets the bottle of the pills and hands it to me. No paper bag, no receipt, and she didn't even ask me to pay. She just handed me the bottle. Never in all my life have I ever just been "handed" my medication with no receipt, no bag and not even asking me to pay!

On December 31st my partner called the pharmacy to ask to refill his prescription and they advised him it would be ready the next day, January 1st at 12:30pm. My partner went to go pick them up 2 days after this on January 3rd and they told him they didn't even have this medication and would need to order it in. If they needed to do that, why wouldn't they have done it on December 31st when he called them the first time? And why couldnt they have advised him that it had to be ordered in?My partner was then without his prescription and had to call the sobeys pharmacy to switch to them and ask them if they could refill it for him.

The lack of unprofessionalism I have experienced from this store is astounding and I've never had such horrible consecutive experiences with a pharmacy. After this, I immediately called sobeys pharmacy to switch to them and I will never visit this pharmacy again. I hope that in reading this you will do something about the lack of regard for your patients and the complete lack of professionalism displayed by your staff.

In nl the oil of olay is in the flyer as $9.99 but in store it’s not, fine print does have one exclusion but the only reference to the pictured oil of olay peptide product is that it’s new. This product should be available to everybody for the advertised price of 9.99 i’m a die hard customer for most of my 66 years and have find this surprising for shoppers

My wife purchased 2 pairs of foster grant readling glasses advertised at 75% off on selected types. I thought it was a great deal and went back to store and bought 4 more, but immediately after leaving looked at the receipt and it was 50% off not 75% so went and talked to customere service agent and to take a photo of the signage. There was no indication that other types were on sale at all and no sticker on the glasses themselves apart from full price of 29.99 each. I had the customer service agent go through all the racks all loaded with glasses and there was not asingle pair that said 75% off and ALL priced at 50% off. In total we paid $89.94 + $4.50 GST rather than the bill that should have been $44.99 + $2.25 GST a $47.23 total cost a $47.20 difference.

"While by no means the only Canadian legislation regulating advertising, the federal Competition Act is one of the main statutes. It contains criminal and civil sections that prohibit false or misleading representations and deceptive marketing practices. These are frequently referred to as the Competition Act’s “misleading advertising” provisions."

IMHO what I saw was deceptive misleading advertising.

Bob Stewart, [protected]@yahoo. ca, [protected]

Dear Shoppers Drug Mart Staff & to whom it may concern:

Last Week, as I completed my shopping & exited your store, I noticed a woman with a man. The man said: "Hi, my name is Anthony", then complained to me about his rent being high & threatened to BUST me if I refuse to help him, to avoid the fight I gave him $40.00, in front of your Shopper's Drug Mart Store #776.

Since Shoppers gave me a Birthday Gift-Points Offer, yesterday I was tempted to do more shopping yesterday, but didn't because of the BEGGARS &/or MUGGERS standing in front of your store.

If you want to improve the business of your store, I suggest you get the PEEL POLICE &/or Armed security guards to stand outside to prevent BAD BEGGERS from harassing the customers who have completed the shopping & wan't to go home safely in peace.

Kind Regards,

From Yours Truly,

Syed Saifuddin Ali Khan

I went to shoppers today which is near my home. I bought a navigator holder 2 weeks ago and today I went to return it because it doesn’t fit to my car. The staff said it can’t be returned because it was a seasonal item that’s Christmas. Firstly, it’s nothing related to Christmas and they didn’t told us that it was a seasonal item when I bought it and also it wasn’t mentioned on the receipt. On the receipt it was written that we can returns the item within 30 days. Moreover, the staff was so disrespectful to us. When we were about leave their one staff member was laughing at our face even after that she didn’t apologize but started justifying herself.

We went to shoppers at 2105 8th street unit 42 east around 6.55pm on 26 september. Lady working at customer service was so rude and stupid. Did not know how to talk with customers. We were not aware of make up products that we cannot use makeup as tester. We just opened once and then she told us. Again she was coming to us like we are stealing something. She called security and told them to have eye on us like we are stealing and make us embrassed. We had to leave without purchasing anything. She was doing racism. Worst experience ever. Not coming to this store again.

Reporting employee Shameena -

Refused to do a return and told me that they don’t do returns today, with no further explanation.

I proceeded to go to another shoppers where I was told I in fact can return and that all shoppers drug mart locations can process returns at anytime.

I returned to the store and they witnessed employees processing returns asked the employee (Shameena -) why she told me incorrect information and she insisted that they cannot even though I pointed out other employees doing returns.

She stood her ground on her untrue statement and I took down her name to report.

The inconsistencies and attitude of the employee and the store is unacceptable.

I don’t know why I was treated differently.

And I don’t want to jump to a race conclusion but the lady that I witnessed get a return done was not of my race, and I am a visible minority and she was not.

Again maybe the employee just had an attitude and wanted to stand my incorrect information, I don’t want to jump straight to a conclusion of racism.

As being a customer for 25 years and more I have never had such poor service as I have had since the retirement of Bill the pharmist. They never have all my prescriptions which are filled at a different location and sent to Oberlin store. If my prescription needed a refill he called the Dr or let me know I needed one. The sync program is nice but if all my meds that I take every month are not there it means I need to make extra trips to get every thing. And also then I am waiting for my meds to arrive from another refill location.

I'm texting a concern I have at the Shoppers Drug Mart at the corner of Kent ST. W and William ST. N Location in Lindsay On. When I'm in the store, I'm often yelled at by staff for my refusal to use the automated checkout service in the store. I feel that I pay for a service I should get this service I use full-service checkout for seniors' day discounts, coupon redeeming, Lottery ticket purchase, and cash back options. But to be yelled at by staff, centered out and insulted by Shoppers Drugmarts employees is not acceptable! When I asked why they are pushing this automated service they say the order comes from Shoppers Drugmarts Head office. (This is not a me only complaint.)

I have been using the Life Brand oregano oil for years and I am very happy with the product. However, the packaging has changed this year. Instead of a dropper that you could suck up the oil and deposit in your mouth, there is now another plastic piece that is supposed to let drops out when you turn it upside down and give it a shake. I am on my third bottle of this new design and not happy with the dispensing. You need to really give the bottle a hard shake to get out any drops which makes it near impossible to get them in your mouth or on a spoon. I will continue to use the product as I have not found anyone else in my area that sells it. As a long time loyal Shoppers Drug Mart customer I wanted to pass my comments to you.

We received a $200 visa gift card for our wedding in September. Upon using the gift card and it not working, we went online to the gift card site to see it was not activated. We contacted Bowmanville Shoppers where it was purchased and they took full responsibility and said the cashier didn't activate the card. They mailed us a replacement $200 gift card. We checked the balance online to find it had clearly been part of the gift card scams happening and was used prior to us receiving it and there was about 60 dollars left on it. We have emailed and called the customer care team since October. Their response is that there is just over 60 dollars on the gift card and we are entitled to receiving that amount or the amount in points (at which point they must have deactivated the card.) We have talked to probably 15 different people at customer care all saying a supervisor would be in contact and never has. Upon calling back this evening for the 2nd time this week, the person said the supervisor is saying you need to contact the number on the back of the gift card and isn't going to speak to you. Well the gift card number is all automated and you can't speak to a real person. I called customer care back and they said they would send this to the gift card team. We're going on 3 months...

I have huge objections to the fact that when I enter your stores I have to run the gauntlet of the perfume department. I have sensitivities to perfumes and I have to hold my breath every time I enter one of your stores. This is not acceptable to person with allergies to scents. It’s actually overwhelming and this needs to be addressed as I am not the only one.

Thank you for considering persons with scent sensitivity.

Lisa Henderson

At this moment in time every single medical officer of health is recommending masking while indoors - every single one. Your store is a pharmacy - it is a place where people get their medical supplies and prescriptions. Many many many people who are sniffling sneezing suffering the effects of cold and flu go to your store to get otc medications — many many many people go to your store to pick up prescriptions or as I did - to get a flu or covid vaccine. I was stunned to find that while I was required to wear a mask to receive my shot your staff person administering the shot was not! I had to ask her 3 times to please wear a mask for she would be withing a foot of me to give me the shot - after saying it was not mandated and I asked one final time she reluctantly agreed then refused to speak another word throughout the remainder of our time in that tiny little room — I then found as I went to the cash to buy some toiletries that almost all your employees were maskless — I live with a person who has lymphoma and is in treatment and so has no immune system - you staff interact with every customer that enters your stores and their lack of following the simplest most basic recommendation to stop the spread of infectious disease is unconscionable! No we cannot mandate care for another - but what I witnessed today showed very clearly that your employees clearly do not give a damn if they participate in spreading rsv or flu or covid and do not respect officers of health. I will find it very difficult to ever again enter any of your stores. (the one I was in is in ottawa on merivale rod but must assume the same utterly cavalier attitude exists throughout your franchises. If you had inculcated an attitude of respect this would not have been my experience in any of your franchises... I must therefore encourage everyone I know to also refuse to patronize your stores in the future.

Good afternoon:

An experience one would not like to have, I was at the Shoppers Drug Mart on Saturday the 3rd of December, 10950 - 23rd Ave, Edmonton - I picked up some needed personal items and three gift certificates- my experience started at the checkout, there was a long line up along with only one cashier, another associate was called to assist , my receipt did not print, my confirmation for the three gift cards were also not printed to attach to the cards - I waited over 45 minutes to be scolded by the Front Store Manager - she didnt even ask me what transpired, I went to tell her and she abruptly told me to tone it down, 😣 Ive never thought that one had to take the expressions out of talking and be monotone! The cashier (Ashina) was uninformed or was not trained properly with cash as her customer service along with knowledge of items of purchased was not correct or handled properly- needless to say I will not promote this store or be making myself shop for items, I will gladly accommodate my requests through a store that has customer service and knowledge

Tim Boyle

Calgary AB

I attended at the North Hill Mall location in Calgary looking for an anti nail bite product for my granddaughter. I went to the precription area I explained what I was looking for, the attendant appeared puzzled and asked for the brand name which I didn't know. He then took me to the isle where he thought it might be (bandaids and insect anti-bite section) but was unable to locate it. He seemed to doubt such a product existed. I then suggested that perhaps it could be with the nail polish products since I knew it resembled nail polish. He shugged non verbally. I enquired where I could find the nail polish products to which he motioned a direction with his hand. He offered no futher assistance nor aIppology for his lack of helpfulness. I found the nail polish area and soon located the product. On my way out I motioned him and held up the product announcing that they did carry it. Again he gave no verbal response and glanced away. Throughout, all my dealings with this staff I was given the clear impression that my enquiry was too insignificant for his attention to it.

I recently visited this store earlier today. It was the the third store I had to go to get a product (Lise Watier Mascara, Manning Road and Banwell did not have this product). I was doing an exchange for a Vasanti product that did not agree with my eyes purchased earlier today. The manager was very rude and condescending with her tone towards me when inquiring about if this product was available and that I should have had the other stores call first. Actually, this is not the first time, [edited], has acted this way towards me as she use to work at the roundhouse center years ago.

At approximately 7:38 pm, I called shoppers pharmacy on 6339 200Th Street, Unit 101

Langley, British Columbia V2Y 1A2

Phone

[protected]

Fax

to ask for an emergency refill

for my blood pressure medication. The pharmacy strongly refused to give me an emergency medication even when I begged for one pill as my symptoms are severe. I was told they will give me tom at 2 pm. This is ridiculous. How can one ignore someone’s symptom, do they even care that I could possibly get a stroke or a heart attack? The service of this pharmacy has been so bad since the old pharmacist Steven or Stephen (chinese) left shoppers. Service has gone downhill since. The wait times, the overall customer service is terrible. I would rate this shoppers 3/10 out of mercy.