Walgreens — Local services in Baytown

Long waiting times, similar to other Walgreens but actually faster than the Walgreens stores that are closer and more conveniently located to my house. Reviewer J.A. explains that there's a reason for the long waiting periods and also wonders why people don't use a different pharmacy, if they want better and faster service.

There are many reasons people, including myself, may have little choice about using this pharmacy, even if we despise the long waits. Here's my take on it --

All Walgreens stores need to hire more pharmacy employees, as well as more counter help. PERIOD. Especially if they are on a major roadway and are located close to a hospital, many doctors' offices, and several minor emergency centers, like this Walgreens. The lines are so long at this Walgreens (and others) that it's a good thing this store is open for 24 hours -- that allows you to go there late at night when there are far fewer customers, although there are far fewer store employees as well, so you still have to wait and wait even though there's nobody else in line.

People (including myself) do go to other pharmacies, if they are able. But other pharmacies can be equally busy, and most non-Walgreens pharmacies keep shorter hours than most Walgreens pharmacies, whether they're a 24-hour Walgreens or not. The nearby CVS store is a prime example of a store with much shorter hours, though it is equally close to a hospital ER and several 24-hour minor emergency clinics (considering the location, are the employees of this Walgreens really surprised that they get so many customers, day and night???)

Another problem is that pharmacies such as Walmart do not offer the drive-up window, which is essential to people who are too disabled to stand in long pharmacy lines.

Even after painfully standing in the long lines at those other pharmacies, customers often discover that the pharmacy does not have their medications in stock. For whatever reason, this Walgreens seems to keep more prescription medications in stock than other local pharmacies. For instance, I've gone to other local pharmacies that were unable to fill prescriptions for three different types of blood pressure pills, on three different occasions. On several occasions, this Walgreens pharmacy has been able to fill prescriptions for me that other pharmacies, including other Walgreens stores, could not fill.

So there are lots of reasons this Walgreens pharmacy will probably always get a lot of customers -- even customers who dislike this pharmacy and would rather go elsewhere, if there were good alternatives. The store really should prepare for more customers by hiring more employees. The increased customer satisfaction would probably increase their business enough to pay for the extra employees, and it would take some of the stress off the people working there. If they keep using just one pharmacist, working alone all night in such a busy pharmacy, it'll be a miracle if he or she never makes prescription mistakes that could potentially...

Considering there's so many other Walgreens around Baytown, and then add in other companies (CVS, Walmart, etc.) its still a wonder why everyone crowds into this one pharmacy demanding personalized 5-star service like they are the only one there. Then everyone complains about the long wait time and inadequate services and demands the staff to satisfy their needs immediately. I'm sure the staff wants to help their customers and pharmacists are there to help society (as much as they can), but when there's 1000+ people a day and this is health care (not your drive thru mcdonald's), people need to reassess and have empathy. Try working in a place where you are yelled at, threaten, and pushed to your limits every day by the public, state board, and everyone else... then the people who complain will immediately understand in the first minute.

This is true, but because the law of supply (lacking) demand (excess) and labor (under-staff because of corporate greed). It takes an average of 5-10 minutes PER prescription...do that math and that's only about a 144 prescription in 12 hour period. Then you have the problems, add in another 5-10 minutes (for the simple problems only) to call doctors, verify information, call insurance, etc. Then you have the overnight pharmacist which is by THEM-SELF (singular). It's morally and physically impossible to give or expect anymore than 1-star report for this store.

Its impossible for any humanly Pharmacy crew to keep up this rate with only a skeleton crew. Complaints are valid, but then there are options: go to another pharmacy (simplest), call corporate walgreens to demand for more hours to hire help (which won't happen), go somewhere else until the law of supply and demand meets...

I want to shared my experience to raise awareness.Some of the pharmacy staff members have zero customer service skills.They answer the phone like if they are in their home.The background noise is ridiculous loud due to the radio playing. I went to the pharmacy Nov 25th and my medication was not ready. I told the lady please get it ready and I will pick it up tomorrow because it was too long the wait time. Next day I went to pick up my medicine and the medicine was not ready. Not enough, the pharmacy staff member gave me an attitude because I told her speak louder I can't hear you the intercom is not working. She went to call her coworker and i was able to read her body language that was not pleasant. They both did not want to call my insurance and lied to me saying my insurance do not cover my prescription. I knew she was lying but I paid because I needed the medication. When I called my insurance the customer service explained me that the pharmacy never call for my prescription. My insurance had to call them and request a reimbursement. I went to get my money back. I tried to put in a complaint and the supervisor told me to call the manager.The manager never answer his phone. Today is December 1st and I'm calling in to ensure my other medication is ready. A different staff answer the phone with a nasty attitude. I asked to share the name of the prescription to ensure that they are the correct ones and all you can hear is attitude. When I ask for her name. She like the other one refused to provide it. This pharmacy used to call the clients when their medication were ready. These new staff group need better training. They do not care for the pharmacy reputation or the client needs. We need change and...