H-E-B — Local services in San Antonio

I came down with the flu earlier this week. On Thursday February 1, 2018, I took three prescriptions to the Austin Hwy HEB. The Dr.'s office was slow getting the Rx to HEB. My wife picked up the prescriptions, but what was not there was the NEBULIZER that needed to distribute THE Rx.

Then the fun began the Pharmacist told me I could pick up the machine at Oak Park. I told him I have never picked up a Rx that the pharmacist or assistant didn't make sure I had everything I needed before I left the counter. He said, "I thought maybe you had one -- at home -- lots of people do ...." That was a cop out, and lame attempt to cover the fact that insufficient care had been taken in filling my prescription.

I was also told that there was no co-pay. However, there was a co-pay. I took it home to finally get the medication.

By this time it was early evening. It was dark and the way I was feeling was made it difficult to figure out the instructions or put the pieces together. I went back to the Austin Highway HEB. I grabbed what I thought was needed, certainly had all the parts with me the Pharmacist (Carlos). He did not seem pleased or anxious to see me.

Each time we spoke he seemed disinterested, defensive, and distracted. He remembered the earlier phone calls(s) we had had and he chided me for not bringing the box the Nebulizer came in. Apparently, that was all that was needed, to set it up, but he was not able to go with what we had. He gave some guesses, but said he was not familiar with the equipment.

I went home, still couldn't figure it out, and came back for with the box. Then Carlos who was using his best professional face to tell me that he had already told me what to do. I asked if we could try it out. Then I really felt like I was interrupting his day..

I actually apologized for being so difficult, but I felt helpless. I was alone, had not the opportunity to use what I had bought and when I was trying to explain my confusion, he gave me one of several "uh-huh..." That was really the most impersonal, demeaning part as it seemed to punctuate the entire experience.

The whole thing took about five stops, Two pharmacies, and about 6 hours to get the stuff desperately needed. I felt neglected, disenfranchised, and like I was some sort of interruption to the usual flow of business.

I have shopped at this HEB since it was back on Walzem more than 45 years ago. I drive for Uber. I take a lot of executives and people from out of town who are here because of HEB. My son in law has worked for HEB for more than 20 years. I run into former students who work at HEB. It is unthinkable that any of these people could be so blase or unemphatic.

I wish I had been able to figure out it for myself. I wish I wasn't sick. But neither of those are reasons to make me feel like a hindrance.

I gave four stars because I am proud of HEB on so many levels. But if I had innocently walked in the store yesterday and gone through I wouldn't have even given Carlos one star. He's been with the company for a lot of years -- sorry if he was having a bad day, [uh-huh] But he is basically in sales to an ever changing clientele and he did not meet my needs or even appear interested in anything beyond...

This store is a circus compared to what it used to be. The current management is unprofessional at best—particularly a female manager named LEO. There is one younger lady that is great but the rest of these managers on site are a joke. Totally seems like they maybe should find another place to work considering their attitudes. They make up policy on the fly that is clearly not company policy. In fact, caveat emptor as LEO will not honor HEB Receipts from other stores even though there is nothing in writing indicating H‑E‑B does not honor its OWN receipts from stores that are a few miles away? That should CONCERN ALL CUSTOMERS who think a receipt means anything. According to the manager LEO SHE does not have to honor company receipts that are valid and not expired if they are not from her disorganized store. I definitely got the “Negroid” treatment from this specific manager and I haven’t felt like that in years. When the managers are great I tje the time to let corporate know as was the case with Tony, Tonya, and Brian. You actually saw those managers working. These new revolving door managers just stand around as the lines of people wind through the store! As I stated in my complaint to corporate. Brian had this store running like a well oiled machine. Now you go to leader Leo’s store and it feels more like a Greyhound bus station. I think Walmart is a better choice at this point and that is something I do mot say lightly. The customer service is on the decline and this store i nothing like it was just as few years ago. Managers are worse than one could imagine and the shopping experience is nothing more than unpleasant with unprofessional. Staff (‘parlay) at best. These people do not appear they really.even to be working there. Which begs one to ask the question—why are they working there? Train these people better! Do better HEB as some of your customers have spent thousands upon thousands in your store (some of tje employees actually know me and know this statement is not a heresy fallacy). I won’t do that anymore especially considering you don’t honor your own damn receipts without making people seem like criminals—and apparently the company lets make up policy as they go.

UPDATE: AS A result of my terrible experience with the owner and CEO of H‑E‑B named LEO at this store I have decided to let my dollars speak! I am currently gathering ALL OF MY VALID RECEIPTS that have not expired and will return every piece of new merchandise me or my business partners have purchased from this store. I will attach as many of these worthless LEO receipts Feeling like a criminal is not cool when you spend more than many of the workers annual salaries every quarter on non food items. I’d rather spend my money at Walmart. I’m sure this round of revolving door managers will be rotated soon but in the meantime I’ll let my dollars speak as words mean nothing to people who clearly don’t like their jobs...

The store is fairly big and has a nice selection. The amount of selection is good only if patrons can afford prices.

This area if town a mix low income, mid and upper income. The really upper can visit the Central Market on Broadway, not terribly far.

The Health/Beauty/Pharmacy items are beatable at Walmart for the most part. Out of every 100+ items, one might be a good price.

The echo effect when employees use the PA system is horrible. It's No wonder you have to make the same announcement 3 or 4 timer. Employees yell in the mic, talk too fast, and don't speak clearly. Why do they all try to set a record as to how. quickly they can make an announcement. No wonder the poor maintenance guy didn't respond, he probably heard -- attention partners blah, blah, blah.

The self check area is not set up well. One side is cash and can get cash back. The other side is card only/no cash back. Several card only stands were open. Some, like me, wanted to pay with card and get a little cash back. Card only pay with cash back option would move customers through quicker.

The parking lot not the best. People constantly nearly hiy each other. Every other row needs stop sign on each end.

Food prices are a hit/miss. All those coupons hanging around the store often make you buy a more expensive item or buy 2 to get a 3rd free, or pair with an item I don't use. Other prices are jacked up to cover savings on coupons. Looks like people really save tons but, not so much as one thinks.

Read ingredients in a $4.00 toothpaste and a $2.99 toothpaste. Many times same ingredients in same proportions. Hill Country Fare is often just the exact same as HEB product but, cheaper priced.

Compare ingredients in many Walmart items. Often exactly the same as HEB product and many times a little cheaper. It's ingrained in HEB shopper's minds that EVERYTHING IS BETTER HERE. This is an HEB tag line that people buy into.

Just stating some facts that hopefully will get people thinking.

Both HEB and Walmart have some pluses and minuses. I just feel that if many HEB shopper's snub Walmart, just watch. Everybody hated self check when Walmart put it in. Who has copied, HEB. Why, less cashiers, less payout, more profit. So, HEB reduces employees just like other.

In this tight economy, do your homework. Comparison shop and then you'll know which store to get best buys on various items and which brands are a better priced but, the same as the"name" brand. Save by comparing items within the same store and between...