Walgreens — Local services in Sumter

I need to share my experience what happened to me today. I had a Covid test appointment at 12:15. I get there on time and wait in the drive thru. Well, 25 min later, there was still a massive wait ahead and I didn't know if they were going to have a cow at me for being so late. So I called the pharmacy while I was in the drive thru and explained the situation. I very clearly asked, "Should I just stay in the drive thru and everything will be fine, or is there an alternative you want me to do?" They told me to come inside to the pharmacy. And I repeated that just to be sure: "I should come inside to the pharmacy?" Again they replied yes. I had my phone on speakerphone, so my husband was witness to this and our car camera recorded the whole thing. So, I do have proof that is the conversation that transpired.

So I got out of the drive through and went in. Well, at the pharmacy they refused to serve me and said that they only did testing in the drive thru! I told them about the phone call and that someone very clearly told me to come in to the pharmacy to test. The staff behind the pharmacy counter gaslighted me and said no one said that, and that they only do testing at the drive thru.

Awful people to lie to me and make me do this whole run around and not even care! I ended up being there a whole hour for something that should've taken less than 10 minutes. Truly some of the worst people to have ever worked at a pharmacy, to lie to a patron and then gaslight them. Patrons beware and I highly suggest going to another pharmacy to fill...

This store is an object lesson in corporate greed and mismanagement. When the local Rite-Aids closed after being purchased by Walgreens, the prescriptions from the Rite Aid down the street were transferred here. This creates an untenable situation due the (arguably) two busiest pharmacies in Sumter County being combined into one inadequately staffed, overcrowded and poorly managed location. My latest horror story occurred yesterday when I dropped of my wife's prescriptions at 1:30 pm with a pickup time of 7:00 pm. I arrived at 8:45, only to be told they were not ready and I'd have to wait between 30-45 minutes if I wanted them immediately. I declined, and finally received the "Your Prescriptions Are Ready" notifications via text at 9:30 am the next day. (My wife called at 12:30 am and was informed that "we've been backed up for three days, we can get them ready now if you need them right away and they should be done by the time you get here"). If Walgreens wants to maximize their profits and put the bottom line before the customers, they should consider the effect of driving away loyal customers and staff by overextending the capabilities of one location, or open a second 24 hour location in Sumter County. This store is a slow-motion train wreck that is directly affecting the healthcare of Sumter...

I went into Walgreens last night and the most uplifting, courteous, smiling associate, SHI, helped ring my order up. She took the extra minute to update my rewards account (when everyone else has always told me to go online and didn't bother). She had a smile on her face and was so pleasant and cheerful. I appreciate being treated nice and SHI was one off the nicest cashiers I've had the privilege to come in contact with lately. A smile and a little courtesy goes a long way! Walgreeens, this associate needs a nod of appreciation because I certainly don't get that treatment at Wal-Mart or any local grocery store.

Also, I can't believe all the bad reviews.....This Walgreens is the BEST in Sumter and the ONLY pharmacy in town who has ever taken the time to stop and ensure a medicine wouldn't create an issue for my mother who is allergic to penicillin - the ONLY one!! The staff works as diligently and responsible. The pharmacy staff is always busy, I have never seen them talking excessively to each other or just standing around, they are always on top of things.

Do you really want a pharmacy rushing?? Come on Sumter, we can all do better than this. Go later at night or first thing in the morning, their service makes it...