Upset with Walgreens, what to do? (Long)

[jrnunzio3]

Hi everyone,
I went to Walgreens today to pick up a couple of sale items that were in the circular this morning. They advertised 2/$5 Reach Ultra Clean Toothbrush or floss. They also advertised $5 in Register Rewards with a purchase of 2 (this would make it free, and I also had 2 $1 off coupons for each item, which I was told I could also use). Well, the store did not have any of the floss and only 1 of the toothbrushes. I asked an associate to look for some more in the back as these were on sale and they should have them. She came back after a few minutes and told me that all they had was on the shelf. I asked if I could get a raincheck, so she went someplace to ask the manager, came back and told me that they don't stock this item, so they couldn't give me a raincheck since they will never be getting the item in. (but they had 1 of 1 of the items on the shelf, so I really didn't understand this) but she was of no help whatsoever, so I put back the one that I had in my hand and purchased everything else in my basket.

My question is, should I have pushed the issue? The shouldn't advertise something that they don't/won't even carry. The associate wouldn't let me speak to the manager directly (she was in the back room). I really feel like contacting the regional/district manager about this, but don't know how to go about it.

Thanks for any help you can give me. I know this is a little petty thing, but it has been bothering me all day.

 

[clh2]

In my area, there is just about 1 Walgreens on every corner...why not try a different Walgreens?

 

[LilyWDW]

It is possible that what she meant to say was they will not be getting a restock of those items, either ever or within the time frame a rain check would be good for. So it could be an issue of miscommunication. Plus, I have been seeing more and more that rain checks will not be issued for sale/special items.

As for the ad, usually these are released at a regional/corporate level. It is not a store by store type of thing and most of these circulars will state that stock will vary by store. This happens all the time with the retail company I work for and the store I am in. I work in what is called an exclusion store, this means we will not get some items that are carried in other stores. So even though the item is in the ad does not mean that EVERY store will 1) Have it at all or 2) Keep it in stock through the whole event.

 

[tinytink]

Hi everyone,
I went to Walgreens today to pick up a couple of sale items that were in the circular this morning. They advertised 2/$5 Reach Ultra Clean Toothbrush or floss. They also advertised $5 in Register Rewards with a purchase of 2 (this would make it free, and I also had 2 $1 off coupons for each item, which I was told I could also use). Well, the store did not have any of the floss and only 1 of the toothbrushes. I asked an associate to look for some more in the back as these were on sale and they should have them. She came back after a few minutes and told me that all they had was on the shelf. I asked if I could get a raincheck, so she went someplace to ask the manager, came back and told me that they don't stock this item, so they couldn't give me a raincheck since they will never be getting the item in. (but they had 1 of 1 of the items on the shelf, so I really didn't understand this) but she was of no help whatsoever, so I put back the one that I had in my hand and purchased everything else in my basket.

My question is, should I have pushed the issue? The shouldn't advertise something that they don't/won't even carry. The associate wouldn't let me speak to the manager directly (she was in the back room). I really feel like contacting the regional/district manager about this, but don't know how to go about it.

Thanks for any help you can give me. I know this is a little petty thing, but it has been bothering me all day.

oooo,sorry to hear about this problem. I've never had a problem at my W store, the manager has always offered a raincheck or replacement item for sale items. I would try back later in the week since they seem to get shipments in durning the week(from what I've noticed during the back to school shopping) or try different time of day when there is a different manager on duty. Good Luck

 

[StillPinballFamily]

I just don't shop there anymore.

Our local Walgreens practically NEVER had the items listed in the sale circular. If I could find an employee on the floor they usually said they'd "be in later in the week."

Oh, but wait, on the infrequent occasions when the sale items were stocked and I bought them, they practically NEVER rang in at the sale price.

Early on, I didn't notice these problems until I was out of the store, but then I started checking before leaving the register. Made me hugely popular with all the people waiting in line behind me... as we had to wait for managers to come, sloooolllllly look through the circular, slooooooolllly type their special codes into the register...you get the drift. And of course - there was *always* only one register open.

I'm not impressed with the way this company operates - so I take my business elsewhere. Any business who treats a customer the way you were treated today deserves the same. Whether or not you use your time to tell them why, is up to you, but it seems to be a systemic problem with Walgreens.

 

[okeydokey]

Our Walgreens is out of sale stuff a lot too, but I think it's because people will come in and clear the shelf of every one of the item on sale.

 

[LanaJae]

I was up early today to do the Reach toothbrush deal and we don't have a section for that type at any of the stores near me. One store said they would be getting a separate display for them when the truck comes in later this week, it was supposed to be on last week's truck.

 

[leahjade]

I refuse to shop there any more either. Both the stores in our town NEVER have the items offered and the clerks are very rude. I'd much rather pay a few cents more and go somewhere else and save the frustration!

 

[Todd&Copper]

Our Walgreens is out of sale stuff a lot too, but I think it's because people will come in and clear the shelf of every one of the item on sale.

They do that near me, too. Unless you get there before 10 am Sunday on the first day of the sale, you are SOL. And if it is a rebate item, and it is the first week of the new catalog during which they run out, you can bet your sweet patootie that they will not replenish the stock of that item until after the rebate deadline has passed.

 

[extremesoccermom]

They are a new item and it took me 3 stores to find them yesterday. I am hoping the ones by my house will have them by Friday but I will keep checking.
If you really want the raincheck and they did have one of them then I would very nicely ask to speak to the manager to get it. Keep checking and try not to let them get you down.
I had a cashier yesterday that could not get the bogo free Q to work (we went to 3 different cash registers). I am not sure if she didn't know what she was doing of if there was just some problem but she kept putting the coupons to the side behind the catalina machine and forgetting to ring them then forgot to bring the ones when we moved to the new register. I reminded her a couple of times because I wanted to make sure she did it right and she was kind of smart with me saying "Yes mame I know" but she still kept messing up. We finally got it to work and I just smiled and thanked her for taking her time to get it right.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I had an EXTREMEly rude Asst mgr at a Walgreen's near me. I earned Register rewards and he said because I used manu coupons I was not entitled to the RR!! My coupons were reg manu coups, not other RRs. the only time this could/should/would be a problem is if you are trying to 'double dip' and buy the same special again and using the RR you earned buying the same stuff the first time (did that make sense?). Anyway, I called another Walgreens and asked for the ph # to corporate and they gave it to me. Locally, I think it was 1-800-walgreen (I know too many #s but easy for the customer to remember ). They listened to my complaint and then asked would I please talk to the store mgr. I said I would. When he found out what the asst mgr did, he was mortified!! I could tell by his voice and some other info (regarding this same person that he had been trying very hard to train in proper CS). Anyway, he sent me a $25 check. All I really asked for what the $3 or $4 I was entitled to in RR. I did want that $$! the store mgr wanted me to take the $25 and try shopping at another Walgreens, hoping the chain wouldn't totally lose me as a customer. I was quite peeved and not really interested in returning to this exact store (at least not anytime soon) since the asst mgr used some inappropriate words in front of my DD. It seems like I'll have several good visits to WG's and then a horrible one. I've not been denied a raincheck and they don't expire. But if it incl RR, they will NOT put that on the raincheck. Appearantly RR are paid by the manu not WG's and their agreement w/ the manu is for a set time frame.
Best of luck w/ your situation. But to answer your original ?, YES I would call. MGR may not even have a clue that the clerk wouldn't let you speak to him/her.

 

[ajh88]

My question is, should I have pushed the issue? The shouldn't advertise something that they don't/won't even carry. The associate wouldn't let me speak to the manager directly (she was in the back room). I really feel like contacting the regional/district manager about this, but don't know how to go about it.

Thanks for any help you can give me. I know this is a little petty thing, but it has been bothering me all day.

I probably wouldn't have pushed the issue - I'd just go to a different Wags to see if they have it - they do run out of things rather quickly and I've found that going on Wednesday or Thursday mornings usually nets me better results.

That being said, I find your story interesting because I was at a Walgreens a couple of months ago and a little old lady was VERY upset that the spices she wanted (which were on sale) were not in stock. The "manager" (don't know what level) told her that she couldn't have a rain-check because it was a discontinued item and they wouldn't be getting anymore in. The last time I was in Walgreens (albeit one about a mile away from the 'spice' store), I was down the food aisle, and lo and behold, a whole section of fully stocked spices. I know that sometimes different stores carry different merchandise, but it made me wonder if that manager was lying - over a 50 cent bottle of cinammon?

I sometimes feel like the manager on duty makes up the policies as they go along - especially regarding rain checks and sale items.

 

[pweyl36]

I have had this same problem too, I went in to get the puffs that were on sale and was told that they didnt get them. Well,they said that they didnt get the puffs in and I said but the sale started today. Per the manager if you read the fine print it states that not all stores will recieve sale items. I was mad and asked if I could have a different brand and he said yes.

 

[ELLE-TN]

My Wags store has rude/obnocious cashiers! I really hate to go in there either. Once they even told me they couldn't take coupons for sale items. The manager even agreed with the cashier.....I called customer service and they told me that of course they accept coupons and they would take care of setting the management straight and that I should expect a phone call from the store manager with an apology.....still waiting been 4 months now.

 

[DVCisME]

Just had to weigh in here my W never has anything that is on sale either, then they try to sell you something else and bargain a price with you. I never heard of such a thing.
It bothers me so much I don't go there anymore

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We always open the sale ad and say "what doesn't Walgreens have this week?"

 

[espana94]

If you really want to get a response from someone, I suggest you send a letter to:

Mr Jeffrey Rane
President
The Walgreen Company
200 Wilmot Road
Deerfield, IL 60015

This guy worked his way up through the ranks at Walgreens and is still very hands on with Store Operations. He used to read all of his own mail and make sure that complaints were followed up on. I highly doubt that he reads all of his own mail these days; however, I know he has staff members who follow up on customer issues.