Safeway

Richard Sloniker 3 weeks ago

I'm no longer going to shop at Safeway. I'm sure you're familiar with this sentiment, so I apologize for heaping my minute opinion onto the pile, however, I still want to explain why. It isn’t just one thing. I’ve been shopping at Safeway for nearly four decades—specifically at store #1493 since the day it opened. It was my neighborhood store. I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars there. You’d think that after that much time and consistency, some kind of rapport would have formed. Even something simple and neighborly. I’ve adapted to the changes over the years: new layouts, new staff, shifting policies. But lately it feels less like grocery shopping and more like going through TSA just to buy kale and zucchini. There are literal barriers now funneling customers through the store. If these were straws on the camel’s back, yesterday’s encounter snapped vertebrae T4 through T12 and threw in a hernia for good measure. I often shop with my own bags, including using my backpack to carry produce. I’ve done this for years. Recently, a sign went up saying backpacks aren’t allowed. Since I’ve continued shopping without issue, I assumed the staff recognized me—I’m there almost every day. Yesterday was different. A young woman at the entrance told me I couldn’t bring my backpack inside and that I should leave it in a cart by the door. I explained that my laptop—my livelihood—was inside, and I wasn’t comfortable leaving it unattended. Her response: “I don’t care.” Was it rude? Sure. But more than that, it crystallized something I’ve been feeling for a while now: Safeway doesn’t care. Not about how long you’ve shopped there, how much you’ve spent, or the fact that you share a neighborhood. “I don’t care” felt like the perfect summary of our entire relationship. In short: I'm out.

Jay Pierce a month ago

Is there some good reason you guys have a security guard working the entrance who just threatened two people walking in front of me with physical assault, who chose NOT to go into the store because they didn’t want to leave their bags outside unattended??!!! You lost 4 customers for life. How disgusting and shameful!!! To act towards hardworking American citizens who literally just wanted to buy groceries, non problematic and witnessed verbal abuse from a security guard on a power trip. Hope that was worth it to protect the food all of us were planning to buy, plus paying his salary on top of it.

Aaron Para a month ago

​"I am writing this review because I am at my wits' end with the treatment I receive at this location. While the store itself is convenient, the environment is deeply hostile, and I often leave in tears. ​I am a person with a disability—I am an amputee due to medical complications—and I am subjected to constant, targeted harassment by the store's security guard. Every time I enter, he loudly refers to me as 'One Leg Willy' in front of other shoppers, encouraging them to point and laugh at me. Despite my repeated requests for him to stop, he continues this cruel behavior. ​Furthermore, there is a clear pattern of discriminatory treatment regarding store policies. I am singled out and forced to leave my bag at the front every single time I shop, while I frequently observe other customers being allowed to walk in with their bags without issue. It is clear that my disability is being used as a pretext for harassment and profiling. ​I have attempted to address these issues with store management, but I have been repeatedly dismissed and ignored. Being forced to shop at the only store within walking distance of my apartment while being treated with such dehumanization is unacceptable. I hope that someone in corporate leadership will finally pay attention to how customers are being treated at this branch."

Nora Casey 4 months ago

This is definitely one of the better if not best major chain grocery stores in Cap Hill. They did a whole remodel recently and it is way better in there. Also the door man / security guard is dope! He is super friendly.

Patrick Shinsky 6 months ago

Oh no! I can’t believe I actually asked to speak to a manager for the first time today… definitely was not in my cards. The woman at the self checkout was just… mean. Talk about the most belittling and rude person you can think of. The sign reads “about 15 items”… “About”… I had 21 and checking out would’ve taken me only a couple minutes (I personally don’t like to spend my free time at Safeway if I can help it, especially after this encounter). They only had one cashier with a very long line and no bagger either, which is fine, I can bag my own groceries but it doesn’t appear like many other people can. The self checkout had no line and if a line did form it lasted only a couple seconds. I don’t think my “extra” 6 items would’ve sent the store into a downward spiral. While I waited in line I could only think of how I could actually not be there and on my way home with my groceries by now. If you are going to enforce the 15 item rule so strictly, at least have the capacity to back it up. She acted like I had done the most taboo thing imaginable, like my shopping cart was bursting at the seems, and preceded to talk down to me like a child. The manager on duty was really receptive and nice, which I appreciated. I understand it’s the holiday season, things are busy, but I am not an outlet for you to vent your frustration and nasty attitude. I have done +10 years of customer service and would NEVER speak to someone the way she spoke to me. I felt embarrassed, like she was trying to publicly shame me or make an example out of me. But really, she should be the one that’s embarrassed, for having the audacity to talk down to a complete stranger the way she did.