Shoppers Drug Mart
Reviews and Complaints

Hello,

I have been a very loyal client of Shopper's Drugmart member, but after this incident, I feel my loyalty doesn't matter to this corporation. I chose them over other drug stores, and they didn't value my business. All this for $4.99...yes that's true.

I visited a local Shopper's Drug Mart and bought some cosmetics on May 3rd'2017, the beauty advisor was nice to talk to, however, while checking out, amidst talking, I didn't get one of my items which I had purchased. She gave me the bag which had my stuff and also left the receipt in my bag. Right in front of her, I took the bag and folded it, placed the bag in my purse and started to walk out of the store. Reached home and discovered that one of my items was missing from the bag. I called the store and spoke to the same advisor and explained her the situation.
She asked me to come the next day, May 4th as her manager will be there and the matter will be taken care of.
Today - May 4th, when I went in the store, the manager I was informed about was not there. When I explained my situation again, the advisor (different from yesterday) said that she will call her manager and seek assistance. 15 mins later, the manager called her back and told her that she can't do anything about it.
Believe it or not, but the item I am referring to was the lowest priced item ($4.99) on my bill and I had other items which were priced for more. But rather than understanding the situation and possibly finding a resolution, the manager chose to not do anything about it. It's so ironic, that shoppers is not concerned about loyalty clients are giving them and are okay about how people come in and abuse their products, use their lipstick testers, and walkout without even buying the stuff. Shoppers will not regret from throwing those items, but this 4.99 was so important to them, that they chose to lose their client relationship.
Sorry to say, but this has left a bitter taste. Shoppers is scratched off my list now, forever.

I'm writing to you on behalf of an incident that took place yesterday evening around 11:00 pm. I was astound by the service that was provided by the pharmacist working during this time. As a healthcare professional he hold a respected position in society to provide quality patient care and safety when in need. My spouse and I came into shoppers around 11:00 as previously mentioned to purchase Diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Prior to leaving our apartment he had been having some typically signs and symptoms of allergies, which is not unusual for him especially during this time of year. He visually had a few hives and his torso was reddened more than usual. By the time we arrived at Shoppers Drug Mart, I immediately could tell that he was not having his usual allergies to the seasonal changes or dander, he was having an allergic reaction to something he had either ingested or came into contact with. He had visually noted hives covering his entire body and his face began to swell up. As a new graduate RN, I knew to give him a dose of benadryl and take him to the hospital immediately. Rushing through the aisle to find the benadryl, I went up to the pharmacist station and said " My spouse is having an allergic reaction to something and he needs benadryl right away" the pharmacist turned from me and he walked away to go and answer a telephone call. Without a word from him I repeated " my spouse is having an allergic reaction can you please help me find the benadryl". The pharmacist continued to ignore me and picked up his telephone to answer the call. He could see my spouse who was standing right beside me with a reddened/swollen face and hives covering his entire body. I said it one last time to the pharmacist and all he did was point to an aisle that was very vague.

A family who overheard me requesting for help found the Benadryl for me and I immediately gave my spouse 20ml dose. At this point he had been already having difficulty breathing. I purchased the Benadryl and immediately went to the ER where they admitted him immediately and gave him epinephrine along with prednisone and Zantac. We were in the ER for over 3 hours to monitor his condition. Both the nurses and physicians looking after my spouse said had he of not received that dose of Benadryl prior to coming in his airways could have potentially closed. The Benadryl saved him time. What upsets me the MOST is that the pharmacist ignored us completely even when he know my spouse was having this reaction. What do YOU think would have happened if he was alone, or even worse if I were not a healthcare professional myself knowing what to do. Had we had not found the Benadryl his airways may have closed leading him to suffocation. I was absolutely mortified of the service given by the pharmacist who could physically see my spouse having an allergic reaction while I was requesting Benadryl, but as previously mentioned he continued to ignore us.

As a health care professional myself, It is our duty and responsibility to uphold the oath of patient safety and care. I cant even begin to explain to you how upset I am of this incident we encountered with the pharmacist working. I am actually so upset I will never shop at this Shoppers Drug Mart again, a place I would typically go to for almost anything.

I am a nurse at the tuberculosis clinic in Calgary. We have often used this pharmacy to help us deliver direct observed therapy to our TB patients. Recently, the manager at this pharmacy agreed to do 6 months direct observed therapy for one of our clients. This pharmacy gets reimbursed for every time they dispense a TB medication. One month ago, the pharmacist said that they were too busy to continue doing direct observed therapy for the TB clinic. I clarified that she would continue offering this service for this client until the end of her treatment, but that they didn't want to take any new patients. She confirmed this. Today when I sent more medications over, they were sent back to me. When I called to ask why, the pharmacy manager stated that they are refusing to see this client any more. She stated that she never agreed to finish the client's therapy. This is very unfortunate for a company that states they are community based and wanting to reach out to the people in their community. It is not good service to start someone's therapy and then refuse to finish it.

I was in the lip stix aisle when a creepy associate named phill stayed at the end of the aisle and glared at me the entire time on was there. Creeeeeepy! I think I heard him grunting! gross!

even if he was there to watch me so I dont shoplifting why or why whouldnt they sent a female. How many women/young women are being glared at by phill in the lipstix aisle?

Your systems were down again yesterday, I do as much of my shopping as possible at Shoppers Drug Mart for my points. They said I can come back and scan my copy to get the regular points but I loose out on the coupon points. I don't feel this is fair to me to loose out again . This is not the first time this has happened and it upsets me as I save my points for large purchases. I am unemployed so my points are the only way I get to treat myself to things such as makeup. Etc. I don't drive so I couldn't leave my purchase for another day. I feel I should be compensated for the inconvenience because I could do my shopping at the super store etc where I get points but I love Shoppers and would like to continue shopping with you,
Sincerely: MaryAnn Fillary

Hi,

I had spent $440 on the beauty gala baskets at The Sherway Gardens, Etobicoke location .

They had baskets of cosmetics, in addition to gift cards.

I was sure I would win something, since, I was the only entrant in some of the envelopes and I had bought so many tickets.

However, I didn't win anything. I was shocked, since I had spent so much money.

I don't think they gave the gifts to the public, I suspect they may have given them to the employees.

I would like to be reimbursed for the money I spent, since, I feel it was a bit of a scam.

I have also entered the draws at The Hwy 10 and Eglington, location, Mississauga.

Here, I have spent in total $1640 for the draws, I have entered every gala for the last year or so.

Here I only won one small basket, this location does give the small baskets to the public, I have witnessed them drawing the baskets.

I never won the big basket though, and I entered so many times. I even bought entries for my mom and sister.

The tickets for the big basket were $20, $5 of which, you get to spend on the day of the gala, in the store. Each tickets ends up costing $15.

Again, I feel I spent so much at this location, with the hopes of winning, however, in the end I just ended up wasting a lot of money and ending up with nothing.

The third location I spent money on was Cawthra and Rathburn, here I spent $180, and only won one small basket.

I would like to be reimbursed for the majority of the money I have spent at these galas, since, it was my own hard earned money and the whole concept of winning the baskets drove me to spend money I shouldn't have.

Can you please let me know how to handle this.

Thanks,

Shehnas

I usually don't write complaints, but I think this one you should know. I was waiting in line at Toronto Eaton Centre's Shoppers Drug Mart around 1:50pm on April 26th, when this incident happened. I was waiting in line to get my item checked out, and another woman was waiting in line in front of me. She asked Brenda, our cashier, for cash back and that is when Brenda started showing frustration. The lady in front of me was polite to her all this time, but Brenda kept on yelling, "geez, you think I have more cash left in my cashier?!" (person before her also asked for cashback), and "no I don't want your shoppers card, I am asking how MUCH money you want!" Brenda initially told her she can only get $40 back, that that is their rule, to which the lady told her she can get more than that. The lady asked for $80, and Brenda commented "so much cash... fine, I'll give you $80!". Brenda basically threw the cash at her; the lady seemed very distressed and pretty much ran out of the store (she even forgot her debit card in the machine so I had to run after her to give it back to her). When I returned to the store to proceed with my checkout, she was complaining to the cashier next to her "so many cash backs, cash backs, cash backs!" She glared at me and basically took away the product from me, and aggressively scanned the item. I was beyond shocked at my experience.
Under whatever circumstance, this is not service. We are buying products from your company, and this is not how we should be treated. I hope you take this situation seriously and take necessary actions. Thank you.

Although I am not positive of the exact location I do know the employees name and her location being Barrie Ontario, I don't believe that under any circumstances this photo I am attaching is acceptable, as a former employee of shoppers drug mart it is completely degrading to the uniform to post things like this. Her name is Amanda Marcotullio. I do not know this girl, but if I can come across something like this, anyone can. I doubt head office would be impressed by this.

I purchased 2 Visa cards at your Southdown road Mississauga location to at 941 am each worth 250 dollars .when I went to activate them one was great but the other card would not load. So I went back to the location I purchased these cards a with my receipt and cards, the clerk called me a liar and a thief . I'm not sure how you train your employees but this is not what I expected, I was so upset and angry, and now it's my problem to deal with visa when I purchased at your store and the card was open its not my responsibility to check them it's yours the clerked smirked at me like ha ha nothing we can do so I'm out 250 dollars till visa can rectify it, which made me angrier by the way .
You can call me to discuss this situation
Matt Defreitas [protected]

On April 18, 2017, at 12:55:49 P.M, I was at Shoppers Drug Mart Postal Outlet to send Court Documents Registered Mail, which is time sensitive. The clerk that handled this is Linda.

I had told her three times, that these were Court Documents and that it needed to be sent Registered Mail.

Today, April 26, 2017, I tried tracking this envelope, only to find out, it DID NOT GO REGISTERED MAIL.

I am not a Postal Worker and that Linda knew what she was doing. I don't send REGISTERED LETTERS, so I don't have a clue what to look for. When she gave me the receipt and told me it was REGISTERED, she told me all I had to do was go to WWW.CANADAPOST.CA and type in the number on the bottom of my receipt. I did this six times and it kept coming up INVALID.

I then called Canada Post, who did a thorough search, that envelope, letters and numerals DID NOT MATCH and therefore, could not be traced or tracked.

I then called SHOPPERS DRUG MART, BOONIE DOON MALL, EDMONTON, ALBERTA and spoke with Jill. She tried everything trying to track, finally, she said, it was not sent REGISTERED MAIL as the letters and numerals did not match up for REGISTERED MAIL.

These are Court Documents which are TIME SENSITIVE !

I will tell you right now, that if Canada Post can not rectifiy this with an easy fix, I WILL SUE CANADA POST WITHOUT HESITATION for lost time, stress, and the award I would have gotten because of the TIME FACTOR.

I have no way of knowing if this was delivered and I can not prove to the courts that in fact, the envelope was delivered.

I am going to have to pay again for these documents, if this is applicable and that I can still have that party served due to the TIME FRAME.

-Betty Hutchings-

This is in regards to the pharmacy located at 12277 Tenth Line in Stouffville, ON
I ordered 3 of my mother's prescriptions on Wednesday April 19th from the automated system. On Sunday, her husband went to pick them up, but was told by the pharmacist that her seizure medication was backordered and did not know when it was coming in.
Once he got home and I checked the medications, it was not the seizure medication that was backordered, it was her muscle relaxant medication for her spasticity (Dantrium). I called to clarify what was actually back ordered and ask why we weren't advised when I first ordered the medication? They blatantly lied and said they did call my mom. We never received a phone call, or a voicemail regarding the situation.
They then advised me to call other pharmacies to see if anywhere else had them in stock. I advised them that I don't work for Shoppers, and they should be helping me find another location that can help us. They found a location over an hour away, which I said fine I would drive to and pick up, which only had 5 days of pills available. Then I asked if they had any in stock and they had 3 days worth! If I didn't ask, I would have had to drive round trip 3 hours!
Thankfully, after doing my own research, since I couldnt rely on Stouffville pharmacy, I found an IDA in Brooklin, ON that had 1, 000 available and were very happy to help.
Due to this experience and lack of knowledge and help that was not provided by your pharmacist, myself, my mother and father have already switched from Shoppers to an IDA pharmacy.
I have always gone to Shoppers for my prescriptions, but after this headache, I will continually advise people to go elsewhere.
You may want to speak with the pharmacist at that location to see if they actually know what they are talking about and doing.

Hi I am forwarding a complaint about your pharmacy in Selkirk, Mb.
My husband has stage 4 colon cancer and is on numerous medications which he very much needs to control his pain and when your pharmacy screws up his medication and he has to go without he is in severe pain from his cancer and from his chemo. A few times they gave him wrong medicine in the bag by the time he was ready for medication looked in bag and it was wrong medication. Recently he had a prescription that was made out a week and a half prior to him filling it by his doctor he took it in and they told him they won't be able to fill it out till the following day...WHY?It was made out on April 13/2017 the doctor made sure he had a refill so he wouldn't run out, now that he needs it filled they say they couldn't get ahold of his doctor so they won't fill the prescription. These are his pain meds and he very much needs them to control his pain, his cancer has spread to his pelvic area and his liver and now he has to go without for a whole day without pain management. For the past 4 months we have been dealing with this since his diagnoses and I am getting pretty sick of it, you people should be held accountable for other peoples suffering, this isn't just a cold or flu this is CANCER that people like my husband has to suffer through. You should make exceptions for people in these situations if you can't get ahold of doctor then give CANCER patients enough medication for the day not withhold and make them suffer.

We picked up my husbands medication today and we were 100 pills short. I called in case they recorded they owe us 100 pills but the girl said she did not and I would have to come tomorrow and speak to the manager. I also get a blister pack at this store and in 2 different occasions there were errors in the blister pack once a pill was missing completely and another they put a night time pill in the am spot. I feel I cannot trust this location on mud road in Hamilton any longer, I have to check our medications all the time to see if accurate. I am going in to the store tomorrow to speak to sue the manager and will be telling her so. Missing the pill in the blister pack could have been very damaging to the health of my son who is disabled and if I did not check could have caused us much grief. To make matters worse when I returned it they had a no care attitude and of course no apology. This store needs to be observed and held accountable and I wonder how many seniors have health issues because of this store because they trust their pharmacist.
Bonnie kesimaat

I purchased 6 boxes of Carnaby chocolate eggs (SKU: [protected]) on April 11th, 2017. Attached is a scan of the receipt at 586 Granville St in Vancouver.

The boxes are marked as "Full money back guarantee" - see attached picture.

I attempted to return 5 of them and was told both by a clerk and the store manager that it is a seasonal product and therefore it cannot be returned.

However, I don't see any sort of disclaimer on the supposed "guarantee" that says "conditions apply". Also, I'm within the 30 days for returns as listed on the receipt.

This is either a case of uninformed employees or blatant false advertisement of explicit guarantee.

For the record, this is not a matter small change that I would have received - this is a matter of principle. I just left the product in the store since I don't want it.

I would like to make a complaint in regards to the very poor service and attitude I receive from the Shoppers store at the circle park mall location @ 3310, 8th. st. East in Saskatoon Sk. It has got to the point where I have to almost count every pill and make sure all ordered prescriptions are filled. If there is a shortage of pills when I pick them up I am not informed that they are short nor am I advised when it will be filled, usually I become aware only after I get home and go to take the meds that the shortage becomes apparent. We do order a lot of medications for different members of the family but they are supposed to be professionals with designations trained to professionally dispense drugs. Not in a haphazard not give a care atmosphere . I have talked to the owner ( pharmacist ) in the past about the situation and was assured it would be corrected. It has not! My daughter was recently going through a med change that required some attention to detail, I spent time with the pharmacist on duty to be assured it would be done correctly and the meds ordered to meet the prescribed perscription as needed. Again when I ordered them I was told on the phone I could pick them up the next day by an employee ( Melanie) they would be ready the next day. I went later in the afternoon around 5:00 pm and was told that they would have to be ordered and ready the NEXT day. After two weeks notice and meeting with the pharmacist to be assured this wouldn't happen it appears the cavalier attitude they have towards patients and timely dispensing of perscriptions is very much alive and well. I would very much appreciate if you could address this situation from your position as maybe just maybe they would pay attention. I'm sure I am not the only one this is happening to and only a matter of time until something very serious takes place.

I was hired as parttime front store Supervisor late Nov. 2016. Front the moment I walked in the front store Manager, Dianna was extremely rude. She was snippy when asked a question. She gave me a name tag with Cosmetician on it. I informed her I wzs not the Cosmetician and she made a nasty face and swore at me before correcting and throwing the name tag acrosd the counter at me. I could not believe how she talked down customers and the new staff. She put me on cash for first day with someone standing beside me who was still learning since starting in Oct. It was very busy and I normally had 8 people lined up at one time. There was no time to go over the sales stickers and to show me which sales stickers there were or that there were multiple screens which you had to be on before the shortcut keys would work. After a couple days just doing regular cash, no gift cards or refunds, I was on my own. Called for help p.a. when 4 people, no one came, tried and she came at 8 people. I was stuck with a credit card not working. She yelled acrosd the counter at me if front of the customers: I told you once" and she walked away. Just an example, more to come. Told schedule was done 3-4 weeks earlier, 2 weeks started normal hours then 3rd and 5th week I worked I was not put on schedule. I had asked the Mrg.that hired me for the last week in Dec. off but mentioned why was I not scheduled the week before Xmas. 2 days later my schedule changed and I was given more hours than hired for even the week I asked for off. It took 5 weeks before I was told there was a training cash with a detailed training booklet. I was told to pull my cash after my shift done to do my cash and on my online time it showed "unpaid hours" starting at 5 pm. I timed out at 5:20. This was passed onto the back store Mrg. who hired me. I also was told that my optimum card would be changed to employee so I would get a discount. I purchased alot but they would not update my card as many times as I asked. The post Mrg. finally stood beside the other Supv. to make sure she changed it. I worked as a Pharmacy Supervisor years ago and we did not torment and berate new staff and have the Supv. laugh at them. We worked together, helped and supported each other. Other staff told me they went home crying for the first month. I was shocked. In Jan. I was again cut hours. Then a student was doing the supv. Cash job and I seen a note in the office saying congratulations from Dianna. I asked her if she as the new front store Supv. and she said yes. I was hired as front store Supv. then my position was given to a student and I was never told. My online time sheet and position still said I was front store Supv./ mercandiser but I had only been pit on cash with no training just learned as I went with no help from Supv.'s. I could not deal with this attitude to people from this person so I gave my notice. Since then the post Mrg. quit and they hired another front store Supv. who made it 1 week and quit as well. That is 3 people that quit since mid Jan. 2017 at this store and I'm not sure what happened with the student given my position. Cutting my pay for hours I worked, refused employee discount, cut hours (never requested this time off), abusive behaviour from front store Supv.s (back store Supv. was sooo nice & helpful) - he hired me. I could have worked with the team but not up against this abusive Manager and her Supv.s which did her bidding. I have Never seen such a group of unskilled and abusive Supv.s in my life. Like being back in high school and there was that one group of teenagers that picked on and harassed other girls. Bullies that need to be put on line and soon... I feel bad for the older seniors and customers. Not a welcoming place. Only 1 great girl there now and she took alot. She could not believe how they treated me and how I was tormented. No one spoke to me about my work or at all while I was there. I am a friendly usually happy person. Pleasecheck out this store and stop their arogant attitude and treatment of customers and staff. Please!

Shoppers Drug Mart - Markham hwy7/ 9th line

This location is mostly top-notch. There's a very lovely older woman who works front-end who is absolutely wonderful, and most of the staff is also kind.

My only qualm with this location is one of the workers who also works the front end. Every single time I'm in his cashier lane, he's so rude. Won't respond to my "Hi, " checks me through without eye contact, and throws my receipt on the counter instead of putting it in my extended hand. And then, without saying bye or anything, he moves onto the next person.

Now, I have no problem with minimal conversation (in fact, I prefer it!), but this cashier makes it seem like I'm a nuisance. And it's not like it has just happened once -- I've had him as a cashier at least 5 or more times. And every time it's the same old story. He's just plain rude to me.

I don't want to get this man in any trouble per se... I would hate to put a red mark on someone's career/ job. But I'm not going to lie, I think he should put in a little bit more of an effort into not being so miserable. I shouldn't feel the need to avoid a cashier ever, and I hate going through his lane.

Being a cashier may not be the most enthralling job in the world, and I get that! I used to be one at No Frills many moons ago. But this man makes me literally uncomfortable with his disdain -- something I can't say I've experienced in any other cashier.

I did catch his name, although I don't feel completely comfortable 'outing' him like that. Should he ever read this, he knows who he is.

Reading this back, it does seem a little over-reactionary, so I'm sure that is how it'll sound to whoever receives this. It's one of those "You'd have to be there, " situations to understand how truly rude he continues to be to me (and maybe others?). But 'such is life', right?

To reiterate, everyone else I've encountered here is great! I've had no problems with any other cashier, and I looooove the 24h services :).

Hello, I was just at the Shoppers Drug Mart at Bathurst and Rutherford (Rutherford Market Place) and went in to go buy a few things. I purchased Cold assist and some Cough Drops. I went up to the regular register but the woman there was busy doing a big return so she advised me to head to the beauty department to check out.

Nuzhat, the employee came over and scanned my products, as I was brining out my card she took my debit card from my hand, told me the total $18.60 and she proceeded to TAP THE CARD HERSELF. Thankfully, my tap doesn't work and I had to manually do it. But what kind of employee takes my card and attempts to pay with my card for my products? Completely outrageous.

I was very surprised to see this happen and frankly it has left a bad taste in my mouth for me ever wanting to return to Shoppers Drug Mart.

[protected] 3
April 17 2017 10:56 p.m.

Wasn't busy, attendant asked if I wanted bags. I replied yes please. She put bags at the end of the counter and finished ringing through my purchases.
I paid via debit after scanning Optimum. At no time did she attempt to bag the items.
I asked"is this bag your own?" She wouldn't make eye contact, tore off my receipt and started ringing in the next customer, despite my pile of groceries to be bagged.
I said "hello?". She wouldn't look up and appeared pissed off to just even be there. I bagged my purchases and thanked her for her help. (Insert sarcasm). I would insert her name but she wasn't wearing a name tag.
I've been doing at this store for over 20 years and have never received such poor service filled with contempt. This girl should not be in the customer service industry.

I called to re-fill a prescription on my antidepressants and was told my prescription was filled and picked up the week prior. I explained that I didn't pick up anything recently and the pharmacy said well someone picked it up, check around? There isn't anyone who would pick up my prescription. I then explained well I received a voice message explaining our system sees you're ready for a new prescription but I didn't confirm this new prescription or picked up anything. The pharmacist then said she could re-process this request but can't guarantee it'll be covered and that she can only see what her computer is telling her. I'm not sure where the gap is, I didn't pick up a prescription and being told it was already picked up and there's nothing that can be done about this is extremely frustrating. I then asked to talk to her manager which she refused and said she is the pharmacy manager.. well then why doesn't she know how her system works is this a common issue other people experience? Why was she so hostile and accusing me to look around for my prescription?