Walgreens

On 8/15/23, around 150pm, I was at the above branch to buy Walgreen vitamins. Sale is buy one get one free. The item was behind locked display and I rang bell for assistance. The next display wasn’t locked and I informed the worker when she first arrived. She said nothing and locked it. She then opened the display I pointed to and as I removed one bottle of calcium, I noticed there wasn’t another bottle. I asked the worker if there is another bottle in the back and she said everything was out. I asked her could I buy 1 bottle for 50% off since she doesn’t have another bottle and she said no. I will be charged $23.99. She said I could substitute another vitamin but I told her I don’t need another vitamin. Then she said I had to pay $23.99 and I told her that doesn’t make sense since I won’t get the deal. She insisted I can pick another vitamin. I said it wasn’t fair since we only need calcium. I asked to speak to someone in charge and she said she was the store manager so no one for me to appeal to. I told her my sister was there on Sunday and got the other vitamins we needed already. I told her I will call customer service since what she is saying doesn’t make sense to me. I even mentioned I was at the store last year and a man gave me 50% off when they only have one bottle. This worker maintains they don’t have this policy. She even reminded me that when there is a sale, people rush in to buy and I’m lucky to find one bottle left. I told her it’s not a deal if I only get one bottle for $23.99. She questioned if I was blaming her for only having 1 bottle left. I said no but then told her it wasn’t fair for me either. I don’t want another vitamin. I’m bad with names so I took out my cell and she got excited thinking I wanted to take her pic and she threatened to call the police on me. I immediately told her I wanted to take a pic of her ID. When she spelled it, I asked her to turn her ID so I could see her name and she did. Astrid T. I was very upset and angry and called customer service as I walked to another Walgreen. The rep explained the policy is different in each store depending on the manager. I told her that was a crazy policy because a good manager would care about customers while Astrid T who doesn’t care about customers will never offer a fair decision. This rep did tell me 2 things, Astrid should have thank me because I alerted her the display wasn’t locked and instead of having me going back and forth to check for my vitamins, she could have told me when the next delivery is. I was feeling defensive as I walked into another Walgreens at 250 Broadway, 9 blocks away. I went to look for my vitamins and saw there was only 1 bottle. I was tired and upset. I decided to speak to the workers putting items on the shelf. I told the woman I wanted calcium but I couldn’t get the deal since they only have 1 bottle. I don’t remember what she said but she had to go somewhere else and I turned to a young man. He noticed I was somewhat pissed and listened to what my problem was. To my surprise, he gave me options! He said he could check to see which location has a bottle and deliver it to his store so that I can get the deal or buy the 1 bottle for 50% off and then when another bottle is available, I can also get that for 50% off. He said he will work with me. I looked at me and said “I love you”. That’s what I call good customer service! This young man is Lamont, shift supervisor. I felt he appreciates me as a customer while Astrid didn’t care and didn’t offer me any option but said “too bad” since the deal is only for this week and kept pushing me to get another vitamin. I went home carrying my Walgreen calcium bottle and feeling happy, I called customer service again and this time, I filed a verbal complaint but a compliment on Lamont. The assistant manager from 200 Water St called me in late afternoon and I explained everything to her including the misunderstanding Astrid had that I wanted to take her pic. It shocked me to learn Astrid misrepresented herself as she is not the store manager. Also, the assistant manager was in the store when this incident happened but Astrid made the decision on her own! I was told they do give 50% off if only one bottle is available and it’s buy 1 get 1 free. Also, they do contact other locations to check availability. Astrid was rude, unhelpful and lied about her position when she could have notified her supervisor who was in the store at the time. Instead, she informed me she was the store manager. I want management to know what happened yesterday afternoon with this worker, Astrid. She needs to know how to treat customers fairly and honestly.