The Last Straw Came Today
By winterose
@winterose (39887)
Canada
April 17, 2008 6:10pm CST
Most of you know that I am disabled, I am housebound all winter because I cannot walk. Right now I have a backache for over a week now and I cannot even strengthen my back to walk straight in my own home.
My pharmacy delivers. They have an automated system where you call in your prescription and the time you want it delivered.
Now I have been having problems with delivery several times, they have given me the wrong amount of pills in the past or they didn't deliver on time etc. And each and every time I call up to tell the there is a problem and they tell me to come and get it and I have to tell them I am disabled and can't walk there. So they deliver it.
Well today I called in my prescription on the automated system. The first available time slot for delivery was 5-7pm. I am sitting here on the couch mylotting and a nothing, then I go to the bathroom and the phone rings. I do not get to it in time.
When I come out I answer the phone it was the pharmacy calling to say they tried to deliver and nobody was home and I would have to pick it up myself now at the pharmacy.
I call back and again explained I am disabled and I can't pick it up and no driver rang my door bell.
The woman was nice enough and said she would send the driver again sometime today. She would call before he comes with the delivery.
I continue mylotting and I am not thinking about anything. The phone rings someone, a woman asks for me by name. I ask who is speaking, she repeats can I speak to ...., Again I ask who is speaking, again she says can I speak to ... This goes on for three times and then I say you will have to tell me who is speaking before I tell you anything. She says, why do you want to know,
I answer because you called my house and I want to know who you are, she again says may I speak ....
I get fed up and hang up on her.
She calls right back again, may I speak to ...
I again I ask who is speaking, this time she says nadia,
I ask where are you calling from nadia, she hesitates and then says a store on wellington street,
so now I know it is the pharmacy. I tell her it is me, she says in a snotty voice why did you waste my time. I told her because you called me and I don't talk to people I do not know.
She says this is a pharmacy we are not allowed to give out prescription information to just anyone, I said you are not giving out any prescription information by just saying the name of the store.
The she starts in with the driver came already and you didn't answer the door. I already resolved that with the first lady on the phone. I explained I am disabled I didn't hear the doorbell because it never rang and I could not get to the door fast anyway even if he did ring the doorbell. She said why didn't you tell us your disabled. I said I have several times, why don't you put it in your computer.
In a very snotty voice she said have a nice day which is the same voice you would say go to hell, if you know what I mean.
I called back the store and complained about her attitude, and they gave me the song and dance that the shift had changed and they don't know who this person was. I told them if I had any more problems I would change stores there are hundreds of pharmacies I can choice in my city I don't have to deal with them.
Then I go to thinking about it and how I do not like the way the receptionists talk to me anytime I call that store. So I sent out a complaint to the head office of that pharmacy to express my disgust.
enough is enough.
Has sometime like this every happened to you and how would you deal with it if it did?
10 people like this
30 responses
@creative_angel312 (390)
• United States
18 Apr 08
Wow, that is ridiculous! I'm sorry to hear about the way they treated you. I haven't had this problem yet, but I'm sure it'll come around sooner or later. You were right to complain, someone needs to be fired...
3 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
I don't know about fired but at least spoken to, I would be happy with that.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
18 Apr 08
This has happened more times than I care to think when it comes to some of the places that rely on the patronage of people to keep them in business. Do they really need to be reminded of this? Apparently so. They just don't seem to get it that you attract more people when you treat them well.
I would have done the same as you did by calling the head office to complain.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
yes, and how many times does a person have to tell these medical places they are disabled, you would think a pharmacy would be more sensitive to the needs of the sick then lets say a clothing boutique.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
22 Apr 08
I am sorry to hear that you have been in pain and had to deal with pain in the behinds. I am glad that my pharmacist has been nothing but nice and curdious. I probably would have done the same in your situation. I do hope that you will be feeling better soon. You take care okay? Have a nice night.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
24 Apr 08
You go girl! You shouldn't have to. Nobody should let others walk over them and be pushovers.
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
18 Apr 08
You have a right to be upset. To get someone on the phone who is snotty is totally uncalled for. They are dealing with customers and they should always treat customers with respect. I would make sure and contact the headquarters and let them know what kind of people they have working at their store.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
that is exactly what I did, I contacted the head office. At first I just complained to the store and then I decided that they would just cover it up so I went directly to the head office.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
18 Apr 08
I had a teller at the bank where I do my banking business who was always, always rude to me. I went through the drive up one day and she was her nasty old self and I went home and cried. I thought about switching banks but I have a checking... savings...business account...credit card all through the same bank so I called the main office and turned in a complaint on her. The president of the local bank called and wanted to know what the problem was after he heard from the main office....I told him and he talked to her.....I still dreaded having her wait on me. That was two years ago. About a month ago I noticed she was missing. I didn't ask until last week and they said she had been let go.....I think she was let go two years too late. Many times I heard her speak to other customers in her condesending voice too....as far as I am concerned she should have been let go a long time ago! I am glad you took action! Good for you!
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
Yes I agree with you, she should have been let go two years ago, talking rudely to people in the public is absolutely unacceptable.
@Deea48 (1166)
• United States
18 Apr 08
I am so sorry that happened to you Winterose, I would really think about switching, there has to be a place that knows their customers are home bound, and are willing to accomidate that. I would think that is a big part of their business.When you do a service you should know who you are working for, the trouble is people forget, if you are not happy they loose money. So go some where else, if they continue I am sure many others will go somewhere else as well. Good for you, for calling. Hopefully they will do something about it.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
yes that was the whole idea, I could change pharmacies, but the does not stop them from doing the same thing to someone else that is why I chose to call head office.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
20 Apr 08
Well I hope you did complain and I mean do not back of make a lot of Noise about this
I am getting fed up that the Disabled are being treated like second Class Citizen, as I have said before we have not asked to be sick and those kind of People want to be grateful that they still have their Health it is not that bad here in the UK and I hope it never gets that bad either
I am sorry you where put through this and please make a lot of Noise about it
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Apr 08
I DID Complain this is what I wrote in this discussion:
I called back the store and complained about her attitude, and they gave me the song and dance that the shift had changed and they don't know who this person was. I told them if I had any more problems I would change stores there are hundreds of pharmacies I can choice in my city I don't have to deal with them.
Then I go to thinking about it and how I do not like the way the receptionists talk to me anytime I call that store. So I sent out a complaint to the head office of that pharmacy to express my disgust.
enough is enough.
Yep I am fed up too and I don't let people walk all over me I have always been a fighter and I will be to the day I die.
@GardenGerty (160978)
• United States
18 Apr 08
My first husband was an over the road truck driver. If things needed repaired, I had it done. My car had need of a new radiator. I had a shop pick it up. A shop I had used before. It is winter, I have two small children, and I am walking everywhere I go, so I call and inquire, about the car. I do this and am given a date, I call on the date, and I get connected to the responsible mechanic, who cusses me out, uses the F word, and tells me when he d--n well gets to it I will get my car, he is working too many hours on too many cars. I was pretty upset about this, but usually I just take whatever is dished out, however I was mad enough, I wrote the owner a letter. I understood he had two shops, I called and got the front desk, asked for his address and the desk person said "He is here, would you like to talk to him?" I read him my letter, the desk manager confirmed basically what I said. The desk manager ended up being made to apologize to me. When I picked up my car the man at the front desk hired me to babysit his kids. I respected the service manager and the owner. I believe the mechanic left there. I had pointed out that he was making around twenty dollars an hour he should not complain about too much work, or the customer wanting what was promised.
@GardenGerty (160978)
• United States
21 Apr 08
We need to do this more often. It is hard, but more people would get better treatment, I am sure.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
yes that was absolutely uncalled for. Nobody has a right to talk to anyone else in that manner at all. Good for you for taking action.
1 person likes this
@rosey2006 (945)
• United States
19 Jun 08
I think that I would have switched pharmacy's a long time ago. I do not know why people are so rude anymore.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
19 Jun 08
switching pharmacies does not stop the problem from happening again, I wanted it stopped so it doesn't happen to me or anyone else, and now it is settled and will not happen anymore.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
31 May 08
This happens to me all of the time. I am not disabled nor do I have to speak to a pharmacy like you do, but every place of business that I have to call, I get the very same treatment from people. I guess as soon as they hear the sound of my voice, they like to start on me about something. I get so sick and tired of being talked to like that from places of business, especially. I get treated like that in my daily life also. That is why I stay to myself most of the time. I try not to be seen or heard if I can help it.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
31 May 08
I hear you hon, it really sucks doesn't it. Today I got my prescriptions filled with no problems at all.
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
18 Apr 08
That is really uncalled for! If I were in your situation, I would definitely make a complain and ask for that particular staff to apologize to me. I hate people like that and simply felt that they are definitely insensitive to others' feelings.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
yes you are right, I didn't think about a personal apology, at the time but it would have been a good idea too.
1 person likes this
@QueenRainbow2001 (139)
• United States
21 Apr 08
I would switch to a pharmacy that appreciates my business! I too am handicapped, and have trouble walking, and standing.
I have had to switch several times myself, and have found Walgreen's suits me just fine. They have proven to be polite, as well as helpful.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Apr 08
yes but I doubt that will ever happen again there, they are afraid of head office.
this is the biggest chain in Quebec and they don't want bad publicity.
@fluffysue (1482)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I would love to say I can't believe you were treated that way, but somehow I do! There is hardly any such thing as customer service anymore. I am a little surprised that you had this kind of experience, though, with a pharmacy of all places. I would definitely consider changing pharmacies due to an incident like that.
The person calling IS supposed to at least identify the company they are calling from when they call. Yes there are privacy concerns, but they do not have to be specific. I know of a couple of doctor's offices that when they will call say it's "the doctor's office", without saying a name, or what type of doctor. At least then you have some idea who is calling. I screen all my calls anyway, but if I do pick up, I also will not tell them who I am until they tell me who they are (or at least give me an idea where they are calling from).
I think you should not have been treated this way, disabled or not. But I especially cannot understand why they did not have a little more compassion...you asked for delivery from a PHARMACY, you would think that they would assume you were disabled or ill and not just tell you to come in! If you were able to go there, wouldn't you have done so? (I know I find it more convenient to go places than wait for a delivery which may or may not be correct when it gets there). Sounds like a total lack of common sense, to go along with the rudeness.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
14 Jun 08
Yes it was ridiculous, she carried it too far, but I did get to speak with the owner personally, he told me he would make sure his driver knew I was disabled and to wait at the door until he got an answer and not run away so fast.
And the girl he said he would deal with, I did not know her name but he knew who I was talking about right away so I think she either got canned or a very harsh speaking too. I think they had complaints about her before.
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
19 Jun 08
Poor you, winterose ... what a crappy experience! Sometimes we seem to go round and round in circles with these people. I really hope your pharmacy sorts themselves out for next time. I have a problem hearing my door as well, and many times have missed deliveries because I'm in the back of the house and didn't hear. I swear the delivery men didn't knock ... but then it means they leave a card in the box and my husband has to drive to the depot to pick up the goods. He asks how I missed the delivery person knocking, and I'm damned if I know! I think they sometimes take the easy way out and just pop the card in the box without even trying to knock. It's a mystery!
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
19 Jun 08
oh in my case, he did not ring the bell, we hear the bell through the whole house anyhow everything is okay now, thank you for responding.
@lucy02 (5015)
• United States
18 Apr 08
I have never had that problem with a pharmacy but I have other places. I would do exactly what you did...call and complain. You shouldn't have to be talked to that way by someone whom you are paying for a service. It seems like there is a lot more in the medical profession than there use to be. I found that out since I've been taking care of my mom.
@itsmepinky (1300)
• India
18 Apr 08
This kind of behaviour is totally unprofessionl and ridiculous. You did the right thing by registering a complaint. They have to be emphatise with people who are disabled. That is the first rule of customer service. I am glad that lady will learn a lesson. It has happened to me several times and i just let it go many times because i feel i shouldn't put them in the wrong notes. They might be at the risk of losing their jobs , that's why i let it go. but something like this will definately put me off.I hope you are feeling better now.Take care of your health.
~pinks~
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Apr 08
Yes I am feeling better now thank you, and if they choose to fire her, good, she does not deserve her job when she does not know how to talk to people.
@Amberina (1541)
• United States
18 Apr 08
If this was me I would be furious nothing makes me more upset than someone being rude. May I make a suggestion, so that this doesn't happen again maybe you could put a sign on your door saying that it takes you a little more time to get to the door so could the person possibly wait before leaving. I wish you the best in your shopping for a pharmacy, Amberina.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Apr 08
wow that is a good idea I never thought of that. That just might work.
@idaantipolo (472)
• Philippines
18 Apr 08
People in the Customer Service sometimes aren't there for service at all.
I think before they decide their career in customer service, they should evaluate themselves first if they are really prepared for the job.
I had my share of disgust with these people as well, and it really is irritating especially when you really need assistance fast.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Apr 08
Yep those types of people do not need to have a job, if they cannot hold back their tongue.
@8848Nascar_Mom (56)
• United States
18 Apr 08
I had a similar experience recently. Last weekend, my son was at a birthday party. Because he has severe food allergies, we have to be very militant about making sure the food he eats is not "contaminated". I discovered at the last minute that the pizza had been ordered from a place I have never used. I called to get information about their ingredients & any possibilities for cross-contamination that might exist in the facility. I guess I should have know it would be a long call when the young man who answered the call insisted that he needed my telephone number. OK first of all I'm on a mobile phone & second I don't want to place an order. No this is NOT for delivery! I told him that I need to speek to someone who could assit me with determining any allergens in their restaurant. He said that he was the person to talk to. (Oh boy!) He spent the next couple of minutes laughing & snorting at the questions I was asking. Although it was like pulling teeth, I finally got all the information I needed. At that point, I apologized for taking his time & said that I simply needed to confirm these types of thigs so that my son doesn't end up being rushed to the hospital or dying. This kid then has the nerve to say in a VERY sarcastic voice, "Well, I don't think you have anything to worry about." Excuse me? Keeping my child from dying is nothing to worry about? Needless to say, I don't believe this young man still has a job.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Apr 08
laughing and snorting I certainly wouldn't take from anyone. But maybe the little jerk was saying I think you don't have to worry about meaning that pizza place was a good one. I wouldn't have wasted my time with him I would have demanded the manager or owner and don't tell me their is not one or the other available that is just a bold face lie.
@Remando (175)
•
18 Apr 08
First of all I'm sorry to hear of your experience, it really does affect my day when things like that happen and it sounds like it was something you really could have done without.
Perosnally, I have been disabled in the past (luckily I am fully recovered now) and I too have had too many experiences like this to count - the attitude of others really has disappointed me in the past, and how I have been treated.
I say well done you for sending an official complain, I'm ashamed to say I was too much of a wimp to do it as much as I should have done - I wish now that I had.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Apr 08
well I have been an advocate for people all my life, and by me complaining it brings it to the attention of the head office and how human resources has to be careful of the people that they hire. So not only am I helping myself but I am helping others as well.
