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April 2024 by Michael H.
Why hide the lede? It's my opinion the people shouldn't shop here and the store should close, and something else more valuable should take over the space. So, this Duane Reade (DR) began life before the Walgreens takeover. DR always cost a little more, but under Walgreens the prices went up . It's been here since the predecessor store on that space closed down. That was a real loss, because it was a Food Emporium (A&P), had fair prices, and was 24 hours. When DR took over the space it too was 24 hours. Recently, in the last month or two, they cut the hours until 11 PM. Now, there's no late-night pharmacy open. DR prices for food items, small necessities, etc. tend to be high. Drug prices tend to be higher in my experience than CVS, but it was more convenient. But the greatest convenience remained that it was 24 hours. If you, your child, or other family member, needed something, even if only over-the-counter medication, DR was valuable. It was a service and value to the community. Now they've captured prescriptions and customers, but no longer offer that convenience value to the community. Perhaps we can get another Store, whether supermarket or better 24 hour pharmacy. Meantime, right across the street is another pharmacy that is independent. They are more helpful. Their prices are also very good and in some cases better. Let's go there and support a local business.
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March 2024 by Sandra G.
Hands down worst pharmacy I've ever used. Have had scrips here for 6 months and they always manage to mess something up in new and exciting ways. Auto refills not processed, change of address that won't stick, failure to transfer prescriptions from other pharmacies. When you call the pharmacy they say it's ready, then when you show up it isn't. I've had them give me the wrong quantity (correct amount stated on receipt but incorrect amount actually in bag). I've also had issues with placing orders for advance pickup - even with a week's notice, they don't get it in time, resulting in partial fulfillments and back orders. I plan to switch to Healthwise across the street.
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November 2023 by Rob C.
This Duane Reade never fails to amaze me and not in a good way. Aside from the fact that most items are all locked up, the staff is consistently weak. Today I was in a line with about twenty other customers. Of course there were only two cashiers processing the line, so it was quite a long wait. I get up to the cashier and she processes my 20 items and as I am about to pay, she says, and I quote, "We ain't got no more bags." So I ask if she's serious and she looks at me like I'm speaking a foreign language. I then ask why didn't she tell me, or anyone else that is waiting in line, that they are out of bags. Again, no response just a stupid look on her face. I ask her how she expects people to take home their goods with no bags. Nada. I shake my head and just walk out. They couldn't have some kind of announcement or put up a hand written sign indicated that they were out of bags? Suffice it to say this DR continues to be a total train wreck. Unfortunately, I'm sure their parent company, Walgreens, couldn't care less. Just put in self-serve check-out machines and get it over with. Pathetic customer service!
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October 2023 by Mike C.
Once again waiting hours for a script. This time for a medicated cream that's sitting on a shelf. 5 hours for them to pick it up and put it in a bag. The worst !!
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June 2023 by Lorraine L.
This is not a review of the store but of the pharmacy and especially the pharmacy tech on duty. This is our neighborhood drugstore and I have always taken notice of her pleasant demeanor and efficiency in handling overwhelmingly long lines, where it could be medication pickups, dealing with insurance hiccups, or arranging flu/covid shots. It is an extremely understaffed location. One evening last week, we learned from out doctor at 8:30pm that our son contracted scarlet fever, we had our doctor send the prescription to this pharmacy and my husband was there at 8:45 to pick up the antibiotics before the 9pm closing time. It was the same pharmacy tech on duty and she informer us that the antibiotic that we needed was not in stock at that location, or any other location on UES. She continued to search and finally found a 24/7 DR on the UWS that had it in stock and immediately sent the prescription over, before the 9pm closing time. We went to the said UWS location and successfully picked up the medication. We could not thank her enough for her quick thinking. This neighborhood drugstore is so lucky to have her there.
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February 2023 by Upper East Side Rob ..
Generally the store runs well. It's like all DR's these days, they're understaffed and demoralized. About half the store is locked down and you need an employee to open the case. They a good selection most of the time. The pharmacy seems to have to worst wait times - likely understaffed and overwhelmed. While the techs are usually very nice, the long waits make for an unpleasant customer experience. Despite the negatives, having a DR in the area is pretty sweet.
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November 2022 by Brian S.
Incompetent pharmacy filled with rude people. It's like waiting in line at customs/immigration only longer waits, less competent individuals.
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October 2022 by Marianne W.
This is a Duane Reade that's really a Walgreens! The employees are wearing nice smocks that have the Walgreens logo. The check out counter employee was very nice. The store is very clean. I didn't look over everything they carry. There's a recycling machine I've never seen in other locations. It's convenient to a bus stop. There weren't any customers early Sunday morning. So many Duane Reade Pharmacy locations have closed, I hope this one can pay their rent.
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December 2021 by Molly F.
This is the worst duane reade and worst drug store in the city. All of the items are locked up and there is never a staff member around to unlock the case. You can push the help button all you want and wander around forever looking fo someone with a key, but you'll probably still wait 20 minutes plus for a single item. Always a long line at the register, no matter the time of day or day of week. And the selection is limited.
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June 2021 by Catherine D.
This "pharmacy" has been closed for a week because the air conditioning is not working.! Meanwhile the remainder of the store is open. It is June and the temperature today is in the 70s. This is unbelievable and disgraceful. Clearly no concern for patients. I am a physician and cannot conceive of a similar response from any medical professional. I am walking across the street to Healthwise Pharmacy.
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June 2021 by Antoni A.
The young, female, cashier thought it was okay to talk on her phone while taking on a huge line and not even looking at, let alone talking to any of the customers. It's okay honey; you'll be making minimum wage for the rest of your life with that attitude.
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June 2021 by Michelle F.
My family recently got so fed up with the pharmacy at this location that we've changed pharmacies. Simply the worst pharmacy customer service ever. Do you need a prescription that they don't have? On day 3 of still not having it, go there in person and watch them dig through papers for 20 minutes like it's 1992 to tell you they'll have it by 2pm. Go back at 4:30pm to be told they don't have it, still don't know when they'll have it. Ask them if they can help you locate another location that has it in stock because you're suffering and need it. Oh, no- they "don't have the capability to do that" (riiight. Other locations manage to use computers in 2021 but you can't?!). If you don't want to wait any longer to see how things turn out, you are advised that you should literally go from pharmacy to pharmacy, asking if they have the meds you need in stock. When you finally find one, have that pharmacy give them a call to get your prescription transferred. Seriously, &*#% you guys. Big time. I've worked minimum wage retail jobs, and I understand. I was polite and respectful at all times, and it didn't matter. They have no compassion for people here whatsoever. No semblance of motivation to do literally the bare minimum of the job. In contrast, I had a prescription sent to Healthwise Pharmacy across the street this afternoon. I went in person to give them my insurance info and see when I might be able to pick it up, and it was already waiting for me. I was stunned. I was in and out in 2 minutes, even as a new customer. No drama or attitude, just a pleasant, professional, efficient interaction in an alternate universe that exists just across 79th street. People of Yorkville, you do not have to take this hellscape excuse for a pharmacy any longer. Cross 79th street to Healthwise and support our local mom and pop instead!
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May 2021 by Damian B.
Seems like corporate is hoping this goes out of business. I don't get it. No air conditioning. The freezer section doesn't even work. Our fridge broke so we get ice cream for our daughter most nights but we can't go here because the fridge is so warm the ice cream is melted. Seems overall to be a poorly run store. Employees there are nice though. Hopefully this store turns itself around.
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May 2021 by Caroline B.
This Duane Reade is always about 100 degrees and filthy. At least they had the COVID vaccine, but it was always disorganized and no thought was given to social distancing. If I hadn't already had COVID, I probably would have gotten it when I came for my first shot. But seriously, they need to do something about the A/C. Even the employees were complaining.
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April 2021 by Martin H.
Typical day at this pharmacy. Do t bother coming here for drugs if you don't have 30-45 min to wait. 1 person on register and 2 standing around behind the counter just looking at the long line.
