Dis-Chem Pharmacies - Divorcing dischem

Good day.

I have been buying from Dischem Dispensaries for at least 10 years, because it was convenient. However, the client service is extremely poor and it seems that nobody cares or even take accountability.

During the lockdown period, I had experienced a number of client service issues at Dischem, Bedford Centre. I tried to discuss this with the manager (Jacques), but that did not work as he tried to use jokes instead of addressing the issues. The issues were related to long queues, wrong meds when ordered online, late delivery of meds, unfriendly rude employees, employees with an energy level of -15, etc. Needless to say, I did not appreciate the disrespect and decided to go to Dischem, Neighbourhood, Linksfield.

Unfortunately, this was also not smooth riding. I experienced the same issues (see above) here. However, the manager was more experienced and at least listened to my complaints. I also met a staff member, Lumka, and she really tried to make my process as easy as possible, but this cannot be achieved by one person.

On Sunday, 12 November 2023, I crossed my client-service rubicon and decided to finally divorce Dischem. I needed meds that I believe had a repeat (x6) request. However, the staff member, who assisted me indicated that there is no repeat on the system, so he cannot give me the meds. I requested him to check the script to ensure that it was a human error. He refused and insisted that I cannot get the meds. At this point, I requested to speak to the manager. To my surprise an elderly man (with an energy level of -25) came to the counter without speaking to me or making eye contact. I shared my story with him. He did not respond. Instead, he walked away and came back with the meds. I asked him to explain to me what is going on and his response was: "I am helping you. Is that okay?". I totally lost it as I think it is unacceptable to treat (paying) clients so disrespectfully. I shared my disappointment with him and the fact that he, in his role as manager, is not taking accountability for the situation. His response: "I am only helping out!"
I walked out of Dischem for the last time.

This indicates to me that Dischem's poor client service is a much bigger issue than the racist policies its owners wanted to implement.