Rite Aid

I’m writing another review of this Rite-​Aid and raising my rating from a 1 star to 2 stars. Why? Has Rite-​Aid improved? Not one bit. So then why am I upping them to 2 stars?
Because a lot of us were blaming Rite-​Aid itself for the bums and homeless problem. And then Walgreens opened across the street. It was like Heaven, with a clean new store and well lit and extra cashiers. It was night and day difference between Rite Aid and Walgreens.
Now skip ahead a few months. Walgreens is quickly becoming just like Rite-​Aid, and I notice the decline is not because of the store itself or its staff… it’s because of the clientele. You go to Walgreens now, and invariably, you’ll find bums. A bummy lady let her dog pee on the floor, and then argued with the manager when he asked her to leave. Other «customers» take forever at the checkout, asking about their western union transfers and calling cards and other stuff that went away (I thought) in the 1990s. The bums NEVER have their money ready. They don’t know how to press the «OK» button on the screen, etc.
All that at Walgreens made me realize that Rite-Aid’s customers are part of the blame for Rite-​Aid being so slow and terrible

Everything is locked behind glass. Even shampoo. No one available to help you. I get that they have to deal with interesting characters, but you could at least try to help your customers.
Tldr– if you do not enjoy waiting 15 minutes to try to buy shampoo, you won’t like this place.

We went to get passport photos done. It took 3 hours!!! I got credited for 2 of them. Now I just found out the photos were rejected with our passport apps. The manager should have known the photos would not be accepted!!! In addition, we were followed throughout the store like we were criminals. Seriously? A guy walked in the front door, grabbed a bottle of water & walked out. No one stopped him.

Worst customer service. I was here just to develop one photo and everyone was too busy to help me WTH

Not a good store at all. But sometimes, I have to go because there’s no other nearby option. They have to lock up hand soap, and getting someone to unlock it so you can buy can take a while. Also, it sometimes smells like urine in certain parts of the store.

Basically they have a good selection but service is painfully slow. Went to buy razors and they were locked. Searched all over for a clerk to help me. Gave up, asked a cashier, they called for someone, and I waited and waited until they came to unlock it for me. Then I had to wait in a long line while 1 cashier rang everyone up. Not necessarily their fault but they are severely understaffed. This store also felt grimy and needs to be cleaned more regularly.

It’s sad cuz the Super Long Lines and only 2 cashier out of 6 registers. There’s a few people inside are sketchy.

I was verbally threatened here by another customer (he yelled profanities towards me and threatened to slap me). I spoke to security who was a few feet away but not paying attention. He smirked at me when I explained the situation, and asked who the person was as if I’m supposed to apprehend them myself. I knew this place was bad but I always noticed security and hoped they’d do their jobs. Guess not.

Everyone can’t talk a lot of smack about this place, but it’s downtown! If you chose to live here you need to expect there will be dirty bums, there will be crackheads and will definitely be those who are not sound of mind. Yes some experiences here are quite funny, but it’s a little crazy everywhere down here. From my experience the staff is wonderful. These people go through hell everyday to help people from all walks of life who need help. Someone has to give the mentally ill and recovering addicts their medications. Do you think this is an easy job? And still they do this everyday knowing they are tough, strong people who are remarkable for everything they do for others. I go here all the time. I love the staff, especially the pharmacy. They go out of their way to find me whatever I need and make helpful suggestions to customers. They are far unappreciated for all their hard work. And some of them like Elfie should be made a saint for all she has been through with customers in her years with the company. I will always shop here. I knew when I moved to DTLA that there would be some unique individuals and unexpected chaos but I moved here anyway. I don’t regret that and I don’t let it scare me away from a business that has always offered exceptional customer service.

They have the very best ice cream on the planet for that price. $ 1.75 for 2 scoops. They got at least 20 flavors.

A Drug Store for the Druggies
I am pretty sure no one who shops here is sober. Walking in here is like walking onto a live Hollywood movie set. It’s like a horror game where the goal is to get thru the all the isles without getting biten by a zombie walker.

This is for the pharmacy alone. it used to be great when Anne was here, but Anne left and now Danny is the new manager. It is now beyond disorganized. The pharmacy clerks usually don’t have the answers to my questions. I was told that I couldn’t pick up one of my medications till tomorrow, when last month I picked them both up on the same day. when I asked why the clerk responded with «I don’t know». WTF, you mean you don’t know??? Do your job and find out. that was the last straw, I now take my prescriptions to Nofel pharmacy.

It just couldn’t be crackier. It couldn’t. Beyond crack. Complete with the 300-​lb. security guard at the front, looking you up and down when you just wanted to buy some snacks for the office.
And also, it’s pricey. More so than Walgreen’s, which is right across the street. That Walgreen’s is in the same cracky area of course, but the prices are a little better. And the staff is nicer.

This location has been found to be complicit in fueling illegal drug sales outside the store for years. They do not take care of their storefront either: they fail to remove graffiti and replace glass that has been acid etched. Please do not shop here.
This store has wrought untold damage on my community since its opening. Please patronize the Walgreens opposite it or the CVS on 7^th & Spring, which have been much better neighbors.

This Rite Aid, thanks to a ‘clerk’ named Martha, who is way too good to be
working there if you ask me, rocks! THE Manager is also not bad, but
in between the homeless and others who come in for necessities, Martha
maintains a wonderful demeanor and helped me to find all the ‘bargains’
I needed and wanted. I think it’s partially due to when you visit, but who
knows, because I’ve generally had success there, whereas at the Rite Aid
on 7^th…

Pissy chick behind the counter gave me the wrong aid. Accused me of opening a box of Kleenex and then started rolling her eyes and ordering me around like I worked there. F this place.

This was the SURLIEST «Customer service» i’d ever experienced. I get that they have an issue with loss prevention, but if they don’t have people to help you, you certainly can’t get what you need.
I needed eye drops, I couldn’t find what I needed, so I got in line, waited the 50′ feet required from the registers and when it was my turn, I got to the cashier, told him NO ONE was available to help me, so he begrudginly helped me. When he unlocked the case where the drops were held, he rushed me through my purchase, and I ended up getting the wrong item! Oy. I will not return.

Erytime I go n2 this store it’s packd or there’s drama or packd wit drama. Tha cashiers r numb & cold frum dealn wit all tha homeless crooks & pushers. This place is ridiculously ova priced on erythang… I’m glad this downtown L.A. adventure bullsh1t is cumn 2 an end. I’ll take tha I.E. anyday… unless I’m in SC or Baldwin Hills lol

The one star is deserved, but the story behind it? Okay, seriously… the story is classic.
My friend and I determine my new loft is kind of filthy. What’s your friendly neighborhood germaphobe to do? Hit the nearest store for Swiffer Mop.
We scour the aisles, procuring lysol, all-​purpose cleaner, Magic Eraser, you name it… And still no Swiffer. Once the long ass checkout line has moved to the point that it’s our turn, well…
M: Hey, so do you guys carry Swiffer?
Cashier: Blank face.
M: Swiffer. Like the cleaner mop?
Cashier: Uh, no. We don’t have that. … … … We had a broom… … … Once.
M: So, you have a broom or–
Cashier: No. We only had it once. Just the one.
M looks at me. I look at her. We begin laughing hysterically. This Rite Aid sucks, it’s utterly bizarre, but it’s straight up comedy gold every time I’ve been in. And yes, the comedy is always unintentional.

I definitely have a love/​dislike relationship with this Rite Aid.
Rite Aids in general creep me out, and this one tops all of them off considering it’s right in the heart of DTLA.
Reasons I love it:
1. It’s super close to where I live, which means if I need anything, I can usually find it here.
2. The pharmacy is super cool. Shout out to Bobby for filling my prescription in 20 minutes… why? Just cause!
3. They sell Ice Cream, duh!
4. Aside from all the crazies, the cashiers tend to be helpful and say hi upon walking in.
Reasons I dislike it:
1. The line is ALWAYS long. Don’t expect to get out in a flash.
2. Inside & outside on the corner there are homeless, bums, crackheads, weirdos galore… I’m still learning how to deal with them.
3. There is usually only 2 – 3 cashiers
4. Things are wayyyy overpriced
This place serves its purpose. When I need something stat I hop on down to Rite Aid. Supposedly they will be opening up a Walgreens across the street sometime in the future which I’m sure will be a heck of a lot nicer… but until then I’ll deal with this place.