Can I Not Help You?
July 10, 2006 – 1:18 pm
Does anyone find this story, in today’s Metropolitan Diary, incredibly hard to believe?
Dear Diary:
My husband lost his cane at La Guardia Airport, and we went desperately to Duane Reade at 42nd Street and Lexington for a much-needed replacement. They didn’t have one, but the manager and the assistants volunteered, with much empathy, to get him one from another one of their stores more than 30 blocks away. They were so caring and eager to help us. In less than an hour, three canes were delivered to our hotel across the street and my husband was given his choice, with no extra charge for the door-to-door service.
New York, New York. It’s still a wonderful town!
Sylvia Holstein
This old woman must be delusional. Have you ever known a Duane Reade employee to be helpful to you? EVER?
It wasn’t long after I first moved to New York City that I noticed that Duane Reade’s employees were moody, unfriendly, and never went out of their way to help customers. For the first six months, I was too petrified to ask a cashier for a Dollar Rewards card application, out of fear that I would meet certain demise from the wrath of an angry Duane Reade employee.
I was so frustrated with their unhelpful and unhappy customer service that about two years ago, I made a declaration: if the cashier did not smile while I was checking out, I would vow to never shop there again.
I collected my items, and walked up to the cashier. “Hi! How are you,” I greeted her.
I got no response. Not even a grumble as an acknowledgment.
I have not shopped at a Duane Reade since that day. The CVS near my apartment is bigger anyway, and it’s open 24 hours. And sometimes, the cashier even says something other than “next on line, step down.”
12 Responses
I think Duane Reade is where people go to work after they get fired from the DMV or the Post Office.
Right now, on 57th and Broadway, there are 2 Duane Reade’s right next door to each other, both open for business. It’s the apex of disgruntled enmployees.
By on Jul 10, 2006
I agree with you. This story sounds like a giant LOAD. My experience with Duane Reade employees has been similar. They seem like DMV rejects.
And what’s this nonsense about needing to go 30 blocks to another Duane Reade? It seemed like there were more Duane Reade’s in Manhatten than Starbucks in Seattle. And if not a Duane Reade, a CVS.
This sounds more like a story coming out of New York’s Tourism Office.
By on Jul 10, 2006
That is the most ridiculous story I’ve ever heard. 42nd and Lex? Yeah right!
And I live right by the intersection mjones is taking about. I have a hard time deciding which shitty store to visit.
By on Jul 10, 2006
sounds like a lying old lady to me.
By on Jul 11, 2006
I was always terrified to get a dollar rewards card too! i finally got a rare opportunity when someone actually offered me one (she was training, therefore she had a valid excuse to be nice).
By on Jul 11, 2006
Duane Reade is the worst. The one at 34th/5th is absolutely terrible and overpriced! They have no concept of efficient line movement and make everyone form 4 separate lines rather than 1 big line where the person moves to the first available cashier. Don’t even get me started on their pharmacy dept. where prescriptions are NEVER ready.
By on Jul 14, 2006
A precious spring flower you must be that everyone will unconditionally smile upon you. If they don’t they are just horrible human beings.
By on Jul 14, 2006
Hey, I’m cheerful to them, I deserve a cheerful reply. When I worked in customer service, that’s the way it was supposed to work. They never got that memo at Duane Reade.
By on Jul 14, 2006
The other day I encountered my first nice Duane Reade cashier. It was about 2AM, on the one on 14th/3rd Ave. The cashier offered me a Dollar Rewards card (already had) and even commented that I bought a good toothbrush. He must have been new. I was tempted to compliment him, but I pussied out.
Speaking of Duane Reade, here is a great article on them:
http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/shopping/features/11908/
By on Jul 15, 2006
I constantly steal from Duane Reade. They don;t get my money for so many reasons, #1 being that all their emplyees are rude cocksuckers.
By on Jul 16, 2006
It’s obviious they find their employees from either “work-release” programs, “mental institutions”, or “deaf, dumb, and blind schools”. You couldn’t find more than a half dozen brain cells from in their staff - COLLECTIVELY !
By on Jul 17, 2006
They’re often unhelpful, yes, but in the city I’ve always found Rite Aid and CVS to have much longer lines than Duane Reade. And the clerks at all of the Duane Reades in my neighborhood have actually been surprisingly nice lately.
By on Jul 18, 2006