Turned away at Walgreens Drive-thru Pharmacy

I stopped by the Walgreen's Pharmacy at Western, Milwaukee and Armitage on my way home from work today to pick up a prescription. I decided to go through the drive-thru, because the process of taking off and putting on my gloves, goggles, balaclavas, and helmet, then taking my lock out of my paniers, locking up my bike, followed by removing and carrying both of my panniers into Walgreens, for a quick pickup seemed asinine. I waited for about five minutes and the car in front of me stuck his head of the window to tell me that the cashier wanted asked him to let me know that they can not help bicyclists. So I went home. I called and spoke with the pharmacists who said that it is a safety issue, because another car can pull up, not see the cyclist and hit them. She apologized and stated that in this weather they should certainly make exceptions.

Regardless to the weather outside, I think its unfair that cyclists can not use the drive-thru. Anyone have similar experience or know of a place that has good drive-thru bicycle service?

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on September 17, 2014 at 5:05am
Good idea for a Critical Mass to revisit this issue. Perhaps the corporate policies, and use of these only for motor vehicles,
need to be redesigned to incorporate bicycle and walk up traffic. "Sir, you have to move on, this is only for cars!", must end!
Permalink Reply by Tristan Jackson on September 17, 2014 at 6:39am

Man, if I was the drive-thru manager, hell would of frozen over before I would of given you that hamburger, because I follow the principle of never give in to the demands of an entitled asshole. 

Martin Hazard said:

I love to go to the drive through at the Mcdonalds on Milwaukee just south of Diversey. They state that they dont serve walk up traffic, after the lobby is closed. Nothing more. I didn't walk my F-ing bike up to the window. I order a hamburger and wait for them to call the police. The police never show up for that type of call, and in the mean time they have countless drivers who already placed orders driving off without paying. When they finally capitulate, and they always do, I throw that burger out;-) F-them, it is up to the individual Mc-d's. 

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on September 17, 2014 at 7:00am

Well said.

David Barish said:

I disagree with it but the thinking as far as I know is that anybody not in a car is more dangerous, especially after hours. My local Walgreens has served me at the window but has told me they are not supposed to do so. At times I have been turned away. Its a corporate decision and I don't want to make trouble for somebody working at the window.  I also think some drone in risk assessment figures a bike is likely to get hit by somebody in a car if there is a line.  So they make a black/white rule barring bikes so its easier for employees to  think. Once again, I disagree but I am not going to give the people at the window a hard time and cost them their job.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on September 17, 2014 at 7:09am
Tristan, we are trying to implement policy change here for the good of the overall community. "Never giving in" is the
corporate response for their flawed policies. Have you not been in a drive-thru lane where a SUV customer is 'tweeking'
their order endlessly ! Speaking of an entitled @hole !
Permalink Reply by Tristan Jackson on September 17, 2014 at 7:13am

Oh is Martin a transgender albino native american asshole? Regardless, I still wouldn't of given him the hamburger. 

h' 1.0 said:

Matin Hazard, the very personification of "entitlement."

Tristan Jackson said:

Man, if I was the drive-thru manager, hell would of frozen over before I would of given you that hamburger, because I follow the principle of never give in to the demands of an entitled asshole. 

Martin Hazard said:

I love to go to the drive through at the Mcdonalds on Milwaukee just south of Diversey. They state that they dont serve walk up traffic, after the lobby is closed. Nothing more. I didn't walk my F-ing bike up to the window. I order a hamburger and wait for them to call the police. The police never show up for that type of call, and in the mean time they have countless drivers who already placed orders driving off without paying. When they finally capitulate, and they always do, I throw that burger out;-) F-them, it is up to the individual Mc-d's. 

Permalink Reply by Tristan Jackson on September 17, 2014 at 7:15am

I get it. And I personally don't really have a problem with bikes going through the drive-thru. But I think Martin's tactic was a pretty shitty asshole move. 

Tom A.K. said:

Tristan, we are trying to implement policy change here for the good of the overall community. "Never giving in" is the
corporate response for their flawed policies. Have you not been in a drive-thru lane where a SUV customer is 'tweeking'
their order endlessly ! Speaking of an entitled @hole !
Permalink Reply by Elwood Gruschow on September 17, 2014 at 10:48am

I went to Hyde Park McDonalds, found I had forgotten my lock so I went to drive through.  Was refused service at drive through, so took bike inside.  Got some stares, but also got my order quickly without mistakes.  

   If you are ever stuck inline waiting for inattentive employees, maybe you have your bike with you.

Permalink Reply by Brian on September 17, 2014 at 12:39pm

In terms of the Walgreens on Milwaukee Ave., what was disconcerting to me is that I often get served at that drive-thur. It's only recently that I've been denied service. It was the inconsistency that bothers me. I also found that article online about how Walgreens welcomes bikes at drive-thrus in Portland. I reached out to Jim in corporate communications and got this reply first:

The statement I made to Portland-area news media was in reference to stores in that community. Policies vary according to store management’s assessment of risk to cyclist safety.  In the case of the store you visited I was informed that it was determined that it was safer to ask cyclists to come into the store for service rather than risk their safety in the drive-thru lane.  I’m not familiar with the specific configuration of that drive-thru window and lane, but in their judgment, this was the safer policy.

 Thanks for letting us know of your experience.  I informed local management of your comments and I’m sure they will stay mindful of your views as they continue to evaluate how best to serve customers.

 

Be well,

Jim

 

James W. Graham

Corporate Media Relations

Walgreen Co.

108 Wilmot Road, MS #1845

Deerfield, IL 60015

p 847-315-2925

m 224-723-3440

f 847-914-3086

jim.graham@walgreens.com

Later, I was surprised to get this reply from the store manager...who was contacted by Jim. 

 

I am the store manager of store 2001 North Milwaukee.  I want to apologize for the encounter you had at our location with your bike.  I talked with our pharmacy manager about it and we will accept bikes through the drive thru in the pharmacy.  We are going to ensure that this message is communicated to our staff.  If you have additional questions don't hesitate to ask.  You may reach me at 773 - 772 - 2370 or by email at mgr.09000@store.walgreens.com.

 

Thank you

 

David Fischer

Store Manager 

So...in the end...a good result. 

-Brian 

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on September 17, 2014 at 1:10pm

Wow, very cool.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 17, 2014 at 1:17pm
I would have loved to have the chance to be that cyclist you tried to outstubborn.

Who cares about hell when the line was already frozen. I've got all night...

lol



Tristan Jackson said:

Man, if I was the drive-thru manager, hell would of frozen over before I would of given you that hamburger, because I follow the principle of never give in to the demands of an entitled asshole. 

Martin Hazard said:

I love to go to the drive through at the Mcdonalds on Milwaukee just south of Diversey. They state that they dont serve walk up traffic, after the lobby is closed. Nothing more. I didn't walk my F-ing bike up to the window. I order a hamburger and wait for them to call the police. The police never show up for that type of call, and in the mean time they have countless drivers who already placed orders driving off without paying. When they finally capitulate, and they always do, I throw that burger out;-) F-them, it is up to the individual Mc-d's. 

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on September 17, 2014 at 1:20pm
Way to go, Brian ! ! Thank you for working in behalf of implementing change for our community ! !
Permalink Reply by Tristan Jackson on September 17, 2014 at 4:19pm
The police would come eventually. I would win in the end.


Self-sealing Stembolt said:
I would have loved to have the chance to be that cyclist you tried to outstubborn.

Who cares about hell when the line was already frozen. I've got all night...

lol



Tristan Jackson said:

Man, if I was the drive-thru manager, hell would of frozen over before I would of given you that hamburger, because I follow the principle of never give in to the demands of an entitled asshole. 

Martin Hazard said:

I love to go to the drive through at the Mcdonalds on Milwaukee just south of Diversey. They state that they dont serve walk up traffic, after the lobby is closed. Nothing more. I didn't walk my F-ing bike up to the window. I order a hamburger and wait for them to call the police. The police never show up for that type of call, and in the mean time they have countless drivers who already placed orders driving off without paying. When they finally capitulate, and they always do, I throw that burger out;-) F-them, it is up to the individual Mc-d's. 

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