Safeway

Good God, they like to play some funky music in this place.
Oh Safeway, whatever am I going to do with you? You’re local, you’re convenient and you provide an acceptable selection of goods, yet you charge too much for vegetables that are sometimes wrinkled with sadness and your bakery is a mix of acceptable bread and the worst in yeast– and pastry-​based tragedies. Sometimes I just want to draw a white line around your donuts and call the coroner.
Why are many of your items unpriced? Why is there so much terrible bacon? Why do the «fresh» donuts belong in a morgue?
When I step inside you now, Safeway, I know which products are good and which are crap, but this is only after a year of learning the hard way. Your milk makes me happy, your loaves make me sad, your dry goods are decent, your fruit is just bad.

Third world shopping at first world prices!
Terrible store. Rude staff, under stocked, dirty, expensive… Check out lines are rarely open, and when they are, they are comically slow. On any given day they could be out of things like bananas, chicken, or bread. Unfortunately there is little alternative in east van.

One of those Safeways that people drop and pick up people. Yes this Safeway is basically the landmark of Commercial Drive. I get dropped off and picked here quite a bit. So what that means is that the parking lot is one of the craziest ones. Lots of Taxi stops here.
Staff here are not friendly. Maybe I should say the Staff here are quite rude. Yes you get pretty bad service here. Not one of those Safeway that I recommend shopping at. The prices are cheaper compared to other Safeway. On sale items are the same at almost all Safeway.
It is located in a pretty good location. Right beside a Skytrain. Other than that, I don’t know what is great about this Safeway.

One of the strangest Safeway’s I’ve been in. The layout was odd, people yelling at each other, seemed disorganized and things everywhere. Checkouts fast, staff helpful, yet… I’d avoid coming here again. Felt off, cramped, not enough space.

Always out of soups. Not the best service at the food section. No soup so often now i go to tim hortons instead.

Very great customer service. I went to buy some organic fruits over here. People here were splendid.

We visited this Safeway a couple of times while visiting Vancouver. It was clean and well stocked. It gets busy but there are numerous open registers or self-​check.

wide range of experiences here
the good:
really convenient location.
really friendly starbucks employees, less of a line up than most locations
awesome lady at the meat counter in the mornings and good quality beef. sale prices can be really good on the steaks and roasts if you wait for them.
produce is generally good quality
mostly friendly cashiers… especially the short haired lady with the funky glasses and the partially sighted guy
really good price on salted butter
friendly husky guy that unloads the bread weekday mornings is always willing to look in the back for loaves he hasn’t unloaded yet.
the bad:
don’t ever go into the bathroom, not even first thing in the morning (you’ve been open 15 minutes and you’re already out of both toilet paper and paper towel? don’t you sell these items? and how does it already smell like 3 day old pee? i swear i saw a cleaning products isle).
there’s this one cashier that frequently works the self checkout area. she’s got long brown hair, in her late 40s or early 50s, and has some sort of sticker on her name tag. she is so consistently rude and unpleasant that i try to avoid any area that she’s working. once she came over and rifled through my self checked groceries to ensure i wasn’t stealing after my son had put his hand on the scale setting off the «unexpected item in bagging area» chime. all the while glaring at me suspiciously. much to her dismay, there was nothing in the bags that was not displayed on the screen as rung in. another time she came running over loudly admonishing me for ringing an organic item in as non-​organic (really embarrassing) when i had put a non organic item in one of the green produce bags instead of the clear ones. the green ones do have the word organic on them but it had never been a problem at the check out before (self serve or otherwise) on the odd occasion that i used those bags for a non-​organic item, nor if i put an organic item in a normal produce bag. clearly she had been monitoring what i was ringing in on her screen at the front waiting to pounce on me if i did anything suspicious (i’m a mother in her late 30s with a small son, obviously very high risk). when it became clear that the broccoli in the bag was not organic she continued to lecture me loudly that i shouldn’t be using the green produce bags for non-​organic items. weirdly, i haven’t touched the green produce bags since, even for organic items. maybe being publicly embarrassed has caused a subconscious aversion.
if the little coin operated toy dispensers eats your loonie, tough for you. you are free to call the 1 – 800 number on the side of the machine (not that i bothered). well, at least that’s the case 50% of the time. if you get the right employee (as i did on two occasions) they’ll give you a loonie from the till.
Overall, if you know who and what to avoid, this is a very satisfactory safeway location.

To the Caucasian woman I experienced at customer service this afternoon: ‘What, are those beer cans?’ (In a snobbish tone) is not an appropriate response to ‘I’d like to return some bottles and cans’.
Not only were you rude, you did not bother to even ask me what I had before slapping $ 1.20 in my hand. Considering I had a mix bag of 2 litres and cans, this seemed confusing at the time. Upon further analysis, maybe you just don’t care about doing your job properly? The money is not that big of an issue, the lack of customer service is.
Before this, I have never had a problem at Safeway. Some very nice cashiers and helpful clerks. Great, fresh produce selection. It’s expensive, but it has what you need and it has a good location.

Freaking zoo, that’s all I can say about this joint if you are here during rush hour, and you thought being on Broadway driving was brutal, lining up to pay for your shopping here is brutal, and it doesn’t matter if you are in the self-​checkout! Dodge rush hour, that’s anytime after 3 and before 8, it seems like anytime during those hours, the aisle’s are not a problem it is waiting to get to the end of your journey, like waiting at the Peace Arch to cross the border! I don’t get it, they have enough lanes to get the people through, unless they are using this as the teaching ground for the cashiers (hopefully not!).
A good comparison of the line-​ups here are like going to Superstore (one of the reasons I don’t like going there) and the self checkout line is as slow as the human run ones, sometimes worse. This is a big Safeway nonetheless, and carries all the essentials, one of the other plusses is that the two intersecting Skytrain lines are right there, like walk out make one turn and your in the station, so central, it definitely has that.
They have a mini Starbucks booth in here, a lotto centre on the other side, a good sized florist department, your huge wooden floored produce aisle, fresh water refill stall, and when going in and out they have wet-​naps (all Safeways have this!) and it’s got a monster parking lot, so by car, or by transit this one has you covered.

Really like this one, it’s got quite the character after all these years, still quite the busy one. Esp. with the addition of the Millenium sky train line several years ago, plus Shoppers Drug Mart, Bank of Montréal & CIBC, there’s certainly quite a lot to do in this area.
Can always rely on their great customer service.
And a big size too.
Ample parking here.

After the initial shock of how much more groceries cost in general compared to in the States, this Safeway became my go-​to grocery store, basically because it reminds me of one I frequented back home.
It’s not the cleanest, nor is it even the brightest. There’s always someone sitting outside with a change bucket, but they’ll never really bother you. But I never had a problem with their produce, and they have good sales, and samples on random weekends that also include coupons.
What’s inconsistent about this place is the hot food line. I ordered chicken wings several times — probably more times than I should have — and some have given me six wings, and some up to 10!
I’m also amazed that a machine bottle return doesn’t exist here. Is this like a country-​wide thing? But you can return it to the customer service desk, where they give you money, and you drop off the bottles in labeled bins next to it.

For gluten free products they have a small section in the freezer in the back near the pharmacy and also some near the deli section on a shelf. I also found rice (dairy and soy free) whipcream from a spray can — super cool! Excited to try that out.
Their produce is usually good quality but sometimes the selection is limited. I can never find alfalfa sprouts. I only shop here occasionally since I can’t always guarantee that they will have what I need. Also I find that their prices aren’t the lowest. I would like to see them have more hormone free meats as well. But the location is clean and convenient and the staff are generally pretty friendly. And they have dairy free whip cream in a spray can! haha

I don’t know what it is about the Broadway and Commercial Safeway that I like.
I think it is the dustbin for Safeway buggies & employees. it actually took me 30 minutes to check out one time ‚
That was 30 minutes with the clerk scanning and bagging, not the wait time to get to him (if the cashier is sitting down go to another line even if it is longer)
I really like the self serve check out, and you can use your phone # for the discount instead of always needing the card
There is ample free Parking with lots of «Atmosphere», you gotta take 2 quarters when you get your buggy because it is almost guaranteed the first buggy has a broken wheel
Don’t know why but I like it

I don’t know about Safeway… Aside from going there on the first Tuesday of every month when you get 10 percent off a purchase over 50 dollars, I get the feeling you’re being ripped off. Has anyone aside from me noticed that when things are on sale at Safeway, they are the exact same price as what they normally are at places like Donald’s or Dollar Grocer?
This has happened to me MANY times, the most recent of which was on some tofu noodles. I needed groceries for my very late dinner and went to Safeway since everything else was closed. I only got what i needed, including some tofu noodles, on sale for $ 1.99, regular price $ 3.50. When i went to Donald’s the next day to get my food for the week, i noticed they had the exact same noodles for $ 1.99… Only that was their regular price!
The only thing Safeway has going for themselves is their bulk olives and floral department. Their produce is good, but also more pricey than what you can find a few blocks away on Commercial. I try to save some money by going to smaller local stores whenever i can!

Ah, this is the most Ghetto East Van Safeway out there. Location wise, right below the Broadway and Commercial Skytrain Station is a good indication you are not in safe territory anymore. There are usually a few homeless panhandlers asking for spare change in the front entrance. This location gets robbed routinely because the Skytrain is a quick getaway. I do admit I like Safeway because I think they have the freshest fruits as compare to all the grocery chains. A friend in the grocery business tells me Safeway gets first choice at the wholesalers. Whether this is true or not, I buy most of my fruits at Safeway even if it’s at a higher price.
They accept Airmiles which is a bonus and do sign up for their free club card to get the discounts. For the avid airmiles collector, get the Airmiles iPhone App to see the latest bonus miles info at that particular location. If you forget the club card in future visits, no problem because it’s linked to your phone number that you used to sign up.
Safeway’s customer service is superior to most grocery chains due to the requirements from corporate policies. All cashiers must thank you by your name as read from your credit or debit card and they must ask if you want carry out service. They are frequently graded by secret shoppers and reported to management. Now, you know why they always ask you if you need help to your car even if you do look like a buffed up grease monkey just finshing up a two hour routine from Gold’s gym.
This is life at the East end of Vancouver, all in it’s glory.

Good for almost everything except produce which is when I stop and do that portion at Donald’s Market. Some reserves like artichoke hearts (a household fave) are over priced too. I like the roominess of the store. I usually get good service and sometimes find an extra good sale. I just think that they use the whole Club Card thing to make you THINK you’re saving a lot more than you are. So be aware.
ps. Their cheesecake is effin’ amazing.

New to the neighbourhood and to the Safeway shopping experience, so some quick thoughts:
— Prices are kinda appalling unless you have that Safeway Club card (thankfully, the membership is free), in which case the prices are just annoying
— As an Air Miles hoarder, it kinda sucks that you have to spend 20 bucks in one go to earn a point — I know Metro (formerly Dominion) back in Toronto lets you accumulate multiple minor purchases within like a one-​week span to earn points, which is cool for the constant-​forgetter-​of-​stuff who has to keep returning for that loaf of bread, then that carton of milk, then the bathroom tissue, then the…
— Fruits and vegetables are consistently pretty fresh and healthy-​looking (especially compared against the Superstore where I used to do some of my grocery shopping, where mangled leaves and various shades of brown are not uncommon)
— Over-​all selection of products is pretty solid, especially with a decent-​sized bakery section, a large pharmacy section, and that flower section too, for last-​minute gifts (or tokens of apology). Built-​in Starbucks too!
— Location’s convenient, literally around the corner from the seemingly always-​hoppin’ Commercial Drive-​Broadway Skytrain Station
— Hours are pretty good, from 7am to 12 midnight, seven days a week — easy to remember and you’re almost good to go any time of day or night
— Avoid the bathroom at all costs. Go to the Starbucks across the street or something. Never thought I’d see those airplane style faucets anywhere but on an airplane. It’s a one-​person-​at-​a-​time washroom too, so expect a queue. Looking at the rest of the reviews about this place, I guess it must attract a rough crowd, as all the fixtures seem to be fortified against beatings or theft
All-​in-​all, it’s the closest larger grocery spot to my new house, so I’ll be a regular, love it or loathe it. I’d have given the place four stars, but the trauma of the bathroom visit is still fresh in my mind. It’s worth checking out for curiosity’s sake, but just don’t touch anything.

Out of every Safeway store in Vancouver this has gotta be the most down to earth and welcoming with no airs of pretension at all. Yes, it gets robbed on a weekly, if not daily basis but still welcomes low income or otherwise homeless and will go above and beyond the 24 bottle limit for recycling.
I see the same faces as I did 10 years ago when I lived on the drive and having said that the cashiers are definitely hoots and real characters.
Special shout-​out to Sandip who I think has a room and cot in the back cuz he is there pretty much ²⁴⁄₇ but is always in a welcoming and chill mood.
A real experience is guaranteed as you will always see something out of the unusual other than the security guard who follows ya throughout the store; now that is a given.

This Safeway location has a fabulous sandwich bar and the store is pretty easy to manœuvre around. I like to come here when I need a break from the office and would like a little treat.
The ladies at the sandwich bar are always super helpful and quick. There is always plenty of hot and delicious soup choices (even after the main lunch hour) and you can pay at the sandwich area to avoid having to join the regular store lineups. Plus Starbucks is right there and so a full meal can be purchased in a 7 step radius.
The Tuscan Chicken sandwich has artichokes on it and so it definitely wins. Plus there’s some sort of sub sauce on it that goes perfectly. I also greatly enjoy the turkey/​havarti panini and you can add cranberry sauce to it. Wheeeeee