Safeway

I hit up this Safeway during my trip to West Seattle. It had all the normal grocery store items down to the in-​store Starbucks. The prices were reasonable and the location is convenient. I didn’t have a problem with lines, so that’s a big plus for me.

My first time in this Safeway my first impression walking in was this is the nicest one I have seen. It is the only one I have been to with self check out. As I was checking out I was adding my money and trying to put in coins where I thought was a slot. It didn’t work because the coins go in the tray. But because I was having so much difficulty, the self checkout woman came up to me and yelled «what are you doing??». I was more than shocked after shopping in many Safeways in Seattle with the most polite and helpful employees. Thankfully there are other stores in the area with the usual helpful and friendly employees that have kept me a long time customer.

I feel sort of funny giving a high rating to a big chain grocery store like this one, but I have to say… I love this place. It’s open 24 hours/​day, is in a convenient location, and has great parking. I usually come really early in the morning while the store is practically empty and get my shopping done for a few days. I love it. Staff has almost always been very friendly.
To be frank, there are nicer stores in the area, but my budget can’t always take the high-​end prices — at least not for everything. I’m really impressed with this store’s produce section, mostly. It’s so nice to feel like I can get a really good selection of fruits and vegetables at prices that don’t eat up too much of our budget. I’ve been really happy with the quality. Almost everything has an organic option, if that’s important to you.
Selection throughout the rest of the store is pretty good too. I still go elsewhere for things like meat and coffee that we’re very particular about, but I love taking care of the rest of it here!

I was shopping in the store earlier this week when i overheard a female store manager chewing out a bakery worker. I felt so bad for the lady in the bakery as she was being talked to in a condescending manner in front of shoppers by this manager who acted very unprofessional.
This actually is not the first time i have seen this manager reprimanding an employee in the middle of the store. I hope after my call to corporate that manager gets a taste of her own medicine and some sensitivity training.

My local Safeway is in Madison but I love this store because of its size and extensive offerings. There are many offerings on the App that can only be found here. People are friendly, service is fast and it’s clean! Who could ask for more than that?

Good lord. Good almighty God. I just can’t. I’ve hesitated writing a review because I live so close to this store and am here every other day. It’s just convenient, especially when it’s cold out, and it’s my neighborhood Safeway.
From the outside, and upon entrance, it’s actually a nice store. But that all ends when you move to the front of the store. On any given day and at pretty much any time of the day there are only 2 – 3 lanes open and lines that back up into the food aisles. Well, go to the self-​checkout, you say. Long lines there too. Why can’t they just hire more cashiers?
And when you finally do get to a cashier… oh boy. To be fair, most of them are very pleasant. Very nice and courteous. But today was the worst experience. So, my cashier, who I will not name, was busily ringing up my items, trying very hard to pretend that a trait we humans share called periphery vision doesn’t exist. In other words, I know she saw the Safeway coupon and my club card that I was holding out to her. ALL the other cashiers just grab the card right away, swipe it, and it’s over. Nope, not this one. Finally I mentioned that I also have a coupon. She says, «give it to me at the end, hon.» Okaaaay. Fine.
So, when she’s all done, she scans my coupon. And that’s it. When I say, «oh, here’s my card too» she says «I got it. Your total is $ 39.08.» I’m looking at the screen and I don’t see any «card savings» or «J4U» (Just 4 U) savings. So I say «are you sure?» And she goes «yes hon, I already got it.» What I should have done was say’ please scan it again, but I didn’t – big mistake.
Now, here’s my issue. They must think their customers are idiots, and to be fair maybe some are. But, not me. First of all, I budgeted for $ 30. If I was going to spend $ 40 there would have been $ 10 more worth of goddamn groceries in my cart. Second, my cashier was just so sure of herself. So confident that she did not forget to swipe my card, when I stood there and watched her not do it. But when I asked about it she didn’t even budge, didn’t even turn her head to look at the screen. I was wrong. She was right. No question about it.
I paid for my stuff, grabbed my receipt and walked over to customer service. Oh my gaaad. So there is already someone waiting with no one at the customer service counter. At this point this is to be expected at this store. We wait about 5 minutes, meanwhile there are cashiers who want us to believe they don’t see us congregating right in front of them, because they’re soooooooooo busy! It’s that periphery vision thing. We know you see us! Then I look over to the self checkout area and one of the leads or managers is standing at the monitor booth laughing and having a grand old time… I see her glance our way but no, she can’t be bothered. So she looks away and keeps chatting it up with whoever.
FINALLY, the customer service lady comes out from the back. When it’s my turn I explain that the cashier didn’t swipe my card. First she looks at me like I have 5 heads. Then she finally looks at my receipt and says «oh I’ll refund you $ 1.45.» A dollar forty five? A DOLLAR FORTY FIVE? Yah, apparently the bottom of the receipt says «total savings could be apprx $ 1.45.» I know you Unilocalers are way too smart and don’t need me to break down how vacant this woman was. I guess the words «could be approximately» mean nothing to her. I told her, again, MY CARD WAS NOT SWIPED. My savings would have been more than $ 1.45. I tell her that my water was on sale, the diet coke was on sale, my bananas should have come up at .69 cents a frickin pound. None of this is on the goddamn receipt. So she sys she has to check it out. She leaves and goes to the water and soda aisle, you know to make sure I’m not just pulling shit out of my ass. She comes back and tells me I’m right, and starts to tell me how she’s gonna refund this and that.
I ask her to refund the entire bill, then ring me up again but please swipe my f*#%ing card first. Sadly I’m telling her how to do her job, which makes me the worst customer ever, but guess what?
Instead of $ 39.08, it came down to $ 31.40. So what should have been a 20 minute shopping run to Safeway turned into a 45 minute nightmare fiasco where I almost got robbed of $ 8, all because my self-​righteous, too-​smart-​for-​you cashier couldn’t and wouldn’t just grab my card and swipe it when I handed it to her. Yah, ok I could have swiped the card myself… thanks for the big life lesson Safeway! Good lookin out for me. But the real lesson I learned is that I’ll be spending my $ 400 a month on groceries at Trader Joes or QFC, or Thriftway, or WholeFoods when they open. Anywhere where they actually don’t mind listening to their customers or approaching them when they are waiting at a counter that’s supposed to have someone there.

This is for the customer service department, particularly Jaylin (I’m probably spelling her name wrong). She took the time to research a purchase I made three weeks ago and print the receipt for me (I lost the original). I just really appreciate this and think it’s worth mentioning — excellent customer service. Thanks, again!

I didn’t know that shopping could be this bad. I showed up to buy groceries at 8 am on a Saturday. The first thing I see is no one at the deli counter, and no prepared foods in the windows. Two items on my list I can’t get. I roll onto the dairy isle, two workers are restocking and making fun of customers while blocking the isle. After having to turn around a lady with a broom comes charging by me and clips my foot. I am halfway through the store now and I almost get run over by a meat cutter running a product to someone. Now time to check out. Only two lanes open, even though there are lines 3 people deep. I go for the self checkout, because by now I think all the employees are out to get me. Then they confirmed it. I cannot even start ringing up until the cashier for all 6 lanes makes it around to me to do an override for my lack of bags. I finally find a way for the bag to fit in the bagging area, then proceeded to fill a bag. Then the checkout computer needed another override for the bag of groceries sitting in the bagging area. After the 4^th override I go to get my bags and they all rip at least once. I wait some more for an override, then the shift change and I get a new cashier helper who clears the system so I can pay .15 cents for my ripped bags. Finally I have my 4 bags and I cannot take my cart to my car, since it’s parked on California ave and there are only steps to get there. So with no offer of assistance I shuttle my ripped bags with groceries falling out into my car, waiting for the day when whole foods opens.

This Safeway is big, with a large parking lot and garage with a rooftop deck.
They have a large selection of fresh flowers and potted plants available all the time. They add a great variety of seasonal flora too.
The produce selection is also big, the largest I’ve seen at the various stores I’ve gone to in West Seattle. There’s also a nice deli with sushi and yummy salads. The meat department has friendly, helpful butchers and a lot of different types of meat.
I like the aethethic of the store, with the faux wood flooring, wide aisles and tall ceiling. The other Safeway in West Seattle seems cramped.
There’s a Starbucks here too.
The cashiers I’ve encountered have been politely kind. There’s one that is French that works swing who has a sophisticated friendliness in her demeanor. I try to get her line.
As mentioned, they have ample parking, a rarity in this neighborhood. I’ve yet to need to park in the garage though.

The best part about this Safeway is that it has tons of parking including a rooftop deck that made for some interesting conversation with my friend about what might happen if a car fell through into the story… but that’s not important right now.
On the inside, this store seems fairly new although i believe it has been there for some time so most likely a recent remodel of some type. Either way, I liked the look of the place and everything seemed pretty well organized. The payout was pretty standard as far as Safeway stores go so everything was very easy to find and items seemed to be well stocked. We did not have any interaction with the employees thanks to the self check out line so I can not speak on the level of service they might have been able to provide.

I would love to be able to shop at this Safeway. It’s the only one in this part of West Seattle. But four trips in six weeks has equalled the worst service, I’ve experienced, ever.
Want to get something at the deli or the bakery? Be prepared to wait a long time, ignored or have the staff simply choose to wait on someone else.
Cashiers speak rudely about customers on the sales floor in front of other customers and staff, this is highly unprofessional. I’ve attempted to address multiple issues with the store management, but they simply don’t care.
What a shame, they essentially make money because they are the cheapest option around.

Best way to look at Safeway is to think of it as a glorified 7 – 11. They are selling convenience, and not very well at all.
We are fortunate now to have a wide spectrum of grocery stores in the area. From Metropolitan Market, to Safeway, QFC, Trader Joe’s, PCC, and the local farm stand.
The question is: In this sort of crowded market, where does Safeway fit in?
For service and high quality items, you can’t beat Metropolitan Market. Their prices are on the high side though.
Right across the street is Safeway. They don’t bother to answer their phone, at least the front desk — it perpetually goes to a voice announcement saying no one is available to take your call. Are you serious???
Prices here are on the high side too, and the quality is not that great. You get better quality walking into QFC than you do at Safeway. You get a better deal and more interesting stuff at Trader Joe’s. But the Safeway is closer to where I live.
Therein lies the rub: What’s more important today? Convenience or something else?
If convenience wins, it’s usually a trip to Metropolitan Market. You are sure to find what you want, and it’s better quality than Safeway. Compare the peaches for sale, for example. Night and day. Plus, there are helpful people there who can help you get in and out quickly with what you need.
If value wins, it’s usually a trip to QFC or Trader Joe’s. The sales at QFC are consistently better than Safeway. I always find more items to buy there on sale than I ever do at Safeway. Trader Joe’s is the place to find the tasty treats like the vegetarian pizzas, bake in your oven croissants, or agave.
Is there a place where one would visit Safeway? Maybe. Once in a blue moon, if I need something really, really quick, and it’s on sale, I might hop over there. But I will know where it is, and just go for that item. The incentive to shop there to get a better deal on gas has pretty much evaporated. So why would you shop there? Their gas prices are 30 cents more than Costco today. WTF???
The management at this store really need to get their act together and offer better customer service or really lower your prices to compete. It is totally lacking. Get a clue, Safeway.

It’s a Safeway. It’s cheap. The produce department often carries produce thats starting to turn towards bad, the meat department carries meat that I would serve only in a pinch, and the staff is always surly. This is a good place to pick up party trays and cheap beer, though.

I like this Safeway it’s clean, the staff is nice. but really other than it being close what I REALLY recommend is Errol, their wine guy. This man is a wine genius. He has given us good recommendations and great service every single time. If you need wine, he’ll find the best one in your price range… ANY price range. I dig it.

A very nice Safeway! Definitely nicer than my White Center one…
My one complaint is the organization of the isles. maybe it’s because I’m not from this area but I don’t think that pet supplies/​cleaning products/​etc should be between frozen foods and the produce section.

This location is one of the best Safeway stores that I’ve been to. The staff are always helpful. The store is always clean and bright. And they always have seasonal plants and/​or produce out in front.
Hm. I promise that I haven’t been paid or brainwashed to write this. It really is a superb Safeway.
PS: The parking on the roof is awesome!

This Safeway is by far my favorite in all of Seattle. It’s practically brand new, situated in the same location as the old one but rebuilt from the ground up, and surrounded by a slew of new construction. It’s walking distance from my apartment so it’s convenient and I’ve found they happen to have the best prices in town on the stuff I buy most often. I love their new Just for U coupon program – it’s web based and gives you delas on the things you buy the most. Duh.
I have always found the staff to be super helpful and very friendly, even in the middle of the night, when I do most of my grocery shopping (gotta love 24 hour grocery stores!).
Their produce is consistently fresh and yummy, and since they’re a major grocer they obviously have an enormous selection of products to choose from. My only gripe is that it would be awesome if they had a beefed-​up natural foods section, a’la Thriftway. I can always cross the street to Met Market for fancy-​shmancy stuff that I can’t locate here.
Make sure to check out their clearance items in the back of the store… sounds sketchy but sometimes they have good stuff for over half off. I don’t have kids, but I always see name brand organic baby food and formula, which I know is a huge expense for those with little ones. I have also found lots of good random household supplies on sale, so I check every time I go, just in case there is treasure hiding there :)
Doesn’t hurt that this Safeway happens to be located right next to the new West Seattle Menchies, so i can get my sweet on after (or before) I’m done shopping (or maybe before AND after? haha).

As much as I love this safeway, I have trouble giving any grocery store more than 3 stars. The newly remodeled safeway boasts plentiful parking (if you park in the upper lot) good selection of product and a clean roomie store with plenty of types of food. What it doesn’t provide is a large meat specialty food, or cheese selection.
Regardless — the prices are low, and it’s a comfortable place to shop, so this is my go to grocery store in West Seattle.

This was by far one of the nicest grocery stores I’ve EVER been to. This was my first visit to this location so I have no idea what this store used to be like. Every employee that was nearby spoke to me and was very nice. Plus the store is very environmentally aware.
I hope they decide to build more Safeways based on this model!

Can I just say how much I LOVE the new remodeled Safeway? I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE IT!!!
My favorite thing about the new Safeway? The make-​your-​own salad bar and fresh Sushi. This is fat girl Heaven and I feel the need to go to «Heaven» almost every day. =P
I love how much space this new Safeway has and their staff here are extremely friendly. I used to go to Roxbury a lot but I’m sure I’ll stick to the Admiral now.