11-18-2010, 04:55 AM
In the Puna Pharmacy vs Longs Pharmacy, 4 out of 5 medications we use are cheaper substantially at Puna Pharmacy than Walmart, Long's, Safeway, and the now extinct Pahoa Pharmacy.
The cost of the 5th is a few dollars difference; in my mind the cost difference is made up by not having to drive when John and the folks at PP handle any issues if an incorrect prescription is written, (unlike Safeway specifically).
The wait is short, the staff is nice & treat me as a person rather than a prescription #, so out of possible 50 points, they score 48. Havent been to this Long's yet, but the Long's pharmacy in Hilo is a long wait, slightly rude clerks, and if a problem, I have to drive back and forth to resolve. Score is 10 out of 50. (and the 10 is for being open later than others when I forgot to get SB's insulin one evening and made it back to hilo seconds before they closed.)
Yes, I will go to Long's for some things; when I can, and it makes sense I will choose a business with a local business owner over a chain.
This is nothing new to me... I used Anawalt's lumber in NoHo because I grew up with them. My dad went to school with them. Even when Builder's Emporium and the other big boxes came along, I went there. Prices were reasonable and the service made up for the small price diff then. And there is nothing like hearing "Hi Cathy, what can we get for you today?". Personal relationships mean a lot.
The only other place i hear that in Pahoa is at Paul's Service station, and C&C (up to Long's opening C&C had the lowest priced Diet pepsi's on a regular basis). I dont hear it at Kaleo's, or Liquin's or Ning's. Although Paulo is good at remembering people... or rather what they liked at his resturant... lol
I think if price is an issue, keep checking - you may be surprised than the big boxes are not always cheaper on all items.
The cost of the 5th is a few dollars difference; in my mind the cost difference is made up by not having to drive when John and the folks at PP handle any issues if an incorrect prescription is written, (unlike Safeway specifically).
The wait is short, the staff is nice & treat me as a person rather than a prescription #, so out of possible 50 points, they score 48. Havent been to this Long's yet, but the Long's pharmacy in Hilo is a long wait, slightly rude clerks, and if a problem, I have to drive back and forth to resolve. Score is 10 out of 50. (and the 10 is for being open later than others when I forgot to get SB's insulin one evening and made it back to hilo seconds before they closed.)
Yes, I will go to Long's for some things; when I can, and it makes sense I will choose a business with a local business owner over a chain.
This is nothing new to me... I used Anawalt's lumber in NoHo because I grew up with them. My dad went to school with them. Even when Builder's Emporium and the other big boxes came along, I went there. Prices were reasonable and the service made up for the small price diff then. And there is nothing like hearing "Hi Cathy, what can we get for you today?". Personal relationships mean a lot.
The only other place i hear that in Pahoa is at Paul's Service station, and C&C (up to Long's opening C&C had the lowest priced Diet pepsi's on a regular basis). I dont hear it at Kaleo's, or Liquin's or Ning's. Although Paulo is good at remembering people... or rather what they liked at his resturant... lol
I think if price is an issue, keep checking - you may be surprised than the big boxes are not always cheaper on all items.