Reply #30: Mom-and-Pops can be good OR bad

[queenjane]

We've had Walmart for years, and while I loathe them on general principle (plus, I worked for them many years ago--the stories I could tell you ...)their local pharmacists are wonderful and have been very kind and patient with my elderly mother, stepping her through the Med D plan and trying to save her $$$ wherever possible. The locally-owned CVS drugstore, however, is owned and operated by an arrogant ass pharmacist who refused to fill a pain med prescription for her (for a spinal fracture)because he "doubted" it would be covered by workman's comp (which it was)and yelled at me that I was "cheating" the system. In front of a store full of people. Natch, I never frequented that place again.

We're also about to get a Lowe's Home Improvement. Again, in general I'm no fan of big box stores, but I'm salivating over this. Our locally-owned lumberyard/home repair supplier closes at NOON on SATURDAY. You know, when most homeowners like myself are trying to do chores and actually need stuff!!! Plus, they acted like it was a gross waste of their time to deal with anyone who wasn't a big construction contractor. The local plumbing and electrical supply places are basically the same. I'm a little tired of hauling giant bags of soil, plyboard, etc., home from 30 miles away.

Ergo, the prospect of being able to buy things I need for my home during the weekend, when I need them, helps me overlook the "genericization" of America. I think drug price cuts, regardless of motive, are wonderful for the poor, elderly, and disabled. Besides, I work in drug R&D, so anything that sticks it to Big Pharma makes me a happy girl.