CVS Pharmacy

This CVS pharmacy has declined in service in the past year or so.
They call & say «Your Prescription order on ready fill is filled».
Today I went up and my prescription order wasn’t ready.
The Pharmacist said this was only his second day at this location and couldn’t explain why the prescriptions were not filled, but come back in 20 minutes and they would be filled.
I came back in 20 minutes and they hadn’t been! Excuse was lines are down!
Advice is to avoid this Store/​Pharmacy at all costs.

Why does it take ALL day to fill ONE prescription?! They are consistently unreliable at the pharmacy. I can think of two people behind the counter that are friendly or helpful. The others just stare at you blankly.
Oh! My name finally got called at (2:37 PM) when my script should have been ready at 10 AM (the first time I came). When my name was called I went up to the register the girl checking me out looks at her co-​worker and says «do you mind if I go outside for a butt.» I turn around and there are 10 people pissed off and waiting in line.
This CVS has a monopoly in my neighborhood but I will find another even if not is inconvenient. I mean every time I show up something is wrong…
Script not filled
Long lines
Wrong prescription
Lost prescriptions
Bad customer service…
And the list goes on and in! Do yourself a favor and do not use this pharmacy!

Wouldn’t it be awesome if all the reviews for all the CVS out there went into one gigantic review for CVS? The thing about CVS is CVS wouldn’t care. CVS could care less about how we review CVS. Because CVS has a lock on a lot of neighborhoods. There’s CVS or no CVS. So, by default, you’ve got to love CVS. You have no choice. Well, perhaps you LIKE CVS, not LOVE CVS, but CVS is still all there is. So, what can you do? Buy your drugs at Walgreen’s? Not bloody likely. No, CVS will do. Not this CVS. I go to another CVS. When I used to be addicted to candy I’d go into this CVS and get a sugar fix. This CVS deals drugs on multiple fronts. The pharmacy at this CVS always seems like it’s on the verge of falling apart – always real busy with longer wait times than I’m used to. This CVS has random stuff you need when your back is against the wall, but now I get my drugs at a different CVS. CVS is kind of cool, I guess.

This is for CVS as a store and corporate entity in general.
Yesterday I went to buy mailer envelopes, buy one get one half off. The discounts (as a store procedure) don’t show up until the receipt, so when it didn’t give me the discount, I had to stand in line again to get a human (vs. self check out machine) to refund the difference. Dumb procedure, but I am sure it helps CVS not honor their sales.
The workers are always nice, but the store policies suck. Workers at another CVS told me the store DOES NOT RECYCLE as a policy. They found it horrible but as they said, management «doesn’t listen to us».
Crazy pharmacy, yes, but not the customers (in my experience) but the workers. I literally have NEVER picked up a prescription without them not being able to find it, saying it wasn’t called in when they called me to say it was ready, and on and on. I usually need to go in at least two times to actually pick up a prescription, the first time to fix their mistakes. Chicken bus of a pharmacy.
I don’t know what store the reviewer who said people are always coming up to them to help, but I have been going there as long as they have been open, and this is just not the norm. There are noticeably less wooers since they put in the self check-​outs.
The receipts are TOO DAMN LONG AND WASTE PAPER! So upsetting to get a 16″ receipt for a bottle of water. I guess part of their «screw the environment let’s make money» policy.
And the self-​check out… takes away jobs, and if I am doing the damn work, give me a discount.

As a CVS, it is what it is. The thing however that makes this CVS pleasant is the fact that the employees for the most part are terrific.
On many occasions I have been asked not only if I need help but also if they can find something for me.
On many occasions I have been greeted and acknowledged because I was a familiar face.
I think in such a generic drug store it is nice that the employees take a personal interest in trying to help as well as acknowledge regular customers.

I guess this isn’t really their fault, but I avoid going to this CVS. Every time I go to pick up a prescription, I feel like I’ve stepped into bizarro-​land. Every single time, someone in line has a screaming or crying fit, or starts yelling at staff, or a fight will almost break out between customers, or someone will just stare at you forever in an unsettling way. It’s hard to explain, but my boyfriend and I agree that this place is somehow David Lynch-​esque. The wobbly rack of inspirational Christian paperback books about disciplining your children, which are there for you to peruse as this scene unfolds, just adds to the surreal quality.

Every time I go to pick up a prescription there is always a long line and some extenuating circumstance to delay my pick up. Other than that and their small and shabby greeting card selection, it does what a CVS needs to do and it sure beats going to the CVS a few blocks down the street.

If I could give them half a star I would. They don’t even carry the real Tylenol and their CVS brand is full of fillers and just plain does nothing, the so called gel-​cap they offer is not even really a gel capsule at all-it’s just a tablet with a blue and red coating that copies the look of the name brand Tylenol’s gel cap-​which means it does not work any faster and it is no different then the other crap version they offer.
Their self checkout machines are brain damage and AS soon as the new Walgreens in JP opens I will transfer all my prescriptions there. They also do not carry anything close to the full line of most hair, skin, or cosmetic lines they way that Walgreens does and their extra bucks are a joke!

I love this CVS branch!
The staff is the nicest. The store is stock with almost everything. The place is clean and well-​lit which is a must for me. They have a wide selection of snacks, candy and other foods and drinks.
The pharmacists are really good. They can answer any question you have, unlike other places I’ve been to. I don’t have to wait for too long to get my prescription refill, although sometimes the lines are long, really long.

I get my prescriptions here now. I don’t really have a choice. The next closest pharmacy is the CVS that’s much worse than this. Unless I want to go nearly 40 minutes out of my way.
I give this place a solid 3 stars. 1 ½ get taken away for the 3^rd «con».
Pros:
1. A wide selection of all your standard drug store stuff: over the counter medicine, medical equipment/​first aid stuff, makeup, toiletries, etc.
2. AND a very wide selection of prepackaged food. I’m not talking Little Debbie snack cakes or chocolate bars. Though they have those too. No, I mean bread, cereal, granola bars, juice, crackers… I do emergency grocery shopping here sometimes.
3. Staff is easy to find. HOWEVER
Cons:
1. Staff is seldom helpful. I once stopped to ask a woman where dixie cups were and she said «I can’t help you, I need to go to the bathroom.» «But…» I said, «Sorry, it’s an emergency.» She stood there and had a brief conversation with me about how she couldn’t help me in the time it would have taken for her to help me. Sigh.
2. It’s kinda dirty. Not, filthy dusty products or shelves, but the carpet needs a shampooin’ and the walls could use a fresh coat of paint.
** 3. AND… this one really gives me pause and is definitely worth mentioning… the first time I transferred a prescription over, they actually got the dose wrong. It was filled for 10 times the strength it should have been. It was a very busy day and the tech seemed new and extremely apologetic, but that’s just dangerous. Everyone makes mistakes, I realize and I caught the error, but always open up the bag and read the label before I leave the pharmacy now. So be careful with that. Especially if you have elderly friends or relatives with poor eyesight.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get any real; help when I went to this store tonight for a printer cartridge. I didn’t want to buy the wrong one, but when I asked for someone with knowledge about cartridges, the youngster there looked and acted more clueless than me.

I’ve had multiple negative experiences at this CVS. The express checkout machines have routinely deleted my transactions or frozen during checkout (perhaps this is why there are many complaints on Unilocal regarding the long lines here?). But most annoying is that the cashiers here (especially Marcolina) do not understand their own store’s coupon policy of allowing one store (CVS) coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon to be combined on the purchase of one item. It’s so frustrating — and should be unnecessary — to have to explain to that store’s employee what their own policy is! Thank goodness that I have recently moved from JP to the South End. Gone are my travails at this awful CVS!

This pharmacy installed check-​yourself-​out (and don’t bother us) registers a few months ago and was forcing people to use them, the «helpers’ were arrogant and rude. I guess there was backlash because they are staffing a register now. You practically have to twist someone’s arm to use a bathroom because they don’t want to offer that assistance to customers. I try my best not frequent any establishment with a reasonable level of business/​profit who does not freely offer a bathroom. I use the pharmacy here because there is no where else that is remotely convenient for me to go. I feel sad at the loss of locally owned small businesses that used to provide pharmacy services, those people cared about customers. With a monolithic CVS I just don’t expect too much from any of them. AT the one down the street the staff on the floor are outright hostile, at least you don’t have that at this one most of the time.

I have consistently had professional, attentive assistance at THIS CVS. The pharmacy has been great and the counter staff have managed to memorize all the new locations for the store products. The photography staff are patient and kind while teaching people how to use the equipment; and my photos came out great,
Do I expect perfection from the staff, Nope, I’m not perfect. But when they haven’t known the answers to my questions they have done the footwork and helped me have success.
Also, unlike the CVS down the street, THIS store encourages the customer to use live checkout OR computer check out;, depending on what the CUSTOMER prefers. For one or two items, especially if you are in a hurry, the express check outs are great, But the staff is equally friendly no matter what alternative you choose.
I prefer live service because if the numbers shift and show people preferring automation, the chain may use that as a reason to lay people off.

PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THIS PHARMACY!!!
Yesterday I went to get my prescription for a violent cough I have product of a seasonal virus, according to my primary care physician. I came to the same CVS pharmacy I have been bringing my business for the last 17 years!!! I have been a customer of the CVS /​pharmacy since they were located at the J.P. Plaza on Centre st. in Jamaica Plain and after they moved to 467 Centre St. Jamaica Plain, MA 2 130, my entire family (10 of us including grand-​parents, aunts, etc.) have been always coming to get our prescriptions.
I have been noticing though, that in the last 6 months, the pharmacy services have been getting worse! The arrogance, the rudeness and anti-​professionalism of pharmacy staff is always omnipresent. When I dropped my prescription, I was quoted one price and 17 minutes later when I picked up the medicine, I was charged another price!!! $ 8 dollars difference.
I complained about it, but of course, the mistake was on their advantage. What really turned me off was the lack of delicacy and lack of respect shown to me (a 17 years old, loyal and devoted CVS customer) by the Pharmacy Manager Mr. Emilio Grandez, RPh. Mr. Grandez, made it sound like I was «stupid» by not understanding and accepting THEIR mistake! Well, does he really thinks, that they are the ONLY pharmacy within a 3 miles radius? LOL.
CVS is a great company, but it is very sad to see how unprofessional people can damage the company’s hard earned reputation, mission, vision and customer base by been so tactless in just 17 minutes!
************************* ESPANOL ************************************
Manténgase alejado de esta farmacia!
Ayer fui a buscar mi receta para una tos violenta que es producto de un virus, de acuerdo con mi médico de cabecera. Llegué a la farmacia CVS donde he estado llevando mi negocio durante los últimos 17 años!!! He sido un fiel cliente de CVS /​pharmacy, desde que se encontraba en la Placita en Jamaica Plain y aun sigo con ellos después se trasladaron a 467 Centre St. Jamaica Plain, MA 2 130, toda la familia (10 de nosotros como abuelos, tías, primos, etc) siempre vamos a comprar nuestras recetas a la misma farmacia.
He estado notando, sin embargo, que en los últimos 6 meses, los servicios de la farmacia se han ido agravando! La arrogancia, la grosería y la falta de profesionalidad del personal de la farmacia son siempre omnipresentes. Cuando deje mi receta para que me la hicieran, me dieron un precio y 17 minutos más tarde cuando recibí la medicina, me cobraron otro precio! Con una diferencia de $ 8 dólares!!!
Me quejé al respecto, pero, por supuesto, el error estaba en beneficio de la farmacia. Lo que realmente más me molesto, fue la falta de delicadeza y falta de respeto hacia mí (un cliente de 17 años, leal y dedicado de CVS) por el Administrador de Farmacia Sr. Emilio Grandez, RPh. El Sr. Grandez, hizo ver como un «estúpido» por no entender y querer aceptar error que ELLOS cometieron! Bueno, que realmente piensa, que son la única farmacia dentro de un radio de 3 millas? Ja Ja Ja Ja!
CVS es una gran compañía, pero es muy triste ver como la gente no profesional puede dañar la reputación tan costosa y sacrificada de una compañía, su misión, su visión y su base de clientes solo por una grosería de sus empleados en sólo 17 minutos!

This a specific update on behalf of a friend–
A friend of mine had to purchase the morning after pill here. The pharmacist was polite after listening her request, took care to be discrete about the purchase, and took special care to make sure she didn’t have any questions she might be too embarrassed to ask.
As someone who worked at Planned Parenthood, it was important to me to share this story. It’s easy to take a pharmacist for granted in this circumstance until you’ve experienced the outright ignorance and discrimination associated with the morning after pill by employees of other pharmacies.
Cheers, CVS!

Does anyone working at this establishment speak proper English? Please give them an effing «English here» flag or something!

YEAH SERIOUSLY,
WHAT IS UP WITH THE LINE IN THIS PLACE?
isn’t it totally strange how some places just somehow magically induce chaos (like that 4-​way stop sign at the plaza in dedham with stop&shop and dsw and old navy and dicks?).
people get to this line and seem to forget all the rules of waiting in a line. and the cashiers are little to no help at all!
here is how it works, friends:
when you get up to the cash registers, turn around. SEE THE LINE, GO TO THE END OF IT. there will be one, i promise THERE ALWAYS IS. WAIT IN IT. the person in front goes to one of the empty cashiers.
DO NOT, i repeat, DO NOT, go rushing from the back of the line to the cashier who is slightly to the left of the line because you think the people in this really long line are only waiting for the cashier on the right. DO YOU THINK WE ARE THAT DUMB? we are not. get back to the end of the line, jerk!
this place drives me nuts. it’s wicked well organized and well stocked, but i am ready to throw a temper tantrum at the end of my trip always because of this LINE. we are all adults, FIGURE IT OUT.

When I start scrapping my armpits on the plastic side of the deodorant stick or I’m coaxing out the last few drips of toothpaste, I shudder at the thought of the inevitable trip to my local CVS. They have a good selection and the place is usually fairly clean. However, every time I go in there the line is complete chaos and moves at glacial speed. I can only read the US Weekly headlines about who’s anorexic for so long people! And do I really need a ten foot long receipt with every purchase?

There are 2 CVS-​es on Centre Street in JP. This is the one you should go to. They both kind of suck, but the pharmacy at this one is great. That’s why I gave it 4 stars, exclusively for the pharmacy. The store part in this one is better than the other one by a lot though, you’ll still wait in a too-​long line, but it’s not quite as obnoxious here. And if you’re just going for prescriptions, you’re in luck! The pharmacists are totally friendly and helpful, they’ll even learn your name (is that something I should be ashamed of?) and kid around with you if you’re nice back.