CVS Pharmacy Consumer Reviews - Page 3

I live in Florida and have to buy a lot of prescriptions every month. I have been using the CVS coupons for a gift card on the 1st fill of every prescription for over the last six months. When you fill a new prescription you get a CVS gift card for 30.00. I then use these coupons in the store to buy other products. I buy these coupons off of Ebay and trade with other coupon collectors. On the coupon it says "One coupon per person per visit on new prescriptions." I do not use a gift card on the 2 refills of the prescription. Now they are telling me I have been using too many coupons and could not use them anymore.

I was told to call the store manager. I did and after leaving several messages she finally called back. She explained that the coupons were for new customers not existing customers. I spend a lot of money in this store besides the prescriptions but that did not count. I understood from her I could take my business elsewhere. (This is the short version of the call.) But instead of that I called their corporate office. I did not feel like I was doing anything wrong and was a valuable customer to them so I was going to give them another chance. The customer service rep I spoke to said he had never heard of that before and would have someone higher up call me.

Today the district manager called me and once again stated the coupons are for new customers even though the coupon does not say that. This was a long conversation. I told him I was not going to let this issue drop. He finally agreed that I could continue using the coupons but only because I persisted not because they are wrong! I have solved my problem but feel there are many other consumers not being able too!! Has anyone else had this problem??? Please respond!

TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT -- I dropped off my prescription immediately after my Dr gave it to me, as I always do at the CVS pharmacy... The pharmacy assistant said he tried, but my insurance won't fill it for about a week, as my Dr gave it to me a few days early, so a week later I called & asked if it's ready. Now they say there is NO record of it anywhere whatsoever... & that all I can do now is see if my Dr will call it in for me.

My Dr was quite angry with me & said that "this has never happened before & someone must have actually STOLEN it..." but he'll do it for me just this one time, as if I am somehow at fault. He said regardless of who lost it, it IS MY responsibility... So, CVS then also says that NO ONE ever even tried to run this through my insurance last week, so their employee actually lied about trying to "run it through" my insurance, then told me it's a controlled substance & that he can't give me back the prescription... "just come back" he said, and now it's missing.

After over three years with my Dr & using CVS for a pharmacy, I've NEVER ONCE lost anything or given them any excuses or dishonesty whatsoever. So now I look like I'm being dishonest &/or trying to get it filled early or get a 2nd prescription. CVS employees were VERY RUDE & inconsiderate towards my Mother & I. They've shown ZERO interest in investigating my missing prescription for a controlled substance.

To prove I'm not at fault AT ALL & also to actually help FIND this missing prescription I went to the Police immediately, but they said that CVS needs to investigate & find foul play or that a theft has truly occurred before they can even get involved at all... So how can I even Trust CVS ever again? They have now totally ruined my relationship with my Dr by making me seem at fault.

They've jeopardized my integrity, my flawless reputation, & ruined the years of Trust I've built between myself & my Dr & have offered ZERO interest, concern or suggestions otherwise about this situation that their employee caused. They never even said one word, apologized or took this seriously AT ALL, as if I am dirt beneath their feet.

I assumed they'd be very interested & concerned that they lost a controlled substance prescription & that their employee totally lied about trying to fill it & now it has disappeared... as they can easily verify by video surveillance that I did in fact drop it off & see the day & minute, that it entered the hands of their employee, yet they've shown ZERO concern whatsoever & act as if I'm just a dishonest customer, when in fact this is entirely their fault.

Received my prescription today and it was not my diabetic medication that I needed. Contacted the insurance and mail-order company and was told that it will be be 1-2 weeks later till I receive my correct medication. After a few days, my sugar shot through the roof!! Called the company again and asked them what to do but they pretty much said ,"Too bad, nothing else we can do here." Recommended that I go to a local pharmacy and get a prescription filled and they will authorize a 1 month emergency supply.

So I took my empty bottle to Kroger and the poor technician staff had to call ExpressScript to get it authorized. In the process, she had to wait on the phone for 10-15 minutes just to talk to someone; this is only to be put on hold again.

By now, there was a line people behind me because it took so much time to get in touch with the mail-order company.. Pharmacist talks to me and assures me that he will try to call again later to get the medicine transferred for me and that he has to worry about his "regular customers" at this time! I took his word for it and 4 hours later I receive a call from a Kroger pharmacy staff saying they successfully transferred my prescription.

This was a relief to me but I did feel bad that pharmacy staff had to spend so much time correcting a mistake that Medco-ExpressScript was responsible for and will be bill minimally for it. Meanwhile, the Shady PBM's mail-order will continue to get my business because it is "required". What happened to choice and freedom these days when it comes to prescriptions? I do not like give a company that passes their mistakes off to someone else my business.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND -- So I've been using CVS pharmacy for they're usually fast service to fill my prescription pain medicine. Now I only get 1 filled every 2 to 3 months. Now 1 time I went in they said that they couldn't fill the prescription till the next day, so I said "why?" They claim to be outta my medicine which I found out was a lie. One of the techs in the pharmacy said they do that to customers that look a certain way.

So I took it to Rite-aid pharmacy and they filled it in 15 minutes. Now the next time I filled the medication (which was my last ever visit to any CVS) the pharmacist accused me of tampering with the prescription. I'd been bringing my patronage to this store for over a year and to be treated like some kind of criminal really rubbed me the wrong way and I swore to never enter any other CVS as long as I am spending my money. I mean it's ridiculous to be treated that way. So I'm just letting everyone know, not all CVS employees are bad I presume. BUT like the song says "1 bad apple can spoil the whole BUNCH."

I even asked why was I being made to feel like I was a junky when I only have had 1 doctor for 3 years writing my prescriptions and they have all my info on file. They knew what they were doing. So unless you love being mistreated where you shop i'd have to say "STAY THE H*LL AWAY FROM CVS." Did I mention that a lady came in with a script for the same medicine I was getting? But they filled hers & she came in after me. I'LL NEVER BUY SO MUCH AS A LOLLIPOP FROM ANY CVS AS LONG AS I LIVE and 43 and I got plenty of time left.... Knock on wood.

You might want to be careful when having your prescriptions filled at CVS. I used to use them but have changed to another pharmacy. I take medication for my thyroid daily. I picked up my prescription as usual, and began taking the new bottle. The pills were a different color, but you know how pharmacies change manufacturers so I didn't think anything more of it. I took the pills for a couple of days and each day I began feeling light headed, almost like I was in another world.

I took the pills back to the pharmacy and asked them to check the pills in the bottle. The man behind the counter said “Oh, those are just a generic brand of your medication”. I knew I had always been taking the generic brand so I asked them to check them out. The man took them out of the bottle and got a funny look on his face. He took them in the back so that I could not see them and then a manager went back with him. He brought my bottle back and said “here you go ma'am.”

I had to ask him what I had been taking and he sheepishly told me that it was Ambien. I asked him if he had planned on telling me and he just shrugged his shoulders. Ambien is not just any medication, it is a very dangerous chemical and they just blew it off. Do you think that the family of the person I might have killed while I was driving would have cared whether or not I knew I was taking Ambien? Do you think that a police officer would believe that I didn't know that I was taking it? I doubt it. Even though nothing happened, there was a good possibility that something might have if I hadn't gone back to have the pills checked.

My sister works at a doctor's office where the part time nurse also works in the pharmacy at CVS and told me that they make these mistakes all the time. I called the corporate office and wanted to speak to Mr. Thomas Ryan who is CEO of CVS. He wouldn't speak to me but had his admin call me. Talking down to me she said “what can we do for you?” I said "I wanted to speak to Mr. Ryan but he wouldn't take a few minutes to talk with me." I decided that word of mouth was the best way I could try to keep this from happening again to someone else. Someone who might not have thought to have their pills checked and then cause a tragedy. Don't use CVS. They don't care!

PORT ROYAL , S.C. -- I injured my left knee, and needed to have medication. Since my car is a 5 speed, I have to have friends take me where I need to go. On the 18th of June I went to CVS pharmacy in Port Royal S. C., and gave them my prescription, which was around 4:00 P.M. The clerk said it would take 1 hour and 15 minutes before it would be filled since they were very busy at the time. I said "no problem, I'll just come back on Monday, the 21st, since I still had some pain meds left from the last prescription." She said that would be fine.

Well like I said I had to have a friend of mine take me to CVS on the 21st to pick up my medication. Well the pharmacist nor any of the clerks could find my prescription any place. They kept asking me if I had put it under a different name, etc. I said "no it would be under the name that was on the script I left with you on the 18th." They looked, and looked but could not find it. They told me I would have to wait until the pharmacist that was on duty at the particular time I dropped off the script on the 18th, came in to work at noon! Also that I could call my doctor, and see if he would call in my refill, which by the way they would not because it is a medication for pain, barbiturate.

They even went so far as to ask me if I had taken back the script before I left the store on the 18th!!! Why would I do that? How do you get a medication filled if you take the prescription with you? To say the least I was highly upset, by now it had really started to become frustrating. Not to mention that I don't know how long I had held my friend up. Remember I can't drive at this time.

Finally I leave the store, and have my friend take me back to my doctors, and they write me another prescription, that I took to Rite-Aid. I will no longer do business with CVS. These people did not even act like they had done anything wrong, if anything they made me feel like it was my fault! Apparently they never did find my prescription because I have yet to get a phone call from them, or an apology.

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA -- Reading through the CVS complaints, you would think that these are just sensitive or obnoxious people. I can tell you, however, that they all seem to have the same complaints, regardless where they are! We used to use them, but after enough of these same type complaints, we gave up.

For example, one person stated that they were told the prescription would be ready in an hour, but when they got there, it took 10 minutes for them to "find" the prescription. They weren't looking for it; they were filling it! How do I know? Because "whenever" we said we'd be back in 30 minutes or whatever, even if we came back hours later, it would not be filled. We began to realize that if you said you'd come back, they simply waited for you to show up! My husband started "tricking" them, by saying he'd wait, then leave and come back about 10 minutes past the time they'd say it would take; it would be ready.

One time they messed up on our insurance. They tried to say it was going to cost more than twice its regular price, even though you could see several months' worth the same way. The manager got involved and got rude, even though I never raised my voice nor said a single cross word. (All I'd done was asked if we could call the insurance there, together.)

I called my insurance company when I got home, and found that they'd never put it through, and that sounded more like the "real" price, before insurance! I went back, tried to explain it to the manager, he insisted that this was not true, so I asked for the prescription, went to another pharmacy, and they put it through the correct way.

All I can say is, regardless what pharmacy you choose, if they begin being rude, there are always other ones you can go to, instead. My husband doesn't even like going to CVS for regular general store stuff. I've found one nice lady, so I try to stick with her, and leave if she isn't there.

MARINA DEL REY, CALIFORNIA -- Since 2003 I have been dealing with a muscle illness likened to a Muscular Dystrophy. By far the most difficult part has been the Pills and Insurance issues. The pain and fatigue, not so nice. Until now dealing with the pharmacy I have tried to maintain my head, and deal with the most tolerable, knowledgeable, and closest one. It also used to be the one who put in some effort. Our friendly Savon, now a CVS. They must feel they have the market cornered, only the night crew, that is.

Tonight there was no attempt at all to least try to give any customer service. Sometimes I go at night when there are not long lines, it hurts to stand in long lines. Tonight, the night crew just informed they were not equipped nor can they deal with any of these insurance issues - if it is not a straight authorization FORGET IT!! Cash only. That was not THE WORST THING HOWEVER- I had requested my refill through the automated system during the night crew so - the prescription I requested to be ready with a 2nd authorization step was never forwarded to any day crew. It sat in the basket waiting for me to show up.

Yes, you better believe we the customer are NO LONGER the main concern of their job. It is their own convenience as workers. So tonight I went away without my meds, even though I am medication dependent. On other occasions a short dispense is given until all can be cleared up.

I have lived in the area for twenty years! I was told to come on regular hours -- to this twenty-four hour pharmacy. The day crew has two pharmacists as does the night. Seriously a sickening attitude, that is how CVS does it. Night employee convenience before customer care. It is very predictable when you are sick to be treated this way. I will finally complain to CVS corporate about what policy they are following.

MELBOURNE, FLORIDA -- I initially switched to CVS when I changed insurances and they did not use Walgreens, so, somewhat reluctantly, I transferred my Rxs. The first couple of times, it was not so bad, but there was certainly lack of any true customer service. First incident occurred when I went to the 24 hr drive through to pick up Rxs at 6:30 am. No other customers in line, pushed the button for 15 mins, and no one appeared or acknowledged my presence… had to leave to go to work. Next incident (different store) went to get an Rx filled, was told they didn't have it and hadn't in weeks. No offer to call around or suggest an alternative.

Third and worst yet… again at the first store. Tried to fill same Rx, pharmacist said there was shortage, (didn't explain why). Said he MIGHT be able to order it, but wouldn't know for 5 days. Period, end. Again no offer of making phone call or an alternative. At this point I was so appalled at the lack of service (and I am a nurse). I wrote email to corporate. About 4 days later, did get call from district pharm supervisor who was kind enough to locate what I needed at one of his stores. He called me and stated they would be put aside for me and I could pick them up when I was ready.

The next day, I left work to drive 20 minutes out of my way, thinking the Rx would be ready when I got there--WRONG. Not only was it not ready, even though there was only one other person in front of me and FOUR people behind the counter, it took them 10 plus minutes to even acknowledge me. When I explained that I thought I had something put aside for me, they took the hard copy. And then, I waited, and waited, and waited. During the meantime, no less than all three of the other people behind the counter asked what I was waiting for (as if I had just appeared).

FORTY FIVE minutes later, the pharmacist seemed to begrudgingly fill my rx and sent me on my way. No thank yous, apologies, nothing. The ironic thing is, while I was standing there waiting, and not complaining (except under my breath), I heard at least 2 other customers who came and went state they really hated CVS and needed to switch. Trust me, I, for one, will never set foot in a CVS again, whether it be for medications, or a carton of milk. Honestly, do not know how they stay in business.

SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA -- Once I can chalk up to simply a bad day, but twice is a pattern. On two occasions I have gotten some serious attitude from this pharmacies staff. My disabled mother is on multiple medications. When the Rx's were dropped off, each time they practically groaned and tried to convince me to come back another time or even day. Each time I stayed because she needed the meds (she had just been released from the hospital with new meds and today was given new meds by her doc) and because I am 9 months pregnant and it's hard enough to make one trip there let alone two. Staying rather than agreeing to come back got me even more dismayed looks.

I was told it would take 1 hour to complete the Rx's. Interestingly even though they later learned they could not refill 4 of the Rx's till 4 days later it still took exactly one hour. Meanwhile others came dropped off new Rx's and went away with them and I waited patiently and politely to get whatever they would allow. So one hour later we have 5 Rx's two of which it turns out are a prepackaged machine and its refill strips. As a doctor myself, I find it outrageous that a pharmacy of 4 staff takes an hour to complete this order.

Maybe they were busy you think. Except there was only one other customer ahead of me, who did agree to take their advice and come back later. Also, as I arrived one customer was overheard incredulous and appreciative that he had gotten his med so fast. There were no others waiting when I arrived. So clearly they were not overly busy if this customer was able to get his med and go. They also had 3 techs and one pharmacist, so staffing was not an issue.

What's more when I called to discuss the attitude and length of time it took tonight, the pharmacist let me know that they knew I am pregnant and as such they had hurried up the order. I can't imagine how long it would have taken otherwise.

It appears if you have a simple easy order they like or don't need the meds on that trip you get decent service. However, if you have multiple meds and heaven forbid need them now you are better off going to the nearby Walgreens.