CVS — Local services in Bethesda

I had a surgery and needed to get prescriptions filled twice in 3 days. Both times I was told it would take 1 hour to get medications ready and I would get text message when it is ready. Both times I had not received any messages. First day, after waiting for a text for 3 hours, I called and learned that it was ready but they did not contact me to let me know. Second time, it was Friday evening. After waiting 3 hours and not receiving any communications from CVS, I called the pharmacy. I was told that Ibuprofen 800 mg prescription for pain management could not be filled because a doctor did not write instruction how to take it on the prescription. A pharmacist said that she called the doctors office and left a message but since it was Friday, she did not expect the doctor to reply before Monday. Therefore I would not get the prescription filled until Monday and the CVS staff cant help in any way. I had to drive back to CVS. I called the doctors office number that was on the prescription, and found that an emergency after hours phone number was listed! the CVS could call to get information that was needed. The pharmasis said that she called but dis not think it would be an emergency!

At my request the pharmacist called the office and received the information that was needed right away. It took a minute.

Why that was not done in 3 hours, why I was not informed about the difficulty and was waiting?

Why I had never received any text messages with updates? I was told that my phone is on the CVS text messaging list and I should get text messages. I was told that another company handles text messages for CVS and I would need to call the company to fix the problem.

Disapointing service. May be difficult for a healthy person. It is too diffcult for a patient who may not feel well.

Clearly no extra miles for a patient. Staff seems to be nice. Looks like they either overwhelmed or have poor instructions and support. What is the CVS mission and priority? Instructing staff that care for patients should be priority may help CVS to improve services and patient...

The pharmacy has some pleasant people working there these days. In general, the pharmacists are quite rude and short with customers. It’s awful. Their job is to be helpful and kind to their vulnerable customers. I am constantly amazed being a health care worker myself at the lack of compassion and people skills. Do they not understand the “customer” or “patients” perspective and if they don’t they need to get more schooled in professional behavior. Older folks are often scared if they need medicine or if they are ill. Young parents need support and not abruptness. Today I tried to explain something to your pharmacist and she was inappropriately short with me. CVS, perhaps make sure your pharmacy hires can be understanding and polite, and above all please update your APP-it is not in “ real” time and typically incorrect. These pharmacists then argue with customers and they assume a position of righteousness and zero culpability that is almost childlike. Please update your machines where one pays. This is 2025 and your payment machines are archaic in comparison to other pharmacies and most stores in the free world. It takes too long for each individual to check out and I suggest streamlining the process and improving and updating your service. And to those respectful employees you have, I appreciate them. Thank you. (I just saw this response which is not personal. The only person who can address this is YOUR management. AI generated or generic responses are meaningless and unproductive and propagate the lack of true concern. If you own the stores, then you have plenty of data here from me and others to upgrade your personnel's interactions with your customers and upgrade your technology. My job is to...

Yesterday, I called this CVS branch, Bethesda, after my stressed out, & frustrating experience with their sales lady at the Old Georgetown Road CVS branch, in the Wildwood Shopping Complex.

Elmer, the sales staff member, was professionally knowledgeable in responding to my question on mixed nuts, I had on several occasions, in the past, acquired the Abound brand of unsalted nuts, & have recently been faced with a tough time restocking my larder with that brand. He could immediately tell me that the Abound brand had been purchased by another company — Well Market - & that the CVS store may have available stock. What a relief. Anyway, when he returned to my call after checking the inventory, I was so pleased with his service, that I asked if he would put, on hold, a few canisters of the mixed nuts for me. He gave me the price, saying that I can buy one and pay for the second one 1/2 the price. And that I had missed the very special discount last weekend: buy 1; get one free! I said I will pick up the items later that afternoon. And he responded he should be around until 3 pm, but I could still pick them out from any sales person at the cashier, if he was not there. Gosh, what a marvelous shopping experience. When I got to the store before 3 pm. Elmer was around…. I did my purchase, adding a couple more products to my shopping cart, & Elmer took care of everything! I was out of the store in less than 20 mins. Really great service & happy buying experience! I’ll be back, even though this CVS store is further away from home than all the other CVS in my neighborhood, between Rockville & North Bethesda & Old Georgetown...