Let it be stated that I love CVS– the STORE. As for CVS– the PHARMACY– it’s the bane of my existence.
I am there weekly due to my daughter’s medications. She has severe reflux; so severe that she used a feeding tube to eat for over a year. One of her medications takes a day to make, and almost every time I get it refilled there is an issue. I want to stab myself in the eye with a fork each time I deal with the pharmacy. That’s how bad it’s gotten.
That’s usually balanced by the amazing deals you can get at the store. I regularly walk out of there with bags full of things {that I need, not junk} for just dollars. Their ECB program, combined with sales and coupons, means I haven’t paid for toothpaste, shampoo, soap, first aid items, food, drinks, and even some medicine in there for over a year. Diapers are a steal, paper products are purchased for a song, oh, ECBs, how I love you!
Needless to say, shopping there is a rollercoaster. Here’s what happened this week:
9:55 AM yesterday: noticed that someone left Noodle’s medication out overnight (it needs to be refrigerated), but it’s time for a refill anyways so she’ll only miss one dose.
10:00 AM yesterday: called CVS, spoke to pharm tech to get prescription refilled, it will be ready by 5, YIPPEE! She’ll still only miss one dose.
3:00 PM yesterday: get a call (hey, at least I got a call) that it won’t be ready until 10 AM tomorrow. BOO. Noodle will now miss 2 doses.
11:00 AM today: I call CVS to see if it’s ready. HOORAY! It is. If I can get home by naptime she’ll only miss those two doses.
12:00 PM today: Go to CVS. I’m standing in line glowing over the fact that I have 4 items in my basket but thanks to coupons and ECBs I’ll only pay $1.34 total for everything. I love you, CVS!
12:01 PM today: Ask for my prescription. THEY ARE STILL MAKING IT– IT WON’T BE READY UNTIL TONIGHT. Noodle has now missed 3 doses of a medication that enables her to eat. Start questioning the pharm tech, trying to understand how this miscommunication could have occurred. No one will answer me. I’m livid, and on the verge of becoming “that woman” that rants at the clerk.
12:30 PM today: call corporate, since this is the fourth time that her medication has been delayed by days. They are great, get right on the case, and…
5:00 PM today: pick up medicine (it’s ready!) along with a $25 gift card for my troubles and load of apologies plus a plan to get it made correctly in the future. Use the gift card to buy a box of diapers for Baby B, stacked with coupons and ECBs it was, of course, a steal.
My whole point is that it pays (literally) to elevate issues to corporate when needed. I could have just stormed off, never to return, but now I feel as if this will be resolved and it will hopefully save myself and others from problems in the future.
Anyone else have a store that they love to hate? Or hate to love? I have to say, as angry as I was (and boy, was I angry since Mama Bear comes out when anyone messes with my Noodle’s health) I am optimistic things will be better next time I go back. And if not, well… ROAR!
i cant imagine how upset you were-NEVER mess with a mom with a sick kid! i wish all techs were taught that in school.
That SHOULD be part of tech training! The poor guy just stood there shrugging his shoulders… I *almost* felt bad because it probably wasn’t his fault but couldn’t stop my mother bear instincts!
Goodness! That is sooo ridiculous!!! Since it is something you have filled often there, one would think they would get it right!!!
I know about the Mama Bear instinct all too well! My daughter is also tube fed (J-tube) and has to take reflux medications…although I don’t think she really needs it so much anymore since being fed through the J and not the G. We use Prevacid Solutabs. Yeah, the insurance company gave us a hard time when Prevacid became an OTC drug. It’s like…I’m sorry, I can’t shove a pill down her tube! Lucky for me, my husband is a store manager for a grocery store called Publix and we get superior pharmacy service.
I “heart” CVS too because of the ECBs and amazing deals. I’m an avid couponer as well. It’s like a hobby or addiction, I’d say.
I’m glad they at least gave you a gift card for your trouble!
Hey Paula,
(how many people sing “hey, hey Paula” to you, by the way???)
I tried to contact you via email but can’t find an address. Anyways, it sounds like we have a lot in common and wanted to connect! Good luck with the J-tube, gosh I hope you can be off of it soon!