I think this is one of the biggest CVS stores I have ever been in!! Came in here to grab a few essentials, the store was rather busy when I was here, the line to check out was pretty long. Bigger store means more of everything, which was a good thing!! Located in the El Cerrito Plaza! read more

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They. Lock. Up. Everything. "Can I get you something?" No. I'll just order it all in Amazon I guess. I don't have time for you to treat me like a shoplifter for every item. read more

The worst pharmacy around. Wait for half hour with one clerk, huge line and staff in back looking out sheepishly but no help at counter. 5pm comes and screens allows no more transactions. Sorry folks pharmacy closed. Like we're living in 1980's Soviet Union. read more

Absolutely the worst store ever. One shorter male manager offered me help in photo, at the time I was ok and wasn't having difficulty, but as soon as he left the store went down hill and got extremely busy. It was so bad in customer service that one woman started yelling out loud "please can somebody help me in beauty! That person was completely frustrated just like I was . Then a very tall person started to yell at her to stop it I think it was the shift manger in an olive green top. . It was yelling pretty aggressive and loud the way they yelled at the woman needing help. I was in photo and couldn't believe this I could hear it in photo dept. Then a lady in black with her head covered and the tall person manager talked trash about the woman asking for help by cursing about that woman asking for help in front of customers like me. How terrible. Calling her an fxxxxing bxtch and spoke bad about her. It took forever to get help in this store for anybody from anybody. I went up to the cash registers multiple times asking for somebody to be called out for help. The female worker in black came to help me get unstuck off a screen quickly, but soon was stuck again and waited and waited. I went up to registers and young man worker in red said said we can't help you right now , just wait for the manager to get off break. When I asked how long breaks are they said like 40 minutes. Not the right time to take a break when chaos is occuring in store. The 2 people at registers they only helped customers in line at registers first. When no more in line the girl in black went to help other customers before me even though I had been waiting long before those customers. The lady in black said sorry I forgot about you. Not lying they can look at the in store video , I'm sure if they want this all validated. Hopefully to give in all in house customer service training, and to hire more employees. I started to ask help from pharmacy due to frustration, my photos were stuck and not coming through the machines from the "done in seconds" dispensers. I needed my pictures done for an event, and I was waiting and waiting for help. I was hoping maybe somebody there could help, call to a manager. People waiting long lines. 2 registers open , when one manager had left and another on break at high customer busy time, which meant the store rest of the store goes without help . They really need help and hire competent people here. Announcements over loud speaker asking for help in different departments. You heard overhead announcements for customers needing help in this rapt and that dept. I heard there was Waiting for beauty dept, then waiting for hair products/ deodorants . The products are behind glass and locks so you have to wait from an employee to open cabinets to get items. The curly haired light eyed male when asked questions for help in photo just said." Honestly just get off that kiosk and use another machine", when I had already chosen images to print and struggled one hour with connections and my images were stuck . I chose in the kiosk to make my order to be done in seconds , which was not true. I stood around for 35-45 minutes to speak to a manager, while they were on break about bad pictures and it taking so long to print, so my pricing should be discounted for my time because my prints did not come out in seconds as advertised. The worker lady in black said , well you didn't get it done in seconds because other orders were before yours, and I didn't push the button for the your order. I said to her so don't advertise done in seconds then, and charge additional for that service if you cannot follow through. She said I can't do nothing you need to wait for the manager. Then no joke then the ambulance came for an elderly person in the front of the store, someone at least brought him a chair to sit in . This place was so chaotic. This place is a complete zoo! Absolutely can get no help here quickly unless you wait for management who is the only person can do anything here for any issues. The management to their credit gave me my order free, after I complained so they did make it right, but I did have to about it , and I need to warn you ,if printing photos you will not get help, right away, nor will you get anywhere else in the store without waiting 15 mins or more. Seconds really turned into almost 2 hours. This happened from about , 5:45-7:30. read more

This was probably the biggest CVS that I had ever stepped into. They had a wide selection of items. The store looked clean and the shelves for the most part were organized and stocked. I liked that everything wasn't locked up. I wasn't planning on buying anything. My friend wanted to come here to pick up some essentials. While browsing the aisles, the one deal that caught my eye was on the large size of Post Great Grains cereal on sale for $1.99. I thought it was a great price for a big box of cereal and they had different flavors as well so I had to pick up a few boxes. I came here earlier in the day so there wasn't much of a line with one cashier working. It was nice to see another cashier open up when there were three people in line. My cashier was nice and I was out in no time. The best part about this store compared to other CVS was that you didn't have to worry about parking. Plenty of free parking all around since the location was in the El Cerrito Plaza. read more

CVS Pharmacy - Post Great Grains cereal (large size) on sale for $1.99 - Drugstores Near Me - EL CERRITO, California

Took 45 minutes to pick up a prescription this week. Wish this was an outlier but it's always at least a 30-minute wait here, so we'll be looking to transfer. Last time I picked up, a man walked in in sweats and Crocs with his hair tied up. One of this colleagues was covering for him and joked, "Someone finally woke up!" He logged into the computer and responded, "Oh, I was actually sleeping." Ah, so that's why your customers wait so long! This CVS sucks. read more

NOT WORTH IT !!! What a repugnant retail store. From the moment I walk in, I feel almost ill from the shocklingly bright lighting. It is suitable for performing surgery, not for selling retail goods. Half the store is locked up and you have to summon an employee to unlock the case, and stand there staring at you impatiently while you decide whetheror not to purchase the item. The queues are ALWAYS long, with often only one person working check-out, sometimes two, even if there are dozens of people lining up. CVS Corporate COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT ITS CUSTOMERS. Please get a clue, people, and shop elsewhere. They laugh at how stupid you are, to put up with their constant under-staffing. Prices are ridiculous and too high. No good reason to shop here. read more

This is specifically about pharmacist MIN! Min told me to "go ahead and leave a review because she didn't care and wasn't worried about her job". So here's my review: Today I went into the store to pick up two prescriptions and also discuss with the pharmacist about possible interactions. Rather than answer my question directly, Min brushed me off and was snappy in her response. She told me she did not know what the doctor ordered the new prescription for so I needed to contact my doctors office. I explained to her all I wanted to know was about the interaction. She got very irritated and repeated herself. I didn't want to argue so I decided to leave it there. I also had a question about a prescription that hadn't been filled yet but because she was short with me, I decided to go home and call instead. 2nd scenario: The pending prescription call - I had been trying to fill at CVS for over a week and a half. Online it said they were waiting for my doctor, but when I called my doctor, I was told the medication was actually on backorder and would I like to send it to Walgreens. I said yes, and when I went to Walgreens, they told me the prescription wasn't ready yet and to come back in two months! I explained the backorder and they told me to call my insurance. My insurance told me the reason why Walgreens wouldn't cover it was because CVS already filled the prescription (which they hadn't). So I called CVS to clarify, the pharmacist Min answer the phone and was dismissive again, talked over me, and was rude instead of explaining things calmly. She finally said she could just cancel it so I could go get it somewhere else, like Walgreens if they had it in stock. Super frustrating but that was fine if that's all it took but she was continuing to be argumentative about it. Almost like she was defending herself. I finally had enough and decided to tell her I didn't appreciate the way she was speaking to me. I reminded her that I had been in earlier that day and that made her even more angry! Finally, I just told her if you're going to continue to act like this, I'm just going to write a review. Very unprofessional experience both in person and over the phone. I'm not trying to get her fired, but they should definitely speak to her about the way she snaps at customers.. read more

This has always been my wife's go to for pharmacy as well as mine and today I went in and picked up some Girardelli chocolates for a friend of mine who wanted to take gifts back to Japan with him. And the staff there was very, very nice and polite. I enjoyed their conversation so much. read more

I automatically get my prescription refilled every two months, but my doctor just doubled my dose, which means I need to get it refilled every month now. I thought this would be very difficult to do given how bureaucratic medicine has become. However, CVS made it easy. I simply called their pharmacy, the clerk understood what needed to be done, and did it. The whole experience was quite refreshing. read more

This pharmacy's manager bullies her employees in front of customers and it's sad to see. You'd think for an understaff pharmacy you'd want the employees to enjoy working there not make them leave. Will be taking my business somewhere else. read more

Peet the pharmacy manager is the worst I have seen. The few times I have gone to this CVS she has an attitude and has belittled her staff in front of customers and also has an attitude towards customers and given dirty looks to other customers as they wait for medication, as they look at her when she has belittled there staff. This pharmacy manager needs to be trained how to manga and respect her staff and in customer service. Will not be coming to the CVS and advise other to do the same. read more

The CVS in the El Cerrito shopping plaza was a useful place to stop and get various supplies/snackage while living in Albany. If I was at the center getting some groceries from Trader Joe's, I would come to CVS to get any supplies they might have here but not at Trader Joe's. The check outs were all in person and varied depending on the number of people working the cash registers. Lines could be long, a few people, or no line at all. Though line length was not always an indicator of wait time as sometimes people with one item could take the longest. I did not have any bad experiences in my approximately three years coming to this location. read more

The person who works in the cosmetics area and unlocks the cases is extremely rude. They need to be spoken to

Really a big mess. The workers are trying, but the policies and website are terrible.

I just picked up a prescription at this pharmacy. I was waiting for it to open and was standing in an aisle (it was very quiet and I wasn't blocking anyone). All of a sudden this employee starts coming down the aisle with a cart. I quickly moved aside to give him room to pass. He aggressively said to me "why are you standing there?". I said I was waiting for the pharmacy to open. He then said "stand over there, you are in the way!" There was NOBODY around and I quickly moved so he could pass with his cart so I don't know what he was talking about. I moved to where he told me to stand and continued to wait for the pharmacy to open. He came back a few minutes later and was staring at my feet to make sure I was standing exactly where he told me to stand and then flashed me a REALLY dirty look, then looked directly in my eyes. I looked after him after he passed as this was SO weird and he was turned around still staring at me with a scowl. I will NEVER go into this store again. This guy was psycho, on a power trip, or both! Too many pharmacies to choose from to deal with this creep. Avoid this store!! read more

Put it this way: I now get my prescriptions filled at Walgreen's. Over the past months I've gotten fed up with slow, slow service at the chronically understaffed pharmacy. And on my latest (and last) visit, the pharmacy technician actually announced what my medication was in a loud voice so everybody could hear. Nope, I'm done. read more

CVS Pharmacy - Lines and excuses yet again. #customerservicefail - Drugstores Near Me - EL CERRITO, California

Terrible place at pharmacy. They give wrong information. They are very slow for the service always long line.

This has to be the worst pharmacy I've ever been to. I usually go to target but live close to this one. I don't know why I do this to myself. The wait is alway an hour +. Only one person working at the counter with 13 people waiting. No sense of urgency. Horrible customer service. read more

CVS Pharmacy - 11 people in line. - Drugstores Near Me - EL CERRITO, California

Trying to speak with a pharmacist, on hold for over 45 minutes, no one will pick up. Wish this store was still a Long's (a local, regional company) instead of an east-coast corporate takeover. CVS needs to hire more staff instead of paying its CEO Karen Lynch a base salary of $1.4 million and nearly $20.4 million in total compensation. According to Wikipedia, "In November 2021, a federal jury found that CVS, along with Walgreens and Walmart, 'had substantially contributed to' the opioid crisis." read more

I've gone to this store since it was a Longs Drugs, back when I was in high school. I stopped going when it became a CVS. But I've been coming by more often. I am basing my rating on the ability to go in, find what I want, and leave. I have been helped by one person when I've needed it. I would say that you want to go here for basic things, not anything special. I remember ordering some head shots while on my way to an audition and they said they didn't get my order, but I received an email on my Palm Pilot (yes, it was that long ago), saying that it had been printed and was ready. I couldn't show them the proof because I wasn't connected to WiFi. So, there's that. But that's why I stopped going for many years. But my hubby wanted a Rum and Coke and they had the Cola and I bought it, and it was all good. read more

What's with the constant "promoting of vaccines" loop that goes on and on and on when you're on hold. Seriously? I'd welcome some elevator music over this garbage. Not to mention, you're on hold for over 10 min and then the system hangs you up. Taking my business to Rite Aid read more

Although this CVS has typically been very difficult to get good service, it has improved over the years. Even when you see a long line which is most of the time at the pharmacy or the registers may move by quickly because they are staffed much better than previous years. Gabriella at the registers or supervising is always very polite and if you need anything in the pharmacy speak to Eric read more

CVS Pharmacy - It moves quick. - Drugstores Near Me - EL CERRITO, California

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Buyer Beware - CVS is overpricing their products in a big way. We picked up some gyneric Tylenol (Acetaminophen 500mg 300 tablets) over the weekend. We were shocked at the price of $25 but bought it anyway because we really needed it. After getting home I searched for the same product online and found it cost between $10 - $15 on Amazon, Target, Ride Aid, or Walmart. We bought some cough drops a few months ago and the price seemed overboard as well. Realizing now that they were likely overpriced as well. Might want to do some comparison shopping while you're there just in case, but people shouldn't have to do this. read more

I am reviewing the store - not the pharmacy, which I've only used a few times with no problems that I can recall. This is a terrible CVS. The shelves are bare and there's never enough cashiers - and the ones that are there are either exhausted or snarky. The last two times I've been in I've had to leave because the line was too long. Example: This particular CVS stocks a brand of sparkling water that I am partial to. It's usually out of stock but sometimes I'll pop in to see if they have any - every now and then I get lucky. I stopped in today and lo and behold I found a couple of cartons. When I walked into the store there were two casiers and only 5 sets of customers in line. It seemed promising so I went to grab my water. By the time I got up to the front the line had grown to 15 there was now only one register open. I got in line anyway hoping for the best. After several minutes of no movement I looked ahead and noticed that there was a problem at the open register. Two employees were there trying to fix whatever was wrong. The line grew now - there were 10 customers behind me, all silently waiting. Several more minutes passed and the two employees at the register were still puzzling over whatever the problrm was. They didn't call for help (I had seen other employees wandering listlessly around the store) or have one of the two open the next register to get the line moving. The line grew. Still no one said a word. I guess all of the shoppers were resigned to this waste of time. Finally I put down my purchases (reluctantly - I wanted that water), walked up to the register and suggested to the employees there that they should get some help. One looked and said, in a snarky tone, "we've got somebody at lunch". I suggested that this might not be the best time for that and pointed to the still-growing line. "People gotta eat" she said. I suggested that they should consider taking care of their customers first and left the store for the last time. Some of the CVS personel I have encountered at this particular store have been kind and helpful while others, like the aforementioned cashier, can be rude and snarky. I do not blame the overworked employees for the situation this store is in. CVS should consider how badly this kind of service reflects on their corporate image. Then again, when the only comeptition is the pathetic Walgreen's, I suppose they've got nothing to lose by keeping the bar low. The Solano Ave. store is still well-stocked and pleasant (just stay away from the overwhelmed pharmacy) so I'll go there for my CVS fix. But thumbs-down on this pit of retail despair. read more

BUYER BEWARE!!! DO NOT BUY GIFT CARDS at this poor excuse for a business. I bought a gift card and added $200 to it. Well, "the scammers are scamming!!!" I mailed the card to my daughter for her birthday and by the time she tried to use it to make a purchase the balance was at $0!!! The WORST part is CVS says there's nothing they can do. They pretended to investigate, gave me an incident number and promised to call back with an update w/in 10 days. NOPE! Left me hanging; and worse added notes to my case stating that "they let me know there's nothing they can do." LIES! I spoke to someone today in their customer service department and she said sometimes customers do get refunded in cases of fraud. So they basically STOLE $200 from me!!!! I'm pissed!!!! In modern day society corporations feel comfortable leaving their customers vulnerable???! AT LEAST put the gift cards behind the counter if people are scamming 'in store'. But who knows, could be in the warehouse or wherever they make the cards. So CVS and Nordstrom are trying to pass the blame around like a hot potato while some low-life is enjoying the "fruits of my labor". Nice one :/ I will keep fighting for reimbursement. It's only right. read more

Close u reasonably early. Earlier than time listed on maps. Also extremely slow. 10 minutes waiting time per line because the old lady thinks she needs to converse with everyone she rings up read more

the cvs i usually fill my routine RX does not has mom's new RX, it was close to their lunch breaks but the lady helped find the CVS who has the meds & helped transfer the RX to them, she told me to go the time they'll be open after breaks,successfully I picked up mother's new RX on time, yes, 100% recommended this CVS. read more

Went to photo kiosk at CVS in El Cerrito Plaza. I made 96 photo prints and tried to use my 40% off coupon on a bill for $42.06 (without tax). I was shocked to learn that the discount applied to just one photograph! Who on earth would be so illogical as to think the discount applied to just one photograph and not to the entire bill. Stores should have discounts that encourage spending rather than infuriate customers. When you have such stupidly petty rules, you just create disgust rather than loyalty. read more

Omg, I needed DD batteries and ran to my local cvs. When I walked in, I decide to look at make up. That's when I met Fernando. He helped match me and I went on my way. Got ready for work and looked flawless and I saved hella money!! Today I went back to tell him thank you, and he helped me find some new skin care. Having an employee like Fernando is a true asset to the store read more

My husband had the huge run around. They lied and said they didn't have a medication. Then he went to another cvs and they said they have it in el cerrito plaza. These people do not know what they are doing. What a mess. read more

Every time I come to this location the line is long. There's usually 1 pharmacist running the reg. I feel bad for her! Friday afternoon is going to be busy. Why not have a few people on shift? read more

The girl in the register didnt have a name tag , i asked her if i can use the restroom . She responded really rude NO RESTROOM , we clearly saw the restroom was working we seen an employee coming out of it we just needed a key to go in because the door had locked . We asked " ASKED " why their bathrooms werent available , her excuse was because of Covid ! So we said we are fully vaccinated wearing a mask There is older customers here waiting for atleast an hour for their medicine and yet they dont provide a restroom!! The girl got really rude and started raising her voice saying she doesnt make the rules with attitude . Now we understand she doesnt make the rules but we just had asked why we werent allowed . Its Crazy a pharmacy and not allowed to use the restroom!!! BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE , NO RESTROOM , LONG HOURS OF WAIT FOR MEDICINE !! Theyyyy SUCKK read more

Worst pharmacy I've ever been to. I was literally the first person in line for half an hour. All the while the pharmacist is in the back trying to fill out someone's prescription and getting interrupted constantly by the phone and his assistant. In the meantime a line of seven people came up behind me. They seriously need to triple their staff. When the pharmacist finally came out my prescription wasn't ready even though I renewed it three days ago. At the end I didn't even get both prescriptions (just the one I really needed) because they couldn't find it and I was feeling miserable and had to go. read more

Cr*phole. Walk in for a passport photo. One cashier and nobody else. Finally find someone behind the counter and ask who I see for photo. She says "I haven't clocked in yet". K fine, but who do I see and she points to the massive checkout line. So I wait in line. When I finally get to the counter, I ask about a passport photo. "Oh our machine is down". read more

I can't believe the experience i had going into cvs today . I am taking phlebotomy classes right next door to this cvs and decided to come in on my lunch break with my classmates to browse the makeup section . A man with heavy makeup followed us in the makeup section and alerted that we needed assistance on the intercom but did not even come to us directly and ask us if we needed assistance assuming we were going to steal because we were African American women . When we left out the isle is when he decided to leave . How are you going to alert that we need help but not physically come ask us if we need help ? Weird and unprofessional. CVS needs better customer service skilled individuals , and people with better common sense who can understand social cues and body language period . Discrimination only against people of color in 2023 is racist and needs to be deadened immediately. This is not the Jim Crow era everybody needs to be treated fairly regardless of the stereotype. Very tacky . Do better CVS read more

I went to store to buy face mask because I was without. The man inside the store would not help. Wanted to call police rather than help me find a mask. Finally a nice lady was VERY helpful and provided actual customer service. The first man should have gotten off his personal phone call and helped a person in need. read more

This place is awful. Don't go!!! The staff does not communicate with each other. Came in to pick up a prescription for my mom after our doctor had confirmed directly with the pharmacist that it was ready. It was not. They didn't even have it in their system. Came back after our doctor called them back to check what was going on. They said the prescription was ready. We got a call from the pharmacist saying that it was now ready. It was not. It was in their system but not ready. They asked me to come back after 20min just before closing time. Came back after 20min and they said that they were out of the antibiotics we needed. and asked to come back the next day. The next day we had to harass them to finally get the medication. Overall this was a very stressful read more

I received my regular flu shot several weeks ago and immediately moved on to thinking about the upcoming H1N1 vaccine availability and options. My son is in town this weekend, and his Mom asked me to look into getting him his regular flu shot. For this seasonal round, it's probably getting late, but you would never know it with all the flu shot signs up front and at the pharmacy at this CVS. The store manager informed me that CVS stopped offering the flu vaccine a few weeks ago and their toll free number seemed to confirm that. On top of that, he and 1 of the pharmacy clerks gave me a "what's your problem?" look when I mentioned the concept of "truth in advertising" and the slow dithering wait in line that was required beforehand. So besides service with a snarl, we have a shiny new CVS store in a space formally known as Longs. There are times like these that I wish I had a neighbourhood pharmacy, where service was important and beauty wasn't skin deep. read more

This is really frustrating I'm visiting from Washington and have 1 hour before I fly out. My photo order was supposed to be ready TWO HOURS ago and i found myself helping them to get the photo printed. This was a waste of $20 I spent on the one picture. read more

CVS Pharmacy - Long line - Drugstores Near Me - EL CERRITO, California