Over the years we have had mixed issues with this pharmacy. But today was a big day. First of all my husband went in to get his monthly prescription refilled. He started at the pickup desk who told him there were no prescriptions to pick up. So they sent him over to the "consult" counter where a young Asian woman in a white jacket was working. She was not very interested in doing more than the absolute least amount. Told him - no, no prescriptions. And in fact told him there were no prescriptions with any refills. When questioned she told him that the prescription must have been sent to a different store - excuse me??? No, it wasn't. So, she then basically told him to take it up with his doctor. When he got in the car I said, nope, this isnt right. And so we went back in. Started with the "new and improved" check in on the monitor and that person said, no, no prescriptions. And sent us over to stand in line at the Drop Off Counter where Isaiah was working. He gave a little more information, and said that actually the insurance company refused to refill it because it was "too early". Again he asked if it could ave been picked up somewhere else because the pickup date was over 2 weeks away. BUT instead of just sending us away, he stepped away and spoke with Tysin. Tysin came over and found basically the same information Isaiah had given us. But he instructed Isaiah to call the insurance company and ask where and when the prescription had been refilled since we last picked it up at the end of July. And to ask them that since it had not been refilled at this store, could the reverse the refusal and allow them to dispense it. We went to sit down while Isaiah was on the phone with the automated menu......Not even 10 minutes later he called us back, and said that the insurance company admitted it must have been a "glitch in their system" and that they reversed the refusal. And so CVS was able to dispense the refill just a few minutes later. The young Asian woman needs some retraining in customer service, and Isaiah and Tysin should be the ones to show her how it is done! Thank you, Isaiah and Tysin. You showed what customer service really means. read more

Easily the worst store in and around Monterey; everyone is completely clueless and irresponsible. They haven't been able to order my toothpaste refill in OVER A MONTH. I'm done with these morons; Walgreens, here I come. read more

Online ordering is like going to hell - I attempted three times to order and got nowhere

Never have medicine, very disorganized. Everytime I have a refill it takes longer than scheduled

Fire the staff I called for new prescription.. received notice it was back order... she said yes we don't have it.. I said does any other pharmacy near has it.. no you have to call them and hung up in anger in her voice... called Marina and received a callback in 5 minutes... told her she looked up my file and saw the script she said she has it , really busy if I don't get it out I will tomorrow .. we are open 9:00 to 2:00 She couldn't believe how I was treated... my Monterey pharmacy staff ... maybe have manager drop in unexpectedly to se how they work Maybe you need more pharmacies to do the work... I had great ones in past...but when you pay $1,000 for a prescription and when they hand you the wrong prescription ...they say the check was processed we can't give it back it was to go thru their system do you want to get the correct prescription?? I used Costco pharmacy and never had an issue for years... they were the best but my company wanted to have cvs be our pharmacy... they truly a joke We should go to a national insurance health plan read more

Yes, their staff has increased and they are always a bit busy, since Rite-Aid went bye bye. But they still are the best...The pharmacy has very nice staff, and a shout out to Sam( Samantha) for gracious help! read more

Customer service was SO bad! We went in the morning and it was NOT busy. We walked to the checkout line and the guys said oh I can't help you I'm the pharmacist. Another lady said begrudgingly I can help at the lights. She led us to self check out. The place smells of pee, wouldn't go back to the location read more

Completely not sure how this pharmacy stays in business not only do they cancel prescriptions multiple times they never refill them. They do not communicate, they do not text, you cannot get a hold of anybody this place is horrible. read more

So affordable for prescription drugs. The staff is very helpful and kind. I saved so much money with coupons.

Something great has finally happened in the pharmacy. Within the last few months it has completely turned around. The staff is efficient, professional and concerned about their customer service. Well done! read more

This store is under staffed in both the retail and pharmacy areas. Typically of most CVS locations they are focused on refilling and selling prescription drugs. The need to focus on customer service. read more

Their customer service is terrible. I waited in line at the pharmacy BEFORE 12:30pm to pick up my meds before going into a 12hr shift at the hospital I work at. At 12:30 on the dot, they closed the window, and basically told the rest of the people waiting in line to go **** themselves. I tried to explain I'm out of my medication and had to go to work and couldn't get it after (as they would be closed), and the heavyset white lady with blonde hair was incredibly rude and just repeated "we're closed. we're closed for lunch." Why do you have five employees working in the pharmacy at once and they all take lunch at once? Have you ever heard of a rotating lunch schedule? You don't need five people to run a pharmacy counter. read more

I've been a loyal CVS customer for nearly a decade, frequently visiting the Fremont location in Monterey. While the store has its ups and downs, I've continued going because they offer delivery and always have the prescriptions I need. I also appreciate their helpful text alerts when an Rx is ready for pick-up. Last week, I received one of those texts, but since it wasn't urgent, I waited until today to pick it up. After a short wait in line, the clerk informed me that they had put the prescription back on the shelf. I was directed to another window to request it again. No big deal--I get it. The second clerk told me it would take 30 minutes to refill. Again, not a problem, as this happens frequently. I decided to do some shopping while I waited, keeping an eye on the time because I knew the pharmacy would be closing for lunch soon. I noticed that the entire pharmacy staff (about six employees) takes lunch at the same time, which seemed odd, but I went ahead and shopped anyway--spending over $200. At 12:29, I received a text saying my prescription was ready, just in time before their lunch break. I headed over to the pharmacy, only to see them closing the windows on me and two others who were still in line. One gentleman expressed the same frustration: "You just texted me to pick up my prescription, and now you're closing?" I was equally frustrated. I had spent time and money in the store while waiting for a prescription that wasn't ready when I first arrived. Now I was being told to wait until after their lunch break because every single employee was going to lunch at the same time. It's baffling. Why not stagger the breaks? Unfortunately, after this experience, I won't be returning. CVS has lost a long-time customer. read more

They are the absolute worst!! Sundays close at 6pm. I got in line at 5:57pm. I need the prescriptions for my mom who was just released from the hospital. There were 2 checkout people. The pharmacist walked over and said to me, rudely, we close at 6. I replied that I was in line before 6. He proceeded to turn around and hide behind the shelves. The first checker finished her transaction and held her face to ground as she turned around and walked away. I asked twice, " just to be clear you are refusing to help me". Everyone in the pharmacy ignored me, completely. The last checker was finishing up with his customer ( who they had to call his dr to get approval). I , once again said" just to be clear you are refusing to help me". I was ignored again. I said, " so now, also, just to be clear, everyone in hear is ignoring me, like I'm not here". Then the last checker said to me " we close at 6". I said, " I understand that, but I was in line before 6." He reluctantly, and with much attitude, finally asked for my mom's name and date of birth. He then told me there is one ready, one is too soon and one isn't covered by insurance and it's $600. He said the dr from the hospital won't do a prior authorization and that was that. The very next morning, I called my mom's primary care provider and explained the situation. They immediately called in and got a prior authorization for her medication. I then went to CVS to pick it up and they said they had no knowledge of that. They refused to look. Luckily I brought , the picture of the notification that showed that it was authorized with this address to pick it up. It took him about 15 minutes to figure it out and finally said that they would fill it. I asked how long it would be and they said 15 minutes. It's been 45 minutes so I went in line again and finally picked it up. This is the worst Pharmacy I've ever ever encountered. This is just one instance of the many things they do. The drive-through is never open when it should be. They only have one checker and they just don't have it together read more

The worst. This is now twice I was denied to used them bathroom. The first time last year it was supposedly due to the Covid which ok I guess but imagine being a patient with TMI issues and you need to utilize the restroom. At the time I was told all CVS are closed like that which I later found out that's not true. Well literally today I really had to use the restroom and again I'm not going to sit here and explain certain medical issues. The cashier said "we don't have a restroom". I asked how is it possible you don't have a restroom? He said we just don't are you going to be waiting here for a long time? Because if you are then I guess you can wait. For starters what sort of answer is that he then clarified that he meant to say if I'm a patient who's waiting for a long time then I can wait. (As in I could probably use the bathroom). I asked for the manager manager said the manager says the restrooms are not allowed for people I said right but if I'm a patient who's waiting or really needs to utilize the restroom why can't we aren't you the manager? She said I'm one of the managers but it's due to the Covid we closed. I made sure to ask if all CVS are closed because I know for a fact that's not true. She hesitated looking for a different answer and literally said that the reason is because her "manager said to close it to keep everyone safe from homeless people who leave syringes in there and keep the restroom clean". First of all it's the stereotype for me. Not everyone who is homeless is here to freakin use a CVS restroom and go get high. Second even if I was homeless I just need to use the restroom that's all. Three it hasn't been the first time POCs also get stereotyped in this property my friend was once followed by one of the securities at the time and was told he could not use the restroom but a white person went in just fine. If Monterey isn't racist let me know. Anyway this manager allowed me to use the restroom and she continued saying that it's also to keep the restroom "clean + safety". Really? Working in housekeeping you all have to see what I suspected that in reality they have the poorest, filthiest conditions in this restroom and they simile don't want to clean up--not even after themselves. I've utilized restrooms recently in the 99 cent stores that are way cleaner than this so there you go. Excuses lame excuses to not have the public use the restroom and worse if you're a patient with a condition. In all honesty I am unsure why and how any of these employees can use this restroom in such conditions + it's not ok. LBH No one wants to use a restroom outside their home but again if you're a patient with a condition you shouldn't even have to generally say "I'm a patient with a condition please let me use the restroom"--in a pharmacy. In addition there's no restrooms nearby either that they direct you to unlike the CVS in lighthouse. The CVS in the lighthouse stated the same but at least they directed people to their literally near public restroom. The CVS in marina is ok actually letting people + patients use their restrooms now. The CVS in San Jose also let people use their restrooms. Like I told the woman just because I look like this doesn't mean I'm homeless (I was wearing a benie my joggings + my backpack + I'm POC). They talk about "keeping the restroom clean + safe" yea right...see for yourself. read more

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I am 5th in line, 1 checker. 5 techs in the back. Not right we have to wait so long. read more

CVS Pharmacy - So irritating. I am 5th in line & they have 1 person checking out CUSTOMERS. 5 techs working in the back. - Drugstores Near Me - Monterey, California

This pharmacy is horrible. I own a home care company which takes care of the elderly. I have to go here often to pick up prescriptions for my clients. Almost every time I come, they mess something up. Staff is rude. No sense of urgency. Very poor customer service. Save yourself time and frustration by going somewhere else. Although Rite Aid at Del Monte Center is pretty much empty of stock, their pharmacy is great! They always remember me. Very friendly, efficient, the pharmacists are kind and helpful. I've never waited more than 5 minutes. Please stop giving CVS your money, they don't deserve it. read more

The CVS on Fremont is one of the best pharmacies we have. The Pharmacist (Ali) and all the Pharmacy Technicians. I like the link they send to your phone. Hit the link. And it tells you whether or not your prescriptions are ready. Use the QR code. Faster and advantageous read more

Samantha "in training" is AMAZING! CVS, y'all done hired a superstar. She was so good & patient with the patients in line. Her attitude was stellar; her customer service reminded me of '90's-when people gave a half -a- crap about ya. I am so excited to see this young lady on board there at CVS. Thank you for saving me both time & money this afternoon. You're a breath of fresh air, Samantha!! read more

Once again, have to make multiple trips to CVS to pick up a prescription. First I arrived just before 12:30, which apparently is bewitching hour, they shut down the whole pharmacy for 30 minutes. Ok, I don't understand why they can't stagger lunches, but whatever. Then I come back to pick it up at drive thru, NOT open on Saturday or Sunday? Why not, the pharmacy is open. Then I park and go in & there is 6 people in line. Waited another 10 minutes, they never finished with the first customer in line, everyone was still waiting. Left AGAIN. I had ice cream in the car. From reading other comments, it seems that this pharmacy must be understaffed, since they can't cover lunches, or a drive through window. I guess I will look for another pharmacy, but not sure where to go. Rite Aid is closed now, HATE Walgreens. Costco?? I do shop there a lot, pick up pet prescriptions there at times. Most of my scripts come mail order, only need acute prescriptions occasionally. read more

Friendly staff and positive vibes. I enjoy my rewards it's worth it to sign up value for your money.

Some of the staff needs to be a little more helpful. The store needs to be a little cleaner, but one thing that is awful for the customer, especially the older ones. Is the bathroom's been out of order for 2 years. read more

The crew was so professional and efficient.the team work is announced and vivid so patient get the best services quickly

I have no words for how upsetting my experience was. Avoid if you can at all costs. There are plenty of other places

Friendly, Fast, professional service. Found and provided prescriptions shortly after arriving meeting the attendant.

Rude cashier no help no patience just needs to retire already She doesn't know how to add coupons that you're entitled to with your app or act like she's trying to help you. read more

Was sent over from another CVS pharmacy to pick up a prescription at this location & was told it would be read in 15- 20 minutes at 12:30, made plans to wait instead of driving over 30 minutes to come back later. I come back at 1:15 and get told the same thing that it will be 15-20 minutes. After driving to 2 locations & waiting over 2 hours I still have not received a simple prescription. I highly recommend going somewhere besides CVS, especially this location. read more

The pharmacy here is terrible and the pharmacist finds it necessary to be rude instead of professional if you have an issue. I had a prescription sent in from urgent care pretty early in the morning and waited all day for it, they called at the end of the day to tell me that what the doctor prescribed is not something carry at all and that I would need to buy it over the counter. I had to go pick up what I needed late that night after spending the entire day in pain. Over a month later, I get notified that I have a prescription for pick up. Since I was expecting a new prescription for something I hadn't used before, I went and picked it up. Got home and found that it wasn't what I thought I had picked up, but instead it was what the told me they didn't carry after my urgent care visit the month prior. Took it back as soon as I realized it was wrong. They tell me they don't do returns on prescriptions once they go over the counter. I explained that it was their mistake and that they told me they didn't even carry it in their pharmacy at all when I urgently needed it, that they put it on auto refill even thought it was not something to be refilled and I thought this was a new medication that I was expecting and asked if they could at least refund me. The pharmacist then proceeds to tell me he won't issue a refund and rudely tells me that I'm responsible for knowing what my medications are. This coming from the pharmacist who never consults with patients when they're picking up new medications! I have never seen him consult with anyone. He's always way behind the counter and does not speak to patients. And now he is accusing a patient of not knowing what they picked up?! He couldn't even be apologetic let alone admit any responsibility for the mistake. He instead has to shame the customer who is confused by the names of new medications that are unfamiliar because they all have crazy weird names that are hard to keep track of. The patient is not the expert. HE IS. It is his JOB to consult and help familiarize people with what they are picking up, especially if it is new medication! My old pharmacies always went over new medications with me. He has never once given me a consultation on anything I've ever picked up there and I've never seen him do so for anyone else when I'm there. So in the end I had to spend money over the counter AND then spend money on top of that for something I will never use because they magically started carrying it and filled it a month later... This is also not the first time their auto-refill has caused issues for me. I have had to ask them to take medications off auto refill multiple times in the past because I would get notified that I had a prescription almost weekly. It got to the point where I was picking up the same medication way too frequently and couldn't get them to stop. (And you know they bombard you with text messages if you don't pick it up.) I filed a complaint, but apparently the pharmacist doesn't report to anybody according to the store manager. He clearly doesn't care about the well being of his patients and is negligent. If he's this careless with medications, I can only imagine the kind of damage he might cause for someone who has an even worse mix up than I did. read more

Worst pharmacy ever! They must have worked at the DMV as a prerequisite. Stood in a long line for them to say they haven't gotten around to filling my daughter's prescription yet. I was told before I left they were working on it. I have been waiting now for 30 minutes and they told me (with attitude) it will be another 20 minutes because "they just haven't gotten around to it". Avoid at all costs if you value your time and want to be treated kindly. read more

This USED to be our pharmacy. I just called to ask why one of the five meds my doctor just prescribed wasn't filled. Pretty simple. So I call and wait and ask. "Oh, I don't think we have that?" How do I know? How can I check? "No, we don't have any." Okay, what do I do? "Let me see." LONG PAUSE, including the full transaction from something in the background (beeping sounds from a register?), SEVERAL MINUTES OF SILENCE. "No, we're out of stock. You can try another CVS." Um, do I just call around to random CVSes asking if they have this in stock? "Oh, I can't hear you now." But I can hear you just fine. So what do I do? "You can try another CVS" Do I just randomly call around? Can't you see what's in their stock? "Oh, I can't hear you again..." degenerating into a prank you pull in junior high school. I can hear you fine. Nothing has changed here! * click * So, I call back and speak with the manager. No one cares. Close this place down and avoid until then. read more

This location requests refills without a patients request; they state they'll do something and don't. And further they are rude and unprofessional. Don't want a medication on auto fill? Don't expect to get that with this cvs. They'll continue to auto fill no matter how many times you ask. read more

worst experience ever.. starting at vaccines.gov I tried to book a moderna shot at this location.. first the website malfunctions and the voicemail is designed NOT to let you through to book an appointment the old fashioned way.. next when asked which vaccine i prefer they stated that you have to have an appointment for Moderna.. no mention of that on the vaccine.gov or cvs websites(Walkins Welcome they said... what a joke especially for someone disabled and on a cane. I will try at the marina location as usual....) BTW folks I am ADA covered and elderly and I plan on visiting https://www.dca.ca.gov/webapps/pharmacy/complaint.php next as both walgreens and cvs in seaside have now both pulled this shit and should NOT be listed as a location on vaccines.gov without addressing these issues read more

Wow, the customer service here is incredible! Let's just say, I had a rough day and when I say rough, I mean REALLY rough. The staff was extremely patient, generous, kind, and caring, especially Kaylani (sorry if I spelt your name wrong). Even though I was in a rough situation, they made everything better. Thank you so much. Your kindness is greatly appreciated and made the world of a difference. Kindness goes a long way. -Kelsey read more

Prescription was sent over yesterday. They said they didn't receive it. I just thought I'd wait until today to get it. Waited in the drive through for 40 minutes for them to tell me they didn't have it. So I called the place that sent it over and they told me the person who actually took the call yesterday. I went in waited in line for 30 minutes just to be told they didn't have it. I demanded they check, and sure enough they found it. They said it would be 15 minutes so I waited. It was an hour before they called my name, and now I have to wait in line with 3 people ahead. Literally I just want to go home and rest read more

I have been going here for well over ten years and I never have had any major problems so I guess I would rate this CVS 5 !

Pharmacist using "not a real mask" as a neck warmer while explaining medications to elderly customers. read more

CVS Pharmacy - Pharmacist consulting elderly customers. - Drugstores Near Me - Monterey, California

Worst CVS ever: slow passive aggressive pharmacists that yell at their customers who have to come 2 or 3 times on the same day before they find the prescriptions or get it ready for pick up: poorly organized, no customers service, long lines and inefficient and unwilling to assess insurance coverage by calling for the customer: don't go there unless you have all day to get your pills and like to get snapped at. read more

5 stars specifically for Larry. He is such an informative pharmacist, and really worked with us when the Doctor office had some things screwed up. Larry is the real deal! Bless his heart! read more

I haven't seen this store since my parents stopped here a few times when I was ten years old. They didn't like the high prices and shopped in the Santa Cruz CVS on the mall after that. Inflation has changed a lot of the price differences, but not all of them. Who would pay more than 15 dollars for a notebook? This is still one of the best CVS stores in the Monterey area and I think it was open 24 hours a year ago instead of the Lighthouse Ave. location. It's large and has more items in stock and no long lines or freaky characters like you might find afternoons at the South Salinas location. My line was only 2 or 3 customers. read more

Easiest flu shot ever! The whole process took less than 15 minutes, and staff was so excellent and efficient. The pharmacist Steven gave a great flu shot that was quick and painless. I'm really happy with the experience here and recommend this location. read more