CVS’ing my morning
Expect Extra Annoyance
Dear CVS at 15th and K Streets:
I write you this morning with conviction and purpose, I write to you with energy and compassion, I write to you just to say, with love and passion: WHAT THE F~~K!!
Can you not have only one cashier during the morning rush, the slowest cashier ever, the one who you can watch the wheels in her mind turn as she makes change? Can you not have the pharmacist who detests my presence at his counter with goods to buy but sans a prescription? Can you waste more of my morning and make my shopping experience any more unpleasant? Best yet; film me from the start, like I need to be watched.
Wait, with this kinda service, you better watch me – I might just go postal the next time you screw over my morning.
I’m pretty sure it’s CVS corporate policy only to hire recent immigrants from Whocaresistan where carrying out any transaction at a pace that would cause your average garden snail to break a sweat is considered the most dire of all insults.
I have yet to visit a CVS, or a Rite Aid for that matter, that had good service. To do that, the owners would have to hire qualified people, pay them enough so they actually gave a shit, and even provide some training which is also an expense.
PS. Do you ever post anything that isn’t grumpy?
Doug:
http://dc.metblogs.com/archives/2006/05/a_chocolate_fou.phtml
Yes, that one is amazingly slow. Two cashiers, three customers, and ten minutes in line. I didn’t think it humanly possible.
There is one bizarre exception.
The CVS at 14th and Pennsylvania has a cashier, a gentleman of rather advanced years, who is prompt, efficient, and even (gasp!) courteous. He’s quite a character and definitely an anomaly in my usually frustrating CVS visits…
Actually, I take my comment back. Like Jenn I know of an exception. There is a woman who works the counter at a Rite Aid on East/West in Takoma Park that is friendly, efficient, and even returns your money, scolding you in a flirty sort of way, if you give her too much.
In my experience CVS is an equal opportunity offender – plenty of slow and indifferent native English speakers to round out the fresh-off-the-boat folk. They inspire their employees of all origins to be the least they can be.
One of my cow orkers and I have a theory that if you want to be a CVS employee, you have to take an intelligence test. If you pass, you’re out.
I remember one pharmacy clerk at the 17th and P location who was eating a cookie when the phone rang, so she answered the phone with her mouth (very) full. I’m sure that made the caller feel very secure about the professionalism of the place.
CVS at Lyon Village Shopping Center=EXCELLENT.
CVS at Thomas Circle, cramped and cluttered, but there is this one woman who works during the day who is so seriously sweet as pie that she needs to be a hummel figurine.