Many years ago the pharmacy could be dreadful- finally it was easy to realize that was die to one negative toxic person that was always gossiping about customers unkindly. It was ridiculous-super I professional. These days, the staff is much better and I go here for everything related, it's close to my job. I actually like the way it feels- frankly what some people call an "efficient interior" is just more corporate. Alameda has a small time feel to it and the store and the cinema both are like that. I've known the people working here for ages and of course there are times when they are genuinely tired, I can only imagine what they are dealing with all day long. I sometimes think that when it changed hands, employees were not always as happy - their management is on the East coast. Before that, the owner was local. They do a good job considering they help a fairly wide demographic from seniors to working people in a hurry to the high school across the street. A lot of young people are polite, perhaps not all of them. Most customers are civil when I'm there but it is very obvious that it's a job that requires patience! I'm very glad this store is here and in a great location thank you fir your help all of these years. read more

This store is ill equip to serve the customer's needs. If you are going in to buy a pack of gum be prepared to wait in a 20 minute line even tho there are only two people in front of you. If its not the lack of speed with the check out clerks, it is lack of adequate change in the register which then takes them 10 more minutes to restock the dang thing. and if you expect to have another cashier open up when the line is wrapping around the store, guess again and pull up a lawn chair which is for sale for $19.95. This is not a one time thing, every time I step foot in this store I lose nearly an hour of my day. read more

Extremely unhelpful pharmacy technician. I was trying to get the price for generic epi-pens. Consumer Reports said that the manufacturer of generic epi-pens made a deal with CVS, but according to the pharm tech, they only carry name-brand epi-pens. He told me my insurance prescription card was invalid (I filled a prescription with Walgreens last month with it!). He told me the manufacturer coupon I brought in doesn't work. Ugh!! read more

Ok last minute shopping for our party The lane with alcohol was closed no one was allowed to buy anything and this on a Friday evening at 9pm! Then the other day I was there 5min before closing time and they closed the doors on me. But the reviews don't matter for this store then it's corporate read more

A typical CVS. Pretty small but this is the closest one to my house -all the times ive went they're all stocked up with everything. -staff is ordinary. Not amazing but not horrible -line can get long because there's not many registers read more

I had hopes that the takeover of Long's by CVS would improve things there. I was disappointed. I went in to buy a few things. When I got in line, there must have been ten people in line, but only after even more came did they open a second register. They kept only two registers even though both then had 8 people in line. When the person in front of me was being rung up, the register locked out the checker because she was supposed to go off shift, and her replacement hadn't shown up despite her repeated calls. Eventually a manager came by and unlocked her register, but it would have taken me less time to drive to Walgreens, get stuff there, and drive back. read more

I have only visited this Longs a few times. It looks disorganized! I can find things. Still, it seems like it could have been planned better and arranged nicer. They should give me a stab at it. I can fix it for them. This Longs also sells fresh produce and bus passes. Now there's a combo, for you! read more

I grew up with CVS in NY, but I HATE this store!!!! Ever since Long's on Santa Clara Ave became CVS - it's gone down hill: BAD customer service, rude employees and horrible merchandising! Not a good assortment of product nor are they ever in stock...the shelves ALWAYS look empty! Waiting in line nearly 15 min yesterday and the 2 lines were at least 15 people deep. UNREAL. The only reason they are getting 1 star is that I couldn't give a rating with zero stars. Save yourself some grief and go to Walgreen's at Alameda Town Center - better stock and customer service. read more

This is the worst CVS I've ever been to. The entire management team needs to be replaced. I live 2 streets over and I will walk somewhere else instead. Long slow lines. Last time I was there I left a basket with $40.00 worth of merchandise on the floor and walked out in disgust. Bad management equals a very bad experience. Avoid at all costs. read more

I went here yesterday to pick up a RX. The lady helping in the pharmacy (with long brown hair) was so slow and so RUDE!

Nasty place. Dirty, run-down. Slow service. CVS is garbage in general. I feel sorry for the people that have to work there. This location does have a huge parking lot though. read more

Every time I'm in here I get really fast and friendly service. It's a pretty huge location with just about everything you can think of and a few things you'd be surprised to find in a drugstore. There is also plenty of parking. read more

I basically live next door to CVS, so I frequent every other day. The staff is always helpful and friendly. They always call for backup clerks when the line exceeds two people waiting. It's clean, well organized, and the prices are usually very competitive. read more

SAD! Understaffed and inventory was ripped! Hardly had any of the items featured in the days ad. Couldn't take advantage of deals/promos as items were out of stock. This place needs help! Walgreen's is a better option! read more

I find the staff helpful and efficient. They are also very pleasant. I switched from another chain and I'm delighted.

Literally just got done checking out and I will never ever be back in this store. I was in line and Was 2nd to check out my items. An employee (an Asian woman) cut right in front of me AND the rest of the line. The other two cashiers looked at the incident and went along with it like nothing happened! Idk bout you, but that is just sick!!!... Talk about poor customer service! I wish I could rate at -1. Never again cVS -_- read more

So much nicer with carpeting. Convenient location. Get organized and go back with the saving coupon you get upon check out.

Slow slow slow employees. I live down the street so I come in regularly, and I can be the only person in line and it takes me 15 minutes to get past the register. Today I was the third person in line, the 2 people ahead of me had no more than 3 items each and I spent 20 minutes in line I kid you not. read more

Very helpful staff, easy to get to items well organized, I admit it is a bit expensive compared to other stores for the same exact purchases, convenient and easy to get to with plenty of open parking. read more

My review is for efficiency at the checkout and not for the pharmacy or products. This CVS is about a 1/2 a mile from where I live, and has been my "go to" stop for things that I absolutely need at the moment. My visits usually consist of buying bottled water, or a bottle of wine or TP. Only one item at a time, because, my check out experience has always been painfully slow and torturous- no matter what time of the day. I suppose the flip side of this, is that they are consistent. One can only hope that the Walgreens popping up on Lincoln and Park will put this store outta business or put a fire under their customer service training to highlight the art of speed and efficiency. read more

It was never great, since the re-fit its a waste of space. Half the stuff they used to carry and it seems that the staff who once seemed helpful and friendly no longer work there or have developed the same issues that other staff have, sullen, lazy, and bored!!! what happened to all the old staff? They have just got back the small produce section that had been missing since the re-fit. There aren't getting another star, but at least they see what a mistake that was! Reckon Dan's has stolen any hope they had of that working out for them. read more

There are two CVS stores on the main island of Alameda, and they are both horrible beyond belief. Two things seem clear regarding both management and the employees: First, you have to fail an IQ test in order to get hired. Second, you then undergo extensive training on how to be completely unhelpful, nasty and abusive to customers. Or maybe they only hire people who demonstrate raw talent. Not sure what the problem is here, but both CVSes are like this. read more

This is the worst CVS store in the chain. They are woefully understaffed. There's always a very long line and usually only one person checking out. I feel sorry for the staff working there but the manager needs to be fired for not doing his or her job. There's no excuse for this poor service. read more

This review is for the Pharmacy only. This is my walk to go to neighborhood Pharmacy and this is my 2nd time writing a review hoping that they will do something about their staffing. Once again I came in to pick up my prescription. It was all ready but cashier would not ring me up saying it's a new prescription and she cannot ring me up since I needed to talk to the Pharmacist. Pharmacist was out to lunch and will not be back for about 25 minutes. I said I would waive it since I walked there and had my husband waiting for me and we had to be somewhere. She said nope, it is state law. . This was 5pm! I had on other occasion came to this Pharmacy before at 2pm and been told to come back since Pharmacist was out to lunch!!!. Seriously??? This Pharmacy either needs to look at their staffing or at the very least post a sign close for Lunch between 12-1 and/or close for dinner between 5-6. This is what is posted in their website: "Your pharmacy is always open Spend less time at the pharmacy and more time watching winning goals and ballet recitals with myCVS Pharmacy®." Obviously FALSE ADVERTISEMENT!!!! Oh and btw when I came to pick up my prescription 30 minutes later to be helped by another cashier, she did not have me see the Pharmacist??? read more

I've been coming here for years going back to when it was Longs drugstore. I've known some of the employees here for 20+ years from them working at other places. The service is usually always great except for today the young man ringing up my goods decided he wanted to argue with me about the parking lot. I told him that I don't like the parking lot someone needs to monitor it I could never find a place to park here. He blamed it on the Alameda Police Department for not monitoring the parking lot and give it out citations. Correct me if I'm wrong but a private parking lot if you want someone ticketed and towed you need to do the calling to get them over to ticket and tow. I'm going to try to go buy one more time to say goodbye just some of the coworkers that I've known for many many years. As I'm going to start going to Walgreens now. read more

I am a longtime Alameda resident who shopped at Long's on Santa Clara for many years and was very pleased with their service and dependability. The service since this store changed to CVS is absolutely detestable - - - it is off the charts on the low side. I avoid going there whenever I can, and when I make the mistake of going there as I did today, I almost always leave with a headache. Today's atrocity was only two check out lines open in the afternoon rush at 6 PM. Predictably the customer lines were at least 10 people each. I was probably in line for close to 15 minutes. Thank God I picked the line that was moving. I swear that the other line did not move the entire time I was there - - - there was some kind of situation involving a price dispute on a sale item that required repeated trips to find the manager. People in both lines were almost at the point of violence. And I absolutely HATE all the insufferable rigamarole with their discount cards, coupons that spew out with the register receipt, and charity donation requests. Just sell me my candy bar, or my band-aids or whatever and let me get the frick out of there. Stores in North Korea have better service. Stay away from CVS as if your life depended on it. read more

I use the pharmacy here, I hardly ever have to wait. The RX staff very nice and professional.

Just had a horrible experience with the lady cashier, I was the only black person in the store , the lady was attentive to previous customers in line, once I reached the front of the line I asked for rubbing alcohol & two hand sanitizers which were located behind her, she then brought me one of each, I then repeated my order she then brought me two rubbing alcohol bottles no hand sanitizer she put the sanitizer back on the counter behind her, I repeated my order two additional times she then grabbed one sanitizer, I repeated I want two sanitizers so she charged me for two, then attempted to hand me my receipt she never looked at me so she reached in a completely different direction of my hand to give my receipt she never said thank you. Once left the store I realized I only had one sanitizer in the bag, I returned to the store she paid me no attention so at this time a black man was walking out she rushed out the store in attempt to stop him the man stole some items. I found it interesting she was attentive to other customers who were non black & made time to monitor a black guy who was stealing but non attentive to a paying black man. Once she made it back to the register she again completely ignored me I said excuse me three times it was very rude of her. Her actions are unacceptable. I really wish I would've spoke with her manager. read more

i had the most humiliating experince in CVS. One pharmacist accused me of stealing in front of other customers and then realized that she was wrong. She barely apologized. After boycotting them for two years , I decided to go back because of lower prices. So I make a phone call and am treated like dirt. The girl assumed I was asking for illegal drugs when in fact that was not the case. They need serious sensitivity training. I am still crying. read more

Service is terrible--a long wait to pay, and no one to unlock merchandise in cases, such as razor blades. Walgreens at Alameda Towne Centre is much more efficient and better stocked. read more

To be clear, my review is not for the pharmacy and I did not see just a CVS to review on specifically for this store. 99% of the staff are friendly, I do like shopping here but decided I'm doing an about face if Trish is working. The lady drives me nuts. I coupon. I'm honest, I check my coupons, I check expiration dates, I am usually right on with what I'm buying. I do feel alittle bad for having the coupons as it does take an extra 30 seconds to scan but she takes her time laying out each coupon holding up the line, she examines the fine print, checks expiration dates, check weights, amounts, etc and will comment on nearly everything I'm buying. I don't need all the questions, I don't need the small talk. I DO like conversing, but she includes eye rolling when my answer isn't what she expects. EVERY time including this morning she comments on what I'm buying. I do not have a baby in diapers but yes I buy them occasionally as gifts. When she asked me how old my baby was I didn't need the entire eye rolling confused look in return, it's NONE of her business why I'm buying anything....just SCAN my item, SCAN my coupon....let's discuss the weather as you're scanning but my items is not up for discussion. If anyone else is at the cashier I'll continue to walk in! read more

0k people, this is an unbelievable one, but it 's true, no way to do it short, sorry. The people that run the CVS parking lot are running a racket and the store knows it and has done nothing. About two years ago my wife and I parked there, went to China House and ended up shopping there as always, it's a routine (15 years). So one day we come out and there is a ticket on the car? It says I was there more than an hour (barely). I called the BS company and they gave me some crap that I had to send in my receipt and write a letter that they will review? I was like right, who the fork are these guys? I was a cop, I knew this was no municipality. Also, I was driving my company car, so I figured screw them, if my works get dinged for it then I'll hear about it. Fast forward to November 2011. I park there (now I have a prescription to pick up mind you, I am a customer), go to China house, as i get back around the corner 45 minutes later, my car is gone. I'm like shoot, someone stole my car, so I call APD. They immediately inform me that my car has been impounded from the CVS lot. I immediately stormed the place, the manager has no idea, they didn't inform her. I called the tow company, they said that I owed $172.00 in tickets to their client from the CVS lot. And the towing fees, $500.00 total!! OK, I got the one ticket and tore it up, true that. But all these other BS tickets, plus, dudes are not cops, THEY HAVE NO WAY TO NOTIFY YOU THAT YOU HAVE THESE TICKETS!!!! That's the most criminal part. They claimed that they had been putting stickers on my car when they caught me shopping there and i was ignoring them. People, I have never been arrested, i don't lie at work or cheat on my wife or taxes. I'm the fair sports coach, the example of a decent guy here in Alameda. There were never any stickers on my car and they know it. It was a stupid lie because it removed all credibility they could have had. It also empowered me to crusade, which I did with the racketeers and CVS. They actually returned my money, but not after an incredible fight. Yes, the one manager at CVS was good, I think his name was Henry. But CVS as a whole was unresponsive. I'm an on call medical technician and the reason that I have that company car is I have to go places in he middle of the night and fix things. They could have potentially cost me my job or someone a trip back into the hospital instead of a care facility. They also promised to get rid of this obviously criminal enterprise that they didn't even have a contract with FYI. Old Henry was going to take the signs down himself. They're still there. Synopsis They ticketed my car, when I didn't pay they created a lie to permit them to steal my car and hold it hostage until I paid the extortion and got it out. I never got my tow money back, my work took the $340.00 out of my check as I needed to use the company card to get the car out. If they were legit, they would have had a way to notify me that I had these tickets so I cold have responded. It's total bullshit and CVS is still in bed with them. Guess who's banning CVS? Plus, to add insult to injury, one of my relatives was one of the 4 Oakland cops killed Mar 21st 2009 and this douche that owns the tow company has this little memorial in his office and said he knew all the cops. I doubt Danny would know or want his image related to this forking racket. Believe it, I have 3 kids and one is in college. I felt that $340.00 out of my December pay check, Fork CVS and Fork Barry Brothers liar enforcement towing. Guess who told me that this parking enforcement company didn't have the power to notify people? That's right, Barry Brothers Liar enforcement towing, A--holes!! read more

We have never had a problem with the store. Yes, the lines can be long, but what's the rush? If you know you'll be delayed, get there a few minutes earlier. The brightest spot in the entire store is Mike, in the pharmacy section. He is attentive, professional and pleasant. In fact, everyone in the pharmacy section are very good. We really disliked it when CVS acquired Longs, but we have been very pleased with the store and the employees. read more

Whether it's Mike or Larry or the pharmacist herself, the service we have received since being forced to transfer prescriptions due to Tricare & Walgreens went separate ways has been nothing short of hidious. So, here is the latest: We go into CVS to pick up my wife's prescrition & they only have 4 capsules but will have the rest tomorrow. Fine. So they give her the 4 pills and BILL TRICARE FOR THE FULL SCRIPT. So, I go into CVS this evening for the other 56 pills that have been billed for and paid by Tricare and the guy says "that comes out to $29.40". Well, not knowing what happend the night before because my wife went inside to get the 4 pills, I swiped my debit card and dished out the30 bucks. Upon arrival at home, my wife says "you should not have paid for that, they billed tricare". I about fucking flipped. I mean, put all the stupid asses in the pharmacy aside...FUCKIN GAS IS EXPENSIVE! I got my refund... CHECK YOUR RECEIPT. THE PHARMACIST HERSELF TOLD ME THAT TRICARE SAID FOR HER TO BILL MY OTHER INSURANCE...I HAVE SERVED PROUDLY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND TRICARE HAS NEVER BILLED ME ONE THIN DIME. NOW, WE ARE FORCED TO LEAVE WALGREENS, WHICH HAD BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB AND WE ARE STUCK WITH CVS 2314 SANTA CLARA AVENUE, ALAMEDA, CA 94501. I AM A DISABLED VETERAN AND THE LEAST CVS COULD DO IS TREAT OUR MEN IN UNIFORM WITH SOME RESPECT AND PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR JOB. ACCIDENTS HAPPEN WITH PILLS...AND PEOPLE DIE! Lastly, just a few responses from the cashiers..."I think it's too early to get it fillled" "the pharmacist just went to lunch and won't be back for an hour and I need her to approve this" "I'm too fuckin' stupid to point the lazer at the bar code and make it go beep" Matt (Disabled Aamerican Veteran) read more

Slow and Rude. That about sums it up at this CVS. Even though I can walk there, I usually choose to drive to the Walgreens instead. The main problem is the cashiers, they are rude, unhelpful and slow. They let the lines get long and wont call for help. The worst is one named "Erica Q" on her name tag. When it was my turn to get checked out after a long time, I said "Hi" and she didn't even look up and I repeated it and she said, I don't have to talk. I don't know what that means, but she was not talking to any customers. I suggest avoiding this place if at all possible. read more

Besides the WATER LEAK on Santa Clara side where the bushes are . The store is fine...employees are very nice and helpful......But those who have known, have been aware of the water leak since way before one of our severest droughts ended recently. Gallons a day ARE WASTED. ,i dont understand why no one cares......its really too bad...RATING LOW BECAUSE OF WATER LEAKING STILL....would you please give a darn .... read more

I have been a customer of CVS on Santa Clara in Alameda, Ca. (and writing this review referring only to that location only). Since April of 2011, when I became a customer of this CVS it's been a total disappointment from poor customer service to receiving the wrong medication several times. It seems the staff is trained to tell you what ever half truth that soot's the moment, I have caught them in so many lies and deceitful statements it makes my head spin. I don't know why they refuse to admit a mistake on there part instead of passing the buck. ie blame the doctor or insurance co. This is really poor management and training. If you value your health and safety, and sanity chose a different location. Has for me I'm taking my business to Walgreen's. read more

I think people on yelp just write to complain. No one ever shows any compliments. These workers are people just like you and go through their own day to day problems.They still try to smile and greet you even when they are dealing with their and your problems on top of that. Show these people a little slack. People that have crappy days go into CVS and take it out on the workers. They are not paid to deal with your attiitude and rudeness, they are there to check, get you the product, and stock those products. Think about when you go to work and there is always some rude person /customer that you have to deal with they treats you crappy and takes their day out on you, how does that make you feel? Now imagine working at cvs and dealing with hundreds of people like that on a daily basis. Walk in their shoes people!! Next time you go in how about you ask them how their day is going and smile at them, dont be another pain in the rear that they have to deal with. I think that all the CVS workers are fantastic, and deserve medals for dealing with whining people all day everyday. You go workers dont ever change you do a wonderful job everyday and I applaud you. read more

There is a lady name called Sharon. She is very rude and unhelpful. I came to this store to exchange an item that I bought two weeks ago and she did not allow me but repeating and telling me that the item is not longer on sale any more. she keeps repeating it and think that I am deaf and trying to humiliate me., I told her that this is within a reasonable time (within two weeks) ! Instead of buying and bringing business to this CVS store, I decided to get my money back. This CVS will lose another customers! too bad we have a lousy customer services in this neighborhood and I hope the management team should take this seriously and evaluate their employees performance otherwise this store will closing down soon by loosing customers!! If she does not enjoy her work, please go some place else because there are a lot of qualified and with good customer services skilled people looking for jobs. This CVS store is not your playground to abuse your customers! read more