My expectations are already low for CVS but this store stands out as especially bad. Service is inefficient and staff is rude.

This CVS location is my LEAST favorite in the area. The checkout line is usually very long. One of the cashiers (Hispanic lady with long hair who wears a ponytail) is rude every time I ask for assistance. The rest of the cashiers are decent, except the one Hispanic lady; you can tell she hates her job and she acts like I'm a nuisance to her. read more

Their pharmacy is the absolute worse. Always 10-15 plus people on line and only one person working the pick-up. That's as other CVS employees stand around twiddling their fingers. And that's every time it is open. There is no quick in and out. Plan on waiting 30 minutes or so just to pick up your Rx. And each customer takes several minutes since the pharmacy tech is slow as can be and disorganized. They have no pride in their work. This is not a one time occurrence but many times. Unfortunately, with my insurance I need to use this pharmacy. On top of that, prescriptions take more than a day to fill. They don't answer the phone. If they do call you back, they will promise one time and just flat out lie every time. Jonathan Phillips who "manages" the pharmacy should be embarrassed this is the ship he captains. And the store management also should be embarrassed. Besides the pharmacy, the prices for most things are 2-3x that of Harris Teeter up the street. Pick somewhere else, hopefully your insurance allows it. read more

Can I just say how much I love the staff here? I visit often--for flu shots, meds, snacks, you name it--and every time, I leave with a smile because someone on their team made my day. It's just a regular CVS in terms of products, but it's really just the staff that I'm leaving a review for. My only wish is that they stayed open later on weekends. read more

This is a very busy pharmacy but, whenever I've gone, I've gotten great, courteous, quick service, excellent prescription instructions and advice and helpful tips when I'm looking for items ranging from ice packs to anti-itch cream for bug bites The staff are knowledgeable, patient and professional and Ahmed behind the front counter is a maestro of efficiency and good cheer. I've always gotten good service there and I go out of my way to pick up my scrips there rather than other locations closer by because I know I'll be in good hands. read more

CVS has no nightly news, unlike CBS. But they do have awful overpriced toiletries and pills. America loves their pills. This CVS is below standard. It's a bit small and looked like it was out of stock on a bunch of items. I didn't find what I needed here so I had to go somewhere else, and the employee was not helpful. My finger was about to fall off (because Mochi bit right through it during the evacuation from the Hurricane). They couldn't have been any less helpful. I went across the street instead and they saved the day. Total juxtaposition. read more

CVS Pharmacy - Put this on your cvs - Drugstores Near Me - ARLINGTON, Virginia

Great location (at Ballston mall and not far from the metro). The exterior looks beat up, but inside is clean, neat, and kind of new. Quite a few self check out kiosks and a staff member was standing right nearby to direct the traffic and in case any one needs help scanning the items. Aisles are neatly organized. A decent sized store with enough variety of choices in many categories. read more

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The customer service at the pharmacy at this location is literally the worst of any drugstore I've ever been to, I'll be transferring my prescriptions to another location, and would highly recommend anyone considering this location do the same. read more

Great location Fair prices Very Helpful Staff Accepted my CVS savings card at checkout. read more

This CVS is located in the Ballston Common Mall. It was my first stop, I needed a few items for my stay this week. I grabbed a bunch of guy food: Beer, Chips and milk for coffee. I love the "Kind Bars", they sell them at Trader Joes for about a $1.25. I went to the self check out and they were $2.25 per bar?? I rang up two, saw the price and bootskooted out. You got me CVS. Now I'm gonna tell my yelp friends your prices are high.. read more

This cvs gets the job done in a timely manner but the organization in the store is not that great. I only go to this cvs because it's easily accessible for me. If it weren't for that I wouldn't go here... read more

This is a nice CVS. It part of Ballston Common Mall. Mall with little or nothing. Here my review. Well socked, good customer service. Good place to get the last min items. Don't get the pre-made sandwich here. All that you like here. Self check out. If I in the mall. I'll stop by :) Nothing to right read more

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Miriam and Jessica(?) helped me out big time! I came in near closing time on a Saturday after just coming from another CVS who had told me my name didn't exist in their system (I have always gotten scripts at CVS?!). I was frantically trying to call the urgent care that had prescribed the meds to see if they could ensure that I could pick them up at this location. It was near closing time and Miriam calmly reassured me that she could help me out and made sure I got what I needed - even a bit after closing. I really appreciated it because I was recently in a car accident and in lots of pain! Thank you so much Miriam! read more

The pharmacist and pharmacy staff are incredibly rude here. They are degrading and make you feel like an idiot anytime you ask a simple question. Unbelievable how they think it's ok to act like that to customers. read more

It's like trying to pull teeth trying to make a simple purchase from this place. Employees are all idiots and don't know the simple basics of their simple jobs ....I guess it's good places like this exist so that nonfunctional people can actually stay employed and not be homeless. Truly pathetic. BEYOND PATHETIC read more

Love the location, the staff and the service. Pharmacy is excellent. Store is well stocked and beautifully clean and organized. Self check out is efficient and well staffed. read more

I frequent this particular CVS Pharmacy because it's in the Ballston Mall, which is walking distance from my apartment and it has an entrance on Wilson Boulevard. I feel like this CVS is smaller and feels more crammed than the usual CVS. If you live anywhere where there's some kind of shopping plaza nearby, you've been to a CVS. Just like every other CVS, it has an entire aisle devoted to holiday decorations that show up months before the actually holiday. Halloween decorations in August? What? Sometimes I find what I need here and sometimes I don't. It could be that finding a certain item can be challenging, especially when you are trying to figure out what category the item falls under. I go to this CVS because it's the closest one to my apartment. I'm sure if a Rite-Aid opened closer to my place, I would go there instead. read more

First off, I never thought I'd be reviewing a CVS. Granted, this CVS has been doing some major expansion lately, and I would've given it three stars (more on that later). They've put in self-checkout lanes, an upgrade from the self checkout stations that were previously there. They've added a refrigerated food section, which is good for on the go foods- although I can't imagine why you wouldn't go to one of the many restaurants in and around the mall for quick food. And now we come to the loss of a star: the CVS Photo Department. I've had bad experiences with them before, one of them being when the CVS employee actually called customer service and handed the phone OVER the counter to me. He was on hold, and figured I should be the one enjoying that awesome hold Muzak. My worst CVS photo experience was tonight. Usually, there's no one at the Photo Department so you have to flag down an employee, who makes an announcement to get someone back there. This time there was an employee, but he was sitting at the photo kiosks with another man standing behind him. Despite my repeated passing back and forth, standing and waiting, even some lurking... he ignored me. Perhaps he wasn't the photo guy? I wandered away to get some toothpaste. Came back after a few trips around the store, and ventured up to say that I was picking up a photo, and did he know of anyone that could help me? He ignored me. Sat right in front of me, and ignored me. The customer behind him started rudely telling me that the employee would help me when he was done with his passport. I again attempted to address the employee, asking if he knew how long the passport would take, and if I had time to do some other shopping or if he thought I should wait there. He finally deigned to speak to me, and told me it would be two minutes. I wandered off, and came back in time for the passport customer to glower at me and spit out, "You need to learn some manners, young lady!!" Whoa. Whoa calm down, this is a drugstore, not afternoon tea with the royal couple. To make matters worse, as the CVS photo employee rang up my purchases...he made me ring them up. I put my items on the counter, and he held up the scanner. Held it up. And waited. I had to pick up each item and point the barcode at him. I didn't realize checkout was a team effort. I think I'll find another CVS for my photo printing needs, this one is too much of a headache trying to get decent customer service. read more

Frist stop at the mall was cvs... needed a few basic things to start the day right ! This was the only store opened beside the food court...i was here around seven am...this place was actually pretty busy... All self check out stations were being used... Only one employee working there... This place doesn't have normal cash registers...There's only one person standing by the self check out leading the way through customers purchases... Many times when I see people doing that I wonder why even have self check out.... if people constantly need people to help with the machines...Seems to theres always having technical... Wouldn't it be easier to just stand by the cash register and proceed to checkout the old fashion way.... Lots of sales going on that day.. I suggest you go grab a flayer by the front door before you start shopping...might find something your want for a decent price! read more

Why even bother ranking a CVS. Well, it must be done. Plus, it adds one more to my list of Yelped places. Nothing significant about this CVS compared to any other CVS. It is unorganized. It has poor service. There are 2 things that make this CVS different from others I have been in. 1.) It has beer and wine. 2.) It is in a mall. read more

The kindest, patient and fast pharmacy ladies!!! My new go to! The ladies were extremely helpful in my quick need of a prescription and willing to help as much as possible. read more

Ok - a couple of complaints about something that should be rather pedestrian. First, the staff. Idiots. No communication. Three open registers, but somehow they managed to accumulate a backlog of 12 people for a line. Oh, and let's not forget that no one in the line was paying with a check or other outdated payment instrument. Nor did they have more than 1-2 items each. Second, the staff. One girl ditched her register to try and close one of the doors. Oh, and it was 6:00 when they didn't close until 9:00. What? Third, the layout. Very cramped near the registers. The close quarters that they place everyone in, well, I'm not a people-phobe, but during swine-flu season it's taken the caution you take with jumping in the sack with people to how close you stand to a total stranger. You don't have to do much yet somehow you can still get their germs. Awesome. Thanks little kid who kissed a pig. Yeah, I still blame you. Either way, considering I had to wait over 5 minutes to purchase my bottle of water, I was a tad pissed - cost-benefit analysis says that a $1.49 bottle of water is not worth 5 minutes of my time...especially when I have to pay for it. read more

This CVS is dirty, the prices are awful, and the pharmacy is incompetent. The only check out option is self-checkout which is awful and the staff would be better served ringing people out instead of hovering over customers. I don't know any other options for pharmacies close to the Ballston Metro (not counting Harris Teeter) so this may be your only option but I only come here when I am really desperate for a bottled soda. read more

The self check out machines never work and are extremely slow - please replace / update the machines. I avoid this CVS due to the slow / outdated self check out machines. read more

This is my least favorite CVS! Sure it's in a convenient location. Also this CVS has to be the busiest store in Ballston Mall. Everyone knows Ballston Mall is practically a ghost town. But yet there's always a wait at this CVS no matter what time of day. The stores seems to be clean enough. There is a larger selection for certain items then the other CVS'a in the area. The food section is lacking. Also I haven't noticed as many savings and bonus points available at this CVS as compared. I also got my flu shot at this CVS. Never again!! The pharmacist or nurse was extremely rude and unprofessional. Not to mention this was the most painful shot I've ever gotten. For starters she gave me my shot standing up. Sure,I'm a big girl I can handle it. However is a hazard if someone is a fainter and afraid of needles. You should always administer the shot to someone while they're sitting down and stable seating. They may have also used a low-quality flu shot as well as it burned along the lines of a tetanus shot. I've had flu shots before but none like this. My arm was sore for 4 days and I felt like crap. However if you are a mall employee or live in Ballston I can see where access to this pharmacy is vital for you. read more

Never had a problem here. This store can be a tad bit confusing but after walking around for 10 minutes you'll probably find whatever you are looking for. The clerks always seem like they have something better to do which is slightly annoying but not something that will stop me from going back to get a drink and a snack. The store is usually pretty clean but stay wary of the bums that post up on the sidewalk exit. I've never seen any violence but I've passed out many cigarettes out of guilt. read more

CVS Pharmacy - Drugstores Near Me - ARLINGTON, Virginia

Not sure why this cvs has such low ratings. Pharmacy has always been great (fast and friendly) the store has had a remodel so no complaints from me read more

OUTRAGE! They have been out of tootsie pops for THREE weeks now!! What is the deal!? The candy aisle has huge, gaping, glaring holes in it with key candy staples missing, especially the TOOTSIE POPS. I am SO annoyed, I was really counting on eating some tonight and CVS let me down. Why don't they keep their aisles stocked? That is one of many things about this CVS that is just a little off. There has been a problem with their photo printing for a while too - so don't come here and try to make a photo calendar or photo plate or anything like that - that machine doesn't work. Then for the pharmacy, for some reason they are unable to get generic brand of a medicine I take so I have to get name brand for $20 more. Yes, I could go somewhere else, and probably will next time. And last, I find the new aisle setup confusing. Finding even simple things like face wash has become much more difficult. And it is true about the express lines, they are so slow sometimes it isn't even worth it. It was the tootsie pops that really sent me over the edge. Big bags of amazing candy was one of the things that I thought I could rely on from CVS. BOOOO! Get your act together! read more

Terrible pharmacy. Every time I go, the pharmacist is there chatting with other colleagues while I'm waiting to pick up my prescription. They are also very incompetent in giving consultation. Very arrogant, extremely ineffective, and definitely not compassionate. For example, the pharmacist today was not wearing neither his coat nor his name tag. Plus, just this week, I got more than 5 phone calls from them telling me about my expired prescription. I mean seriously? Tip: Harris Teeter is a couple of blocks away, open 24 hrs, and have way nice and more competent pharmacist and technicians. read more

First Expression: YIKES! I have to pass by this hostile, barking dog, which was tied to a leash at the entrance. No owner in sight. In fact, one of the CVS staff was asking customers if the dog was theirs. The dog alone almost turned me away. Location wise: convenient, in the heart of the Ballston Common Mall Inventory: not customer friendly. I came in to buy a Thank You card and gift card. The card section was easy to find. It was the Thank You section that was difficult to locate. There were A LOT of HAPPY BIRTHDAY cards, which is great if I was looking for that. The Thank You section was quite limited. I was able to buy a card, but I was disappointed by the few choices available. The gift card racks were also difficult to find. I'm so used to having the racks in the front of the store. They were in two places: smack dab in the middle of the store and a little off from the entrance that leads to the mall. Service: Terrible. There were 4 express checkout stalls and only 1 full service register. If I had only needed to buy a Thank You card, I would have definitely gone to the self check out. However, since I needed the cashier to input the amount on the gift card, I had no choice but to wait in that line. There were 4 people ahead of me, and it took at least 20 minutes to get to me. The CVS back home could go through 4 people in less than half the time. I'd only go here again if I really had no choice. Other than that, I'll take my business elsewhere. read more

This is the saddest CVS I've been to. I only go for the convenience of how close it is to my gym but I'm going to change location for my prescription. The pharmacy workers are the only ones competent. No wonder this store gets robbed so often. The rest of the staff is oblivious to the stores needs and services. I witnessed the robbery because I was in line for check out but I wasn't going to go running after them. When I left the store I saw the people outside and didn't feel safe walking back to my car. Corporate needs to get involved and help train staff and maybe get security. read more

The pharmacist, Miriam, is the RUDEST, most INCOMPETENT, HOSTILE, human being alive. I have never experienced such nastiness while trying to refill my medication. We put a man on the moon but they can't fill my prescriptions. Stay as far away as possible from this pharmacy and fill your medications at the nearby Harris Teeter or Giant. read more

I get the low ratings; I really do. Having just moved here from the west coast, I am still blown away by the fact that there's a CVS at almost every corner. Seriously, it's like Starbucks in Seattle. Anyways this CVS has the supposdly EXPRESS checkout where you use the machines and are able to do it all yourself, but guess what? The line at these machines is usually longer than the line infront of the one clerk person having a register open. UGH! Plus, I ordered some photo prints online and had to go in three times until I was able to pick em up. Man, oh man. read more

I wouldn't ordinarily review a CVS, but this one is huge. I was honestly impressed by the selection of items here, like Clarins products in the beauty section and large aisles of vitamins. There are also two entrances, which is convenient, one from outside and the other from within Ballston Quarter, near the Dry Bar and DC Lash Bar. The location is really convenient since it's near Ballston Quarter. The interior of this CVS is well-organized and clean, and when I went over a weekend it wasn't too busy. I don't have experience with the pharmacy drop-off or pick-up aspects of this CVS, but I was able to find something I needed by asking the pharmacy staff. There was also a lady standing near the self-checkout kiosks who you could go to if you had trouble with the machines. read more

The Beauty Consultant and another staff member were very helpful! The Beauty Consultant is also extremely knowledgeable.

The store is a bit dark but the staff is courteous and knowledgable! Regardless, I am delighted to get my prescriptions at a pharmacy which does not sell tobacco! read more

CVS Pharmacy - I am delighted for once a big corporation made a right decision to stop selling tobacco! - Drugstores Near Me - ARLINGTON, Virginia

I don't understand all the bad reviews? It's a pharmacy/convenience store not the St. Regis. I find the staff here always pleasant and helpful and pharmacy equally the same. I'm guessing the complaints about the line while getting your scripts filled is because you're going right after work? It's open late, try going at an off time considering it's the only walking option in Ballston. read more

Place is a total dump and the service is HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only reason I go here is because it's a block away from my building. Stay away!!!! read more

I have always had wonderful service from the Ballston, VA CVS -- both before Covid 19, and since. Miriam and John have always gone the extra mile for me -- hounding doctors' offices for approval of a medicine when the MD's offices were slow to get back, and once pulling out all the stops when I needed a pain prescription that my doctor's office had forgotten to call in, and it was just a few hours before I was to have a very painful medical procedure done on my neck. They've also been great about helping me get prescriptions during Covid-19 when doctors' offices were working virtually -- and then getting the meds shipped to me. I would give them 10 stars if I could. read more

4 stars just for the boy wonder of a beauty consultant that spent 30 minutes with me carefully going over products that would help cover up the two gigantic cold sores I had on my face for a party I had that night. I was in tears and it was the best customer service experience ever. Other than that this place needs a total overhaul. It's never stocked with products that you'd expect at a normal cvs- see snacks, paper products, etc. The pharmacist and the techs that work with her seem to hate their jobs. And everything is just meh. If I were in charge I would replace this with a Walgreens and move on. But I would keep that beauty consultant and give him a raise. read more