The people at the pharmacy in Central Square were efficient and amazing. We left home without a prescription that we needed. We entered this pharmacy with the hopes that they would be able to be in touch with our health care system in California. Throughout the process, the people in the pharmacy were friendly and helpful. We were able to have our prescription refilled the following day. We are grateful to the people here who were helpful to us and were able to get us back to optimum health. read more

Rude and incompetent pharmacy staff, and non-working checkout terminals. I don't know how they stay in business. Depressing.

Nice people who work there, very caring and empathetic to people's situation and tries everything with in their power to get you your perception on time !!! Their awesome !!! read more

Samaia & Jasmin at the Cambridge Squate CVS are sooooooo wonderful! One of my dear family members is going through chemo & needed some medicine. With her I.D. (plus the fact that they know my relative), I was able to pick up her medication. One wasn't ready but even with a big long line, Samaia asked Jasmin if she could expedite it & when I thought she was still just asking, Jasmin called out the name! I was so surprised especially because they had a huge line -- of course I went at one of the busiest times of day! Haha! I asked for their names to leave this report about their phenomenal kindness & customer service, and offered to include Mr Singh (didn't see first name) as he'd helped put in some codes. He said, "They get all the credit!" Hahah. What a super team!!! Thank you, Samaia, Jasmin AND Mr. Singh! read more

I accidentally scheduled my Covid vaccine appointment at the wrong location. The Central square pharmacy staff was so helpful in transferring my appointment over and getting me a new vaccine appointment as soon as possible. Was a huge help in getting my day back on track and getting me vaccinated! read more

Shoutout to the pharmacy team working on this Friday afternoon- so helpful over the phone, efficient, meds ready way ahead of time! And their new sign in kiosks will hopefully help with pickup, no line today! read more

nightmare won't let me why pick up prescription cause my license expired it's still a valid id they are rude and condescending in the pharmacy i want to sue them if anyone wants to join a suit against them contact me on yelp a class action law suit for not following the law and if they care about customers they will do something. but after the doj department of justice made them pay 410 million we will get 4 million dollars or more for all the injustice pain and suffering. I have a lawsuits just like you to join me and tell me what they did to you read more

Consistently disorganized, little effort to solve problems, the staff frequently has a bad attitude and they say orders are ready when they are not. Just go somewhere else if you are thinking about picking a pharmacy. Basically this place does not care about their customers. read more

I'm a senior. I have twice contacted my PCP re: different health issues in the past three months. Both times, he sent a prescription for me to this CVS in Central Square. When I went in for them, on two separate occasion's, I was told, "We can't fill it for you because we sell this over the counter.", meaning that I had to pay $20 instead of my $5 co-pay. How can this be legal? CVS makes more money by selling the over the counter version, but people with health plans and co-pays end up paying more. How can CVS not fill a prescription that my doctor ordered? read more

The one star is for the pharmacy. It is always busy and understaffed. There should be at least two people at the counter not one. Trying to get through the phone system is maddening and now that location doesn't pick up but puts you into voicemail, saying they'll return the call in 3 business hours. I had to walk to the CVS because I hadn't received a call back after 5 hours. I wish I had other options. This isn't the only location with people and phone issues. read more

AVOID! AVOID! Horrible pharmacy! Expect long lines, terrible customer service, and having to wait 30min even though you were alerted that the prescription was ready for pick up. Additionally, they were both out of stock on many items and several items were strewn about the aisles. AVOID!! read more

The pharmacists and pharmacy staff members who work here are so nice, but I'm sorry to say that this location is a clusterfuck. My prescriptions get lost, they short me on pills, they put me and my doctor on hold for HOURS on end, they don't refill things that I've ordered... literally most of the time something goes wrong and I want to tear my hair out. I've since transferred all my prescriptions to the location in Harvard Square (6 JFK Street), which is slightly better. read more

This review is for the pharmacy only. I've been getting prescriptions here for a decade. There have always been long lines at the pharmacy, but it's gotten much worse lately. The pharmacists are overworked. The store changed the pharmacy hours so that it now closes at 8pm, when it used to close at 10pm. This is incredibly inconvenient for my work hours, but it's more than that. I don't know why changing the hours slows the whole operation down -- maybe they're just short staffed. But it's now impossible to get a prescription filled in under 36 hours, and it's equally impossible to get the pharmacy to answer the phone even after half an hour on hold. The lines are also even longer now than they were before! It's infuriating. CVS, you need to fix this. This isn't the staff's fault. I can see that they're too busy and stressed out. It's either management or corporate, and they need to fix it immediately. Update: They changed closing time for the pharmacy back to 10:00, but it doesn't seem to be making a difference. They won't answer the phone at any hour. There is no way to know if they received a prescription 12 hours ago -- the status hasn't changed on the app (it still says ready for renewal, not in process) and I can't get them on the phone to ask, so I can't switch it to a different location, either. Last week they told me they were out of a medication, but it turned out they just hadn't had time to unpack a huge delivery from that morning, an error that nearly cost me hundreds of dollars. Another time they didn't fill a prescription because I originally got it filled at a different location months ago, but I frequently switch locations depending on where I'm going to be that day or that week, even outside of MA, so I'm not buying it. The whole point of choosing a company with many locations over a little independent pharmacy is that you can always get your prescriptions filled anywhere you go. Right? CVS: HIRE MORE PEOPLE. Or something. Fix it so I can actually get a prescription refilled as ordered in a decent amount of time. It used to be busy but dependable. Now it's busy and and a disaster. read more

I shop here weekly and like the store a lot. The only thing that really annoys me as an abutting neighbor is the trash/garbage in the parking lot. We already have a huge rodent issue in the neighborhood and this only adds to the exisitng problem. Send someone out to the parking lot daily to clean all the trash. Simple Solution. read more

Worst pharmacy I've ever been to. Hands down. Even if there are only two people in line, expect to wait at least 30 minutes. If more than 5 people in line, expect to be there at least an hour. read more

They make you wait in line for a longtime. When you don't feel good. Then you tell them about the situation. Then they want to argue. And say oh you think your special. Pharmacy is very unpleasant they could care less about folks health. read more

Avoid at all costs. This place sucked before they had automated check-outs. They had very few check out staff and there were long lines. Same with the Harvard Sq. store. Now, with those 1/2 broken automated machines, it's hell. I would love to have sat in on THAT corporate meeting. "How can we cut staffing costs? ""Well, why don't we start cutting staff in our busiest and most profitable stores?" Buy your stuff on amazon and save money and your sanity. And go to walgreens for your scripts. read more

I noticed all of the reviews for this CVS were from years ago, I don't post reviews on yelp but after my experiences in the store I had to. This CVS is in a difficult spot for the team to manage but they do a great job by keeping a staff member at the front entrance who is extremely friendly! The staff greats you when you enter and ask if they can be of assistance even before you really know what you are looking for! The woman on the team as just so outgoing and helpful making it the best CVS I have ever been in. It is a chain store so one would expect similar experiences across the board but this store has been far superb than any other I've been in! read more

Someone here used my phone number by accident and they keep calling me to tell me the Rx is ready. Seems easy enough to clear up. I've been on hold for an hour to change this. It's not even my error. Keeping people on hold for an hour is unconscionable. People deserve better than this! Just horrible! Do better! read more

Nothing particularly horrible or outstanding with this CVS so it gets the default three stars. It is pretty standard CVS. Drugs, over the counter meds and some basic housewares. The staff is friendly and professional. If you visit you will need to run a gauntlet of people asking you for money or support for their cause. read more

This is a pretty average CVS store. The area that it is in is not so great with all of the panhandlers milling about outside the place but once you're in the store you will find most of what you need. The cashier who assisted me was awesome and couldn't have been friendlier so that really made my trip there a pleasant one. I did notice that they didn't carry one of the brands I was looking to buy but most CVS locations have the brand I need so I will just shop for it at an alternate location. read more

While the location is undoubtedly convenient, it's not nearly as clean as the other CVS locations, and for some reason they (along with only a handful of other places) seem to have a different coupon policy than literally every other CVS branch.. They won't add coupons - that are sent directly from the company to customers - to anything that is already on sale. All other locations encourage it. I've had a sales associate say they look forward to those customers, just to see how the total changes with all the discounts included. The lower rating is mainly due to how the staff has to deal with the customers coming in. They (the sales associates) are doing their best, with the high amount of traffic. If you want a 'nicer' experience, head towards Harvard. The CVS there is better staffed, much larger, and clean. read more

I just left this CVS store and I'm honestly shocked!! I got a coupon for $11 bucks not that matters but i wanted to use it since money is a little tight right now. Long story short I went up to pay in one of the machines since there was a line on the other side. I scanned all the items and the coupon, well for some reason it didn't work and I had a staff lady helping me over. She told me that the coupon was only for one item purchased...so I was like okay then any chance I could get my coupon back? She said "no I can't, it's already inside" I was a little bummed I lost $11 bucks but either way I guess it was my fault. As I leave the store I see this lady pulling down the top of the machine, grab the coupon and PUT IT RIGHT IN HER POCKET!! I couldn't believe it Once I saw her doing that I went back and asked politely "hey miss I saw you putting my coupon in your pocket, could I get it back?" She said "I'm sorry but I have no idea what you're talking about and walked away." Honestly money comes and goes but the audacity to literally steal it and deny it that's infuriating. Like I said it's not about money matters it's people's morals and values. read more

(this review refers to the pharmacy department) Perfect place to get a headache. read more

Self checkout is good because I don't like being in line for cashiers. Compared to other CVS I think this place is a little more expensive, maybe because of location. read more

CVS clerk: Next please. Can I help you? John R.: Hi, I have this coupon for this. CVS clerk: Ok, great can I just have your CVS card please? John R.: I don't have one. CVS clerk: Yes...then how did you get the coupon? John R.: My roommate gave it to me. CVS clerk: I can't accept this without the card. John R.: But the coupon, it is like a ticket, a pass or a reservation. That's why you have the coupon. CVS clerk: I know why we coupons. John R.: I don't think you do. If you did, I'd be able to use it. See, you know how to give the coupon, you just don't know how to accept the coupon and that's really the most important part of the coupon, the accepting. Anybody can just give them out. CVS clerk: Let me, uh, speak with my supervisor. CVS clerk: I'm sorry, my supervisor says there's nothing we can do. John R.: Why even give coupons? The system if flawed. CVS clerk: It's worked so far. John R.: Well its not working now, is it? CVS clerk: Have a good day Sir. John R.: Fine. read more

Oh my! There are so many negative comments here. Guys, come on, it's CVS in Central Square. Super convenient and open 24 hours. Let me explain why I love this location: - HUGE: This store is huge, man! It has a variety of lunch items (sandwiches galore) mixed with your regular CVS crap. - SELF PAY: Let's face it, sometimes you don't want to talk to a cashier because you are embarrassed about what you're about to buy. Maybe you're getting tampons for your girlfriend. What about the time you had super bad gas and needed pills for it. Who can forget the time you had major hemorrhoids! And you, over there, I know you like to cross dress and love getting your make up. No fear, friends, you can keep your headphones on and check yourself out at the kiosks. - 24/7: Shamelessly headed back home after a bad hookup and really need that sugary snack to raise your spirits (we've all been there). Hey, come to CVS, they're open 24/7 and have a plethora of options. My go to item are the Hostess cupcakes. - PEOPLE WATCHING: We all do it (and if you follow my reviews you know how much I love people watching) but this location provides top notch entertainment for the Central Square crazies. -PHARMACY: Here are my expectations for a great pharmacy: I'm not here to make any friends, engage in small talk, or receive the "best service ever." In fact, I just want my stuff to be ready on time, tell you my name, pay then leave. This is exactly what I get from this CVS, it's great, really! read more

The pharmacy staff at this CVS location are exceptional. I have been using this location as my primary pharmacy for almost three years and the pharm staff consistently goes above and beyond to help me sort out issues when I'm on vacation and need prescriptions transferred and staff at other locations are unable to find a solution. They've helped me sort out issues with my insurance and always seem happy to do so. read more

This is as bad as it gets. Boo, I am NOT a fan. This is NOT A-ok. I've experienced way better. Forced automatic check-out system? What a moronic idea. If you wanted to gradually ease your way into this brave new world, it might have been OK. I still wouldn't be happy because I suck at bagging things but maybe you could have offered customers a bagging tutorial or something. Instead you overnight switched to robots. Malfunctioning robots. The poor employees are unable to be helpful because they need to spend all their time fixing the machines or teaching people how to use the machines. They could be ringing people up, telling me where the deodorant is, or expertly putting my toilet paper in bags but instead they have to morph into Central Square's IT department. The last straw today was when my cadbury cream egg, my seasonal joy, was not heavy enough to go through the machine properly. Call for help? Wait 20 minutes? I don't wait that long for anyone, not even cadbury cream egg. Too bad because I think I could properly fit a cream egg into a bag. No, I will not be back. Unless, you know, I need my favorite shade of lip gloss and Walgreen's is all out. Even in that scenario though I'm better off ordering it from Amazon. I'm sure the lip gloss wouldn't be heavy enough to scan correctly. Three day delivery from Amazon would just be quicker and easier. But, a CVS is a CVS and I'm sure I'll be there tomorrow. Sidenote-Does anyone want to teach me proper bagging styles? Looks like I'll need it for Central Square survival. read more

Come here one day, and it'll be clean and staffed with younger, friendly pharmacy workers. The next day, and you'll see this location out of stock with blunt and disagreeable cashiers. Every day, it's surrounded by a welcoming committee of bums. First step: Walk the gauntlet. Oh, the homeless guy opening the door for you makes you uncomfortable? Well, just to make it better, there's a Dunkin' Donuts under construction next door, obstructing the sidewalk. All the addicts get to mill about that much closer to the entrance! The doors are right near the bus stop, and for some reason are also surrounded by an enormously busted sidewalk (missing bricks, odd puddles - good luck handicapped!). Next step: Navigate the store. 50/50 chance some crazy lady will start screaming about falling, and will then demand a cashier be her personal shopper while she loudly talks about her need for a stockpile of depends. This happened while I was there. That was my reality. Final step: Either brave the pharmacy line, where you're sure to learn some great personal details of your fellow shoppers, or alternatively, you can head towards the exit and the nice teenage CVS employee will direct you to a self-checkout machine that will NOT recognize that you put that packet of icebreakers in the bag on the damn scale. So, yeah. Homeless, rude staff, lack of parking, it smells. Walgreens across the street, ya'll - or better yet, the Rite Aid in the Whole Foods parking lot down the street. Avoid this place if you can, outside of a quick trip for their large selection of drinks. read more

Good: Open 24 hrs, has a pharmacy, right next to the Central Square T stop Bad: There's always someone panhandling at the entrance. Feels really cramped inside here and gets super busy/crowded during rush hour. I get stuck at an aisle intersection behind someone slow or standing still oblivious to the back up they're creating. Does not do passport photos, but the Walgreens across the street does. Best to go during non-busy hours. read more

The layout of this place is baffling to me, and it changes every two days. The number of times I've gotten lost.... Limited soda and junkfood selection, dismal makeup isle, and the self checkouts are ALWAYS telling you to wait for assistance. They do have one awesome clerk, and by awesome I mean out of her mind, who strikes up such intensely personal conversation you kind of feel bad cutting it off and getting the hell out. But not really. Unfortunately, it being CVS and next to the T, I can't not patronize. read more

I seriously go to this CVS about 3x/week. I use their pharmacy for everything- they have never messed up my prescriptions and I love the fact that I can reorder them online, or through an automated phone system (I don't like talking to people). The pharmacy staff is nice, although lately they've been misplacing my meds like whoa. Whenever I go in, it takes them 5-10 minutes to locate my prescriptions, and they're always in a different place. The lack of organization makes me nervous. CVS threw me off a few weeks ago with what seemed like an overnight redesign. All the aisles were different and I'm still semi-confused when I try to find things. They increased their grocery options, including prepared food to go, but everything else seems pretty much the same. The one thing I HATE with a passion is their stupid self check-out lines. Every time I go there, there is a swarm of people waiting to use them, unsure if they should form one line or multiple. Then about 90% of the time, the machine stops working and "calls for help", and it takes an associate about 10 minutes to come help me. Which means everybody in line gives me nasty looks and hates my existence. Some examples: when I carry my purse, if I set it down on any surface of the machine it starts giving me warnings and then turns off. If I buy so much stuff that it has to go in more than 1 bag, and I take 1 bag off the machine to load a 2nd bag... it starts giving me warnings and then shuts off. Twice I've tried to use coupons- once it told me the coupon box was full and shut off. Another time, the coupon didn't have a bar scan, only a code, and I had to track down someone to help me. Using the machines eventually ends with me either wanting to either cry or wanting to buy a baseball bat and beat the machine to pieces. If they got rid of the machines and replaced them with a normal check out, this time staffed appropriately (aka not having 1-2 cashiers at 5pm when there are 30 people in line), it would make my life much happier, and I'd stop considering going across the street to Walgreens. read more

After reading the reviews, I really doubted that a CVS could be this bad. It is. It is that bad. Awful layout, careless cashiers, dirty, you name it. Two stars because it still functions as a place of commerce and it's in a good location. read more

Finally, they're replacing the staff with machines. After all, it's machines that keep our economy going. Having a 24 hour pharmacy here is helpful, but the robots are not helpful. read more

It just dawned on me that I stopped going to this CVS because it was the most creep-tastic place on earth. I think it is more of a 'drug store' than you may bargain for because every time you're walking in, there are all sorts of sketchy individuals milling about in the vicinity by the door. I always tried not to make eye contact, so as not to cause confusion...yo, girl in faded orange leggings and Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt with a crazy spiral perm sniffing like you have bad 'allergies'...I don't know you, and I am not here to 'pick up' anything for Anthony. The inside of the store is like a confusing maze for lab mice. Where the heck do I find shampoo? Oh, next to the paper towels. That makes perfect sense. Anyways. That place always felt like a scary crack den, or what I perceive one to be like...since I've not entered such an establishment. Also, there is a Walgreens way closer to me. The end. read more

I've frequented this CVS too many times. I'll only come here when I need to since its close to home, but the ridiculously long line drives me crazy. Its gotten to the point where I don't want to bother with wait of the line so badly that I I'll shop at the much nicer, cleaner, and faster CVS' in downtown during my lunch break. I feel bad for the 1 (2 if lucky) cashier trying to get through the increasingly anxious queue of customers tapping their feet, but they seriously need to hire more help. read more

Worst pharmacy I have ever experienced. The pharmacy is slow, inefficient, and rude. You can be told things will be ready the night before, and the next day they are not ready. "15 minutes" turns into an hour or two. And this is not when they are busy. It's when they are goofing off, joking laughing. read more

I hate to say the words "always" and "never", or any similarly extreme ones when talking about service, but I can honestly say that the 4 or 5 times I have had new scripts faxed in from my doctor, I have called to check and been told they hadn't received them yet. Today, an hour and a half had passed, and the girl was going to hang up after saying it wasn't in, before I asked her to check their faxes. 5 minutes on hold later, she comes back and says they are in and will be ready in an hour. I've never had trouble with the friendliness of clerks or pharmacists, and understand things can get crazy (I have family who were pharmacy techs for CVS years ago) but this is just bad customer service. When someone is sick, and needs medicine, the last thing they want to do is wait around for someone to "eventually" check the incoming prescriptions to see if perhaps any have come in. I believe strongly in being fair to people who work in customer service, but there is a requirement of being thoughtful of a customer's needs as well. read more

They remodled this CVS! It is so much prettier and has much better merchandise. Not remodeled? The crappy staff. Training please! I personally love the self check out for two reasons- I don't have to interact with the staff and people can steal things. Win-Win for everyone! read more