Sunday, January 4, 2015

New Year Changes/PrayersforPaytonUpdate

It's a new year. I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season. I wish everyone a happy and safe 2015!

I didn't make any resolutions this year but do plan to change things.

First, I have finally moved away from CVS pharmacy to a Good Neighbor Pharmacy here. I've written a letter to the corporate office explaining why. Here it is:

It is a New Year and new changes to come.

I wanted to inform you that you are losing two customers which equates to $1364+ a month from prescriptions and even more from nonprescription products. My husband had also switched to you because of me. Although, he has had no real issues with his prescriptions he is leaving with me.

I have had problems through the years and more so in the recent months. I even talked to the district manager, Breanna at one point. I have sent several emails and complaints. A few issues were resolved like friendlier staff and slightly more efficiency when I went to pick up my prescriptions.

However, other problems were consistent such as when I refilled my regular meds.  At least one med was not available so having all my meds refilled at one time was impossible and irritating.  

Another problem was a few times my doctor would call prescriptions and your employees said they didn't get it. My doctor's office said they sent it. It was a vicious cycle and sometimes it was 2-3 days before I received my meds.

Last month was the last straw when I was sick and had two new prescriptions from a doctor's visit. I was coughing up a storm and anybody could see I didn't feel well. The pharmacy tech said they were backed up and it would take 2 hours. I told her as I have done many times previously that I lived 20 miles away in Arnaudville and wasn't feeling well enough to go home and come back or wait around for 2 hours. After bantering for a few minutes, I took my prescriptions and walked away. I asked for the manager, Gerard Bell which took a good 5 minutes for him to come out of his office. I told him my problem. I also emphasized that problems were ongoing although I am sure he knows as he probably sees the complaints.

Let me tell you I do not want anyone to lose their jobs. I just wanted good customer service and get my meds on time.

As I told him, he looked like he wanted to run away or just didn't know what to do. He finally said he was going to go see what was going on. I followed. The girls told him the same thing. It was shocking to see the Pharmacy tech telling Gerard in a very disrespectful tone that they might be able to do it in an hour but no promises and when they get behind they didn't want to hear Gerard complaining. If I would have talked to a previous boss like that I would have been fired.

At that point, I once again, didn't feel valued as a customer and my patience reached its limit. I told Gerard they just lost a customer and I took my prescriptions and left.

I went to a Good Neighbor Pharmacy I had never filled a prescription at and got my meds in less than 15 minutes with a smile and sincere thank you.  

One more thing, the online refill process sucks. It was very seldom that it was correct. There were also a discrepancy. I realize that it is a technical issue but that needs to be fixed. Also, I consistently told them NOT to put me on automatic refill or reminder but lo and behold I would get automated or even sometimes the pharmacist would call asking to refill my meds. No one ever listened. I DID NOT WANT AUTOMATED REFILLS OR REMINDERS.

I know CVS is bigger and have more customers but service should not be compromised regardless. The few years I've been with you I never once felt like a valued customer.

I wanted to tell you some of the reasons why I will be transferring all my business away from CVS and you can NOT count on me as a good reference. As a matter of fact, I will tell others to stay as far away as possible.

So have a great 2015 as I am sure you will since I won't be complaining but remember you have just lost at least $1400 a month and two customers.

Secondly, ever since we had DirectV we've had problems such as billing. Also, when we record shows on TIVO, most of them are messed up, even when the sun is shining. Ain't nothing worse than sitting on our couch ready to watch recorded shows and we put it on and it is all garbled. We just don't feel like it is worth the money. We researched alternatives. Since we live in the country, we have few choices, DirectTV or Dish or antennae Then January 1, DirectTV pulled ABC off the air saying they are negotiating and it is ABC's fault. Well ABC says the same thing about DirectTV. This hastened our decision. We have ordered an antennae, Roamie TIVO and subscribed to Amazon Prime. We already have Netflix. We will be canceling DirectTV and we feel so much better. BTW our expenses for TV will go down more than half!!

I think those two changes will lessen our aggravation for 2015. It is so nice to be able to do something about it.

Side Note about Payton: I want to thank all of you who have helped out in donating, buying shirts and bracelets, prayers, etc. I have such special friends and blog readers who stepped up. The family says THANK YOU. I also say thank you but I knew my friends and blogger friends rocked! I regretfully have to ask to keep them in your prayers.

Payton went through a treatment on his eye and a round of chemotherapy treatment on the 17th. It was pretty rough for the little dude but he was able to enjoy some of the Christmas. He is tough! He had a hearing test because loss of hearing is a side effect and it was normal. 

His siblings were able to make it for Christmas but it was so hard on him for them to leave. Honestly, I sometimes read updates and my eyes tear up and my heart gets so heavy.

And to add to the family stress, his mother's sister died unexpectedly. This family has gone through the ringer. They are strong and will get through this with our prayers and support.

The good news is they were able to go home for 10 days on New Years Day!!

Thank you for stopping by….




4 comments:

  1. Letter to cvs, well done. Can't wait to get my Payton bracelet. Hope you have a good year Lisa

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    1. Thank you Sandra. Can't wait for Payton's shirt and bracelet. Same to you Sandra. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. It's much appreciated.

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  2. Hello and Happy New Year Lisa! Great letter you wrote to CVS. I cannot tell you how much I can relate to your issues with them. Walgreens isn't much better!! I hope you're feeling better now. I've been trying to read and leave comments to my awesome blogger buddies more often. I've moved in with the new man so life is calming down some. What I really need to do is write more!! Hope your 2015 is spectacular! Hugs XX

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  3. Hey and Happy New Year to you Barb. I have missed you but so happy for you finding your awesome man. I have the same problem in needing to write more and comment more on my blogger friends blogs. I had Walgreens before CVS years ago..but I'm so done with national pharmacies and for bonus my pharmacy now is less than 5 miles away. Woohoo! I wish you and your sweetheart the best for 2015.

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