  Greatlakes Member Username: Greatlakes Post Number: 276 Registered: 07-2007 |
http://freep.com/article/20081 204/BUSINESS06/81204051 quote: My mother works as a pharmacist in the suburbs (not CVS, though). She was once robbed at gunpoint by a Detroiter looking for controlled substances. She tells me that through internal company emails, workers get reports about many more robberies that occur at her company's stores in Detroit itself. Most of these never make the news, though. If the overpricing is true, that should be corrected, as well as the health code violations. Things like keeping items locked behind glass or the counter, however, won't likely change with the current condition of crime in the city, and it isn't difficult to imagine companies just choosing to avoid this PR nightmare and abandon the city all together like many of the other national retailers already have as seen with grocery and electronic stores. Remember when city council members called Kroger racist? And yes, I realize the groups are not just singling out Detroit but all urban areas. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 8007 Registered: 02-2004 |
It's CVS's way to institutionized the black ghettos of Detroit like a liquor store. Sell poisons to low-income folks and get away from it. | ||
6nois Member Username: 6nois Post Number: 780 Registered: 11-2006 |
I don't use CVS in the city, the stores do lack the quality and hours that you see in suburban areas. The thing about condoms is funny. If you have ever tried to find them late at night, its a hard task that will become a huge adventure. Once you find an open drug store good luck finding someone to open the case. To say that bring up issues with a service provided may drive them out, I don't know that its a bad thing. Places with subpar services often close, and if they do often times another company that sees potential will come in and fill that market. If we drive out CVS there is still Rite-Aid and Wallgreens. | ||
Birwood Member Username: Birwood Post Number: 124 Registered: 10-2007 |
QUESTION: Doesn't Health Code Violations, Store Interior Conditions, Competative Prices and out Dated Merchandise fall on the responsibility of the Store Manager and the Ass't Manager. CVS upper management obviously have people running that business that don't care about their customers or if the business survives. If that place of business is a shit hole then don't shop there...I don't | ||
Docterry Member Username: Docterry Post Number: 146 Registered: 08-2008 |
I am so glad someone else is looking at this - I see the difference in the way they run the stores in Detroit and the suburbs all the time. The lack of respect for customers is unbelievable if you've always done business with pharmacies outside the city. I lodged a complaint, first at the local level and then at the national level a couple of years ago. I was offered plenty of apologies and even $20 to return to the store (I didn't) but never got what I'd asked for in terms of training for staff at the stores. (Hence, my refusal to accept the token apologies.) I realize there are drawbacks for them to operate here, but it does not excuse the way the demean, disrespect and exploit residents who don't have the option of going outside the city to be treated decently and fairly. Lots of others have experienced this and spoken on it informally, but most seem to feel powerless to do anything about it - and as individuals, we pretty much are. I hope a group effort will be more successful. | ||
Mashugruskie Member Username: Mashugruskie Post Number: 318 Registered: 09-2006 |
Personally, I think ALL pharmacy stores should have a big bowl loaded with FREE condoms. If someone's coming in looking for protection, give it to them for free. They shouldn't be locked behind glass and it should be out in public. Wrap your weenie for free! | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 10586 Registered: 10-2003 |
Could it be because more security is needed because of more theft or other problems? That could be why they don't have as many 24-hour operations and could be why prices are higher. There is an economic side effect to high crime other than high unemployment rates folks. | ||
Cub Member Username: Cub Post Number: 1002 Registered: 02-2007 |
I agree with Goat on the 24 hour service. But, the customer service, higher prices, health code violations are inexcusable. I have to admit, if the formula and condoms are being stolen then I don't have a problem with them being secured. Also, CVS and other businesses need to better screen and train their employees. | ||
Crawford Member Username: Crawford Post Number: 447 Registered: 10-2006 |
This is absolutely hilarious. Only in America, folks. I work in site selection for retailers, and I just love hearing these sorts of complaints from alleged "consumer advocates"... These idiots complain that CVS is a s----y store with terrible customer service, then they bitch that there aren't enough CVS stores in Detroit. Why do you want more of the stores if they're so awful? Open your own damn stores, or encourage allegedly more responsible chains to open stores. Detroit doesn't have 24 hour stores because of (duh) dangerous, ghetto conditions. Even if the specific neighborhood isn't bad, it will be close enough to where the "bad folks" live to rule out late night hours. Inner city stores get held up all the time, and it rarely makes the papers unless somewhat gets shot or killed. As for the locked cases, its because these stores have MUCH higher rates of pilfering. Baby formula, shaving razor blades and condoms are among the items with the highest rates of pilfering. The problem is much more widespread than just among professional shoplifters. Have you ever noticed that inner-city stores seem to look more "picked through" than suburban stores? It's because many regular folks in inner city areas apparently see nothing wrong with just opening up boxes and "sampling" items. Even if they're not taking the item home, they'll open up the box and take a look. From the store's financial perspective, it's exactly the same as taking it home, but apparently some customers think differently. | ||
One_shot Member Username: One_shot Post Number: 404 Registered: 11-2003 |
As far as I'm concerned its a reflection of the help thats available in a given neighborhood. If anyone's getting poisoned or bad service blame your neighbor that works there. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 14849 Registered: 12-2003 |
I don't think they've ever BEEN to the one on Woodward. I shopped there regularly for a month or so, and the guard always entertained everyone waiting in line. He was in his glory the night of the tree lighting. I think it was his way of sizing someone up, how they responded to his humor. Didn't change the fact that he wears a .40 caliber Glock. He does his job well, and the people who work there are great. Prices are fine, for a drug store...lotsa things on sale all the time. You DO gotta have your CVS card for the discount, though. Got a problem with that? Talk with the man with the Glock who ain't smilin' anymore. | ||
Ray Member Username: Ray Post Number: 1169 Registered: 06-2004 |
this kind of harrassment is just one more reason why business don't want to bother opening up stores in distresed urban areas. | ||
Gdub Member Username: Gdub Post Number: 1203 Registered: 10-2003 |
The one on Warren off John R isn't that bad. People should be surprised CVS stays there at all, having to pay for a security guard, and the dudes always panhandling outside. I used to live near there and would go there all the time--I hated it when I couldn't get a parking spot close to the front door, when those lowlifes were always waiting if you had to walk to your car. | ||
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit Post Number: 1257 Registered: 11-2006 |
Well Gannon, my experiences at the woodward CVS have been abysmal. Employees standing around, not willing to help you. Woman at the cash register doesnt say a word, except to complain about having to work, just stares blankly ahead, throwing the items into a bag. Ridiculous. | ||
Ombili Member Username: Ombili Post Number: 5 Registered: 07-2008 |
Lol!!!!! I know exactly which woman you're talking about. Absolutely hilarious...... | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 2094 Registered: 02-2006 |
Even the CVS on 9 Mile in Ferndale has a security guard. | ||
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289 Post Number: 758 Registered: 08-2007 |
I live between 2 CVS stores,the one in Wayne closes at 10 pm and might have a guard,don,t go there much. The one in Westland is open 24/7, No guard there.I don,t really see what differance the extra mile makes. Same thing with the Kroger by my house Mich/Merriman they have a guard, no guard at CherryHill/Merriman. Don,t really complain.At least I have stores to go to. | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 1142 Registered: 01-2005 |
The 24 hour stores in the City became magnets for prostitutes. Another issue was liquor sales - that drew a lot of late night customers that were not desirable. There was a 24 hour drugstore on Dragoon & West Vernor in Detroit and it was terrifying at night. The parking lot was filled with people that you and I wouldn't want to walk past. I would fight against any 24 hour operation again in my neighborhood. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 7589 Registered: 08-2004 |
I visit 2 CVS stores on a regular basis... the one at 11 Mile & Harper in SCS, and the one on E. Warren & Mack in Detroit. They're both clean, well stocked and friendly. Perhaps this is a problem in the poorer parts of Detroit (more shrinkage), but not the city as a whole. | ||
Ct_alum Member Username: Ct_alum Post Number: 43 Registered: 10-2008 |
Gistok: There must be two Warren and Mack CVS stores as the one I have been in has filthy carpet, stock piled up in the aisles and indifferent (at best) staff. Try the Rite Aid by St. John Hospital. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 7593 Registered: 08-2004 |
Well I didn't check the carpeting, and the staff is no more indifferent than the staff at the Rite Aid. As far as stuff piled up in the aisles, it's no different than the SCS store. I mainly go to the Warren/Mack CVS for prescriptions for my mother, and their Pharmacy is friendlier and more attentive than at the SCS store. | ||
Detmi7mile Member Username: Detmi7mile Post Number: 156 Registered: 12-2007 |
The only 24 hour one I know of is on Jefferson and usually the only reason I go there is because it's the closest place I can get Reese's Layered Cookies 18 in a box. That one doesn't seem bad in terms of service. The managers are always nice and even help people get their bags to their cars if they need to (mainly elderly people) But the sad truth is that no one in their right mind would put a 24hour business in the heart of neighborhoods where drugs, gangs, etc are going on. I agree people can get robbed anywhere, but you just increase those chances if you do so. The one on Gratiot that's not far from me as well, has gotten held up a few times and last year someone was killed because of a robbery there. | ||
Ltorivia485 Member Username: Ltorivia485 Post Number: 3241 Registered: 08-2004 |
Only go to Walgreens or RiteAid. CVS is s****y. | ||
Atwater Member Username: Atwater Post Number: 329 Registered: 09-2007 |
Crawford's post is 100% spot on. Really, nothing more needs to be said. Next. | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 1143 Registered: 01-2005 |
Tell me please if the suburban cvs stores have 24 hour pharmacy service? If our suburban neighbors had access to professional advice and prescription dispensing all night, then I can see a gripe for the urban customers who don't have that service. But I don't think the 24 hour stores have pharmacies open all night either. Some people just want to be able to shop all night. Did you know that Neilson Media Research shows that Black Americans watch more television after midnight than any other demographic - by a pretty big margin. I recall when it was a very happy thing that an all-night beauty salon opened in downtown Detroit. Now its racist that CVS won't accomodate the desire of Black Americans to shop all night right in their own neighborhoods. | ||
Retroit Member Username: Retroit Post Number: 572 Registered: 04-2008 |
The people of Detroit should be grateful that anyone would want to do business in their city. | ||
English Member Username: English Post Number: 851 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sigh. Another day, another thread on DetroitYES about how degenerate black Detroiters are... | ||
Kathinozarks Member Username: Kathinozarks Post Number: 1747 Registered: 11-2006 |
English, it is what it is. Sad. (I just mean it is what it is. Not that black Detroiters are degenerate. It isn't that simple.) It just is what it is. Sad. | ||
Eastsidedame Member Username: Eastsidedame Post Number: 667 Registered: 12-2006 |
When we had a lot of manufacturing in Detroit, it was as much a 24-hour town as Las Vegas. The movies, restaurants, and a lot of retailers were open late/early, or 24 hours because of all the shift workers. BTW: CVS is over-priced and snotty in TX, too. Fortunately, I have a Walgreen's close by. | ||
Bearinabox Member Username: Bearinabox Post Number: 1079 Registered: 04-2006 |
When we had a lot of manufacturing in Detroit, Las Vegas had about fifteen people in it. | ||
Thecarl Member Username: Thecarl Post Number: 1493 Registered: 04-2005 |
quote: yup. they do. take this one in ferndale, for example: http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/stor e/storedetails.jsp?getStoreID= 8101&frmsfr=true | ||
Thecarl Member Username: Thecarl Post Number: 1494 Registered: 04-2005 |
quote: sounds like pop copy... http://video.aol.com/video-det ail/dave-chapelle-popcopy/1538 782153 |
