CVS pissiness: ok, it's possibly whiney, but it bugged me.

[thespian.livejournal.com]

I just sent this email to CVS via their website because, it irritated me. The cashier seemed genuinely distressed over the manager's policy, in the 'please don't make a fuss, I could get fired over this' sort of way (if you've ever worked retail with a bossy boss, you know the look):

This evening I was in store #8319, in Davis Square, in Somerville, MA. When I presented my Green Bag Tag, the cashier said that she would not accept it; her manager ordered her not accept them if it was attached to a CVS-branded recyclable bag. She told me she had seen other cashiers scolded for it.

I pointed out that the tag itself says, "Present your Green Bag tag and ExtraCare card with ANY reusable bag." She said, "I know, but he says it's not supposed to mean that."

I just checked your website, and it reads: "You can use any re-usable shopping bag, re-use a plastic bag from a previous purchase, or simply carry out your items. Anytime you decline a one-time use plastic bag, you will receive a Green Bag Tag credit."

The irony of this is that I was using some recently earned Green Bag Tag Extra Bucks to purchase...a TravelSmart by Conair expandable tote. I enjoy using the tag, and would appreciate you contacting this manager and correcting his interpretation of your policies.

What really ticked me off was how upset the woman seemed to be when enforcing this policy. I think I might have just shrugged it off if she hadn't seemed slightly scared of what might happen if she did accept my tag. But it really bothered me.

Anyway, if you try and use your tag at the store, and some poor cashier tells you you can't, thank them and then consider dropping a note to CVS corporate about it.

Comments

[ron_newman]

I've used the tag with no bag at all. The cashiers don't always seem to understand that if I'm using the tag, they should not be offering me plastic bags for what I just bought.

[mattdm.livejournal.com]

Wait, they're charging customers for not giving them something?

I'm all for not using the environmental-travesty plastic bags. But WTF should people have to pay to get a discount for not taking them? That's ridiculous. Some too-clever-by-half executive at CVS needs a good shake.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Gah. Having worked in CVS employee services at their corporate office, I feel safe in saying that the majority of managers of CVS stores are neither intelligent nor helpful. They frequently made me want to bang my head against a wall.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

I feel bad for her; how uncomfortable it must be to have to enforce a manager's horrible misinterpretation of what is a completely obvious policy.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

So wait ... you couldn't use the tag UNLESS it was a CVS reusbale bag, or BECAUSE it was a CVS reusable bag?

[tfarrell.livejournal.com]

I hope you'll let us know if you hear anything back from CVS corporate.

If anyone else writes to CVS to complain about this, I hope you'll remember to use the word "fraud" to them. Because it seems that's what they're doing.

Slavery...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

That's the kind of fear slaves feel, I suppose.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

This is the first I've heard of the green bag tag program. And it bugs me for several reasons.

- It costs money
- You need to carry around and scan *two* cards at CVS (the green tag and your Extra Care card). One is bad enough.
- You need to save the $1 coupons and remember to bring them back next time
- The aforementioned arguments with the staff when they don't understand the rules, or try to give you bags

Hassle, hassle, hassle. Even though I haven't gotten plastic bags at any store for several years, I think I'll pass on this annoying scheme.

I can't stand rewards programs in general. I prefer to shop in stores that don't have them, and just have cheaper prices in the first place. I'll have to remember to buy health stuff whenever I'm at Market Basket so I can reduce my dependence on CVS.

[dahdahdahdancer.livejournal.com]

As long as we're griping about CVS not honoring the green tag, I've had Porter Sq CVS cashiers hand back my tag WITHOUT scanning it. I've used my own bag, with tag attached, multiple times but my receipt never reflects that. Phooey.