Comments on: Back in the USSR at Rite Aid…

By: Linda L

Linda L — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:46:10 +0000

I am a front end shift supervisor at a Midwest Rite aid store. We are one of the unionized stores and it DOES make a difference, IMO.

Many of the low end paid jobs in the state (sales/retail has always been ) saw an increase in hourly wage due to the increase in minimum wage. The worker who has been employed for sometime sees new employees making almost what they had been prior to the wage increase. It isn’t pretty, but it isn’t just Rite Aids that have been effected.

There are several different DCs (or warehouse distribution centers). I have found a tremendous variability in availability when supplies are not ordered for upcoming sales. Yes, there is a min/max system in place to auto order based upon past sales performance and projected sales. However, this is not available for new stores (no sales history to project). This dumps the responsibility for ad orders squarely on local management. In our area I see a tremendous difference between stores depending upon who is doing the ad orders.

Corporations are like staggering behemoths, it takes a LOT of concerted effort to change anything..and all too much is “usy work” that makes no sense at store level. On the otherhand, I have worked other large corporations and found it isn’t peculiar to Rite Aid; it is the nature of corporate America.

By: Rite Aid Front End Worker

Rite Aid Front End Worker — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:47:44 +0000

I work in the front end of a Rite Aid…it is garbage. I work in New York, the minimum wage is 7.25. I have been working there for about eight months, and make this amount, and I haven’t complained. I will complain however when the new front end hires in front of me with less experience start at 7.50…how is that done ethically? Again, the mistreatment and underpayment of their workers leads to shoddy work, and prevents good people from wanting to work there. The morale is zero. The pharmacy seems alright, but the front end is trash and Rite Aid will close its doors in 2-3 years in my opinion or sell if this keeps up. They are losing an unreal amount of money.

There is no stock. The truck of stuff we get is the most unreliable thing ever. Our manager is diligent: she orders whatever we need. We don’t always get it, because the distribution centers and Rite Aid Corporate in general are so bad it’s comical.

By: E Kinzel

E Kinzel — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:12:11 +0000

I am a Rite Aid Corp stock holder. My stock was at $80.00 plus dollars before Martin Grass ruined the Company. As stock owners know it is is at $2.52.
I am very disappointed in the condition of the stores. The stores appear dirty. Stock is worthless
compared to the quality pre Martin Grass. The front end stock is junk.

Talk to a pharmacist. Not having a 401K or other retirement options, Ride Aide gave the pharmacist stock options. Most pharmacist lost their complete retirements if they had not diversified. Rite Aid never compensated these pharmacist, but Mr. Grass the money he sqanderd.
Shame on you Rite Aid. If you treat your employees in such a manner, I must wonder how the consumer is treated.
The Pharmacist are salaried but their pay is based hourly. They do not get a lunch or dinner break. Think of your pharmacist completing 400 prescriptions in one day and not receive a break.
Each prescription 15 minutes. Think about it, there are not 400 increments in a 16 hour day.

Now let’s talk about the managers. They do not support the pharmacist. Who does support the pharmacist These pharmacist are pushed to the limit. They have no human resource support. If a pharmacist tries to suggest a solution to the problem, then they are the disgruntled employee, and agitator, causing trouble for the Corporation.

Ok public; if you have a problem with your medicine, who do you call. If you call your physician do you get an immediate answer or a call at the end of the day or two days later?
No you call your pharmacist and you get an immediate answer.

Yes, as a Rite Aid stock holder, I will go to Walgreen, CVS, Walmart, where I will receive better treatment as a consumer.

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:10:28 +0000

Rite Aid is a good company it is just run by too many VP,s that have little or no formal education. The worst concepts come from these prople that never deal with people on a one to one basis. I have logged over 20 years with Rite Aid. We are a pharmacy run by “grocery store” mentality. I think Mary Sammons tries hard but too much old wood is still in the rotten pile left by Martin Grass. The fools are now trying to match the $4.00 Walmart prices…..stupid..we can not make up the difference like Walmart does…we do not have the front end to do this. I had a customer bring in a $30.00 transfer coupon and also wanted us to match Walmart. The lowest AWP with all discounts on this medication was $19.77 for 30 tablets. How can we make up $15.77 + $30.00 + $cost of filling RX….we can’t. Some on needs to wake up and come see the front lines for advice. Really tired of seeing business go out the door but we have a duty to our stockholders to make a profit. I think the Couto’s will get real tired of Rite aid soon as their investment keeps falling.

By: Tommy K

Tommy K — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:19:59 +0000

I just left Rite Aid after 8 years. The morale over there is the worst. Everyone is miserable and company support at the store level is nil. It’s hard to go to work everyday in an environment like that. The low pay is just an added insult. I don’t see the company making it in the long term with it’s poor cash flow. The whole buying of Eckerd was just a foolish move to try and play keep up with CVS and Walgreens.

By: Captain D

Captain D — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:10:34 +0000

Rite aid has a serious problem with returns too.
The stores still have the old Eckerd default ordering system that orders the stores stuff when they dont order. it wastes fuel time and it damages merchandise!!

Rx is still using private couriers to deliver third shift picked Rx. what a waste.

I think if they address these problems, profits will soar!

By: Kevin Todd

Kevin Todd — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:56:20 +0000

With the only pharmacy in town is a Rite Aid, and found out lately they do not care about customer service. Yesterday went to the Rite Aid Pharmacy to get a refill. (I previous had it fill out of town at a Walgreens.) The generic medication from Rite Aid was different than the previous purchase at Walgreens, that when I had taken that medication purchase at Rite Aid, I could tell the difference in the medication, that something was wrong. Went back to the Rite Aid Pharmacy, all they want to do was contact my doctor, for a different medication. I told them no, do not call me doctor, there is problem with the generic medication. The pharmacist called my doctor after I told her not too. With problems that Rite Aid is having, are they now purchasing the cheapist generics medications to sell in there pharmacies?

By: ed

ed — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:16:58 +0000

Let me tell you something all the above story is incorect I work in rite aid as pharmacist and honestly every single day we have more and more people swiching from other pharmcy to us so don’t believe everything you read.

By: victim

victim — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:15:38 +0000

Five stars for accuracy!

By: Kinney

Kinney — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:41:04 +0000

I noticed the exact same thing at my Eckerd’s turned Rite Aid. At first I thought it was just getting rid of Eckerd’s inventory until they could stock up completely from Rite Aid suppliers but it has been going on for the past couple months. I don’t know how they are going to stay in business if half the time I have to walk two blocks further, but in a different direction to get the CVS. I have just started heading over there for some items and will probably do the same for all items before long.