I have gone to many pharmacies over the years and had to move due to my insurance changing. This is the worst pharmacy I have ever been to. Ever since Dan and the young asian guy started working there the pharmacy has been horrible. First, they once gave me someone else's medication but thankfully I caught it in time. When I returned it, they treated me like I was bothering them. They didn't say thanks for driving out of my way to return it. Second, many times they will tell me a prescription is ready to pickup and when I go there it isn't ready at all. Third, they refuse to transfer prescriptions. All of the other pharmacies will transfer prescriptions, except this one because this branch decided to make up this new policy that no other Bartells follows. Dan told me to go to all of my doctors and get new prescriptions sent instead. I've called them multiple times for various reasons and every time they act like I'm disrupting them. Dan has a flat monotone voice and gives one word answers. He never tries to help me, he just pushes me off to another Bartells. The guys who answer the phone are the rudest people I have ever dealt with. When I brought up these issues to Dan about him being impolite and not doing his job, he instead called me rude. I've worked in customer service and I would never treat customers the way he does. I have to deal with this location because it's the closest one that my insurance takes but I would change immediately if Walgreens opened near me. I think this whole pharmacy needs an overhaul. Every single experience is bad and the employees don't want to do their job. read more

Bartell Drugs - Bartells - Drugstores Near Me - Renton, Washington

Called them multiple times and left messages trying to transfer my prescriptions once I learned they are not in network. The first time I went in there after the Bartells on 4th closed, they didn't indicate to me that they were no longer in network. He asked for my insurance card thinking it wasn't in the system but then handed it back to me because he realized I wasn't in network, but didn't tell me so I paid more than I should. I figured this all out after I got a letter a week later from my insurance company informing me. Why wouldn't he ask if I knew that to make sure? I went into the Newcastle store since it's closer to my home hoping I could get it transferred if I went into the store. They indicated that they wouldn't transfer it to theirs just to transfer it out because the store gets dinged when a prescription is transferred out. This explains why they don't call you back. I decided I don't have the time to waste on this anymore and went the easy route which is unfortunate but Amazon makes it easy. I signed up on Amazon, they initiated the transfer with CVS. CVS did not respond. Called Amazon and got a LIVE HUMAN BEING in 1 minute. They recommended contacting my physician and asking them to send the Rx to Amazon directly. This is how it went: 1. I sent a message to my provider in MyChart, 2. 10 minutes later, I got an email from Amazon indicating they received my transfer. 3. Amazon pharmacist reviewed and it was ready to order in 5 minutes. 4. I ordered. 5. My prescriptions were on my front door four hours later. This is how customer service works and why the brick and mortar will sadly be out of business and many people without jobs. They need to up their game... read more

I have been coming here for years and I have been consistently disappointed in the lack of stock. Every time I come here for anything there's always no stock. Whether it's rubbing alcohol, makeup, prescriptions etc, they never seem to have anything fully stocked. The makeup section is bare bones! No stock on anything good! Save yourself the time and just go to the rite aid across the street. read more

I'm only referring to the pharmacy department . The word that comes to mind is "Cold." They are also unprofessional and somewhat rude, especially when it's busy. I was on hold for over 20 mins. Someone finally answered and I can tell by the tone of her voice that she was agitated. I think the employees need classes on phone etiquettes as well as customer service orientation. This is a stark difference to the grocery side of the store. The clerks are friendly, helpful, and most importantly uphold the demeanor of a neighborhood drugstore employee high the company always advertises. read more

Review is on the pharmacy only. Keep being called and texted to pick up a prescription that is not needed. Have told them this. First time I was here, I went through 5 employees before being able to pick up prescriptions. They kept saying someone else had to do it and go to another line. Asked the pharmacist for assistance on a new item and was told to "read the book inside." read more

They keep their stock and inventory of their store shelves are empty like it looks like the store is going out of business

Literally the worst pharmacy I have ever used. For prescriptions with refills, they consistently wait until the very last day to refill a prescription. You cannot even trust when you use the automated phone refill system when it tells you that it will be ready later that day, because a week later when you call and talk to someone in the pharmacy, you could find out that the refill is still processing. I would never recommend this pharmacy to anyone. Additionally, they still shutdown during lunchtime, so make sure you plan around THEIR schedule, regardless if it is inconvenient for you. I understood shutting down for their lunch during covid when they were short staffed, but now post-pandemic and with a full staff, there is no reason for this any longer. Lastly, the pharmacy phone line frequently stops working. Meaning you can try calling them, but you won't be able to get through. I've experienced this a few times in the past about year with this store. I've had to drive in and talk to them in-person. One time, they didn't even realize that their phones were down. Another time, their phone outage lasted about 3 days. Regarding other aspects of the store, expect to see empty shelves for products in the area of the pharmacy. Cough drops? good luck! First aid products? Good luck, etc... But they somehow manage to keep their shelves full stocked of vitamins. Of all the Bartell's that recently shutdown, I'm not sure how this one managed to stay open. If the ones that did close were worse, this would explain why the company as a whole with Rite Aid, are in such a bad state. read more

Pharmacy only review. When Rite Aid bought this pharmacy it went all down hill. The staff here prior was great. The men that work the pharmacy customer service now (who I believe are the techs) are not able to field basic questions or understand how insurance billing works. For example generic vs. brand. After speaking to 2 different dudes with the personalities equivalent to dry wall, I took my script to the Factoria Bartells - because I was done. I then had a night and day experience. The Factoria pharmacy filled it fast and had no issue understand basic pharmacy customer service speak, was empathetic to the customer etc. Avoid this Renton Highlands pharmacy if you can. They also were over charging me by $200. read more

I have been at the pharmacy twice and both times I was not happy them. Yesterday I waited 2 hours for this insulin and finally they only had not even full box of the insulin. A person worked front of the counter or both pharmacist had no idea how much they had and told me to wait twice. Top of that their customer service was terrible. Every time I go in every body working there are not happy. Specially pharmacists screaming and yelling each other or to customer. It was terrible experience I had. I would never go back there. read more

The pharmacy does not answer the phone, refills not ready when they say they are. when you get there they aren't ready. They don't load new prescriptions into the app where you can see if they are filled, so you are forced to call and then they act annoyed. They also don't fill new prescriptions until you call and ask them to. This is bs. read more

Since Rite Aid took over this company, Bartells has not carried many of the nostalgic candies like they used to. Sad because Bartells was practically the only business that did! read more

My review is only for the Pharmacy. Since moving this has unfortunately become my new pharmacy. Every single time I have had issues. I've had prescriptions called in and dropped off. After having a tooth extraction I had a prescription called in, and another one I physically brought in. The one I physically brought in I was told would be about 15 minutes. I came back 30 minutes later and was told another 15 minutes. Mind you, I'm bleeding, swollen and in pain. After 3 hours, they continued to say they never got the phone one... which is when one of the pharmacists said "maybe it's on the voicemail." She checked and it was, along with a ton of others. So clearly they don't check their phone messages often. Any time I'm told 15 minutes or so, I double it, just to try to be courteous and understanding, and every time I come back 30 or so minutes later, I'm always told oh another 15 minutes. And I'm not the only one. People in line are always irritated with them, and the staff moves so slow it's like they are lost. My most recent prescription took the girl 10 minutes to find after she told me once it wasn't ready - even though I called and it was - and she had to search all over for it. Pharmacy frequently calls out throughout the store for additional cashiers to help when there is a line, nobody comes. If you want a consult with the pharmacist for a new prescription, they make it seem like the biggest inconvenience. Nobody is every friendly or considerate. Today I called trying to get help with the home delivery due to Covid concerns. First guy I spoke to said to download the Nimblerx app - which the Bartells website directs people to call the store to get signed up - and it's easy. I did that, would only let me login, no way to actually sign up. I call again and they said oh well it will take 24-48 hours to get updated anyways. What a joke. After my pick up today I'm done, I'll skip the 2 minute drive and make the 20 minute drive back to a pharmacy that cares about people. read more

I had not shopped here since my last review. This week I had my prescription transferred here because my usual pharmacy would not bill my insurance, even though they are listed as a preferred pharmacy in my plan. Everything went perfectly. I am sad that they are no longer locally owned but judging by the service this week it feels like it was a good thing. A big thank you to the pharmacist, Luan, who spent quite a bit of time making sure my order was correct. read more

Great staff! They always respond to phone calls and are very helpful. I'm new to this location and love it!

This place sucks!!! Bad costumer service everytime i come here. They always make people wait. One man was called for a flu shot and they let him wait standing there until he has to ask where he needs to go. I waited x 1/2 hour to get my BC pills Baddddddddd place read more

I am in healthcare myself, and I understand the difficulties that pharmacies can have with getting refills approved etc, but I have never had any issues with my local Fairwood Bartells. The staff there are always so nice, and the go over and above. I have recently been really sick, and went to pick up a prescription there, and they gave me information about their home delivery service. I called to set that up, and the pharmacist was so kind. She not only set up the service for me, but she took the information for the refills that I required. I was ready to do it all online, but she took all the responsibility from me, and ended the conversation by wishing me to 'stay safe.' How very lovely. read more

REVIEW FOR PHARMACY ONLY Ever since this place transitioned with RiteAids their pharmacy went from ok to THE WORST pharmacy ever! They keep losing my prescription and keep losing my meds when I pick them up. They never communicate when they don't have your meds in stock and you find out later. I only went here because it's close to me but I'm done with this shitty place... read more

Pharmacy is fine UNTIL there is a problem. They don't answer the phone. They don't return the multiple messages left. It shouldn't require multiple trips into the store and standing in line to repeatedly find out that they still don't have my medicine in stock. Isn't there a manager???? UPDATE: Bartell still has not reached out. Since they seem to be in total disarray with the RiteAid switchover, not surprised. Had another miserable experience with the pharmacy and realized there were MANY others in the same situation as people were repeatedly told their prescription was not ready or was not in stock. I have taken my business elsewhere. read more

I had a great experience with Bartell Drugs in Seattle filling my medications with zero issues. I moved to Renton recently and every time I have come to pick up a refill in the early afternoon, I have been told it won't be ready until night. Sometimes that is okay, I am flexible. But I went to pick up a very very important medication four hours after the pick up time, only to be told they needed six more hours. I said I had a flight in four hours and was told I could pick it up later in the week. I immediately moved all of my prescriptions to another pharmacy. Absolutely do not use this pharmacy if you have important daily medications. read more

Bad service, they put me on hold for 30min answering phone to check if my prescription is ready. Pharmacist doing terrible customer service.

Came here for the Care Clinic to get a TB test. Checked in at the pharmacy & was seen fairly quickly. Easy process. All the employees here are nice. I compared allergy medication & a different medication with here & Safeway. Bartell was cheaper by about $3-$4. Good job BD. Keep your prices low. I bought my meds here instead of Safeway. read more

I ordered and paid for my medications to be delivered on 2/8. They canceled my order. I had stayed home for the five hour window as I had been texted that morning that it was ready. I left a message with the pharmacy. NEVER got a call back. I call today (a week later) and ask for information about what happened and how I can get my meds I paid for. I'm told to call back in 90 min when the supervisor, Dan, comes in. I asked that he call me. I'm told he will call. To no one's surprise that call didn't come. This is not the first issue I've had with this pharmacy. Wish my insurance covered alternatives because this isn't worth the headache. Worst customer service. If you can go elsewhere, I would. read more

Come here if you are a drug addict, you'll love it! I have been coming to this pharmacy for a long time, mostly out of convenience. I'll start off by talking about the store itself, it has a great makeup selection and usually the lines aren't long. The employees are friendly and remember your face. I am always in this store when I'm nearby, either at the bank or Safeway and I need to grab something random like eyelash glue. So as far as the store goes, 5 stars! But the pharmacy.... Certain medications (very common ones) they run out of all the time! I came here today and my sister asked me to pick up her prescription. She didn't specify what it was she needed , so when I got there, I got the drugs and bounced. I was confused how the drugs were sealed in an extra safety bag, but I didn't pay it much attention. I get home only to find out, the label says it's for some dude named Robert, and it's Oxycodone!! So I'm like, "okay... Maybe it was next to my sister's drug on the self and it was a simple accident" well, the guys first and last name are VERY different from my sister's (not even next to each other in the alphabet) and the drug that my sister needed was birth control! Birth control NEVER comes in a bottle like that, and probably wouldn't be on the self next to Oxycodone, but hey what do I know? What makes me think it was their mistake, was that we didn't have any copay. Normally when we get birth control , we don't have a copay with my insurance. However the few times we have gotten a drug like oxycodone, we would have to pay something. This makes me think that the pharmacy clerk did not pay any attention. If we were buying hardcore drugs, wouldn't it cost something? And how come this birth control comes in a bottle and not a box? We went back and returned the bottle and got what we needed, but this seems like a major mistake to make! read more

Pharmacy has very poor customer service. Generally the pharmacists are nice and provide good consults, but the techs that fill your order are rude and seem poorly managed. I had a simple prenatal order filled several hours before I went to pick up for my wife, and the techs had not filled the order, but told me to wait 30 minutes, all the while my wife was pregnant at home about to give birth any minute, I was sitting at Bartells for no apparent reason than their inability to intake and fill orders. My wife has had other issues since giving birth as well. The worst part of this pharmacy though, is not their poor performance, but their attitude. It's hard to come to a place where you know before you even go in the door that the techs will treat you so rude and make you mad by the time you walk out. We plan on finding a new pharmacy, not worth the wasted time. read more

AMAZING! This store was carpeted throughout the store! It got better as you entered. Huge card section soon as you entered. Everything in that store is well organized, neat n' tidy! I never seen 18 pegs of playing cards, different colors and designs, all displayed nice and forward. The toy section was all on the shelf, nicely faced and placed! I have never seen a VERY CLEAN Bartell Drugs anywhere. Most looks like a hurricane went through the store and torn apart, especially the toy section. The cashier lady was very friendly and chatty. A MUST GO. read more

Terrible. This morning my mother received a prescription for a steroid to help with a pinched nerve in her back. Mind you she is 84 years old, well they failed to let her know they needed to talk with her doctor first for some reason. She called the doctor's office they wanted my mother to have bartell's call them. She calls bartell's back and they won't call. By the time I got involved doctor's office is closed need to call tomorrow. 84 year old will have to deal with the pain overnight. Not sure if I am angry at doctor's office but bartell's has surely lost my business. read more

I didn't even get my full prescription. Pharmacist customer service is the worst. Didn't even apologize for not giving me my whole prescription. Then, I have to go into twice for something that should've already been done in the first place?! Isn't this why a pharmacist went to school in the first place? To ensure a patient has their right medication, with the right amount, to the right person? So unprofessional. read more

Prescription was called in over a week ago and wasn't ready when I stopped in to grab it....they've had 8 days to fill it......The tech printed it out and said 10-15 minutes.....I waited 90 minutes at the pharmacy for them to figure out how to put 30 pills in a basic refill and get the right patient label on it. I'm a patient person, but the incompetence was astounding. This is unfortunately the last of many instances like this, and I can't support this business anymore. I watched older adults treated the same way while I waited. You're failing your community, this is sad. read more

This review is specifically for the pharmacy. We've been using this pharmacy for 2 years now and have had countless problems! They won't answer their phones, ever. It takes days to refill a simple prescription. They've lost 3 of our prescriptions (called it In, got a confirmation but they had no record of receiving). I've had the pharmacist hang up on me after he told me that they don't bother to check their voicemail for prescription call ins from physicians. And I've been told I had to wait 1 hour to fill a prescription that I've walked in. We will be moving all of our prescriptions to a different pharmacy. read more

Clearly a focus on customer service here as everyone goes out of their way to ask if you found everything you needed and if you are having a nice day. Very convenient location for us with everything a drug store can offer. My problem is that picking up a prescription here is an event. Somewhat like a marathon. Prescriptions are almost never ready when expected and what's worse is they are often understaffed at the pharmacy so just waiting in line to hear your prescription is not ready can often make the frustration even worse. Like everything but the pharmacy at our local Bartells. read more

I love this place. For what its worth, it is a little pricey but I enjoy this fairly newly remodeled bartells! Everything is in a neat order, staff are friendly, well lit and I love the pharmacy there. They are my go to place for medication. The staff are fast and efficient. They actually have a great patient system there. No complaints. Even my little one loves it! -thats because the have the kid size shopping cart that he loves to push around. Its adorable! (the cart and him pushing the cart =) ) read more

This review is intended for the pharmacy only. This Bartells is the WORSE pharmacy we have ever visited. We have been here for so many visits and there is incompetence every single time. We call in a prescription and the automated line tells you it will be ready by the afternoon and two days later, they still haven't filled it. We come in and hand them our prescriptions and two days later, it's still not filled. We always have to make multiple visits each time we fill a prescription. My husband came in today after one full week of waiting and there was no one in line. There are 3 people behind the counter clacking away on a keyboard and they let him just stand there for 4-5 minutes at which point he calls out to them. They still make him wait another full minute. They then argue with him that they only had some and not all of our prescriptions. They then found their mistake and located the remainder of our prescription. The lady asked him to enter my birthday and he does it three times only for her to tell him each time that he doesn't know his wife's birthday. It turns out the error was in their system. The entire experience took him 18 minutes when there was no one in line! We want to support small businesses but our experience here has been beyond ridiculous. We had been going to this pharmacy for years but several years ago, we switched to Kaiser and for the two years that we were with them, we never had ONE issue with their pharmacy. Kaiser Permanente pharmacy was quick, competent and professional. We will never come back to Bartells pharmacy again. Their entire pharmacy system and processes need a overhaul but there does not seem to be any person who knows how to manage it. I have never written a review before and if there was a negative star rating, this business has certainly earned it. read more

I went to get a prescription filled and was told it would take an hour. When I went back they didn't have it because they gave the prescription to someone else. I asked for the paper prescription back so I could go elsewhere but since they "filled" it they said they could not give it back. This means my husband is without his medication. They have violated the law and our privacy I will never trust them again. read more

If you love being gasslit and treated like a nuance or non-exsistant unless you are in their face then hop on over to the Bartell Drugs in Fairwood.If you need to call in for any reason, you will be on hold till every person in the store is helped, even if there are additional people that come in after you called with zero check in, my record is over an hour to the point I called back in just to be told what I think was "hold" before being placed on hold. Have a question about medication and want to call in to talk to someone f**k you, if you need to refill a medication but forgot the RX number f**k you. If that wasn't enough to get you in the door in a hurry, if your doctor wants to make changes to medication the pharmacist will say everything is ok and that they can let you know to come pick it up and even after you verify that the medication is ordered and will be ready, in an act of god that you were able to get someone on the phone line, to be picked up in several hours just to be told when you go there that the medication never was ready and they never spoke to your doctors office and they found out the medication wasn't ready shortly after you got off the line, but never did anything to tell you that it wasn't going to be ready. This happened multiple times. If you love being gasslit and treated like a nuance or non-existent unless you are in their face then hop on over to the Bartell Drugs in Fairwood, your medication wasn't ready and your lying if you say otherwise. read more

I recently moved my prescriptions to this pharmacy -- and there were absolutely no questions or issues (unlike my last two pharmacies). The staff at the pharmacy and in the other parts of the store are very friendly and helpful, but not so chatty that it takes longer to check out. They are fast -- and they take the time to answer any questions you may have. This store is pretty big and they have a pretty good selection. We were looking for a keychain and they have quite a few to choose from -- including Seahawks themed! The only minor complaint I have is that there is no parking directly outside the store ( I mean where you can park and just cross a sidewalk) -- the parking is across the road that you drive along the front of the strip mall ( I mean it's inside the strip mall, the kind of road that you have stop signs every few feet, etc. but you still have to watch for cars like when you come out of a grocery store). read more

This just happened: I call the main line, a woman answers, and I ask to be transferred to the pharmacy. The line begins to ring. And ring. And ring. Three times, the ringing pauses and I hear background noise, and then the ringing starts again. At 7 minutes 19 seconds I finally hang up. I call back, and the same woman answers. I patiently say I'd just called and asked to be transferred to the pharmacy but the phone rang for 7 min 19 sec. The woman responds "I know. They're really busy back there." That's right. She said "I know." She kindly gave me the pharmacy's direct line, so I hang up and call that. It's an automated number, on which I have the option of leaving a message. I received a return phone call roughly 10 minutes later and my issue was resolved in no time. (Although the phone etiquette on that call was also laughable.) Common courtesy is not difficult, and these days, EVERYONE is busy. It doesn't take much to communicate that prior to hitting the 7 min mark. I'm transferring to Rite Aid. read more

The sales items are usually good deals at this store. Sometimes you need to get a rain-check if they are out of an item. The pharmacy, on the other hand is unsatisfactory. Sometimes it takes more than one or two calls to get your prescription. They have called me (robot voice call) and told me my order was ready, and when I went to pick it up it was not. Wasted trips and sometimes long waits. read more

I've been coming to this drugstore since the late '70s (well before it was a Bartell's) and would prefer to shop at a local chain. But after countless issues with the pharmacy I took my business to Rite-Aid across the street. If you actually need your medication, you may wish to avoid Fairwood Bartell's. Plus R-A will deliver your meds for free. No problems with the retail section, btw. read more

Very disappointed in the pharmacy! I ordered refills on prescriptions and they said they'd be ready the next day after noon. I go in at 2:30pm the next day and they aren't ready. I couldn't wait for the 20-25th minutes they wanted me to and asked for an emergency supply because I'm completely out. I couldn't come again before close either. They said no! I'm 37 weeks pregnant and have to have this medicine. I'm transferring my prescriptions. The service is horrible!!! read more

Visiting this Bartell's pharmacy is like going back to a simpler time... ...when there were no computer inventories, and pharmacists had to go back and shake pill bottles by hand to see if they had enough... ...when "ready in 30 minutes," meant "that's when we're fixin' t' get ready t' start workin' on it...pro'ly..." ...when there was no medical insurance, so no one bothered to track what insurance paid and what they didn't -- they just charged you full price... ...when there were no phones, so no one ever called doctors or insurance companies to send approval requests... ...when nobody ever hurried, and the Pony Express only went so quick, so forgetting to order your medicine for days was fine, even if it didn't get in 'til a week after they said they'd have it... ...when druggists often had such poor arithmetic skills that they couldn't comprehend the equivalence of "many 5 mg tablets" and "half as many 10 mg tablets (that are grooved, to break in half)"...so you had to explain it three times to two people, in the faint hope that someone knew division... ...when "patient" and "confidentiality" were big words f'r city slickers, not laws, so people just shouted your name and everything about your medicine, over the din of a crowded room with a dozen customers... ...when many medicine sellers were foreign herbalists who knew no English and couldn't read, so they gave you blood thinners instead of antibiotics, when the name on the other guy's bottle wasn't even a homonym... ...oh, wait. They still do all those things. In fact, I've been going there nearly a year, and I've had each happen to me at least one time (some are such frequent screw-ups that they've become routine). This isn't 1850, and I'm not dying of dysentery on the Oregon Trail, but this Bartell's is a great place to remind oneself of those halcyon days. read more