Bartell Drugs was founded in 1890 in Kings County, Washington, by George H. Bartell. The company operates a chain of pharmacy and drug stores in and around the greater Seattle, Washington, area. It’s believed that Bartell Drugs is the oldest pharmacy in the USA.
Bartell Drugs began when George Bartell purchased Lake Washington Pharmacy. Soon, he opened more locations and by 1915, the company had expanded to include 15 locations. Today, the company has 67 locations and has an estimated annual revenue of $200 million.
The company is still privately owned and operated by the Bartell family, even though the current CEO is the first non-Bartell family member to hold that position. Headquarters are located in Seattle, Washington.
Bartell DrugsBartell Drugs was founded in 1890 in Kings County, Washington, by George H. Bartell. The company operates a chain of pharmacy and drug stores in and around the greater Seattle, Washington, area. It’s believed that Bartell Drugs is the oldest pharmacy in the USA.
Bartell Drugs began when George Bartell purchased Lake Washington Pharmacy. Soon, he opened more locations and by 1915, the company had expanded to include 15 locations. Today, the company has 67 locations and has an estimated annual revenue of $200 million.
The company is still privately owned and operated by the Bartell family, even though the current CEO is the first non-Bartell family member to hold that position. Headquarters are located in Seattle, Washington.
Several years ago at the 9600 location, the pharmacy staff was the absolute WORSE! This was during the pandemic and when Rite-Aid took over. The persons for the pharmacy were extremely rude, unprofessional and customer unfriendly! I moved my prescriptions from that Bartells to another pharmacy altogether.
The current pharmacist @ 4706 is even worst! He said he didn’t have time to fill a prescription for an antibiotic medication for my toddler, who was very sick; This antibiotic is really a life-saving medication is taken as directed. I requested the prescription be transferred to another pharmacy, which that pharmacist contacted the Bartell and made the request. The pharmacist at the other store was told it would be transferred, but it wasn’t! The other pharmacist requested the medication 3 times during the operational hours and the prescription was never transferred, though they were told it was. I contacted the 24 hour pharmacy, and was told the system indicated it had been transferred. The next day the pharmacy contacted the Bartells pharmacy and made the request again, which it was finally made available for the other pharmacist to fill. This shows a lack of concern for peoples health and lives!
Back to the pharmacy @ 9600 15th Ave SW. Since the pandemic has been determined to be over, things had grossly improved with the pharmacy staff until recently There’s someone named Nanh who answers the phone; she lacks telephone etiquette, speaks rudely and even lies to the customers – she just makes up things to cover for her ineptness! Even the pharmacist when I was able to speak to him, said what she told me was NOT true and he would speak to her about it.
Does anyone in corporate really even read these comments?
I just want to give a note of appreciation about Nancy, who cashiers at the Stanwood WA location. Every time I see her, she has a friendly smile and “Hello!” for me. When I go through her station she is full of positive energy and makes me feel special. If I see Nancy in the store when I come in, I always choose to check out through her. She has gotten to know me a little bit, as well as my family and people I work for (and with) in my job as a caregiver. I always leave the store in a better mood for having been able to see Nancy. It wouldn’t be Bartells without her. Rite Aid has similar products, but I choose our local Bartells time and again.
If at all possible, please pass this note along to Nancy, or better yet, give her a word of appreciation from your corporation. Nancy is dedicating her days to helping Stanwood be a friendlier, welcoming town, starting from her checkstand at Bartells!
I have been a Bartell Drugs customer for over 30 years and I have never had trouble returning for like for like exchange WITHOUT a receipt.
I have also never had problems with the pilot pens I buy there so I never save the receipts. But this time both the pens in the package stopped functioning.
I brought the pens in (so you could verify that they do not work in spite of the fact that they are still clearly full of ink) and asked to exchange them and was informed that due to loss prevention policies no exchange could be made without a receipt.
I can understand if I were asking for cash but I was only asking for new pens to replace the defective ones.
Please reconsider your “no tolerance” policy on like for like exchanges — especially for long time customers. There is no reason we should be treated like disobedient kindergartners.
Respectfully,
Stuart Levy
I frequent the Bartells drug store in downtown Seattle, located at 901 4th avenue.
I am not sure as to why the gum and mint aisle is never stocked the way it used to be several months ago. When I asked a store clerk they said a new vendor was supplying the items.
I just wanted to let someone know that the new vendor is terrible at stocking the shelves. Either they are out of gum and only have mints or vice versa..
This has been ongoing for a least 3 months -June thru August. The clerks know it is bad but just shrug their shoulders. I have mentioned this 3 times now and just get shrugs from the clerks. I finally asked if I could send a complaint and they reluctantly gave me a phone number.
What a disappointment Bartell’s has become.
I guess Amazon is taking over.
On August 27, 2019 I was in your Alderwood Store, nice store until now. Walked in and was not greeted, no one around. Heard Naveen, the 1st talking to 2 cashiers, in a foreign language. He looked up and continued talking. I walked the store, got what I needed and went to the check stand. I had to go find a cashier, and all she had to say to me was can I have your card. I worked 27 years at #28. We were trained better than this. Naveen worked at 28 the first of this year and I knew him from there. So he had to tell the cashier who I was. I will not go back to that store. The cashier was rude, no smile, said nothing,
I went to Urgent Care in Gig Harbor on the 17th of February, 2019 and had several X-Rays on my hand, elbow and shoulder. I also returned to your University Place store to fill out a accident report and will forward this to my medical insurance.
I never heard anything from your main office, and after looking at your correspondence I can see why now. I have spend a great deal of time at the medical office and expected a answer from your company.
O. Bormke
I was at your University Place store on the 14th of February at 8:10 AM parking near the front door. As I exited my car and walked about ten feet I fell on my elbow, shoulder and left hand. I went to the front door and seen no employees and proceeded to leave. The parking lot was nothing but a sheet of ice which one could not tell. I had my elbow taken care of by a RN and plan to go to urgent care in Gig Harbor, WA today.
I am still in extreme pain.
Thank you,
Odo BORMKE
1-253-549-XXXX
I am a former pharmacist. However, I have been a physician since 1982.
My observation is that your pharmacies are somewhat understaffed.
I get my prescriptions at the Fairwood store. There have been times when I was told that they were SEVERAL DAYS behind in filling prescriptions! I am well aware that for many reasons that there may be an unexpected absence of a pharmacist or support personnel. I highly recommend that you are adequately staffed to have floaters that can fill in at a moment’s notice. Obviously there should be a sufficient number of floaters to handle almost any emergency.
Despite the pressures of a very busy store, I have ALWAYS been treated professionally, with dignity and respect. Kudos to the Fairwood store.
Marc Bodow, MD
12/25/18,
I wrote a comment on 12/25/18.
NO REPLY!!!
DOES ANYONE AT BARTELL’S ACTUALLY READ THESE?
THIS REPRESENTS EXTREMELY POOR COMMUNICATION.
MARC BODOW
Please open a Care Clinic In University Place Wa.
Thanks,
Pam Cronk
This is the second time this has happened and I’m extremely upset. On 4/21 – approximately 2:00 p.m. I called Bartell’s on 76th in Marysville for a refill. The voice mail said all clerks were helping other customers and to leave my phone # and I could expect a call back shortly. I waited all afternoon. I could have been outside doing yard work. No call came. Can’t a huge company like Bartell’s at least get their voice messages right. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME!!!!!!!!!!! I’m really thinking that I should probably change pharmacies that have adequate customer service.
Don Wlazlak
21 December 2017
Attention: CEO: Brian Unmacht, CFO: Jean Bartell Barber, COO: Ed Littleton
I am fairly new to Seattle and when i learned about Bartell being the ‘neighborhood’ drug store i moved my shopping and prescription needs to you—
first in U. Village and then to 100 N 85th Street. Last week i had two unpleasant
experiences that i would like you to know about:
two weeks ago i called the drugstore’s recording line to order a refill and was
told by a recording that my request was too soon. i called back and left a message
that i would be away for 2 months and my Dr. suggested i ask for vacation fill.
i never received any response.
last week i was in the store. having bought dreidels at Top Ten Toys i then wanted to purchase chocolate coins from you. i could not find any. i asked a clerk if there were any Hanukah supplies and the response was “We do Christmas big.”
i said that i could see that and i had no problem with Christmas but was there nothing related to Hanukah or even Kwanzaa. again i was told how fully and ‘big’ you do Xmas, and you start it right after Thanksgiving.
Do you have no consideration for other cultures?
i think i may have to move my prescription and shopping elsewhere.
i am also horrified that, at this time with the world the way it is, there are not
considerations and opportunities to honor the marvelous varieties of people and
interests in our neighborhoods.
sincerely,