I shopped at Amcal at Doncaster Westfield twice and the impression for both were very bad. First time served by a Chinese lady in the store, she was unfriendly. Second time waiting to pay at the counter, the two ladies were chit chating there for a while. Treating me like transparent. Shopped at many pharmacy stores. This was very bad.
We buy cpap pack machine mask and supplies by phone (resmed auto 11 4g new for our new user and bmc g3 for experienced user) and got configured and mask with wipes and distilled water the same day the team and cpap team diane emu plains is amazing so happy also our local amcal runs head probe sleep study very convenient parking and coin trolley nearby. Best part is we have an ongoing relationship with team that you cant buy if we need help Show details
Usually a good experience …..but recently had to wait such an inordinate amount of time that I left with my script to go somewhere else. People were coming and going from the store having their questions answered at the counter whilst all the time I was being made to wait for my script. I had been the first person in the store. Why couldn’t these… Read more
people be made to wait like I was being made to. Pharmacist didn’t see the logic in my complaint. Never again!
Reviews with attachments
Perth airport domestic express amcal very rude staff member not helpfull . She works on Sat
Happy – Walked in. No appointment. Staff lovely. 10 minutes later had my booster jab done. Could not be happier.
Pharmacy Legend dispels confusion – Craig Arthur provided excellent advice and service about medication where other pharmacies just said they were out of stock. He researched the product and came up with a solution where others only say a problem
Rip-Off – spot the difference i wish i had before i'd paid for them! :( Show details
AMCAL Online 4 & half stars - Very happy – https://www.amcal.com.au/white-glo-smoker-formula-whitening-toothpaste---150g-p-9319871000011 I USED to use Chemist Warehouse but am fed up with their lack of customer service, the changing products, the "markups"that are discounted ( with your receipt saying "YOU SAVED $5.00 " ) When you look- nowhere are these products sold for that price In… Read more
fact, my local, tiny one staff chemist ( the owner) sold me a generic brand of telfast 30's 180 for HALF the price Chemist Warehouse charged ! AND their security guards at D.Y. & Manly are more like Kings X bouncers. So I tried their other newer store at Brookvale - which is empty but car park FULL & staff think it's funny ! - I'd ask where something was & was told wrong aisle and/or pointed in an area. I had to actually get a staff member to show me & they were annoyed So when they got rid of my FAVOURITE toothpaste - they lost a VERY busy customer who gets a LOT of stuff from the chemist & I needed to find a chemist that sold my toothpaste & wasn't successful via actual stores I had to find my White Glow Smokers Toothpaste SOMEWHERE & I found it online via AMCAL chemist only problem, their website postcode search said no Amcal Chemist locally, in my area What to do??? so I ordered online - which was really easy to navigate & easy on checkout options My ONLY objection is they said it would be shipped usually within a time frame & it took a little longer Being Sydney to Sydney - I expect it within a few days HOWEVER - due to the panic buying & scripts & everything else happening - I took this into account & was pleasantly surprised it arrived to me on Tuesday - which is not long at all 1 week - 7 days ( 2 of which are the weekend ) so 5 business days - I really can't whinge about this BUT I have given 4 & half stars - not 5 - due to this. In this day & age, there's no reason for the shipping from Sydney to Sydney to take a week This was my ONLY gripe I needed my toothpaste NOW & ended up buying yet ANOTHER brand to try They could've shipped the next day & I'd have had it 4 - 5 days earlier Why after it said it went to Australia Post on the Friday - did it take until Tuesday for Australia Post to actually deliver to me- is again - crazy - in this era Things should run smoother with shipping & quicker - when online my ONLY gripe was the time frame I will be using AMCAL ONLINE again & I do recommend Order Details Order Number: 1334958 Order date: March 10, 2020
Latest follow-ups
My husband bought a repeat prescription med for me at their High St Willoughby branch, which was $19.70, compared to $7.99 at Chemist warehouse. I called them to complain, and they said, if I was under Medicare, it’s the full price, and if I’m… Read more
buying privately, they would refund $6. What? So having Medicare is a big negative? I don’t know whether Medicare knows and allows this practice, or if it’s legal. Ridiculous. I said the new price is still much more than at CW. I was told I can return it for a full refund, which my husband did. Waste of time and petrol, not to mention I missed one dose due to having to buy it elsewhere. Is this only an Amcal practice or do other chemists do this as well? What’s the rationale? Is it because we can claim a Medicare rebate at tax time or something? I don’t understand, but does Medicare/the government and the public know about this pricing system? I bought medicine before with a big pricing difference depending on the shop, so is it because of this pricing practice? Most buyers just cop it, but I think we should question this, and whether this “price gouging” is allowable, esp for prescription medication. I’m off to Amcal CEO, Medicare and the relevant government body to please explain if they know and allow this, and if not, to investigate.
Follow-up · Service was quick for the ear infection medicine, and on the phone, they did explain the price difference. I still haven’t found the time to contact their CEO and Medicare though. I forgot about this, but will definitely not go to any Amcal again. I must have bought overpriced med from them a long time ago, but didn’t bother to complain because the price difference was around $5, and I thought that was how it worked among competitors then.
Positive reviews
On Friday 21st March 2025 it was extremely nice of the owner Frank Kazantzis to give me a Seretide without a prescription until I see the doctor next Friday afternoon since I ran out and I was desperate for it because my asthma was getting worse. Show details
Great Customer Service – I ordered four products from the online store and there was a slight mix up with one product. The person I dealt with was very helpful and the mix up was rectified in no time. I'm very happy with the service and will order online from there again.
Amcal north nowra ..big shout out – Big shout out for amcal north nowra especially Cathy for her customer service and helpfulness. I went there in pain for what i am going through and she was patient , caring and very helpful and i cannot thank her enough for making me feel at ease at very short notice after a horrible experience at a blooms chemist where i would never recommend nor shop there again. Amcal ..thank you. Show details
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Negative reviews
Very disappointed with their customer service. I went into Preston Amcal store to buy a L’ Oreal product called Faux Brow there was ticketing saying it was half price so I went to the register to pay for the product and the young guy said it was $25.98. I told him it was half price but he said that was the half price. I left the product knowing… Read more
full well there was something off. I went straight to Chemist warehouse same Item at half price for $14.99 which is correct. I went back to Amcal chemist to query their pricing the woman brought up the product on her screen for $14.99 so at the register I would have been ripped off. She said she would let head office know. There was nothing done immediately to find out why I was told an inflated price. The culture of the store has a lot to change. I’ve had other instances of asking for help and Being given a look of not wanting to do their job. I’ve personally worked and owned a business and frankly this is not acceptable.
Amacal Emu Plains store, bunch of thieves – Absolutely disgusting, Bunch of thieves at Emu Plains Amcal store, and Medmate. You buy online from Emu Plains store, As soon as you pay, they cancel the order. They then don't refund your money. So you contact Amcal cust service, who say, nothing they can do, you need to speak to the pharmacy, they put you through the Emu Plains store, who… Read more
couldn't give a toss, Not our problem, even though there advertising the item being purchased as available. They tell you, you have to speak to Medmate for your money back, ring Medmate, finally get an operator, who looks at the payment, who is shocked, that I want my money back and get told, Oh I will look into it but it could take a few weeks for the refund to go through. There quick to take your money out of your account, but not so to give it back.
Terrible experience over a short period of time – Terrible experience at Lydon Davis Amcal, very long wait times even when there are 3 pharmacists on duty you even have to be aware using your phone, example reading an email, is not acceptable here I was told by [Name Removed] one pharmacist that it's a issue because people can't hear when they are looking at there phone. You are literally… Read more
expected to watch the counter, strangest experience. [Name Removed] isn't capable of using your name to call you when your script is ready, uses generic terms like pal, I heard oh yer, that was actually him and his idea of serving a customer. I did ask [Name Removed] to help me have a better relationship with [Name Removed], he said he would talk to him but straight away [Name Removed] does this again Infront of Me [Name Removed] so it's obvious he condones such behaviour In his chemist. Would not recommend this place please, walk 50 metres and be treated with dignity and respect at the chemist warehouse. Really poor leadership and a toxic environment, you notice the young lady who is expected to do most of the work while two men do less. My personal experience over a couple of months. I did try to get a reasonable interaction here and failed due to the owner/ manager basically not being honest and ethical.
Recent reviews
Unjust! Overcharging! Waratah Amcal Pharmacy in Newcastle – [Name Removed] (from Amcal Waratah) provides incorrect information. This pharmacy exorbitantly overcharge prescription medication that should be charged at the PBS price. Ensure if you are applicable for the PBS price, that you receive it or they will charge you the Private Price. This pharmacy should be investigated for price gouging. The ACCC… Read more
clearly states that it's illegal for businesses to make false or misleading claims about prices, including the reason for price increases. I have emails from [Name Removed] providing false claims as to why they charged me a particular price. Such a shame to see these instances taking place with medicines that are scarce and required for one to function. I will be reporting this matter to AHPRA, Pharmacy Council of NSW and Pharmacy Board of Australia, and other authorities as this is unjust.
Irresponsible advertising of Ozempic – I visited the Inglewood WA store and was shocked to see a large sign on the front counter stating oxempic was in stock. As a diabetic who’s struggled to achieve consistent supplies it seemed most unprofessional to advertise such an In Demand product for non-diabetics. My understanding is that responsible health care professionals consciously… Read more
prioritise diabetics to help reduce delays or lack of constent and regular supply given the product is in demand for non-diabetics. I’ve contacted Amal to raise my concerns and have been ignored. In my view a blantant demonstration of commercialism over care.
Complete and Utter Rip off – I normally get my prescription drugs from Chemist Warehouse but this time, I asked my wife if she was out and close to a pharmacy/chemist to get a prescription filled. She went to Amcal Belconnen. Good service but $10 difference for exactly the same drug, same brand, same quantity, same packet, same everything BUT $10 MORE. What and Absolute Rip off. FIRST AND LAST TIME for everything. Never Again. Show details
Amcal chemist has the most stupid website I knew – Amcal chemist has the most stupid website I knew. It is so FRUSTRATING unnecessary complicated...learn from Chemist warehouse how to make functional website. Tried to find a Wattletree store ,instead it shown stores from from all over Melbourne but not Wattletree. Not wonder I never like to shop there, the ppl unfriendly with fake smile, take forever to dispense a script on quiet day
Just blatant rip off – Basic cholesterol and blood pressure medication (on pbs) was $11 each ($22 extra) more expensive at Amcal chemist Moorooka than at other chemist. Convenience comes at a big price. Back to chemist warehouse. I don’t mind paying a little extra but being charged over 100% extra is crazy ! Last time I go near any amcal pharmacy Show details
Amcal Hight Street Pharmacy- Willoughby NSW – This place and the owner - VINAI LAKHANI are the definition of low life’s and corrupt predatory behaviour, and don’t forget his offsider pharmacist Ramesh who is under investigation for sexual harassment of a 14 year old male customer! Vini also had to answer for his corrupt behaviour and price gouging during Covid. He was investigated by the… Read more
HCCC. A truly disgusting human being with no morals, just a penchant for money and food, while Ramesh has a penchant for homosexual pedophilia with underage boys.
How this store is still trading is anyone’s guess
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Avoid purchasing a CPAP Machine from Amcal Belconnen ACT – I agreed to a TRIAL of a CPAP machine and told that $500 deposit would be reimbursed if the machine was not satisfactory. It was not and now Amcal refuse to reimburse my deposit. Avoid this service it is most unsatisfactory. I have also learned from my Doctor that these people are not qualified to fit these machines. Show details
Appalling service – I’ve had a few issues with Amcal Southport however, found Cindy wonderful to deal with so continued on and gave them another chance. She’s now gone and I have had nothing but issues, one time my prescription was given to someone else and taken off my NDSS that caused a massive headache as I couldn’t just re-order another script and now my most… Read more
recent being that I’ve been waiting since before Christmas for my diabetes sensors to which I was told the supplier “had no stock” I waited longer and was told again that the supplier didn’t have stock until mid Feb and hung up on when I simply asked what I’m supposed to do? I followed up with the hospital which said there’s no supply issues and to ask another pharmacy, which I did - they ordered me in my sensors for the next day!
As if it isn’t hard enough having a life threatening disease and not having the supplies I’ve needed for weeks! This is honestly disgusting.
Oakleigh Central: Just awful! Wouldn’t recommend to anyone needing a script – If you’re just popping in for a box of tissues it’s a fine place to shop and the checkout staff are friendly, but if you need a script I’d pick anywhere else. It ALWAYS takes at least 30mins to fill a single prescription, sometimes up to an hour! My specialist rang up to fix an issue when the pharmacy didn’t receive an e-script. The voicemail… Read more
box was full and my doctor had no way to contact them.
The pharmacist was not understanding of how important it was for me to take my medication regularly(?!), and she was very short and abrasive with me when I tried to gain an understanding what needed to be done to remedy the situation.
After this several members of staff were consistently unfriendly and abrasive to me, which honestly made me feel unwelcome in my community. It also makes me concerned about the workplace culture, and I will not support a business which operates like this.
I changed chemists to a smaller one in the next suburb and they are warm and understanding. They process my prescriptions on the spot - I’m done in five minutes and I can get on with my day.
Rude, inexperienced – Went to amcal Wilsonton in Toowoomba to get 2 scripts filled. 1 for myself and 1 for my 4 year old daughter. When I went to pick up my script, I had a school girl serve me. She was still in her school uniform. No1 was there beside her helping her, teaching her. When she found our scripts she just put them on the bench and went to walk off. I had… Read more
called her to come back to ask her questions about the scripts for my daughter and asked if I needed to sign the scripts. She told me to just go to the front counter and walked off again! Front counter girl was just as rude and didn’t know anything about my scripts. When I asked to have some1 to talk to about them, I got told they were to busy and ring my doctor if I have questions to ask! Like, wow! TRAIN YOUR STAFF! Medicine isn’t something to be inexperienced about! If your staff don’t know, how the hell are they going to help customers! 100% never going back.
Overpriced and rude – Needed a colour true certified copy of documents so I went in with the colour copy and documents. I was told they keep a copy - sure, keep a copy of what you've signed I don't mind. No, what they mean is they make a black and white copy to give you and keep your copies you made. Even if you specify it needs to be colour. And then charge $2.50… Read more
per page. Not only is it a rip off, but it is a waste of everyone's time. Go to a police station, free and you don't have to wait 20mins to get ripped off and deal with rude staff.
A month for delivery – Order a product using online service but the order seems to get lost in Corporate Amcal system. Terrible service advised to ring local Amcal franchise store and order with them
Amcal New Norfolk, Tasmania – Frequently unable to give a receipt and this problem has been going on for years. They still can't fix it. Also the prices on the shelf are often different from what they charge at the counter.
Serious online store issues – Ordered items online 14 days ago. No communication on ETA. Followed link on invoice and registered online. my order is not showing on new account. Sent email to info@ address listed on online portal. Nothing. Worse service I have experienced in a long time. My credit card was charged for this purchase nearly 3 weeks ago. Only 40 dollars, but needed items so went to another supplier online with no issues. I give up on Amcal, total failure.
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