I am extremely disappointed with the Walgreens pharmacy. My partner received a call that a prescription was ready. We went to pick it up and was told it was state "law" that she could not receive it for another eight hours. It's not law, it's their policy. I don't appreciate getting lied to. Stop making things up and blaming it on the "law." I don't appreciate the inconvenience of going to get something that isn't ready. The CA Health and safety code says that a pharmacy may dispense something in their judgement. Because I'm sure waiting a whole eight hours makes a difference. I'm sick the incompetent and lying staff, and we'll take our business elsewhere. I'm tired of rude clerks treating my partner who needs a prescription like a criminal. read more

Waiting for over 15 minutes on the phone for the pharmacy with "Please Come To Boston" playing over and over with a message periodically stating "all our staff are assisting other customers and there is one caller ahead of you". You must be kidding me. The best part is that they had me down as "waiting" when I had dropped off the RX 10 days ago. Oh, yes, Walgreen's I love that you're opened 24/7 so that I can sleep in aisle 2 next to the toe nail clippers. read more

I just looked up their tel# and saw all the 1-star reviews. I really don't love these kind of stores, but when I have to visit one for certain items, this location is always good. The staff is always nice (especially the older gentleman that is sometimes at the register in the front). I just called to ask if they had a particular cleaning product and the woman who answered the phone checked for me, told me how many they had and the price. I have used the pharmacy and found that good as well. read more

It's a nicer than average Walgreens with a little parking lot off to the side. The layouts not as cramped as some other stores and there are less sketchy people around as it's Noe Valley. read more

I used to love going to the pharmacy at this walgreens. The staff and the pharmacists knew their customers by name and were always so friendly and helpful. It used to feel like a mom and pop pharmacy. Recently, there has been a change in the pharmacists and pharmacy staff and I am extremely disappointed. They are rude, short, and unbelievably unfriendly. I wish this wasn't my local pharmacy. read more

I've been shopping at this local Walgreens for years. And even though I have to move from my current Noe Valley neighborhood (which I'm going to miss), I benefited a lot from this Walgreens, needing anything from toilet paper at the last minute after having run out to cookies for my college class to hand out during presentations, etc. I gave this Walgreens establishment at 1333 Castro street three stars (three and a half to be more accurate) because it's good for purchasing items that you need for whatever reason at the last minute. The location is generally safe. Walgreens price their items a few dollars more than their less expensive competition. So for something like deodorant for men, if you go on Amazon, you may be able to purchase a pack of three or six deodorants for a few dollars cheaper than if you were to buy them from Walgreens separately and at full price. When they have sales on items that I want, I try to take advantage of that and stock up because sometimes those sales are cheaper than their competitors, including Amazon. Part of the reason why I also gave this establishment three and a half stars is that their workforce is decent. They know where items are, and they're generally knowledgeable about products (and I would include the pharmacy staff as well, which I primarily haven't encountered in a few years due to my insurance declining Walgreens as my pharmacy several years ago, the most recent instance I approached the pharmacy was about a week ago, which is rare, and it was because I received my flu shot from them). But the reason why I didn't rate this higher, aside from the fact that Walgreens' items are a few dollars more pricey, is that their staff, like I said, is just "decent." Another reviewer commented that the workers there are "robots." Anybody who read that comment knew what he meant. He meant they were Asian. And I'm not attempting to be offensive or funny at the expense of Asian people, but Asians are not known for being overtly passionate or even expressive. They're generally reserved. They maintain their emotions internally. Their facial expressions, emotionless. No smiles, no welcoming greeting, no comments outside of business-related subject matters. It's like a conveyor belt of customers, in and out. That's the case here. The staff is overwhelmingly Asian, especially at night. This wasn't the case years earlier when I made trips here. It was generally Caucasian. since then, many diverse pharmacists of different races and ethnicities have come and gone, and the Caucasian staff in the general store (non-pharmacy) that was predominant, is now in the minority. I will add that they (various Asian employees) have occasionally helped me out, by giving me tips or instructions on how to save a few more dollars either in the future or in the present visit to the store. So I'm not opposed to Asians working at Walgreens, I just prefer a little more racial diversity and also a diversity in temperament. I'm not looking for a "how was your day?" Just a little smile or an approachable demeanor. If I have a question about something, I don't want to be intimidated in asking it for apprehension of looking foolish or frustrating the staff there with my inquiry. Positives: -On sale items can be cheaper than their competitors -Staff is knowledgeable on where items are placed -(Can be considered a positive for some) In and out service -Good/Safe location -Good place to obtain basic items at the last minute Negatives: -Not on sale items (commonly priced items) Prices are generally a few dollars higher than cheaper alternatives -Staff isn't as social or approachable as one would desire -A little too racially homogenous, not enough diversity in race or disposition read more

I am happy to be updating my prior review and upgrading my ratingvto 5 stars. The pharmacy has significantly improved the quality of its customer service over the past year. The pharmacists and staff are friendly, responsive and timely in filling prescriptions. They are now my primary pharmacy. I hope they continue their current level of service. read more

After switching from Mom's Pharmacy to this Walgreens I thought I had hit the jackpot for proficient customer service. It is unfortunate that today they hit a low point. This is my 3rd time here in 2 days waiting for my prescriptions to be filled. Shame on you Walgreens read more

This is a great Walgreens. Although it's not that big, it has just about everything I ever want from a drug store - even quality cleaning products and tools - and a good variety to choose from. The pharmacy is open until 9pm, the staff is helpful and friendly, their hosiery section is pretty good, there's hardly ever a wait to check out, there's a small parking lot next to it and their milk is usually fresher than the nearby grocery store. The only thing they don't have is good quality shampoo/conditioner brands, but what chain drug store really does? read more

The pharmacy manager has been outstanding; she has gone far beyond the ordinary in addressing my issues with insurance and authorizations. Outstanding! read more

The store has always had a good environment any time I've been in. The pharmacy, especially, has been very helpful. I had a problem with my insurance, and the young brunette at the pharmacy counter offered to call my insurance for me and get it resolved; she even called for assistance with the line so she could take time to help me out. I feel usually feel the burden is placed on me when trying to figure out these things, as if people do not want to take the extra effort, so it was appreciated. Probably not the best medium to address it, but the odious comment below, the one that is trying so hard not to sound racist, is so blithely ignorant. If one has ever worked a service job, they would understand having to work in customer service is more homogeneous in this case than ethnicity. It's a Walgreens--a large, busy, chain. It's not your local mom and pop store. People are probably overwhelmed with so much negativity all day, that they may not always want to smile or pretend to be happy about their mediocre job. They are human beings. I was a server in college, and I understand how trying it is. I would get it if the complaint was about poor customer service, but not about not being a overly cheerful, white individual (that seems what was implied). "I will add that they (various Asian employees) have occasionally helped me out, by giving me tips or instructions on how to save a few more dollars either in the future or in the present visit to the store. So I'm not opposed to Asians working at Walgreens..." Disregard that bigoted statement. I think the staff is just fine. read more

This review is purely for the selling of the Foster Grant plastic rimmed reading glasses. I have bought several of the glasses over the past year and though I am very careful, these glasses break within a few months. At $24.00 each, I am losing a lot of money. They are obviously made with cheap plastic. Stop selling them! read more

This Walgreens has everything you need for a neighborhood drugstore. I've never had any 'bad' experiences per se, but I've definitely had better. Most of the time the checkout person seems pretty disinterested or distracted. The pharmacy is a bit of a mess sometimes - they don't seem to know what to do next a lot of the time. but all in all everything I need I can get and usually in and out without a hassle. read more

In general I don't like frequenting this 'big box' chain. But, since it's basically omnipresent in SF, it's unavoidable. I've been to almost all of the stores in the Noe/Mission area of the City and this one is by far the best. After the initial nasal-assault-by-laundry-detergent smell and uber fluorescent/artificial light as I walk in (all stores share this experience) I can at least typically get the staff to help if I need it at this store and never have to stand in line long (so the sensory assault is brief). read more

I forget the things I need from hardware and variety stores, grocery stores & Costco but Walgreen's comes to the rescue with screwdrivers, light bulbs, shoe polish, Haagen-Daz, Odwalla, SoBe, cat food, emergency Halloween candy and what-have-you. Oh, they also fill prescriptions but get there on time before about 9 pm. A very helpful convenience store in our 'hood. Thanks...when are they going to expand into dry cleaning & serving espresso drinks now that the demand for photo finishing is losing ground? read more

I am so happy there is a drugstore in the neighborhood. The reason for the 3 star review is that the parking lot spaces were painted far too small for a normal sized person to exit their car. Please repaint the parking lot so that adults can exit their cars without causing damage to other vehicles! read more

Good job guys! I see all of you all the time, very friendly (rarely an off day when the register person doesn't smile.) Keep that pizza in stock! Ps. Joy is the coolest! Always so happy and friendly! read more

The employees here are always real sweet and responsive. My complaint is their house brand 'Nice!' almonds and cashews, which are usually rotten and should be thrown out, not put on sale 2-for-one. I'm speaking from years of experience, and have given up on being suckered by that 'bargain' (gag). I wouldn't trust any of their house brand items after that. If it isn't rancid, it probably involved slave labor. Yuck. I'll also complain that it's freaky to see a Walgreens every few blocks in the city. There are about 100 stores listed on yelp, to date. That's too many! Give local stores a chance - they usually have fresher edibles. No responsible local store would continue to carry rotten food for so many years. Unacceptable! read more

This Walgreens gets four stars for the consistently above average customer service delivered by 95% of the staff that works at this (Noe) location. The management at this store must be solid, because year after year, the staff at this location continue to demonstrate courtesy and willingness to be of help whenever I ask for assistance. Minus one star, as the small yet busy parking lot could be better managed. Often times the parking lot is full, yet there are very few customers in the store. Seems many people use the Walgreens lot, then take off to do all of their errands on 24th street, leaving other would-be Walgreens customers to wait in line for a parking spot. (Or, as I often do when I see a line for the parking lot--turn around and shop elsewhere/another time). read more

Great Walgreens location with a small parking lot...parking for a hour. I have been a Noe Valley resident for over 30 years and I have shopped at this location since the opening in the early '80's. The staff is always courtious and helpful. There is a gentleman who has been working there since the opening and seems to know almost everyone who comes in to shop. The Pharmacy staff is very helpful, but lines do run slow. It's refreshing that this shop has been a part of the Noe Valley for a long time and appears to be doing well in this economy. read more

My husband tried to get a prescription filled here in Sept. 2009. He was desperate and desperately ill - too ill to find another drugstore. They are still SLOW. You could DIE waiting for a prescription here. read more

Terrible service at the Pharmacy at the Noe Valley Walgreen's. Very rude and unhappy staff and long wait times. The Pharmacist was very unprofessional and she was so condescending to the staff there. read more

Every time I come to the pharmacy here I have to wait seemingly forever in line. Sometimes there are no other pharmacy clerks around other than the one at the counter, and sometimes there are clerks standing around behind the counter just chatting with the pharmacist. I'm not sure if the problem is that the pharmacy is under-staffed or the employees are just lazy, but after four or five incidents of waiting 10+ minutes in line for a prescription that was already ready, I've given up on this pharmacy. read more

We've endured the EXTREMELY SLOW service for years now because of the convenient location. Well not any more. Walgreens (oddly called The Precision Company which you'll see the irony of if you keep reading) continued to bill old insurance for two months and got paid somehow. Two years later, BC has decided they want me to pay them the $3200 for some medication and Walgreens, The Precision Company, has decided that since they got their money, they have no real vested interest in helping me out with their billing SNAFU, so I get to do all this extra work because they "with precision" billed incorrectly. BOO on you Walgreens. You will no longer get my family's business. read more

Years ago this pharmacy had helpful, knowledgeable pharmacists that cared about their clients, but not anymore. Pharmacist Reed or Reid or Read, can't remember the spelling, but he is the last straw for me. He exemplifies all that is bad in chain pharmacies. He was arrogant, unwilling to problem solve, even though I have been a customer for decades and due to chronic conditions have ongoing medications (none of which are painkillers). I had to call United Health Care insurance after 5:00 PM to get a weekend solution because he was such a jerk. My insurance company (United Health Care) out of the blue decided to make one of my medications a "need prior authorization" for refills after 15 years without notification while I was away doing field work for several months and I got such poor information from the Walgreens when I returned to get my refill as normal. They were supposed to send a request to my doctor with the information detailing what was needed for pre-authorization. Nothing happened. Then I called my doctor and they called back and said they did not know what was needed. I had to call United Health myself and get the right number for the doctor to call which obviously Walgreens did not provide. I was told on Thursday by a United Health are supervisor it would be taken care of and expedited and that Walgreen could give me an advance on my prescription. BUT Mr Read/Reed would NOT do this and wanted me to pay $600.00 out of pocket for a partial fill of my medication without my insurance coverage even though I told him that the doctor contacted United and United stated that they would expedite the process. I then called United on Friday night after 5:00PM and went through the whole story again and he supervisor looked at my file and he put in a 5-day overide so I could get my medication which I have to take daily. To be sure this problem was started by United Health Care's decision to put this unnecessary rule in place for an old medication to interfere with doctors writing prescriptions. However, Walgreen's incompetence with communication with the doctor properly and total lack of follow through or client care. This has happened SO MANY TIMES that I HAVE to leave this pharmacy even though it is in my neighborhood. Here's a few problems I've had, sometime they get it right but sometimes they don't and one wants consistency every time and a high level of COMPETENCY from a all the Pharmacists. No one wants a snarky rude one like Mr. Reed who couldn't c care less about me. 1. I have gone to pick up my prescriptions and they are not ready. 2. They are out of my medication and they don't order it even though I have called in a refill in advance. 3. They have told me my insurance doesn't cover brand name medications when they do. 4. They have filled prescriptions for medications that I am allergic to which are in my records hence the Pharmacists at Walgreens have not caught these contra-indications and when I called this to their attention they would not take any responsibility for their terrible lack of oversight and patient care competence. This WALGreen's has lost all my business read more

Pharmacy very slow. Not busy at all, they asked me to wait 15-20, then looked at me puzzled when I came back in 20. They just said "it's not ready, 5 minutes. 10 min and still nothing. Should I ask again, I feel like every time I ask they add 10 minutes to my sentence read more

I was always so-so about this Walgreens in that it was just fine. But last week I was trying to pick up some pictures that weren't ready (something wrong with the system, blah, blah, blah). BUT my 7-year-old started whining to me that he had to go potty "really bad" and the not overly friendly guy behind the counter helping with the pictures heard him, walked us into the back and stood with us while my son got to use the employee bathroom. Despite the picture printing snafu, that earns them a BIG FAT 5 STARS! read more

Yeah, it's super-busy, but they have everything you need--they're a Walgreen's! Just don't come here if you need a prescription right away.

Love the pharmacy staff here - knowledgable, friendly and consistently flexible in making a good patient experience.

Best service at Walgreens!! From the time I walked in I was offered assistance to help me find what I was on the hunt for. Appreciate the genuine customer service! read more

I am a big Walgreen's fan (when I compare them to other such stores) and this one at 24th and Castro is the best organized smaller store I have ever seen where you can find a huge variety of items in a pinch. I am always amazed. The store is also very conveniently, centrally located and it has a small parking lot (yes, you do have to get a little lucky, but come'on, in this tight, expensive little neighborhood to have a small lot is amazing!) I have also seen the clerks (dealing with great patience) some of the most obnoxious, righteous, cheap, penny-pinching customers. The only thing that is really annoying is some of the customers (mentioned previously) and the panhandlers who post themselves outside...but that is not the store's fault. Anyway, I rate this store 5-stars for organization, variety, patience, and excellent use of space. read more

Generally good experiences at this Walgreens--but its been going downhill in recent months. Just a general thing to note when you shop at any Walgreens---you have to check the scanner to make sure your items scan at the sales price for this company is notorious for not accurately updating their register systems. I bring my purchase to the counter and the fat Asian lady rings me up-- I hand her my coupons--one being from the monthly coupon book. It does not scan and she proceeds to tell me I have the wrong item--which I do not because I am very meticulous when I shop. I politely tell her it is and ask her if she wants to see the display--she refuses and states the coupon is invalid because it will not scan. She was too lazy to override it. I let her finish my transaction so that I can go about my day. So she finishes it and I feel that there is something off about the amount--so i check my receipt and sure enough the household cleaners advertised at 20% did not ring that way---got the stupid 1000 balance points--but not the 20%--which honestly is more important than points. So i go to the front register to get some help with this and explain the situation to the person up there--when the original lady who rang me, comes running up and asking in an attitiude if there is a problem--thought that was very unprofessional and irritating. I have the ad in front of me with the EXACT picture of the item and its promo--the person up front gets a manager and i explain to him.. he tries telling me that since i used coupons on my other items--it voided out the 20%--bs!!! The only time an offer in the system voids out is if you try to use a register reward and a coupon. He is looking at my receipt confused and i have to show him where the item is and that it did not discount. So he is absolutely convinced my coupons voided the discount out and he proceeds to prove his point by ringing up the items on a separate transcation expecting it to automatically give the discount which did not--so there goes his theory---all the while i feel really bad because a line is forming, because this person is trying to prove his point to me. He keeps running back and forth between the shelf and i show him that i bought the exact items that are listed and pictured in the ad. So he announces as if he is doing me favor that I am getting the 20% and try to doing the math on piece of register paper...all of this took 20 minutes, when it could have been resolved in 5 minutes. I know customer service is never an easy thing and I strive to be polite when there is a mistake on their part---but when i have the ad in front of me with the very specific item listed and pictured---and they won't accept their mistake, then its hard. And i know people may think, what's the big deal, its only 20%--but with the economy the way it is and being unemployed for 10 months--the 20% means alot read more

Was glad (?!) to read of so many others having trouble at this pharmacy & store- just to know it isn't only me having chronic issues w/ them..but I have to keep going there as only one near enough to my work to get there at lunch or after work (I work until 8 PM, they are open until 9). One review commented that pharmacy staff lied about "a state regulation" that didn't exist- they did to me too when demanding I.D. to DROP OFF my daughter's prescription for ADHD (technically a "controlled substance") . Not to pick up the meds; which I could understand, but to drop off?! Even after she's been getting same thing refilled there every month for YEARS? As a nurse who works with a lot of ADHD kids, I knew there was no such regulation- checked it out with Pharmacy Board-turns out there is no such "state regulation" -they just plain lied. Always super slow long lines, often out of (several) meds and have to order. Once they wanted to give me only 27 of my daughter's 30 pills- they cannot split an order for "controlled substance" so they could not give me the remaining 3 at later date and it would have been days to get the whole order- never mind they I order the same freakin thing from them every month, wouldn't they anticipate having it in stock? Like kids in Noe Valley never have ADHD, rotflmao. Got an automated call (7:30 AM on my day off! not too happy about that) that my RX was ready. Get there and not only is it not ready, the doctor didn't authorize a refill.. oh wait, seems they never actually contacted the doctor to ask for authorization..and now it's a weekend. And, as one reviewer commented, their Nice! store brand fancy mixed nuts were moldy for me, too! And ditto the review re: the peculiar cosmetics area clerk (white, heavily made up, 40's) who is very intrusive, won't let you pick your own items w/o gving unsolicited advice- follows you from aisle to asile repeatedly offering "help" even if you keep saying "no thanks". In teh meantime, dozens are lined up for one or two open registers and she is OCD-starighetning shelves. She once called me the bad-b word because I picked up a store sales flyer from a rolling cart and she said it was "hers". She was two aisles away.. she works there.. why can't I, the customer, look at "her" sales flyer for a minute?. I made a fomal complaint, but she is still working there- I'd be fired in a scecond if I called a patient a b-! Definitely mental health issues for that gal. yeah glad to know I am not the only one. I guess?! read more