If you are an Aussie and have not realised already, Australia is the land where everyone has to make a buck, every step of the way.
Going into Amcal the other day, I experienced this first hand by getting prescription medicine. The cost of the medicine was $24.95 and I paid and collected. Afterwards, I decided to conduct a price check with Chemist Warehouse, simply because they post their prices online. To my shock their price was only $15.99 pickup.
I complained by calling their customer service hotline to complain (1800 500 760). I asked them why their prices were almost 50% higher that the competitors. The lady that took my call immediately got into the defensive and blurted out the following statements:
- Amcal cannot beat Chemist Warehouse's prices because Chemist Warehouse buys in bulk.
- Each Amcal store can only purchase thought the Amcal supplier.
- Amcal does not mark up any of their prescription medications. (They possibly purchase it at a inflated price from the supplier)
- Amcal focuses on customer service and that is one of the reasons why their price is higher than competitors, like Chemist Warehouse. ($9 surcharge is not worth the 20 seconds of face to face contact)
Asking for a refund or even a part refund, they refused. Their prices are not affordable, and cannot be justified. I believe that everyone that has been wrongly done by Amcal should complain using the 1800 500 760 number and leave a bad review on their google place page or any other social media outlet. I endded up telling her to get lost, Im never shopping in another amcal chemist - AGAIN!
A bit of google searching showed that I am not alone.
http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/business/chemists-price-gouging-at-the-local-shopping-centre/
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/consumers-ripped-off-by-chemists/story-fn59nokw-1226436186619
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