Horsnyder Pharmacy

Complete, total, utter FAILURE as a business.
This morning I went to Horsnyder’s Pharmacy with a prescription for a wrist/​thumb splint for my mother. My mother was with me – she has dementia, osteoporosis, and a pretty good case of arthritis (hence the need for a wrist brace). My first indication that we wouldn’t have a good experience was the employee who was vacuuming the floor – she had a sour expression on her face. As first impressions go, it wasn’t favorable.
Being unfamiliar with the store, I inquired at the prescription counter. The woman behind the counter directed me to the brace section, and told me that one of the «fitters» would assist us. We proceeded where directed, and the woman behind that counter told us to have a seat and someone would help us. After a few minutes a man came up. I handed him the prescription, and he said it didn’t have enough information. I gave him the medical clinic name, and he walked off – I assumed to call the doctor’s office.
While I was awaiting his return, I walked over to the hand brace section. There certainly was a large selection from which to choose; I’m sure one of the devices would have been beneficial for my mother. However, when he returned he asked what kind of insurance mom had. I told him, and he asked if she had Medicare. She does, but we didn’t have the card with us. And that was apparently the deal breaker. He said he was sorry, and I just asked for the prescription back and we left.
Whatever happened to customer service? At no point did a single employee make us feel welcome, or that they wanted our business. And the fact is, my mother could have easily paid for a brace out-​of-​pocket, and I would have been delighted to have conducted our business there and been done with it. I should add that we were both casually but tidily dressed, hair combed and teeth brushed; in other words, we did not look like a couple of indigents. But no one even asked if they could fit my mother for a brace, nor yet ask if we would like to buy one absent the proper insurance.
So even though Horsnyder’s has a good selection of braces, we shall be taking our business elsewhere.

i hopped in with an acute knee injury having been referred from PAMF and walked out with a customized knee brace in fifteen minutes. the customer service couldn’t have been better!

I want to support local businesses, but Horsnyder made it really hard to do so. They were my pharmacy for a couple of years, but on more than one occasion I would call in to check on or refill a prescription and then be told it would be ready in an hour or so. Then with no rush, stopping by later in the day, am told by their staff that they didn’t have the prescription ready — in fact, they didn’t even have the medicine in stock and had to order it. They would never bothered to tell me that when I call, nor would they call me back to notify me. A couple of the younger staff are real dunces, too. It’s a shame they are not more professional or reliable, I’ll be taking my business elsewhere.

I’ve had occasion over the years to ride out from Aptos to Horsynyders while caring for my mother & father in their twilight years. I was always pleased with the sevice and selection of goods catering to seniors. Being one myself now I have regular contact with Horsynyders and their caring staff. I would like to give a shout out for Kathy (Cathy) who has gone the extra mile in helping me in some difficult supply issues I’ve had.
Keep up the good work.
Ed Schindler

If I could give this place 0 stars I would. I’m 23 years old and my mother recently had her hip replaced. I went to pick up the things she needed, required /​covered by her doc/​insurance. The lady on the phone was incredibly rude and impatient. When I got there I’ve never received such horrible service in my life. First of all I don’t know what you need after a hip surgery and instead of being nice and helping me out this lady belittled me and made me feel like an idiot because I didn’t know what my mother needed. It’s probably because she hates her own life. I will NOT be returning. I’m born and raised here and love shopping local. You would think a local business would be happier to have customers. I guess not. Get a new, happier, more helpful staff in the back.

Wonderful compassionate service and knowledgeable staff. I wish I knew the name of the woman who helped me find what I needed. She went out of her way above and beyond, even gave me a free sample of the compression socks I needed. Earned my business for life. So much better than CVS it’s not even funny.

When I read the very low and caustic review by M’liss B about Horsnyder’s staff, I was quite shocked. The staff I have experienced who work at this place have always been very helpful and kind. So, I looked up M’liss B’s other reviews and discovered this complaining reviewer is not to be trusted. While she claimed she ‘never’ had written a negative review, clicking on her Unilocal history reveals that she was being less than honest; her one star review (i.e. negative review) about a year-​and-​a-​half earlier to Boulder Creek Brewery, demonstrates she is less than honest.
When I worked as a sales clerk and waitress in my youth, I learned that some people take out stresses in their lives upon hired help. This is apparent in M’liss B’s claims that are shown to be false and ones that also malign hard-​working staff. This contrasts with the highly positive reviews by most others at both places indicates that reviewer seems to have taken out her frustrations about needing crunches by seeing the worst in the staff then making claims that appear as inaccurate as her assurances that this was the only time she ever wrote a bad review. I suspect the she did the same in her claims about the Boulder Creek Brewery.
I used to live in Boulder Creek and until a fire burnt their building and put them out of business, I was always impressed with their service and staff as I am with those at Horsnyder. I am glad others’ reviews seem far more honest to help expose people who take out their stress by attacking kind, hard-​working employees and giving less than truthful reviews that hurt businesses.

Just amazing service!!! Bought a sling for my wife, two people were helping me with the sling and modeling it to show me how to use it. Another was helping with the paperwork, and Another getting my prescriptions. You just don’t see service like this anymore!
Thank you!!!

This pharmacy has a wide selection of products for those who are injured. They have all the medical supplies you could ever want, but I highly recommend buying your supplies online to avoid the price gouging of this pharmacy.
I had to rent a scooter for 6 weeks because I broke my leg. Everyone knows that casts usually have to stay on 6 weeks. Hornsnyder’s only rents the scooters for a month at a time. This is really taking advantage of people in a crisis situation. My best advice is to order them on Amazon prime or find one used on craigslist. The amount you will pay for a rental far exceeds what you have to pay to Hornsnyder’s. I don’t appreciate being price gouged in a time of need.

First I have to say I have never written a bad review and I am not a high maintenance customer, but I am compelled to write one about the horrible service I received at Hornsnyder’s.
Every time I had to call the store to find out about picking up a pair of crutches, the woman that I spoke to was extremely rude. She was short, condescending, wouldn’t listen to what I was saying, cut me off, and was very mean! I sent my husband in to see if he could pick up the crutches. He received the same rude treatment. Even worse, he overheard the staff talking crap about every single customer that called. As soon as the customer got off the phone with the employee, the employee would say rude things about the customer. My husband wanted to tell them that they wouldn’t have jobs if it weren’t for those customers. They made him wait 40 minutes only to say they just couldn’t help him.
Each time I called I hung up the phone in tears. No exaggeration. It took 4 days to get a pair of crutches from this store. The employee would do nothing to help us. Mind you, I am hurt for the first time in my life and needed their help!
I have been to Hornsnyder’s before to get crutches and things for my children over the years and have always received great customer service.
This staff that is there now will end up costing this business customers and that is very sad because it has been in business for a very long time.
Honestly if possible, I will not return to Hornsnyder’s.

I am so impressed with this store’s staff.
I went in there in quite a bit of pain recently & was met by a warm, friendly and knowledgable woman who found just what I needed and took the time to fit it to me — so helpful, so compassionate.
I’ve been back 2 more times this week. Each time the staff has been friendly and accommodating.
Thanks Horsnyder Pharmacy — when people are in pain it’s comforting to know there’s a place they can go for medical supplies and a staff that cares.

First time in there – I was very pleased with the customer service. I had originally called regarding my prescription, and Rachel was informative. She also called me back to clarify some things. Once in there, I was immediately helped by another employee who walked me over to the correct «department. Again, Rachel helped me, she was polite and informative while fitting me for my contraption. She’s a patient person, and is an asset to Horsnyder’s!

I came in the store with a friend who had breast surgery and saw their advertisements for prosthetics. We looked up and down the store for this section and could not find it. None of the salespeople on the floor asked if we needed help.
Finally after circling the store three times, we flagged down a salesperson (chatting to another salesperson) and asked if they carried these types of things here. The saleslady said «yes, but we keep them in the back» and she gestured to a little closet. She said we would have to wait for someone to take us in there. I said, «Wait, you HIDE them?» because I couldn’t believe that a shop that carries adult diapers, porta-​potties, bras, and all the other geriatric care and bathroom accessibility items you can think of would find bra inserts and breast prosthetics for women who have had breast surgery so embarrassing that they have to hide them in the back and not even indicate they carry them anywhere in the store, or otherwise indicate to customers how they might go about shopping for these items!
The saleslady then went and whispered in the ear of a coworker, then resumed chatting to other people. I assumed she told that other coworker that we wanted to look at the prosthetics, but that other coworker never looked our way and proceeded to move around the store on other business. After waiting there for several more minutes without anyone acknowledging our existence, my friend just wanted to leave. It was very awkward and embarrassing for her, which is why I’m writing this review.
I don’t think it’s right that patients who have had breast surgery are put in this situation when they go to the pharmacy– a pharmacy that publicly advertises breast prosthetics in the paper. Hiding that product and making patients confused while they look for them in the store and then forcing them to inquire of a stranger «uh do you carry breast prosthetics here because we can’t find them» and then making them wait awkwardly for a special salesperson to escort them into a special room?
Half the population on the planet has breasts. Breast cancer and mastectomies/​lumpectomies are common and yet the prosthetics are hidden! Is there something shameful or offensive about single fake plastic boobs for people who have had surgery? The urinals are out there, the adult diapers are out there. We live in a culture where women’s lingerie is sold in every department store out in the open and lingerie fashion shows are on public TV. What’s the big deal about putting the products for women who have had mastectomies or other breast surgery in a corner of the shop? Do people find them arousing or something? I can’t believe that. Is it to spare the woman embarrassment from being seen looking at breast prosthetics? I don’t get it. How would looking at products for incontinence be any less embarrassing? In any case, you could be shopping for yourself or someone else, and you still have to take the items to the check out. They don’t put pregnancy tests or UTI tests or tampons or yeast infection tests in a secret back room of the pharmacy, and those things are personal and embarrassing to buy, too. So what gives? Hiding them away and making women wonder what’s going on and then making them ask salespeople is so much more embarrassing for women than just walking up to a shelf and grabbing a box and buying it, or asking to try it on.
For my friend, simply having to ask a salesperson and then be treated awkwardly and made to wait to go to a special room was much more embarrassing and inconvenient then walking up to a shelf in a store.

Excellent pharmacy for specialty items. I recently injured myself and needed a walking boot. They were able to give me all the information I needed over the phone so when I hobbled in, I knew exactly what I needed and there were ample staff there to help me out. The woman who helped me seemed to know her stuff, and presto! I was in a highly stylish pneumatic walking boot in no time! In the past, I’ve come here for medical tape that I used for sports injuries and they always have it in stock. Again, I was helped by very friendly staffers. I had to deduct a star for their prices. They tend to be on the high side, but I suppose they can charge whatever they want if they are the only ones in the area to carry the item you need.

I had been driving by for years and finally stopped in… I was really impressed with the selection and great service. It was really nice doing business with a local company rather than one of the larger corporate brands.

A great local pharmacy, and they are fantastic with equipment orders and with coordinating benefits through Medicare and Medi-​Cal.
I’m a Social Worker and frequently need equipment for Medi-​Cal clients– they are always my go-​to.

I HEART Horsnyder Medical and Pharmacy!!!
I had been a Walgreens on Soquel customer for 6yrs mainly because they are right next door to my Husband’s work — but they stopped allowing my medical insurance as of 2012. I had transferred my Rx’s to CVS on Front St because it was closest to my house. But instead of receiving a smooth transition I got stuck in the SEVENTH CIRCLE OF RX HELL!!! It turned into such a mess and needless to say my much needed meds were being held hostage!!!
I went into Horsnyder Medical and Pharmacy and explained my problems. Within 5 mins of being there they took all my Rx #‘s and insurance info and gave me meds free of charge to hold me over until Tuesday when they could get EVERYTHING straightened out and transferred!!! THEY ARE AWESOME! I shook the Pharamastist hand and walked out.
SHOP LOCAL Y’ALL!!!

This place saved my foot: A long story, I apologize!!!
Most recently, I had been suffering from ball of the foot pain which would not go AWAY! I had seen an Orthopedic Specialist and Podiatrist who– I believe, basically looked at me and my seemingly healthy 28-​year-​old body and told me that whatever it was bothering me would just «go away» because I was young.
My Primary Doctor prescribed physical therapy, and my coworker mentioned acupuncture. I tried both with moderate results… and still pain, pain, pain whenever I walked! Then I was prescribed pain killers… which I was on for a month… after that I decided I’d rather live with the pain then be dependent on this medication the rest of my life.
— - -
I recently moved back to Santa Cruz, after the whole ordeal (off the pain killers now) so having foot pain again, and decided to check out Horsnyders.
As soon as I walked in someone helped me find the foot care section and left me in the hands of the resident podiatry specialist. I told him about my recent injuries and pointed to a specific part of my foot that was giving me so much trouble. He took one look at my foot and told me that my metatarsal arch had dropped and that I needed a special ball-​of the-​foot orthotic.
As soon as I put it in my shoe… wha-​la! Alignment of my tendons and ligaments! And with the arch wrap support I just bought, I can even where sandals again!!! I can’t walk without the orthotic, but I can walk with out pain now!
Why on earth couldn’t all of the well compensated «Specialists» figure out what was wrong with me? Viva la Horsnyders for the young and the old! You’ve mobilized me again!

Worst customer service ever! I guess I wasn’t surprised since I read the reviews before heading over to the shop. I always try to give a place the benefit of the doubt and this shop was close to my house…
I walked in and was promptly stared down by an older woman working near the front door. After pausing a moment to wait for a greeting (which I never received) I approached and asked where I could find the crutches. I was obviously limping and in a lot of pain. Granted, I had not tried to decipher where to go on my own, but I didn’t expect to be treated like an idiot. After locating my crutches, I was assisted in setting them up by a nice woman at the window to an office. Unfortunately, I was not paying through insurance and was ushered off to another rude person behind the cash register.
They do have a GREAT selection! Too bad it’s run by the rudest people in all of Santa Cruz!

Horsnyder has an excellent selection of medical supplies. Not just excellent, the selection is insanely extensive. They not only have a bajillion braces for every part of your body but they also carry them in every size (I saw the range from Small to XXX Large).
I went looking for a knee brace and found this wall of support chock full of various knee braces from those little patella ring thingers to full on leg immobilizer deals, all depending on how much support you will need.
It may have been because I came at the end of the day but everyone that worked there seemed pretty worked over. I imagine they deal with crabby sick people all day and it can take a toll.
I plan to come back should I ever need anything out of the ordinary and will stick to rite aid for things like soap.
After coming back today to exchange my knee brace (it was a size too big) I had to update this review. I went to the counter to exchange and was told I should speak to one of the fitting people. A woman by the name of Janet let me try on a few different braces until we found the perfect one for me. So great! :)