Joseph E.
Yelp
Yesterday was my 4th visit at this location.
Visit 1: I had never purchased WP frames before and was in need of new eyeglasses. I was interested in what I saw so I set up an appointment for an eye exam the next week. Friendly staff, easy to make an appointment, walked out feeling excited.
Visit 2: Quick eye exam with Dr. Dinh. She was friendly, professional, but it felt rushed. I didn't complain because I figured it's just a busy location. I picked out the frames I liked. I chose the half blue, half clear Durand. They took my measurements and, being that my head is a bit wide, I expressed concern about proper fit. They assured me that they would be made to fit on my face properly. Again, walked out feeling excited.
Third visit: I received an email notification after two days that my eyeglasses were ready. I was told 10-14 days so I was surprised. I stopped in and tried on the eyeglasses. Before I put them on, I remember thinking "wow, these look amazing!" When I finally tried them on, that is when things went wrong. I paid for the thinnest lenses (and therefore most expensive) which, having a higher prescription, I was sure would happen from the beginning. Totally okay with that. The problem was when I tried the eyeglasses on everything was off. The frames felt heavy, they were suction cupped to my face and extremely ill fitting, but worst of all my left eye could not focus. I kept trying to blink and give them a moment to adjust but my eye just kept straining. Being that my prescription had not changed much, it did not make sense that the prescription seemed as if my sight had changed drastically. I expressed my concerns and the gentleman assisting me took the frames and began altering them so that they would fit better. He heated the frames up with a machine in specific spots so that he could alter the way the frames fit. I noticed immediately that when he heated up the blue parts of the frame the color warped and became clear. He had me try them on again and I repeated multiple times that my left eye couldn't focus. The more he altered them, the worse it got. The frame color was warped now and didn't look anything like the frames I wanted. I told him they were not okay. He consulted with a colleague and, during which, it was clear he thought there was nothing wrong with them. Additionally, he was checking out my old frames (not Warby Parker frames) that I was still using and was popping the lenses in and out and bending the frames (without my consent) and I just felt like "what the hell is going on here? These are my glasses!" In the end, the two gentleman agreed to have the Durand frames remade. I was told they would be expedited and they apologized for any inconvenience.
Fourth visit: The first pair were ready in 2 days with "normal" shipping. This second pair with "expedited" shipping were ready after almost 2 weeks. Already not feeling positive about this. I get called over and presented with the "new pair." I picked the eyeglasses up and was mortified to see that the blue color in the frames was discolored and absent in parts the exact same way the first pair were when they had been heated up by the prior gentleman when he was trying to alter the fit. I couldn't believe it. I looked at the guy and said, "is this the same pair?" He told me no. I then asked him why the color was distorted just like they had been after the previous frames were heated up and altered? He told me that it must be how they were manufactured at the location. This is where I need to stop for a moment. Let's say, for argument sake, these are in fact a new pair. He is telling me that he is willingly and openly presenting to me a product that I paid for that is inferior and does not look like the product advertised or even like the sample frames on the showroom floor. And that apparently I'm supposed to be okay with that? Couple that with the fact that when I put them on, the same exact fit issues were present and my left eye is still straining to focus. Am I wrong to think that this could very well be the same exact pair? The frames look just like the altered, discolored frames presented to me on my third visit, the fit is problematic in the same way, and the lenses are straining my left eye. I was very displeased and upset. I told him that these eyeglasses were not right, had the same issues as before, and that frankly I did not want to come back to the location a fifth time. Do you think there was any interest in trying to rectify or understand the problem? Well, you would be wrong. I was told I would be issued a refund (which I still haven't received) and was sent on my way. That's it. No apologies. Nothing.
Complete disappointment. It became obvious to me that quantity of sales is heavily outweighed over quality service. I will not be recommending Warby Parker to anyone anytime soon.