One of my nose pads fell out of my glasses, so I decided to stop by and have them both replaced. The entire process took 90 minutes. I heard them complaining to one another that they were short staffed. Not only is that unprofessional, but it fails to be a consolation when every time I go they are complaining about being short staffed. One of the three people helping customers was with a woman the full 90 minutes I was there, though I don't know if the customer was just sucking up time or the employee was dragging it out. It shouldn't take 90 minutes for a simple repair that, once I was called, took literally 90 seconds! I don't blame the employees, I blame management. read more

I booked an appointment for my daughter and myself 3 weeks ago and went to see doctor then they said they cancelled both the appointments, and the staff is not friendly. With out any prior intimation they cancelled appointment. They asked me to reschedule and again wait for 3 ore weeks. Again I have to take break from work and visit the store. read more

Zero stars if I could. I had an awful experience at Empire Visionworks. The doctor was rude and dismissive, offering no explanation about my two children's eye exams. I left unsure if they even needed glasses. When I asked the optician for clarification, she snapped, "I'm not the doctor." She refused to look up the info or help answer any of my questions. When I asked for the prescriptions so I could go elsewhere, they made no effort to retain us--even though I was ready to buy two pairs of glasses. Both of my kids left confused and anxious after their first eye exam, which is heartbreaking. If you're looking for kind, helpful service and answers about your family's vision, go somewhere else. This place was a complete letdown. read more

At the time I'm writing this, this business has 46 reviews with an average of 2 stars... that's too high. I went here for the first time two weeks ago. I will go blind before ever going back to a Visionworks. I made an appointment for my visit, and still had to wait over 20 mins to be seen by the doctor. The doctor was very friendly, soft spoken, and attentive. I can imagine she gave the same spiel over and over many times a day, yet she still made sure I understand the information and checked with me multiple times to see if I have any questions. No complaints what so ever about the doctor. The rep who helped me after, rather, the rep that was supposed to help me after could not have been colder. She was not outright rude, but she was not helpful in any way. Never smiled, never thanked me, never even got me my trials. Couldn't order them for some issue, said she would later, it's been two weeks and I've heard nothing. I wanted to order contacts but had a question about the sizing of my glasses. I asked for a measurement, mind you the doctor told me to ask the rep for this, and she refused because I wasn't ordering glasses. I'm paying almost $200 for an exam but she can't give me a measurement? Mind you I walked into another competitor without an appointment and without buying anything and they measured my glasses for me happily. Believe all the bad reviews this place has gotten for years, as I should have, and NEVER go to Visionworks. If you are contemplating going here, just poke yourself in the eye, stay home, and save yourself further irritation. read more

They sent me an email of a gps link. It sent us to the wrong location which made us late. They couldn't take us in and made us reschedule, now i have to wait 2 more weeks just to not have a blurry eyesight. NEVER AGAIN. read more

The staff at the Latham store is FANTASTIC. I think this will be my permanent location.

I recently had new glasses made at the Slingerlands store. Both Matt and Bethany were very helpful in choosing frames that complimented my face. Matt went the extra mile sending a frame back because it was not comfortable and never would be! Hats off to both of them. Donnette read more

Where to start. First and foremost I will NEVER come here again. The day of my exam was okay the doctor was friendly and made it a easy experience. Then I had to sit down w a rep. I brought in frames to get new lenses put in. He was not paying attention to me one bit but more interested in everyone else. He said my glasses would be ready in a week or two. It was over a month. I continuously called the store and no one would answer then I contacted corporate and they said they would send them an email and yet no one would call. Finally I decided to stop in and see what was going on. The one guy who worked there (not sure of his name but stocky) was quick to give a snide remark when I said i called numerous times and no one would answer. He blamed it on corporate and was quite rude if I do say so myself. Then the assistant manager hopped in to help me. There I found out my glasses were in the back and BROKEN! He said I could pick any glasses in the store at no charge but to be honest I only liked the certain brand I wear and that color. I explained to him that I can only wear youth frames and I wanted them to replace them. He was very attentive and kind and called me throughout the process. He said he ordered me brand new glasses - same style brand and size. When I went to get them a few weeks later he was there and said that I got BRAND NEW frames and hoped I liked them. Well after leaving (bc I couldn't try them on in the store unless I made an appt) I quickly realized that they were used. The sides were dull and the lettering of the brand name was clearly rubbed off. They were not new and it was plain as day. At this point I just gave up! I will never use a vision works ever again. I'd give them 0 stars if I could but well... I cant. If you're smart go to a diff company NOT affiliated with VISION WORKS. read more

I ordered a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses at Empire Vision in Latham. Price 634.95 which included progressive lens, polycarbonate Polarized, Gradient Brown lens. I got them on a 50% off when you buy a second pair. I went to pick them up and I noticed the lens were not the Gradient Lens and it was a flat lens not the Ray Ban lens. They said it was the lab mistake and they will send them back and I would need to wait another two weeks. I sucked it up and waited another two weeks. I go to pick them up again and I experience the very same thing. Now I'm upset and let them know this is not acceptable. Now they tell me they are gradient lens but since they are polarized they don't use Ray Ban lens. I was told "Ray Ban doesn't allow them to use their polarized lens." I said then why am I paying a Ray Ban price when I'm not getting Ray Ban lens? And it was repeated....... "they are polarized lens and Ray Ban doesn't allow us to use them." Isn't this Bait and switch? Seriously, you're gonna charge the consumer Ray Ban Price and switch out the lens. This is unacceptable and I even question if the frame was even Ray Ban. Won't be going back. read more

Empire Visionworks - Eyewear & Opticians Near Me - Latham, New York

Would rather go anywhere else this place is terrible and the employees act like you're inconveniencing them. Also terrible selection of glasses. read more

Terrible experience. I waited over an hour to pick up glasses in the Latham office and to have them adjusted. When I asked how much longer the wait would be as I was on my lunch from work, I was reprimanded, told there were still people ahead of me and to come back after work. The employees were only waiting on people that were purchasing glasses. Once the glasses are paid for and you come in for what should be a few minute adjustment, you are made to wait over an hour and then treated like garbage. Also no one answers the phones in that office. Instead of selling more glasses, why don't you hire more staff? The employees there are overworked and grumpy. If you didn't have the state contract, you would be out of business. read more

Went to this location with my boyfriend and had a less than stellar customer service experience with one of the receptionists. This girl was extremely rude, rolled her eyes and spoke in a condescending tone when she pulled up the insurance and said frames were not covered. My boyfriend had to call his insurance company himself after much reluctance to help by the receptionist as she acted like he was incapable of understanding an insurance plan and benefits. Finally, another nice enployee came over to help and the rude receptionist then proceeded to roll her eyes at her own co-worker even though she was trying to help. Everything worked out, however, if it wasn't for the other employee helping I would have fully recommended NOT using this location due to the terrible customer service. read more

Workers are rude and disrespectful,both glasses for my son went to pick it up it was not what I ordered.ok had to wait two more weeks for the right glasses now the lens falling out.will be returning them asap for a full refund and taking my business elsewhere. read more

In store staff is very rude. They don't call you when your glasses are ready for pick up and NO ONE... EVER...answered the phone, in store OR customer care center. Doing business with this store? Best of luck to you! I'll never chose this store again. read more

Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere. You've been warned. Staff is rude as f. They don't answer phone. 6 months still waiting for trial contacts. Customer service 800 sucks as well. read more

I wish I read the reviews on Yelp before I went here, because it turns out that all the recent ones are true. I believe in the "customer is almost always wrong" policy, and I'll excuse rude behavior especially from overworked/underpaid employees, but there's a difference between being curt because you have a lot of people to get to and being condescending/making fun of customers to your coworkers and not having the slightest iota of care in being professional. Searched for frames for over half an hour, only to be told after that I could only get a certain kind of frame due to my insurance. Why wasn't I told that before? Why couldn't the doctor spare a moment to inform me, instead of just stare at a chart, mumble, and not even bother to TELL me whether or not my prescription changed? And after being informed, I was told I had to wait behind an already very long queue of people who were all also being badly treated. I asked about pupillary distance and whether or not I should get it measured again. Got a snippy "you're not a child anymore" remark, which, I'm sorry for not knowing something that isn't... my job... to know? I asked you because you're the expert? I'm paying $70 out of pocket, the least I deserve is some basic respect in answer for ONE question??? "I can't do this for you." Okay, but maybe that's because you didn't ask me if I had my prior prescription on hand? Stop giving me attitude, I get enough of it on my own job. The crowning cherry on top is the fact that these employees complain about customers... IN FRONT OF OTHER CUSTOMERS. You can talk sh*t all you like, but why would you do it in front of other people?? You're upset because a lady was confused about a policy on the store website??? She wasn't even being rude about it -- just genuinely confused, and you have the gall to snipe about it with the receptionist who's just trying to do her job? Vent at home or get therapy like the rest of us. read more

Latham location. It's time visiting it. Absolutely the worst staff I have encountered with the exception of the doctor. Absolutely rude and the way they treated me and were treating people around them was absolutely disgusting. Update. I did get a call back after my complaint from the manager. His name was Sam. Very nice man. Listened to my complaint, and helped resolve some of the issues I had which was much appreciated. read more

Before my appointment I was able to fill out online the paperwork required. The doctor and person I saw before her for initial testing were both great, but before I saw them I had to wait for about 10 minutes because I had arrived early. During that wait I was able to see that the front desk was very understaffed, as the phones kept ringing as customers lined up. However, one of my pet peeves is the phone having priority over me as a customer in a store, so I didn't have a problem with the way the two people on the front desk focused on those customers rather than answering the phone. This store could definitely do with more staff but those there really were doing the best they could from what I could see. read more

This is by far the WORST visionworks I have ever been to as well as the worst place of business! The past 2 years I've been here have been horrible experiences. The first time in July 2016 I purchased glasses and contacts and when I arrived to pick them up they were both the wrong prescription! I couldn't see a thing and they tried to say that the Dr recommends putting a little less of the prescription...what does that even mean?? Anyway i had to wait another week on top of the week and $300 something dollars I had already given. Now this August 2017 I had a 4:15 appointment and arrived at 3:45. I wasn't seen by the dr until 5PM!! How does a place of business run this way?! Needless to say I will definitely not be coming back to this location! Save yourself! read more

Glasses are fine, customer service and manager needs work. Nothing but excuses and "explanations" from start to finish at the Latham location. (I have used Slingerlands previously with no issues, only went to Latham because an appointment was available earlier). When I phoned a week after the appointment to see what the story was with the glasses, I was told rather dismissively that "something had happened with the manufacturer" and it would be longer than they had thought. They quoted a date. I called the day after that date and was told by yet another person that the glasses were there. I asked when they had come in, and they told me they'd been there for SIX DAYS already. When I asked why I wasn't informed the girl told me that they only text, so if you didn't give a cell number they wouldn't call you. In the store an hour later, the manager gave a different story (similarly unsatisfactory) about how there would have been a note "stuck to the glasses case" telling them to phone, and that it "must have fallen off". Then the entire "getting the glasses" consisted of the girl handing me the closed glasses case. No "try these on, see how they are", no "let's get those adjusted just right". With prompting, she said you could come back if there were any problems. Why would I leave and then come back when you could simply do your job (plural "you" as in all of you guys there, not just her, she's new, but isn't everyone and that's no excuse, Mr. Manager) in the first place? Start to finish a litany of poor training, inconsistent excuses and a nearly total lack of concern for the customer. If they're not calling you to let you know the glasses are ready, and they're not fitting the glasses to you, what exactly are they spending their time doing? read more

Surprised by the low reviews as I've been a customer of their's for years. Repairs my eyeglasses without hesitation or Q's asked. Always efficient and gets glasses out fast. read more

After the glasses are purchased they tell you to come back for any adjustments or issues. When you do, the attitude is free. Such a frustrating experience. read more

Even though I live in the city, I will always get my glasses or service from either Selima Optique in ABC Home and Carpet or here, where I was raised and still have the same guy fixing my glasses since I was in 2nd grade. I'm surprised he is still there, silent as ever, bulldog jawls, thin, almost half glasses, inquisitive, exact, and one of my favorite people. The staff here is superb; always nice and accommodating, and they love to help you find glasses that fit your profile and face. They have a decent sized selection, no more or less than other large opticians. You can get eye exams here, and their lab does top notch work (my sunglasses, I was surprised they were able to make them with my prescription). They don't have as many sensational deals like some of the other local optiques but, their service is unparalleled, and totally worth the full price. read more

I was able to schedule an appointment and upon arrival after leaving work to make it to the appointment I was told that this appointment was not valid at all. It seemed like the people knew this was the case yet I did not receive a call or an email to let me know this was an issue. Extreme inconvenience. read more

Staff is mostly friendly here and they do their best. I have encountered some rude staff but most are polite and helpful. However, they are always insanely busy! There's always a long wait time for simple things. When picking up glasses they hand you a closed case and don't ask if you want to try them on to get fitted they just say if you need them adjusted come back in. I had no issues getting my glasses quickly, about 10 days after ordering. The eye exam was fine and the service was great then, very helpful in explaining benefits and helping pick out glasses. However when picking up i got barely a glance, no greeting and glasses cases shoved at me with a have a nice day. I think they struggle to hire and keep people at this location and that definitely needs to be addressed. Overall a decent store if you have the time to wait for services it is generally worth it. read more

I will not be coming back to this store after the experience my husband received. My husband has a medical exemption from wearing a mask. His glasses had broken and his prescription was 2 years old, so he needed an exam and new glasses He was told that NO ONE in this office was willing to work with him. That he could either keep his current prescription for another 2 years (which is the policy of our insurance) or waiting until the mask requirement ends (which looks like it never will). So because of the need to get glasses - he went and wore a mask. His original appointment was for 5:30 but because of a "System Error" they needed to change the appointment. They told me 3pm. When we get to the store - the appointment was actually 3:20pm. The Doctor was at lunch and did not return until 25 minutes AFTER our appointment time. This required my husband to sit WITH a mask for 45 minutes. After the exam we had to wait another 40+ minutes because they only had 1 person helping order the glasses. For a shop that was so concerned about wearing a mask - they had 10+ people crowded around the front desk, not maintaining any sort of Distancing. I believe the next time I need glasses (in 2 years) - I will be going elsewhere. read more

They never pick up the damn phone it's always busy if you wait more than two minutes it will put you on customer service then the people are customer service will tell you the store will call you in two minutes. Never happened it took me 45 phone calls just to get hold of them at the Latham store this is the worst store I've ever attended in my life the customer service before the coronavirus was terrible t I don't know what they're doing I hate to say this but the customer service and Walmart is so much better than this crappy store read more

I went to Latham Visionworks earlier this week for a vision checkup and new glasses. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. The doctor was thorough and professional, but super friendly as well. The huge glasses selection is also a plus. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

I really do not have anything good to say about this place. You make an appointment and you wait You order glasses and no one calls you when they are ready. Of course I checked my self on the web site. You go to pick up glasses and 2 people are working. Their were 2 people in front of me. I ask for my order and the receptionist hands them to me. I go is that it. Yes that's it . Glad they check to see if they fit right, which they don't. This place is the worse read more

Never step into this place. They not only have a very limited number of frames but have the worst customer service. Their answering machine is the worst that you can call them for any appointment. read more

Love this location. I've been going for the past 3 years and have never had a poor experience. Great staff that's very helpful. The opticians are phenomenal. read more

This place just can't help but get in their own way. I've literally never been able to spend money here because they can't understand how to even bring me on as a customer. They sent me away just recently because I had "already used my lense benefit this year" when in fact it was just the last time they had previously sent me away for having an out of date prescription. I had confirmed the amount available for my benefit before going in and had an hsa debit additionally but they just dismissed all of it out of hand and told me to contact my provider. I went down the road to Sams Club where I don't have a membership and bought what I needed over the counter no hassle. read more

Made an appt in July for an exam in August, arrived to discover that they scheduled a telehealth exam! Seriously...you think they might have said that. My insurance covers exam but I went elsewhere and paid out of pocket. Now I need to select glasses which are covered. They do not answer the phone, have tried all day and was on hold at one point for over 30 minutes! They do not know the meaning of customer service! Just terrible service. read more

The past 2 years I've been here in Latham location, have been horrible experiences. The first time I purchased glasses and when I arrived to pick them up they were both the wrong prescription! Customer service was very bad. read more

I had the best experience here! The girl Who was helping me took the time to help me find the absolute perfect frame for my face and didn't make me feel rushed even though they were busy. The staff is always so friendly and welcoming and willing to help in any way they possibly can. I dont think I'll be going anywhere else and I strongly suggest you try them out, they get busy but the wait is well worth it! Their staff is gold. read more

I had my yearly eye exam. Last year I had a good exam. This year the exam was not complete. Did not get my reading vision checked and the exam was cut short - I felt. Will go somewhere else next year. read more

Don't buy glasses here. Picked up my glasses and they had prescription in only one lens. One was thick was was was not. How can you not notice this.First and last time I am going here.Back to lens crafters I go. read more

As a longtime customer since this location is convenient for me, I have to say that both my 17 y.o son and I have had very negative experiences there. I happen to like and respect Dr. Sheldon, Julie (apprentice optician) and Allan (office manager) but.... the front office staff are rude, distracted, unwelcoming and outright incompetent - e.g.. Davika(Tavika?), contact lens tech, whom I had to see yesterday. This young lady made me sit for 10-15 min while she supposedly was entering my info into the computer - and info was entered incorrectly. She was dressed at 9:30 am in a tight black party dress with a low cut front and a red wide belt - this was a dance club outfit, not a medical office look. Her breasts were fully visible and in this setting this was inappropriate. Other front desk staff were constantly chatting loudly about there or their family's surgeries, anesthesia problems, someone throwing up etc - completely inappropriate, loud and rude. Unfortunately, both Allan (office manager), who had been very helpful in the past, and the asst office manager Glinda were both on vacation (at the same time!), so no none was supervising. A few weeks back my son was waiting for his lenses for several weeks, no one called him but when he called to check, he was told that lenses had been there for over a week! No none at the office had bothered to check and to notify him. Interesting that both negative reviews were about the front office staff (not the professional staff who are great!), and both comments were dated Oct 2010 when both supervisors were on vacation..... read more

empire is horrible! I am sorry we have a davis vision insurance plan and there are not many other options. Thankfully, I found pearl vision on Wolf RD. Back to Empire, the exams have always been fine. Dr. Sheldon is good. Allan, that horrible manager. He is a jerk! Very unhelpful. The screwed up my contact lenses, only ordered half what I was supposed to get. Then when they tried to correct it they were rude and mean about it. Needless to say I will NEVER, EVER go back! read more

I'm never going back!!! Everyone; doctors included were very unwelcoming. The lady checking me out on my contacts tried to tack on an additional 29.99 deal for sunglasses and other benefits. She claimed that I had great insurance so my price was only this--- and when she showed it to me my final receipt I was like my insurance doesn't cover this deal? She said no and I explained I didnt want it. She gave a huge puff and then took it off and explained that it was highly recommended! I dont want to pay an extra 30 dollars for a pair of $5 sunglasses. I was outraged. Then when I went to pick out my glasses I had some girl who made me feel rushed and uncomfortable to look. When I went to go check out I listened to the staff talk about their commission. Completely unprofessional! Needless to say, I will never step foot in there again! read more