The doctor's front desk staff is very friendly. But I wouldn't recommend and feel totally duped. I've only ever had I think 2-3 pairs of glasses in my life and am unfamiliar with the process. After my exam I was directed to sit down with the person who helps you with making lenses. The direction was very clearly "sit with her and she will get you your lenses." Throughout that session I expressed shock and concern SEVERAL times. I said things including: "oh wow it's that much? I can't afford that. Let's take that feature off. Oh gosh that's a lot. I don't think I can do that either. Well I guess it is what it is, what else can I do? I need glasses." At MANY points I shared that this was adding up to way more than I was comfortable with. I LITERALLY SAID THE WORDS "What else can I do, I need glasses so I guess I just need to spend it." I needed two pairs so I decided to just get one and to use my existing frames so lenses alone were something like $250.
It didn't even occur to me that there were other options until I was telling my mom how expensive glasses are and how I still need a separate pair for driving. That conversation lead me to realize that there were a lotta other options that were likely much more affordable. I realize that may sound naive but again, I am not very familiar with the optometry world. My mom, who has always had contacts and glasses, was shocked and appalled that I paid as much as I did and that I wasn't informed of other options, which made me realize I wanted to follow up.
I spoke to the person who helped me with my lenses to express my disappointment that at no point was it ever implied whatsoever that there were other less expensive options (Costco, Walmart, as my mom informed me) and given that the entire session with her was basically me expressing my concerns about cost, and how the doctor framed it ("she's going to help you get your glasses now"), I felt taken advantage of and that it really should be been ethical practice for them to educate me as a consumer. Again I feel the indicators to provide consumer education were clear as I was pretty obviously sticker shocked (had I gotten frames and lenses for both pairs, a basic no frills option would have been around $1000 total. This is AFTER my vision insurance.)
I felt like no matter what I said there was no acknowledgment or accountability. Lenses were made, nothing they could do... while I now know better for next time, the complete lack of accountability leaves a very bad taste in my mouth, and I will not be returning to a place that I feel took advantage of my lack of awareness of the world of glasses. Doctor should have framed this as "if you'd like to get glasses with us you can look at options here" or something to that effect - and again, when a customer is grappling with the presented costs - INFORM THEM of their options. That's the right and ethical way to provide health care, in my opinion. Something to the effect of "It seems like this is more than you are wanting to spend, did you know you can take your prescription to Costco or Walmart or online for likely a lot less?" I 100000% would have said, "oh wow thanks yes I'll do that!" And again, when it was brought to their attention later, no apology or any real acknowledgment.
Very disappointing.
Again, front desk staff is very friendly, and the office is very conveniently located. I'm glad I have an updated prescription and I learned a valuable lesson. Hence 2 stars.
Hope this review helps someone who knows as little about glasses as I did prior to this learning experience. I did some research and info I came across said optometrists make about 2/3 of their profit off sale of lenses and frames. No wonder no one wanted to mention options to me. Really the more I think about it, the more I get that horrible feeling when you realize you've been played. It's not good.
(Ps I got my second prescription filled for both lenses and frames for $50.) read more
