I hate to shop at this place. Will not be going back to shop here again. Selected frames for me and my husband (total of four frames) and informed the lady who work there about them. She said to leave it at the table and come back after the eye check up. 10 minuets later came back from the optometrist to give order the prescription lenses put in the frames, the selected and kept away frames are gone. And the associates asked me to find the frames again from their inventory, and had BAD attitude. Do not recommend this store even if they offer free eye glasses with this nasty service!!!! read more

This place has the absolute worse customer service. I have waited nearly a month for my contacts and be told several different stories about the whereabouts of my order. They do not communicate with me as they promise. All communication and follow up has been initiated by me. Not only do I not recommend them, I strongly urge you take your business elsewhere. read more

My first encounter to my latest has not been favorable of this eyeglass/contacts provider in Columbia SC. I am a senior citizen and have cataracts, astigmatism and Diabetes. First day, I went to get eye exam and look at glasses. I did not like the Dr or his way of handling eye exam. Next, they had only 15 pair of glasses to choose from for the 2/59.95. Selection was terrible. They finally allowed me a wider selection so I picked out some glasses. A week later glasses in, ..not made on sight as advertised. That was shock as I thought my glasses would be made there. Then the specifics for the order came next. One was tint, the only option I chose. The tint is sort of dark on these glasses at the lowest level. Not happy with that. Then one pair of glasses came back even darker, Iike sunglasses. They had to be sent off to be remade. Not happy with that. A week later I get a call everyday with a reminder my glasses are ready again. I live 1 hour and 10 minutes from the Stanton store. So I go to get my glasses.....again. So it takes a while for it to be my turn, always a Wait here. They look for my glasses. Then look some more. Then more. Then another Stanton employee helps with the search. Then a third one. Over an hour looking for my glasses. None to be found. Then one employee said there was a tray in the lab with my name on it but nothing in it. More searching. After a while I am told they were damaged upon arrival and sent out again to be remade. This inept business practices and I am very, very unhappy. Not a place I am comfortable doing my business. Well my husband walks in raising the roof after wait for me so long. I had to deal with his rant over the situation all the way home. I've not been offered any compensation for the bad business and delays. O am quite disgruntled with this place and their lack of appropriate customer service. I do not recommend them for your eyecare needs. read more

Made an appointment but they double booked the Dr. and had to wait forever. What's the point just take walk ins.

I first went for Contacts on a Monday The Optometrist was very professional and thorough. They then put me in a little closet like room with improper lighting. The lighting was overhead and very dim. Tried for close to three hours to put on those contacts. It was too dark to see to put them on. They rescheduled for me to try again Sunday, six days later. When I first called for the appointment it was scheduled for the previous Saturday at 6:10 pm. At 4:30 I was called and you that the person who made the first appointment made a mistake. So because I could not put on the contacts at the first appointment due to the poor lighting, I was then told I MUST pay before leaving. I took them when I come back on Sunday and I receive my contacts, then I would pay for services rendered. So, two days ago they Email me three times to remind me of my Sunday appointment. When I arrive on time today for my appointment I sit there and close to one hour to then to be told that they are not good to go through with my appointment after all. This is a very UNPREDICTABLE, UNPROFESSIONAL business that has no business being in business. The Better Business Bureau will be contacted next. Other than the Optometrist, all the rest of the staff only care about their profit margin and not really caring to actually want to really help someone. read more

Smells like a classic bait-n-switch operation. I called the local store to find out if they could get glasses done in one day as stated on the web site, and was treated very evasively. They wouldn't answer a single simple question with a direct answer--exactly what happens when you call a car dealership with questions, and you know what happens with them. Also, it's pretty clear that when you call the local number, you're connected with a boiler room operation in India. I hung up the phone in frustration. Will not deal with these phonies. read more

Very disappointed. Ordered my glasses end of January, person told me 7-10 days which pass as does the promise date. I called they told me they were swamped and system was down and would call back. Finally called back after 6pm said lenses we're in but had to be sent to another location to put in frames bc machine was down and they would call me back. Never heard back. Went in glasses were in since Saturday morning. They acted like they didn't want to give me the refund. Which turns out they were incorrect bc the person who did my exam wrote the script for a single vision and not a progressive. read more

They're lucky to get one star. Insanely rude staff, they have given me the wrong prescription 3 times and want to act like it is my fault. Of course, they prescribe the most expensive brand. Contacts are already ridiculously expensive sadly, and so I asked them could they prescribe me a brand that was less than $100, to which they told me the lowest was $168, told someone else the same box was $142, and then told my mother it was $124. They just make it up as they go along. Then they "banned" me from ever seeing that doctor again. Smh what a waste of a medical degree. read more

Very upset with this place. It was a very blatant bait and switch on several different levels. We went there for free exam and 2 pairs glasses for 69.95. Our final bill for 2 of us was $230. She got one pair single vision and I got 2. She has good insurance and her 1 pair cost more than my 2 with no insurance. We spent 20 minutes with "frame specialist" and agreed on reasonable price but when it came time to finalize transaction her manager came over and said the they would not be able to do what was promised and it ended up costing an additional $100+ . Then they said it would take no more than 30 minutes to make glasses but it took more than 2 hrs. "Free" eye exam cost me $45 and her $15 with insurance. I have already contacted BBB read more

I made my appointment the same day for 415 pm. I arrived at 345 knowing as a 1st timer there would probably be paperwork to complete. I didn't get in to the pre-exam room until 515. The staff seemed busy, but not actually working at times. I was greeted when I came in but stood and waited for 10 minutes before being asked to sign in, then realized there wasn't a clipboard to do so. Another very long wait watching several staff members having casual conversation & feeling ignored (still looking busy, but not working). Finally, I'm taken to the back to fill out the initial paperwork. Then, another longer wait before the pre-exam. The young lady was indifferent and slightly rude. Once, that was over....another long wait. I browse the frame selection for awhile & was finally called back for the eye exam. The doctor was great! Very friendly & informative. I wish I could remember her name! She was the highlight of the experience. Purchasing the glasses was 'alright''. The young lady, though friendly, didn't seem too excited about having a client at the moment. All I can say is $600 and a little more than 2 hours later...I'm not sure I'll be a return customer. It wasn't unbearable, but it was expensive...time & money. I probably could have gone to a private practice ophthalmologist for the same investment without the poor customer service and kids running a muck. read more

I scheduled an eye exam but had to call and cancel. The next day I kept getting a call from 888-998-3930 in 15 minute intervals. When I answered there was no response. Finally, I called the number back and was greeted by Stanton Optical asking if I was calling to schedule an appointment. I said no and was hung up on. I called back and was greeted by the same man who I informed that I didn't appreciate him hanging up. When I asked his name he would only give the company name but said he would take me off the "list". I will be using Lens Crafters instead. read more

I only have it 1 star bc zero was not an option. No one greeted me when I got there. I literally had to find someone who even remotely looked like they liked their job. I asked how long the wait would be since I had an appointment. The employee pointed to the back and said "check back there". Well after 10 min there was still no one "back there". The other customers waiting who had an appointment said they had been waiting a long time too. When I explained to a man who looked looked manager my situation and told him I needed to cancel, he was happy to accommodate. While I was there 3 others had walked out mad for various reasons. read more

Unlike other reviews, I had good service. Staff was friendly. Prices for frames and lenses were higher than I was willing to pay, but they could probably cut you a deal. Price match on contact lenses, though, which is pretty awesome. 4/5 for that alone. Made my life way easier read more

On March 20th 2017 I called Stanton Optical at 189 Harbinson Boulevard Columbia South Carolina, I asked a question about eye glass warranty (Warranty on a pair of glasses that didn't even last one month) I was transferred twice then placed on hold, I was on hold about 10 minutes and decided to ride to Stanton Optical a 30 minute ride and was still on hold once I got there. When I arrived I noticed a lady name Cori answering the phones and placing people on hold. It was not busy in there only two customers. When I stated I was there to ask about warranty I was pointed to the back and directed to wait at a counter. I was then approached by a woman with black and grey short hair ( who I later found out was Kristi Lambert) whom never greeted me she just started telling me about the warranty and looking up the glasses. She then told me that I would have to pay $73 and she would have to check if the glasses were in stock. Blown away with the $73 price tag I ask for paperwork on the warranty. She this sighs loudly with an attitude and says she doesn't do sales grabs a warranty paper and slams it down in front of me and in a loud and very rude tone says there's the warranty while hitting on the counter. Kristi Lambert then walks off and greets a customer next to me, she greets this customer politely and speaks in a more pleasant tone. At this time I'm perplexed not understanding why I wasn't treated and was met in an aggressive and rude matter. After reviewing the warranty I question Kristi Lambert on the warranty information she gave of $73. I point out to her that the warranty says 20% of the glasses cost which would have been $17 and not $73 Kristi Lambert then continues to roll her head and neck, talk rudely to me and hit on the counter. When I asked Kristi Lambert why she was speaking and behaving the way she was she stated that she had been busy all day and running 100 miles per hour. I then explained to her that I was a calm new customer and I don't have anything to do with her work load or day she cannot take that out on me. I suggested that she take the day off or find another job if she feels too overwhelmed at Stanton Optical and I advised her that she would not liked if I spoke to her and treated her the way she had been treating me. Kristi Lambert continued to be rude I then asked her for her first and last name. She refused to give it to me, I asked again and asked her to write it down she scribbled it on a piece of paper in a illegible signature. At this point a lady by the name of Cori steps in and takes over apologizing for the conduct of Kristi Lambert and saying she didn't mean it. I was then told the glasses are not in stock and I'll be called when they come in. I see the name tag for Kristi so I then ask Cori what Kristi last name is Cori is hesitant to tell me but I ask for a second time and she then says Lambert. I advised them that I will be communicating my experience to everyone in their company and everyone I know Kristi Lambert then stated rudely that she didn't care. I have never in my life experience such unprofessional and rude service and for it to be an eye clinic is even more horrifying and I even learned in my research that Kristi Lambert is an optometrist at Stanton Optical, what a joke! I will never do business with Stanton Optical again because of the terrible customer service and the cheaply made glasses! I wish I would have read all the negative YELP reviews before doing business with Stanton Optical! Totally disgusted with Kristi Lambert and Stanton Optical! read more

The worst! Total ripoff! Called and setup appt they said they took my insurance...get there and they magically can't access the insurance information. I had to pay out of pocket. Picked out frames that I liked and told them that I needed polycarbonate lenses with scratch resistance- no anti-glare (per my prescription I have to have poly lenses - has been that way for years and the anti glare I can not use as it causes a star bursts for me. They told me the price and I could not afford it, I would have to go somewhere else to get my glasses. The manager came over and said that he wanted to build up their business and to do that they needed satisfied customers so he dropped the price of the glasses and said everything thing would work out. I thought that was nice of him...until I went to pick up the glasses. I couldn't see out of them. They said that it was just my new prescription but it wasn't. They put plastic lenses in them and told me that the put the anti glare on as a free gesture. I can't see out of them. The manager came back over and I told him that I ordered the poly w/scratch resistance and no anti glare. He said no we change it when we changed the price...they did not tell me that they changed it. I thought I was getting what I ordered. He said that it was probably the new prescription and to give it a few days to adjust if I still couldn't see then bring them back. I did that, still couldn't see out of them and brought them back they had me go back to the dr to recheck my prescription (which was wrong) and this dr said that I had to have the poly lenses I couldn't use plastic...I told her what happened and she insisted and wrote in on the new prescription so there wouldn't be an issue. So, I go back to the manager and he said that they would fix the prescription lenses but if I wanted poly lenses I would have to pay $70 per pair (I had 2 pairs of glasses). I told him that I already paid when I order, they changed it without my knowledge. I then said that I would just get my glasses elsewhere and wanted a refund. He said that they don't do refunds and that I had to either keep the glasses that I have (wrong prescription, wrong lenses - both not my fault) or they will remake the lenses to the new prescription but in the plastic (which is against my prescription and I can't see out of them) or I would have to pay another $140 to get the right lenses. This is such a bait and switch. This was not what I ordered and already paid for. In the end, I have two pairs of glasses that are still in the bag and cases that I can't see out of. I can't afford to go get new ones because I already paid for these and they don't do refunds. I am wearing my old glasses until I can get enough to go somewhere else. This is the worst place ever. I don't see how they can do this. Please go elsewhere. If I could give them zero stars I would. This should be against the law. read more

Worst customer service I have ever received. I am a Registered Nurse and a diabetic so it goes without saying that my eyesight is very important to me. I am 48 and have worn glasses since the sixth grade. Told that I would have both sets of glasses within 7. - 10 business days. Two weeks went by with no glasses. Spent the next two weeks with daily reports of glasses being delivered within 1 to 2 business days. Still no glasses. Was even guaranteed that glasses would be overnighted to me. Still no glasses. 4 weeks in with no glasses. Offered full refund so I took it but was told the refund would take a "couple" of weeks. 2 weeks and 2 days have gone by. Still no refund. Called Stanton Optical and told it might take three weeks but manager was unsure because refunds were handled at the corporate level and his office had "signed off" on my case. I should mention that I paid Stanton Optical just short of $500.00 for the glasses up front. Six weeks have gone by. Still no money. Still no glasses. read more

This is the most horrible business I have ever had the misfortune to deal with. Their customer service is nonexistent! The glasses I paid $435.00 for are the wrong prescription along with the fact that I paid for the Ultra Premium lenses that were supposed to be Stanton's version of Crizal lenses and not have a glare to them. I paid for all of the extras, transitions, hard coat, ARC, UV protection, etc. The first time I drove at night, I had to take the glasses off to be able to see because every light was like a starburst and obscured my vision almost completely. The manager said I could pay them another $150 under my warranty and have the lenses remade, but isn't that just giving me the same lenses that are not what I was assured they would be? I was told they would be no glare from the lights like with the Crizal lenses I had previously, they obviously cannot make the appropriate lenses so they are glare proof. In addition to the above, I pulled the mirror down in my car and when I did I noticed an iridescent flaking on one of the lenses. I took them to the store and the manager took them in the back and cleaned them and said nothing was wrong. But when I got back in the car, he wasn't able to get all of the iridescent flaking off. It was still around the edges of my frames. So some coating came off of my lenses and I took them straight to the store and had the manager treat me like I'm an idiot! He said there was nothing wrong with my lenses and no coating coming off, if that was true, where did the iridescent flaking come from? I didn't put it on there! Please, Run as fast as you can from this place! They will take your money and not fix any problems. Basically they will steal from you! read more

I will say my experience with the optometrist was professional, and did get my prescription correct. Beyond the exam room however, is where the circus begins. The well-trained sales staff will put you through a whirlwind of lens and frame options, obviously steering you into the most expensive options available. After getting rooked into the sales pitch and being told with confidence that my super-duper-super-special lenses would have "lifetime" repair & replacement coverage for breaking/scratching, I was gullible enough to pay for them. After all, the super-duper-super special lenses I was sold on were supposed to be super-resistant to scratching because based on the up-selling tactics, that's what I was paying for right? Wrong. Not only was I duped on the "lifetime" claim (it's only 2 years), and I am well-within the 2-year warranty, the sales artist proceeded to surprise me with the previously-undisclosed "warranty" information, which seeks 20% of the original lens price for the replacement. It is con-artistry at its finest. Not only will you pay an exorbitant up-front fee for original lenses, Stanton will basically re-charge you for the replacements previously promised under "warranty." 20% of the original from Stanton is essentially an original and reasonable price for originals anywhere else. Because of these tactics, I suspect Stanton Optical does not anticipate many repeat customers. read more