I tried Stanton once, upon recommendation from a former neighbor. I had been a long-time customer of VisonWorks (fka: Empire Vision). I'll be going back to VisionWorks when it's time to get a new Rx: the Opthomologist there literally saved my vision. (Long story, happy ending). VW also gives better customer service and miles better eye exams,
That said, back to Stanton...
The minute I walked-in, it was crowded. "Good", I thought. "Popular place"! After walking around for several minutes (at least 15), with no one approaching me to see if I needed help, I approached an employee asking how I could get service.
I was told to sign-in to the exam area and wait. The technician got to me 20 mins. later, apologizing for the long wait. As I said, it was pretty crowded, so okay, 'no problem'.
The exam was a joke.
I've been wearing glasses for 55 of my 60 yrs.
Their idea of an 'exam' was assembly-line-get-it- over-with-quick, using machines I haven't seen in 20 yrs or more. No drops to dilate my pupils, no machine peripheral vision check, just the actual doctor's fingers placed a foot away from each side of my head and a couple "Can you see my finger now?" placements. And a very lame glaucoma test with the old, air blown in each eye. No actual pressure ON the eye testing that only--it seems--is done everywhere else I've been. (The doctor, bless his heart, had probably taken the job for extra cash after retirement).
Another employee approached me and seemed very friendly and willing to help. I counted on his experienced opinion to tell me how my selections would look. (I left my comfort zone to choose frameless glasses, which I am happy with). I can read people pretty well, and his feedback appeared genuine.
Then came the bill. I chose the 2 for 1 w/free exam. My experience says NOTHING is 'free', as the cost will get absorbed elsewhere. In this case, the glasses themselves. A no-brainer.
The original estimate came to $675.00. I almost fell out of the chair and suddenly, the friendliness I once felt from the same employee vanished. He was ALL business now and wasn't happy with my "I can't afford that" stance. We stared at each other until I repeated that I simply refuse to pay that kind of price for glasses that cost as much as some mortgage payments.
So...as it's done in the car sales business, he went back to speak to his 'manager' to see what could be done.
Suddenly, the price dropped by $250.00 to $425.00. (Hmmm, 'amazing' I was thinking. The overhead is pretty high at this place. Plenty of room to negotiate).
I was told that I could get the following month's 'deal' in addition to what I already had. Okay. Done.
A week went by. My glasses came in. I went in, and was told, after walking around again, but for 5 mins. this time, by a customer that there was an actual sign-in sheet. There's no sign anywhere in the place indicating that you need to sign-in ANYWHERE, whether it's for an exam, an adjustment, nothing. Nada. Zip.
I had to approach an employee after 20 mins. to find out what was going on. She got another employee to attend to me. This time, only 5 customers were in the store, only one ahead of me waiting for adjustment(s).
By now, I was seething. I got a half-FAST adjustment and went home. After I got home, I noticed some terrible scratches on the upper-right corner of one of the lenses. (Terrible Quality Control)! The same pair was painful to wear. They were too high on the bridge of my nose, so I wore the others and went back the next day to have the very first man who took care of me take a look.
Even HE agreed how terrible they looked and asked me who gave me the first adjustment and didn't notice the obvious damage. By then, I was ready to scream, but didn't. I pointed-out the first adjuster very discreetly. The original man adjusted what I was wearing perfectly, and sent the others for replacement, no charge of course. (I only had them less than 24 hrs).
I was informed, again, that their warranty is for one year, and they'll pay 80% of the cost for damage and/or replacement.
LONG story short: Their customer service is terrible.
Calls come from an automated, out of town recording.
Their quality control on the actual workmanship could be SO much better. If I'd let those lenses out of my hands thinking that the customer was stupid enough not to notice, I would've been given a written warning by my supervisor, no doubt about it.
The warranty policy is terrible.
The eye exams should be reported to whatever entity watches over such things.
The bottom-line prices, WITHOUT negotiating, are outlandish.
At the end of the day, once I pick up my repaired lenses (which is another over-long review in itself), I will never, EVER set foot in Stanton Optical again.
(If I'd read the reviews beforehand, I wouldn't have gone there in the first place). Live & learn and "Hindsight IS 20/20". You've been warned.
Sorry Stanton, but even your commercials are insulting to our intelligence. I'd fire your ad agency. read more