So I'm the type of person who doesn't have a whole lot of money or insurance, yet needed glasses and wanted a feel-good pair, if I was going to be spending hundreds of dollars. This review is really for people who find themselves in a similar situation....
If you have money to spend, or insurance to cover the bill, then totally support this business. I found the store and service to be pretty fair.
However, I only went here because they had 141 frames (since one of the employees is one of the founders) and I really liked the idea of my eyeglass purchase making a difference. Now here's my problem.... I don't have a whole lot of money or insurance and I was new to buying glasses. I went to Blink for my exam, which was cheaper then here, and had a really welcoming store and incredibly friendly employees who actually asked me questions about myself (that didn't involve glasses) to get to know me better. So I was kind of disappointed with the Eye Studio in comparison to Blink. For starters the layout of the store isn't soooo welcoming (pretty standard eyeglass store layout) and the customer service is neutral. They seemed to have no interest in small talk, just selling (which makes sense, but I really like it when employees make small talk with the customer)
But If I was going to spend $400 dollars on a pair of glasses, I really wanted it to be a positive experience, which is why I thought 141 was a great choice. So when I came in I was given some price quotes for everything (I had to wait a month for the frames to come in, since 141 was just starting out) Meanwhile during my wait, I came across Warby Parker frames, which is the same deal as 141 frames (similar styles, you buy a frame, they give a frame to someone who can't afford glasses, and they're both For-Profit) The only difference is Warby Parker is just under $100 (they're strictly online) which includes the lenses (polycarbonate lenses, which at the eye studio is an extra cost) and if you don't like them you can return them and get your money back! How many eye glass stores would have that type of service? So I could have saved myself $300 (which covers most of my rent...), but for some reason I was really set on 141. The funny thing is I didn't even absolutely love any of the 141 frames I tried on, so I went with the one I liked the most (I probably would have felt the same way with Warby Parker frames, but I would have saved myself $300.)
So at the Eye Studio, when I originally was given some prices, after they had seen my prescription, I asked what the benefit of polycarbonate over plastic was (since it's extra) and given the "they're better quality" speech. When I called Blink to compare prices (I just asked them how much everything would cost if I brought in frames), I was immediately told that since my prescription wasn't that strong, I didn't really need to spend the extra on the polycarbonate. When I told this to the Eye Studio employee, he immediately said he says the same thing to customers as well.....(not true in my case).
Plus, I noticed they were selling 141 frames at 20% off at a showcase, but I went in about 2 weeks early and asked if I could buy the frames then at 20% off as opposed to waiting two weeks. I was told I could, but only if I were to get the lenses through them. The thing that disheartened me about this was that in the ads, it stated that the frames were going to be 20% off and there wasn't a disclaimer stating that only if you got the lenses installed through them. Otherwise, I would have taken them to Blink and saved myself some money (like I said I don't have a lot of money, so every dollar saved counts) The employee who I dealt with even told me that both them and Blink go to the same company for lenses.....
Why do glasses have to be so expensive? They don't that's the point. It's the amount of profit these places are pulling in that ups the prices to absurdity.
But like I said, if you have a lot of money, or insurance to cover your bill and you just want glasses then go to this place.
However, I'll stick to Blink for my Eye Exams due to their really welcoming store front, and stellar customer service (and they're just cheaper) And Warby Parker for my buy 1/give 1 to someone in need frames and lenses (with no up selling from employees) And save myself $300. What will I do with that money? The point is I'll still have it. read more