Because I do a lot of business in Lower Mills and because I prefer to cater to small, owner…read moreoperated businesses, and because as a black man I like to give black entrepreneurs my money, I chose Eye & Eye, even after the owner first gave me a chilling reception months before. I didn't feel welcome and should have gone by my gut impression. Still, I scratched it up to perhaps he was having a bad day and went there for new glasses, the first pair I'd have for both far and near-sightedness. Mr. Nicholson's attitude wasn't warm, yet it wasn't so unpleasant as to turn me off, so we continued our exchange, and I bought my glasses from him - a mistake.
I went back two days later with questions about my focus and the slanting, and curved images I was experiencing. Mr. Nicholson replied by explaining what he explained when I first tried the glasses - that I had to adjust my vision lower to read with transition lenses. I concurred that it will take some getting used to after never having the experience before. I explained that I'm a seventy-five-year-old man, who needs to get accustomed to wearing them and adjusting my eyes accordingly, and that I had other questions. There was never a simple acknowledgement that there will be a learning curve to getting used to something new. Rather, a younger man (an optician student) stepped forth from the back of the store and explained the cause of some of my concerns and agreeing that it will take time to get used to the new glasses. After thanking the young man for his assistance, Mr. Nicholson again tried to explain what he had already done, that I must focus lower on the written word. I tried to explain that I "got it," that he had explained it more than once and was now talking to me as one might talk to a child, when indeed I had other questions. Mr. Nicholson then talked over me, telling me and others in the store that I wanted to talk and not listen. As I don't argue with people yet felt myself getting angry. I turned to leave, stating that I do not do business with people who yell at me and treat me in a demeaning manner. He continued to berate me further and more loudly and talk about my listening skills. He was even asked by a woman who also came from the rear of the store to calm own. I was leaving, on my way out the door, when he added, he'd rather give me my money back.
Oops, what!? As a person of integrity, I understand full well when one doesn't want my business. Such a statement was insulting and obviously one in which he in fact didn't want my business. I'd have been a fool to leave the store with the glasses, so I turned and said that was for the best. Give me my money back, here are your glasses. I stood quiet while he undid the transaction. He reversed the charge to my debit card, and I left without speaking another word.
I write because it's important that people know (in spite of some positive reviews) that Mr. Nicholson can be quite rude, insulting, arrogant, and indignant with an air of superiority. I would not have felt good about myself if after such a comment, I continued on my way before indeed, requesting my money back and relinquishing the glasses. I was not rude, never raised my voice and was simply asking normal questions one might have from wearing a new pair of glasses after never having the experience previously. I would not recommend any self-respecting person to do business with Eye & Eye Optics. You might get spoken to as a child and told outright that they don't want your money. Thinking one is always right, not allowing the customer to explain him or herself, and reiterating the same message for an innocent and appropriate question is no way to do business. Avoid this company.
