I typically find Warby Parker's people to be a mixed bag when it comes to competence, but always eager to please and never performing below my expectations. My first (and probably last) visit to this outlet on 5th Avenue near Union Square yesterday reveals once again that nothing is "always" or "never". A very rainy day, I entered just behind two other people, and we were greeted one-by-one at the door by two employees to check us in. When it came to be my turn, the young man asked what they could do for me. I needed lenses popped out from a bent pair of frames and installed in a replacement pair. He replied without haste. "I'm sorry, we don't do that. How bent are the frames?"
"Severely." Then, after pausing and waiting to never find out why he asked, I continued. "Okay, then; I'll go to the Chelsea location. Thank you."
"They don't do that there either."
"Oh, yes they do."
"They do?"
"Oh, yes, they absolutely do. Thanks again." And with that I left, not saying anything further.
Halfway down the block across 5th, I began to wonder if he thought I expected them to provide the frames, possibly at no charge, or... but that was just me trying to accept responsibility for something someone else did wrong. There really was no excuse for his response and simultaneous lack thereof, and if he had allowed me to speak or asked another question, I could have told him I had the new frames with me. Perhaps his answer would have been the same, but one way or another, this location wouldn't be getting a one-star review right now. I'm not really a vindictive person, but in this case, someone in their organization needs to see this, reassess operational procedures for this store, and possibly retrain some people on how to sell things. People like one particular short-ish 20-something male with dark hair.
Even if nobody in the shop would have been willing to help me with my request, the proper thing to do would be to refer me to a sales professional instead of somehow qualifying me at the door without offering entry. No exceptions. Perhaps I could have been talked into buying a different pair, or talked myself into it; at the moment, I would burn money rather than spend it at this high profile and low performance location. read more