Anne & Valentin Eyewear - Upper West Side - NYC — Local services in New York

I love Anne et Valentin's style. The glasses are beautiful and well made. I bought my last pair two years ago at the Brooklyn store on Smith Street which has since closed. I live on the Upper Eastside and decided to try Columbus. What a difference in attitude from the Brooklyn store, whose sales people couldn't have been nicer! I went in and was told to sit down and wait for a sales person. I wasn't allowed to touch any glasses that were on display. When she finally came over I told her what I was interested in. Well she opened one of many drawers while I sat on the other side of the room and she brought out about 4 pairs of glasses for me to try on. I really didn't care for any of them. She took them back and brought another 4 pair. I tried them on but wasn't excited about them. I asked if I could go to the drawer and decide for myself what I would like to try on. She said "no" that they don't work that way. She told me that she knows what looks good on me. I told her that I think I might know better what looks good on me. She was getting frustrated as was I. She was not nice after a while. I finally chose a pair for $1400. I liked them but wasn't excited. I am sure that I would have found some that I really loved among the hundreds of frames that they carry. They took my measurements and my prescription and told me that I could pick them up "next week". I called "next week" and was told that they would be in in a few days. Finally I called and they said that they came in wrong. They did not come with the sun coating that they were supposed to have. They told me to come in and get them and they would order the right ones . I came from the Eastside by cab and picked up the glasses. I returned home. In a few days they called to say that I am so lucky because they got the lenses in earlier than expected. I could come and pick them up. I would bring back the ones that they made by mistake and give me the new ones. That would take only about an hour to change the lenses while I wait. I took another cab back ($16.00 each way) in pouring rain. After waiting the hour, they gave me the glasses. No apology for making me come back and wait. I mentioned to the same woman who was so unpleasant the first time that it would be nice if they paid for my cab fare for having to take time from my day because of their mistake. She said "Sorry ,We don't do that!" And they don't apologize either. They just lost a good customer. I will never go back to that Columbus Avenue...

I purchased my second pair of Anne & Valentin glasses in late October. During the appointment, I was introduced to a range of glasses styles and ultimately selected a titanium frame that was quite different from my initial tortoise shell glasses. That was one of the reasons for choosing Anne & Valentin - a wide range of choices in materials and configurations that flattered and couldn't be found elsewhere.

The process for selecting the new pair of glasses went smoothly, including the measurement for progressive lenses. The glasses were ready in a reasonable timeframe, but it turned out that the measurements didn't match what I needed for reading. I returned to the store in early November to address what could be done to ensure the glasses serve the purpose for which they are intended.

This is where the second reason for choosing Anne & Valentin became apparent - outstanding customer service. I stopped into the shop on two occasions after picking up my glasses. The first to have the frame tightened, to adjust where the glasses sat on my face. That did not address the lack of clarity. The second visit resulted in new measurements requiring a remake of the lenses. This request was treated as if I was purchasing glasses for the first time, with great concern that I got the glasses I needed.

Throughout the process, each staff member listened to my concerns and acted to address my issues in a courteous and professional manner. First, some detective work was done to clarify what caused my issues with the lenses. Second, the measurements were retaken and a discrepancy was discovered. The ultimate decision to remake the lenses was handled without delay of any kind and great concern for my satisfaction.

The staff couldn't have been nicer when I picked up the remade glasses. I remarked that it was one of the better customer service experiences I ever had. I am delighted to write about a great outcome from resolving a problem, and hope that I get as many compliments on this new pair of glasses as I had on the first pair of Anne & Valentin...

I have a different take on what a reviewer named Janice Breeze states re this eye-wear store. Breeze seems to take issue that he/she was not able to look into the drawers where A&V store their selection of eye-glasses frames, stating, "It is mind boggling that the store would prefer a customer to leave without buying glasses than allow a peek at the frames in the drawer. This policy unreasonably uses customers' time."

First of all, I doubt that any store prefers customers to leave without buying their merchandize! But I never felt their policy of keeping frames in drawers, then bringing selections to a potential client “unreasonably” used my time! Rather, this “policy” saved me time and heart ache!

I’ve worn glasses for 50+ years, and back in the dark ages when I was wearing them as a toddler (and for a number of years to follow), the choosing of frames was often an exercise in futility. Normally when one goes to pick out a frame, the selections being offered are on walls, and one can try on various frames. However, the frame one might like the look and feel of, may not accommodate his/her visual needs! To me, trying on a number of frames only to be told that my prescription won’t work in them is an “unreasonable” use of my time. I much prefer to be given a selection of frames that will meet my visual concerns than to be attracted to a frame that will never be able to meet my needs! Besides, as for keeping frames in drawers, it protects them unnecessary handling by folks who may have no intention of buying them!

All of the staff at Columbus Avenue's A&V are knowledgeable and willing to help. I’m grateful to have found the shop and to own pairs of their glasses. The frames are most attractive and the optics are fantastic! A number of eye professionals (including doctors and their interns) who I see to address my vision loss have praised my glasses from Anne...