Grand Central Optical — Local services in New York

In April I visited the Madison Avenue location to try on a pair of Ray Ban Meta Glasses in April, I originally was planning to purchase them from Ray Ban Directly online, I just needed to physically confirm how they would look. GCO was listed as an authorized retailer, and this location was just blocks away from where I worked, so it was simple to go there. Jordan Stein was the salesperson who helped me.

He said I was lucky because that was the last pair he had in the store at that moment since they were so popular, I was glad to be able to try them on but I made it very clear that I had no intention to purchase the glasses from there because Ray Ban was offering a sale of 40% off. He tried to offer me a discount that was still $200 more than what I was getting them for at Ray Ban, stating that they would do a better job at perfecting my lens and the turnaround time would be 1-2 days rather than the 10-day one online. I told him that wasn’t as important as saving the money as so no thanks, but after being overly persistent he matched the price to get the sale.

Before agreeing to purchase these glasses I asked him why was the case in store (black) different from the one pictured online (brown), he stated “that’s just packaging differences they do that all the time it’s no big deal” so with that I did agree that a case is a case and since it’s no significant difference I went ahead and agreed to purchase. He told me they would be ready 2 days later.

The glasses took a week, I pick them up in the morning on my way to work. I get to my office and go to set them up on the Meta app, a screen prompted me to pick which edition I had between the Meta and Stories. I didn’t even know there were 2 versions, I just knew that I specifically asked for the Metas which where their latest and only version that was advertised for sale online at Ray Ban…

Physically, the glasses looked identical, so how did I know which pair they were? Because the Metas had a BROWN case, while the Stories had a BLACK case…remember when I said I asked why is the case different??? He flat out lied, and it was at that moment I realized he sold me the wrong pair.

So I go right back to the store not even an hour after purchasing the glasses and tell Jordan that he sold me the wrong pair of glasses, and reminded him that I very specifically asked for the Metas, and also highlighted that I distinctly asked why was the case black and not brown, and he misrepresented the information. He claimed that he didn’t know, however he said he could just order the ones I asked for and he will call me in a couple of days to come pick them up.

Later that same afternoon he calls me back and says that unfortunately I have to wait 2 months to get my glasses because the Metas are sold out everywhere and they are on back order at Ray Ban…I called Ray Ban BEFORE I took the glasses back to the store, once again, a flat out LIE! Not only were they totally in stock online, my same pair was still in my cart!

So at that point I told him that I would like to just cancel my order and he refunded, Not only did he refuse to refund me, he got very irate and started yelling on the phone. We go back and forth, and I explain to him that this isn’t me simply having buyers remorse, he committed material misrepresentation and it was his misinformation and deceit that created this, he intentionally sold me the wrong glasses, lied twice and now trying to force me to wait 2 months for glasses.

I filed a dispute with my credit card company. They credited my card then told me that the case was closed about 45 days later, only to learn he contested the dispute and I ended up receiving a charge back for the cost of the glasses! I called the store and immediately asked him to release the charge from my account, he got irate once again and doubled down that he will not, so I have now decided to pursue legal action against him...

I visited them today and to be frankly honest, I left really upset and devastated. Not only the service was horrible, they were unprofessional and extremely weird about their approach. My husband and I walked in, they had at least 5 employees at the store, none of them really paid attention to us. Finally one of the ladies ask if we needed any help, my husband told her I had Metroplus insurance and were looking to get some frames. The lady didn't even know what to say, it was almost like she never heard of this type of insurance before. That's understandable! she then looked at her co-worker or manager, I'm not sure. He then gave her the name of carrier that it would be under. She took my insurance card, ran it about 3 or 4 times then called them to make sure they took it. It was almost like they've never worked with people who has insurance, or at least my insurance, or people like ME. when I say people like me, I mean we weren't all dressed up. I guess we weren't fancy enough for them. I thought it was more of a color issue thing, but that thought changed when a lady walked in, a female of color dressed like a businesswoman looked maybe more important than we were. It was a different approach, they were happy, smiling, offering this and that, making jokes etc... Fast forward to the lady who's taking care of us, she was asking the insurance company what type of frames they should give us? what we're paying for?what's not covered? what she should do? Mind you she already asked that. Then the same guy, I'm not sure if he's the manager came to her and told the frames that my insurance covered. He then told us, again explained to her what she asked on the phone, then told us. The whole interaction was weird and awkward. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. UNPROFESSIONAL! TERRIBLE SERVICE! BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE! I mean it's 2018! when are we gonna learn to treat everyone with the...

There is no other place I would go for glasses. I used to live in New York. Now I live almost 350 miles away. Yet despite the distance, I wouldn’t go anywhere else for glasses than Grand Central Optical. The owner, the managers, and the staff all take great care of me and my eyes. (I am an artist and they understand how important this is to me.)

GCO is a family-owned business and they treat me as part of the family, so I don’t get lost in the anonymity of a big optical chain. They carry the latest in eyewear fashion, as well as the classics, so they have a great selection to choose from.

I just got my second pair of Lindberg frames recently and doing it all long distance was NOT an issue. I did a little homework on GCO’s website and researched the brands they carry, got in touch with GCO and a frame stylist and the manager helped me finalize my selection, based on what I was going to use the glasses for. Then I just emailed them my prescription and had another phone call to go over the lenses. Once we did all that, they took it from there. GCO has their own lab, so they could make up my glasses quickly. Then they were shipped to me…all without having to leave my house.

I like that GCO has a program where they donate glasses to people in need around the world. I’ve been going to Grand Central Optical for decades now. They have always given me the best customer service, as well as the...