Manhattan Eyeworks Elaine Chu,O.D. — Local services in New York

This is the first one star review I have given but I think people need to know to avoid at all costs. These people are scammers and gas lighters. They gave me the wrong, far more expensive contact lenses and were incredibly short and dismissive as soon as I called to ask about it. I initially sent multiple emails they did not respond to (very different than when I emailed about ordering contacts... they called within 10 min then). I was reassured during the visit they would help me take advantage of my insurance and I trusted they would. Felt like a bait and switch, the tone shift was wild. They didn't even send the rebate info they said they would during the visit.

After all this, I gave up and just requested my prescription so I can avoid them in the future, they argued but eventually agreed they would send it after the phone call, then never did despite MULTIPLE increasingly difficult phone conversations. It's been months and I have unwearable contacts, awful customer experience and feel like I was taken advantage of.

I'm a younger, quieter person and they seemed to pick up that I was a person they could take advantage of.

I'm also a student and cannot afford whatever this situation is they put me in and I have no idea what else I can do. Hundreds of dollars lost. Dr. Chu is lovely initially but very quick to upsell without disclosing there will be an extra cost, or will minimize what that cost actually is.

They wasted hours of my time. When I was finally put in contact with the owner this man was rude and dismissive.

Very negative experience that still riles me up when I think about it. I'm stuck wearing scratched glasses from an old prescription and my appointment in Feb, its been months.

Additionally, during my appointment the front desk people wrote down the wrong numbers from my old prescription so we spent half the visit with Dr. Chu saying I don't really need glasses... I've had them...

So I made an appointment to this location on Wednesday. I made it for Sat at 1230pm. I arrive at 12 20 and was told that the Dr was running 20 minutes. Ok, I have lots to do on my day off. But 20 mins is doable. The staff seemed nice enough. And when it was close to 1pm, one of the nice ladies even apologized for the wait. Then about 1:10, (remember, my appointment was for 1230, with a late running time of 20 minutes behind) the Dr comes out from being with another patient and tells me something about the system making an error. She asked if I could wait about another 10 minutes. I said I probably can't. She then tells me the person who she had dilated eyes should be about 10 to 20 mins..I thought it was 10 mins? And that mine should be quick because it was just an exam for glasses. And no empathy and no consideration for my time then said or I can reschedule. Reschedule for what?.To wait another possible 50 mins to an hour? I think not. I told the staff I'd have to go and they asked if I could wait a few more that she shouldn't be long. I said I could wait 10 more minutes and that was tight. I have a flight for tomorrow and things to do today. So I waited 10 more minutes and still waiting.. I suppose my accountability in this was Booking annappointment on a Saturday? Then I left. I should have just...

I returned to Manhattan Eyeworks after an absence of almost three years, having tried a large chain store, thinking I would save some money, a mistake!

The old adage applies: you get what you pay for! I believe that in terms of personal service and quality of merchandise, small local businesses are hard to beat.

After a very thorough exam, during which Dr. Elaine Chu shared the details of her findings, and spoke to me in depth about what changes I can expect as I age. No other Eye Doctor had ever taken this amount of time or interest in my eye health.

She is incredibly professional, knowledgeable and in possession of a personality and manner that confirms you are in great hands! My old records were still there for comparison, and were compared to the new findings as well.

After the exam, I headed to the counter and with the trusted help of Mr. Frank Fico, the owner, I chose a great pair of seemingly indestructible, great looking transitional eyeglasses.

Please support this great local small business. Far too many have fallen by the wayside as the juggernaut of massive chain entities continue to churn them up and homogenize our neighborhoods into unrecognizable clones of suburban strip malls, changing the character and uniqueness that we all love.

Thank you...