Warby Parker 68th & Columbus — Local services in New York

I have to edit my great and unfaltering review to one much less appreciative-in fact, downright terrible! I thought I would get my exam at Warby because I was so pleased with the glasses and service the last two times. The glasses at my optometrist's are usually way too expensive for me. I did this on the UES, though I usually shopped on the UWS and downtown/SOHO.

The glasses were much much stronger and hurt my eyes, so I exchanged them! Warby did not want to, but I told them of the headaches I'd had which I had never experienced before with glasses at all. I did not know what/how it happened. I had them replace the glasses using a new prescription from my optometrist (I had always used his prescription before). I also bought a pair from him this time as I needed a pair of glasses immediately. When I finally got the replacement, they were also too strong, but not as bad as before. My optometrist told me my numbers had gone up slightly and he produced a pair of glasses which were fine though they cost much more than at Warby. I finally went back to Warby one day (to the same location I had gotten the replacement from and explained the continuing problem) and tried to get them fully refunded because the glasses again were still too strong (they had given me some kind of discount on the first pair as a "concession"), but Warby would not return them, explaining they company policy prevented them from returning/fixing a third time even after two wrong glasses-so no SATISFACTION AT ALL. I asked the clerk what the prescription had been on the this pair and he told me like 280! He claimed they had not kept the information from the first pair! I was dumbfounded as I had provided a new prescription for these and it was significantly lower than this. The first pair had been even stronger than this pair! What could it have been and why would they not keep that information? What had she/they done to my eyes? They have not been the same since, even with the corrected lenses. I don't know whether to see an attorney or not. What do you think? Anyone with a...

Store staff were excellent BUT: Extremely disappointed in the product quality and corporate response.

I want to be clear: the in-store team at Warby Parker was wonderful. Friendly, helpful, and professional — this poorly made product is not on them.

My issue is with the product and the way corporate handled it. I spent around $500 on a pair of Esme prescription glasses, and within SEVEN MONTHS, they began to fall apart. Rust showing through the arms, screws constantly falling out, and visible defects in the frame. At one point in the middle of work I had to tape it together. I’ve worn glasses for 20+ years, and I’ve NEVER had a pair degrade this badly, even ones that cost half as much. I have never in my life had to buy a new pair in under 3 years, let alone SEVEN MONTHS! FOR A $500 PAIR?? This was my first time buying from this brand and it will be the last. Now I had to waste more money on a new pair elsewhere.

When I contacted Warby Parker’s customer support about it, I was met with a cold, generic response that completely ignored the specifics I shared — not even a basic acknowledgment of the defects. Just a templated email telling me I was past the 30-day return window and offering to sell me more glasses. WHY would I want more of these poor-quality glasses? Honestly, it felt like being brushed off by a bot.

I work in the medical field and I’d be ashamed to recommend anything of this quality to anyone. I’ll be sure to let everyone I know in my field of work - doctors, nurses, PAs, and students - lots and lots of glasses-wearers - to AVOID this brand. It’s a scam and a ripoff, and we need our...

UPDATE 10/7 -Store Manager: Thanks for your reply and offer. As I mentioned, I wasn't looking for a freebie, so that's not necessary. I also heard from the company. (Just wanted people to know there is follow-up at WB) Changed my rating based on that.

By far not the Warby Parker experience I'm used to. We've been WB devotees since before they started opening stores even. We stopped in as they were just opening. I was the second customer. Needed an adjustment and had a question about the coating coming off one of the lenses on another pair. Optician was brusque. Told me I must have used alcohol on the lens and ruined the coating.

"No, I've used nothing but Zeiss wipes for decades." He informs me they must have alcohol in them. Ohhhhkaaay. Then why haven't I destroyed the lenses in every pair of glasses I've ever had? Clearly he just wanted me out of there. I asked him if WB guaranteed the coating or is it just something that happens? (Keep in mind, I wasn't asking for freebies - just info). He said he didn't know. Maybe year.

My wife was with me, too. There was one other customer before her. After nearly 30 min she gave up.

Ok, it's a small store in a busy upper west neighborhood. I get that. The other staff in the store was nice enough, but the optician . . .

I'd chalk it up to his having a bad day, but I see the review score at this store is far...