Friday, May 11, 2012

Eye Care for Humans

I know. I am just that brave.

I don't usually blog about national chain businesses, but I had such a nice experience at LensCrafters yesterday--yes, the one in the Paseo Colorado--plus I took this bizarre, yet strangely attractive photo of a photo of myself, so I thought I'd post about the experience.

When I arrived, only one employee was on the premises and I was the only customer. The guy answered my questions and directed me to what I needed. When another employee showed up (returning from a quick break) she took over and waited on me hand and foot, showing me frames, answering questions, etc.

By the time I'd selected my finalists the store had filled with customers and the other employees had returned from lunch. My technician, Mary, was waiting on several people at once but I never felt neglected. Mary was efficient. And funny! We made eye jokes. I wish I could remember them. Any of them. You'll just have to trust me; eyes are hilarious.

It turns out the guy who greeted me when I first came in was the eye doctor. He was covering the store while the employees had stepped away. I am so impressed that he did that.

This is completely opposite to my recent experience at another Pasadena business. I prefer not to write negative reviews; I'd rather not give a bad businesses any coverage whatsoever. But it was such a relief to receive great customer service at LensCrafters that I left there practically euphoric.

Plus they gave me $150 off my total because I "donated" a pair of old glasses. Yeesh.
Speaking of bizarre, yet strangely attractive. Either that or oddly euphoric. Badly pixelated? Widely misunderstood? Unfortunately dressed! We can go on.

20 comments:

Jean Spitzer said...

Very cool self-portraits.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thank you, Jean. "Very cool," that goes on the list.

Anonymous said...

I've seen that expression before.

Denise said...

I had a really good experience with the eye doctor/optical department at Costco. A friend had recommended them, and I was very pleased with the (independent) doctor and his assistant, although the Costco optical department was a bit understaffed.

Bellis said...

How on earth did you take the lower photo of yourself? Good customer sevice makes such andifference. A few years ago, I was at another large opticians in Pasadena, taking photos of myself wearing various frames so I could see what they looked like ( something that's hard to do when you're short-sighted), when they asked me to leave! No photos of the frames allowed. I felt like a criminal.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hee hee, Hiker. Of course you mean the first picture.

Denise, this doesn't surprise me. Highly qualified people are working in the most interesting (or perhaps not interesting) places these days.

irinapictures said...

This pair of glasses suits this beautiful face very well (this is about second photo!)
At a moment I wait for the meeting with the 3rd eye doctor, as two previous told me completely different opinions about my eyes and glasses I should wear)))

Petrea Burchard said...

Bellis, we all know how dastardly and dangerous you are.

The new iPhone camera has a feature where you can reverse the camera, so you can point it at yourself and you can view yourself through the viewfinder.

Petrea Burchard said...

Oh, Irina, that sounds terrible. What a pain. It looks like I'll have to have my prescription changed, too, as today I'm finding my new glasses impossible to wear. The folks at LensCrafters will replace the lenses if I bring them back within 90 days (I sound like a commercial), which is a relief.

TheChieftess said...

I love Glendale Optometric so much, I drive 300+ miles for an appt!!!

(I like your new frames Petrea!)

Petrea Burchard said...

Chieftess, that's quite an endorsement! (Of Glendale Optometric. I also accept your endorsement of my frames.)

Margaret said...

You look fabulous. I've used the kaiser Pasadena. Smallish but adequate selection. It worked for me. Nice people.

Ann Erdman said...

The eyes have it...

Ms M said...

Fun post! And the frames look good. But too bad the prescription isn't working out. Hope you receive the same good customer service on your next visit.

Petrea Burchard said...

Ms. M, my fingers are so crossed my eyes are crossing.

Katie said...

At first I thought you were in a new movie involving strange headgear, but glad to know it's just you getting a high-tech eye exam. Love the glasses! And fabulous to have received such great customer service. I've been going to my eye doctor for 10 years and he's awesome (and not just because he calls his practice Eye Carumba).

Adele said...

Love your new frames! I've had great service at LensCrafters as well (the Monrovia one). I had some problems with the prescription once, and they kept at it until the problem was solved. Nice corporate culture to deal with. Good luck!!

Dina said...

So interesting, and I'm enjoying these photos so much!

Petrea Burchard said...

Eye Carumba! Katie, I love that.

Adele, that tells me why they've stayed in business for so long.

Thank you, Dina, I'm glad you like them!

Susan Campisi said...

Such fun pics! I could use some new glasses, and now I know where to go to get them.