Specs Optical

Gorgeous frames.
But when I found better fitting frames elsewhere, they twice refused a refund for the frames I paid for (which had never even left the store). «It’s our policy, it’s on your receipt». I mentioned that it seems odd to inform the customer of that policy AFTER the purchase. They made me feel ashamed for even asking for a refund and compared me to the clientele at low end clothing retailer «heartbreaker» saying that «those people» ask for refund, «our customers do not». Wow.
Turns out that it’s illegal to refuse a refund unless the policy is clearly posted which it is not. So this is a reminder to know your rights and do not let anyone shame you for reasonably exercising them.
I finally got the refund after showing them the consumer protection statute that specifies this. So know your rights. When any business says ‘we have a no refund policy’ they have to comply with posting the policy in a clear and conspicuous manner. These guys did not and I just wonder how many folks are coerced or shamed into taking ‘no’ for an answer.

After the screw holding my lens in place popped out, I put off getting my glasses fixed for a while. When contacts finally got to be too irritating, I stopped in the first spec shop I could find on the way home from work. The guy at the counter fixed my glasses in minutes, handed them back to me beaming, and wouldn’t let me pay. I was pretty taken aback.
The stuff they had on the shelves was pricey, but unquestionably very cute and unique. A warm, high-​quality neighborhood find.

I was contacted by Specs Optical to discuss my Unilocal review and the experience I had. I appreciate being reached out to. The appropriate action is to ensure that people hired share or can be trained in on a shared approach, even when their personal styles differ. Hopefully others will have a better experience surrounding their class presentation. =)

Don’t come in here wearing glasses you bought online, or from another store. I know a woman who got shamed for bringing in a pair of glasses she bought from somewhere else to get adjusted here, even though she’s been giving this place her business for years and has spent god-​only-​knows how much money there. Yes, their selection is amazing, and the people that work there are (generally) kind and helpful. The owner, however, needs to get his head out of his own ass and realize that business is business and he shouldn’t turn his nose up at people who pay his salary.

A very great experience for anyone wanting to purchase a pair of glasses or other eyewear products. Other optical businesses are unmatched when it comes to Specs’ customer service and very friendly and courteous staff. The amount of attention you will receive is amazing and there is a large selection of products to choose from.

I’ve purchased three pairs of glasses at Specs, and had two exams there. I’ve never had better service. Dr. Buchli is an amazing eye doctor. Kelly, Steven and Jenny are very passionate, knowledgeable, candid employees. Yes, they are pricey. I have found their effort, concern and professionalism worth it.

Ive bought many pairs of eyeglasses and sunglasses for my husband, myself and my daughter over the past 10 years. The staff is EXCEPTIONAL at customer service and the location is easy in, and easy out for quick pick up of your finished product. I personally think they are the BEST eyeglass shop in town!

This place is the best! Jenny is amazing — she will help you find some terrific frames, probably things you wouldn’t have chosen for yourself but won’t be able to live without. A touch spendy, but their full service, espresso and cookies, as well as the superb customer service are well worth it. I won’t go anywhere else.

I’ve bought two pairs of glasses from Specs — sunglasses and regular glasses — and I get compliments on them all the time. People realize that they’re not your run-​of-​the-​mill frames. Yes, they’re pricey, but it’s something I have on my face every day so I’m happy to invest in frames that I love.
The customer service at Specs is amazing. When I bought my glasses, the person who helped me spent nearly an hour over a couple of different days, and helped me find a pair that perfectly fits my face. I’ve had the same pair for nearly six years now (they’re so great, I haven’t wanted to replace them!) and I always get friendly service when I stop in to get them tuned up. They replace the notepads and adjust the frames for free, and even remember my name despite the fact that I haven’t bought glasses from them in six years! I’m surprised to see some of the bad Unilocal ratings on their service, since I’ve always found everyone who works there to be incredibly friendly and knowledgable about glasses.

The staff is friendly, accomodating, and will make you feel at home… you are offered a latte, coffee, or other treat just for walking in the door!
I recently stopped in on my quest to find a new pair of glasses, and even though I didn’t end up finding anything in my price range (I will spend $ 500 on a nice pair of glasses, not $ 1,000…), the staff was attentive and helpful.

I live in Washington, DC, but ended up buying glasses at Specs, which tells you how great they are. While in Minneapolis on vacation, I visited Specs with my cousin and her partner, who was getting new glasses. Kelly — who had previously fit my cousin and my aunt for glasses — started working her glass-​finding magic on my cousin’s partner, and he eventually ended up with some amazing, trendy frames. While he was back with the doctor, I asked Kelly if she could find some frames for me, and I ended up buying a pair of glasses that I would have never picked out on my own, but which look great. (Seriously — if you said «chunky plastic frames with orange highlights,» I would have said «no way in hell,» but I love them!) I had my DC optometrist doctor fax my prescription, and two weeks later I got my glasses in the mail, along with some bonus candies (nice touch!), extensive instructions for how to care for my glasses, and multiple cleaning cloths. Kelly told me that they really care about the crafting of the lenses — they do everything in-​house — and I can tell, as I’ve never seen so clearly in my life. Plus they made some custom clip-​on sunglasses to match. Yes, they are very pricey (I think probably triple the cost of my previous glasses), but if you have the money, definitely go see Kelly and the rest of the Specs team!

So good, Raymond was awesome! The service can’t be beaten. I was simply party to my girlfriend getting new glasses and I was treated like their best customer ever; and I didn’t spend a dime!

My trip to Specs started out great when the door was opened for me as I approached by an older gentleman who welcomed me to the store. He introduced himself as John, the owner, and then proceeded to take me on a tour of the store where we discussed what I was looking for in a frame as well as what I was trying to say with my glasses. By the time the process was done I was in possession of amazing and stylish glasses that I look forward to wearing.
As prior reviews have mentioned if the goal is to get a cheap pair of glasses this is not the place to be, you will spend a pretty penny but you will get some amazing glasses. However, if you are someone who wears glasses everyday it’s worth it to invest some money into high quality eyewear that has a unique and vibrant presence. Overall it was a great experience with dedicated professionals who care more about getting the right frame for you than in anything else.

I had help picking out frames. I don’t recall the name of the youngish man with green slacks. First he pointed out a wall with frames that cost $ 100. There were many to choose from but he steered me to a pair that were most becoming. I’ve been stopped by complete strangers who want to know where I bought these attractive frames. Their selection is much bigger and better than any place I’ve tried.
I am now a loyal customer of «Specs» and I have found that everyone I know who has been there is just as confident as I am about getting good quality and service. A lot of their frames are expensive, but check out that wall first because it has a very good selection. I’ve been back once just to browse but I was treated with the same careful hospitality which includes a cup of coffee and an offer to make any adjustment if needed.

I recently checked out Specs Optical while in search of some new cycling and reading classes…
I was very impressed with the décor and atmosphere of this boutique. Additionally, I found their staff to be extremely helpful and polite.
However, it is important to note that this place is an ‘optical boutique’ and not your typical Lens Crafters kind of store. Thus, Specs Optical does not accept any insurance or offer any discounts (military, student, etc.). As a result, expect to drop a pretty penny here ($ 300-​$ 800/​pair for prescription glasses).
If elegance, style and unique glasses are your «thing» and money isn’t an «issue», this is your place…

Top notch customer service.
I have been here twice. The first time I was assisted by a friendly gentleman wearing colorful glasses. Unfortunately I couldn’t find anything within my price range, but the service and friendliness and selection are all top notch.
The second time I came here was to get my frames adjusted. A very kind woman from Chicago adjusted my frames for me.
Every time I visited I was extremely impressed by how many people there were working there to assist you. They have some of the coolest high quality frames you’ll find in Minneapolis (Theo is one of the bigger brands). But keep in mind these glasses aren’t cheap, but you definitely get what you pay for.

Edit:
I lowered their stars even further because I recently got attitude about buying frames online (which I’ve done in the past). I called for a piece of info on my prescription and instead of explaining what the numbers meant, the guy on the phone basically talked over me and then hung up. I had to call back to clarify and someone else did the same thing.
These people have some customer service issues and seem to forget that not everyone who gets their eyes checked there can afford to buy frames there. And know EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD ABOUT GLASSES.
I won’t be back, not so sorry to say.
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I will say that Specs had a great selection on unique frames. Pricey, but original and unique. I will also say however, that in order to be truly accepted as a ‘real’ customer at Specs, you have to be a hip young person that makes a statement by wearing trendy frames ALL THE TIME.
I originally went in to just get new lenses in my old frames. The guy kept talking about how he could tell that I didn’t take good care of them for the 3 years I owned them, and that they were crap because of it. I also got grief for wearing contacts more than I wear glasses. Yes, I love wearing my glasses, especially when I’ve got funky frames, but I work in an industry where people need to see my eyes, not have them hidden. Either way, I got grief, and was treated like I wasn’t as important because I wasn’t originally in to buy new frames.
After wearing the new pair of contacts for a week, I called back to order a full box and got a «*Sigh* alright then, you’re still wearing your glasses more of the time though right?» No sir, I am not. Just order me my frickin’ box of contacts already.
I have a feeling I’ll be getting my next box from 1800 Contacts, or something of the sort. I’d rather not get attitude from some snooty guy when I place an order for them.
Three stars for location and coolness of inventory, lacking in the final two stars for needing an ego adjustment.

Incredibly Bad Experience
My friend and I (both mid-​forties, a photographer and a physician) stopped in to Specs on a lunch break. We were greeted by John, the owner. He asked me if I had been to Specs before. When I replied yes, he inquired as to why I hadn’t purchased anything (which was a bit off putting). I said that I had found a deal on my current glasses. He launched into a lecture on how it was obvious that we weren’t there to buy and that we were the kind of customer who just messes up the shelves, and that we weren’t interested in quality (even though we were both wearing high end glasses and my friend was carrying a Coach bag). He asserted that «as you can see, my store is always filled with people who care about quality».
We recommend this shop to people who would like to feel like Clarice did when spoken to by Hannibal Lecter.

The staff really knew their frame selection and how to get the best pair of glasses (in my case, sunglasses) to fit my face perfectly and really suit my personality. I am very happy with Specs. Love the staff. They are the best.

I love these guys! They are the best shop in town bar none. I have bought 4 pairs of glasses from them in the past few years and I get nothing but the highest level of customer service. Everyone knows my name and have taken the time to get to know me and understand what like when I look for a new frame.
The selection is are some the best makers from around the world. I have purchased 4 pair of frames from a French company and eyeing my 5^th. The brands they carry are made from the highest quality materials whether it be metals or plastics or natural materials. They are the best frames I have ever worn. They are a bit more expensive than your average pair at a chain store, but thje frames I have our worth every penny and if you compare that to what I spend on coffee…
The frames I wear get complements all the time around town because they are unique and something you don’t see everyday and I like that. I even had New Yorkers giving me complements and asking where I got my glasses. I simply reply, «Spec’s Optical, Minneapolis. They’re the Best!»