Cohen’s Fashion Optical

I came in last year with a Groupon for an eye exam, and still got swindled into spending $ 450 on frames that don’t even fit me right. I went back to get them tightened but they are still crooked. Not to mention my contact lens prescription is weaker than the first. I took a second eye exam months later just to make sure, but the lady just insisted I trust the previous doctor and wouldn’t write me a new script. Today I found a pair of glasses from two years ago and… I actually see better with those! Long story short: this place is a waste of your time and money. Try the one on 14^th St. instead.

I came twice for contacts and glasses, and both times the staff was friendly and very helpful. The optometrist that conducted the eye exam was also very kind and remembered me the next time I visited. Since I don’t eye insurance the contacts and glasses were a little pricey, but that can hardly be their fault since that’s pretty standard. Overall, I’m pleased I chose this store to get my visual needs.

My office is in the building right next to this store so I’ve been here 3 – 4 times for eye exams, contact lenses and prescription eye glasses purchases. The staff here have always been nice, professional, and very thoughtful. I’ll be coming back for more purchases in the future for sure!

I normally dread going to Cohen’s because they’re known to be rude and pushy with sales, however, that was not the case for this time.
I scheduled an appointment for a regular olé eye exam with another location and they didn’t honor my $ 20 eye exam coupon since they’re a franchise location (good to know). So I called and confirmed that this location (corporate store) honors it and made an appointment for the next day.
When I came in, the girl up front was very friendly and sweet. She filled out a short form for me, took my coupon and had me sit and wait for the doctor — which was about 1 min tops.
The doctor (Dr. Denise Whittam) was very professional yet personable. She made engaging small talk while giving me the eye exam and wasn’t pushy at all about me choosing not to buy glasses with them. The eye exam was quick and went smoothly.
I paid for the exam and was on my way. The entire process took about 15 mins — not bad while on my lunch break!
The only thing I did notice, was that a doctor (or maybe just an employee there) while helping another customer was giving him major attitude and was snippy with her responses to him. He was very calm and asking legit questions and she would answer visibly annoyed. If the service is going to be good here, it should be consistent among the entire staff.

I broke my glasses at work and walked in to get a replacement pair. The doctor on site was Denise, and she was friendly and gave me an exam to make sure my prescription was accurate. After the exam she helped me pick out a set of frames that were similar to my previous pair. I was pleased with the selection because I am particular about the brand and style of my glasses since I don’t wear contacts. The next morning I stopped by on my way to work to pick up my new pair of glasses. Her service was friendly and helpful. And as a walk-​in, I thought my service was prompt.

I had a great experience at Cohen’s. I went in last Friday for a eye exam, contracts, and new glasses. The doctor was friendly and professional. She took time to understand my needs and recommended a different kind of contacts that will work way better for me that what I was using before.
When it came time to pick out a new pair of frames, the lady behind the counter was awesome! She was super patient, really listened to what I was looking for in terms of style and price, and made some great recommendations. I found a beautiful pair of frames and I’m wearing them right now (yay!) because the glasses and contacts were ready for pick up only 3 business days later!

Stay away, stay far, far away. This place has cheated me out of my money and I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau of NY.
1. They don’t inform you of your options for pricing choices: they automatically tacked up my bill to originally $ 528 (EVEN WHEN I HAD INSURANCE)
2. When I called my insurance company, it was clear that they had overcharged me and they said the store would contact me for a refund
3. Due to no response, I called the store and they told me to come the next day for a refund. When I asked for a receipt or proof for the refund, they retorted they don’t do that and they «keep their word»
4. I go down to the store to get my refund, they «swipe» my card and it says «REFUND,» it’s been almost 15days afterwards, and I STILL have not gotten the money back on my debit card.
This place is shady, awful, manipulative and borderline illegal for the way they handle their business.
I will report back when I hear back from the BBB, but I plan to file as many claims and charges as possible. This business should not exist, and it is a sad, pathetic depiction of greedy hoarders who don’t give two cents about their customers (LITERALLY, they scammed me out of my money).
You have been warned.

I took an appointment on line. I went on time and simply said «I’m here for my appointment for an eye control». The lady was rude and shady, she kept saying «what I don’t understand you have to be precise, it is for glasses, contacts?» I said «I don’t know, that’s why I’m here for, to control my eyes first». She kept shaking her head like If I was stupid. I have barely met such a rude person working in a store in New York, so ended up saying «I am not working with you, you are rude» and left. Worst service ever! Don’t go there!!! Try the one in union square on Broadway, they are way better!

Poor form
I scheduled an eye exam only to cancel it later in the week after choosing to go elsewhere. They had placed a hold on my insurance which they never bothered to release upon my cancellation. They warned me that they did this but told me not to worry about any confusion. Wrong.
After much confusion with my new eye care provider who could not access my insurance, I had to place a call to the insurance company myself, which was a waste of my time. Why can’t Cohen handle things professionally and complete the cancellation in full? To me this is a reflection of sloppiness — I am glad I am not doing business at this establishment.

I was wondering what was going on with Unilocal when I pulled up this site. They are getting a really raw deal here. If you scroll to the bottom and click on (9 Filtered) icon you will see that they have gotten NINE positive reviews and Unilocal has only chosen to post only the negative ones. All the five star reviews that have been filtered (?) including my own from 2009 are not being shown or taken into consideration. That is very unfair.
This store is lovely. I have been going here for years. Their pricing is very fair and they will match competitors prices (including 1800 contacts). There have been the same three women in the reception area for at least the past two years or so and they are kind and warm. The eye doctor that conducts the exams is also very personable. I dont know what else there is to say. They can always fit me in for an exam, have reasonable and competitive prices, are friendly and conveniently located and get my contacts in very quickly.

BEWARE! Awful! The WORST customer service experience EVER! Claudia was nasty, condescending and rude. She treated me like I was garbage and as though I had no idea what I was talking about. In addition, I spent over $ 1000 at this place, so I was robbed. Dr. Denise is awful. I’ve been wearing glasses for the last 15 years and never experienced such poor eyecare in my life!
These people are rude and only out for your money. I will never go here again!

You know something is wrong when it’s 85 and humid and they have the door open… b/​c there’s no A/​C! What a mistake this place was. I made an appt b/​c I need glasses and contacts. They immediately got all up in my face when I started asing about what my insurance covers. The optician, or whatever you call that person, was veyr friendly. She casually asked me what contacts I wore and I told her what I thought they were, though I wasn’t sure. The exam was quick and then it came to the part of buying contacts. I was shocked when they said it would be like $ 450 for a 6 month supply. I usually pay 350 or so for a 1 year supply. So we get to some questioning and then we discover that I erred in the subtlety of the name of the contacts. BUT, then the optician lady tells me…“i recommended the cheaper ones, but you swore and insisted on the other ones… You specifically told me”…WHOA! How rude of her. It was obvious that they knew I knew that they were scammers. They kept whispering to each other… ugh, so then they see me looking at 1800 contacts on the my iPhone and then decide that they will match any price. Fine.
It pained me to come back a few days later to pick out frames. In their defense, they were nicer to me this time, but probably b/​c they had to save face. I did end up getting frames that I liked and I didn’t feel blatantly ripped off.
All in all, I found them generally rude upon my first visit, deceptive, and not appreciative of my business. I would never go back here.

The other reviewers are right. They’re shady.

I agree with the other awful reviews. DO NOT GO HERE! I’ve worn contacts/​glasses for 15 years. I needed a a new glasses prescription since I haven’t updated mine in a few years because glasses are so expensive. I looked up providers online who take my insurance and decided to go to Cohen’s because it was closest to my office.
1. It’s a small, dirty, «office». They didn’t even have a sink to wash your hands with before taking out your contacts. And they weren’t concerned about this at all.
2. The eye exam lasted all of 2 minutes. She was friendly enough but then I asked for my DP measurement… BIG MISTAKE
3. The Dr. told me that she couldn’t give me that information because it depends on the specific glasses you have made for you and each pair of glasses is different (That’s total B.S. DP is the distance between your pupils and has nothing to do with the specific frames) Total lie!
4. Went back a few days later and told them since they did my exam they’re obligated to give me the measurement. The «manager» came out and was the rudest man I’ve ever dealt with. He told me they’re not obligated and it’s clear I’m buying my glasses online which show’s how stupid I am, and that he would not help me. WHAT? Mind you I was being friendly and polite, and was told I’m stupid?!
5. I walked a few blocks to Lenscrafters on 49^th and 3^rd and that gentleman was happy to measure me. It took 2 seconds and I clearly wasn’t buying my glasses from him. He gave me no problem about where i got my prescription, where I’m getting glasses, etc.
Moral of the Story = Cohen’s tries to bully people into buying their overpriced glasses while giving horrible exams and customer service. DO NOT GO THERE
I’ve gone to Lenscrafters for years, multiple ones all over the city, and never had a problem. I don’t care if my insurance doesn’t cover it, I’ll go there from now on.

I told my husband how upset I was after visiting this place, that he posted a review on my behalf. I just wanted to add that I don’t write up many reviews but I felt like this place warrants my review. The recept there was nice. I was lead to «Dr Denise» who gave me a quick eye exam. Just few lenses read on both eyes, but not together (this puzzled me). I told her my vision has not changed for 15 years, and I do exam almost every year. When my contact lenses prescription changed dramatically, I was shocked. She said that’s the result of the exam. She was dry and cut throat. (Like she’s an expert, and I’m stupid.) I left the place with a bad taste in my mouth. I realized after I left, that I got charged $ 35 for the copay. It should be only $ 10. So I called and spoke to Richard. He said that regardless of whether I get materials (meaning 1 year contact lenses) or not, they have to charge me for material copay of $ 25. He said «It’s the law that we have to put a pair on you.» Does that means the trial pair I got is $ 25? So, I called my vision insurance company for clarification, and she said Cohen put a request for material refund, and asked me if I’m getting contacts from them. I said, No. I only got a trial pair. My insurance rep said that I should not be charged a copay of $ 25, and that they will reject Cohen’s request. The insurance tried to call Cohen, but Richard left for the holiday. (Hmmm. I just spoke to him less than 5 min ago…) I wanted to go back and get my $ 25 back, but my husband said — Why bother. You’ll just get upset more, waste your time, and it’s not worth it. So I decided to write a review instead.

I was having trouble finding an optometrist that took my VSP insurance and had a good selection of frames. I called around several locations near my office including this Cohen’s location to specifically ask 1. if they carried a particular frame I wanted and 2. if they DEFINITELY took VSP. I was told they definitely took VSP and that if they didn’t currently have the frame I wanted but they could order it without a problem. I went to the store and was met at first my a nice young lady who while not particularly knowledgeable was pleasant. I was told as soon as I inquired that it was impossible to order the frames I wanted because they didin’t have a «contract». I asked the sales lady to elaborate but she hedged and it was clear she really didn’t understand what she was herself attempting to explain. Not to be discouraged I began looking at other similar frames and attempted to discuss costs vis a vis my insurance benefits. Again hedging responses. The sales girl went to help another customer while I made a quick call and an older woman testily told me that no one would be able to help me for now because there were other people to be helped. Ok I replied I can wait. The older woman demanded to know what my issues were which I thought was a bit aggressive and I told her I wanted to make sure I was getting the correct coverage my insurance provided– at which point– wait for it– she informs me «we don’t take VSP!». I told her this was shocking as I had called and expressly asked this before coming and had been dealing with her staff for the last 20 minutes who told me this was also the case. She practically snorted in my face and said they could offer me a «courtesty» discount if I wanted. I told her she needs to train her staff better because I had now wasted about 40 minutes of my time. In short they basically deliberately misled me in order to get me into the store and then try and sell me glasses regardless of my insurance coverage– but not as I can see very effectively as they were either not very knowledgeable or just plain rude. The worst corporate mindset– I’d say avoid this place.