Robert Marc

I am a long-​standing Robert Marc customer, and I use this location and the one in the Village on Perry (separate review posted there).
After much research (see below), I strongly feel that RM glasses are the best made glasses available in NYC. They have timeless style, but are still updated for subtle details that make them really fun (such as a bright color on the inside of the frame).
I got curious about them when I kept seeing the smartest and most stylish people I know wearing eyeglasses with a subtle-​but-​distinctive hinge.
Contrary to what people may think, the best-​made glasses are not plastic that is injection molded. They are carved from blocks of layered acrylic and assembled with super strong but refined hinges, etc. Yes, I am a big fan of these glasses!
Many people may not know that most glasses are produced the same way, often in the same town in China. What you pay for is branding and status, even though those different high-​end brands are in many cases owned by the same couple of mega-​optical conglomerates. RM is an independent, eye glass maker base in NYC (though I think the glasses are mostly made in Italy, France and Japan). RM glasses are often less expensive than the cheaply-​made «status» brands.
In terms of service, I have no idea what the other reviewers are talking about. After many years and probably 10 – 12 pairs of eyeglasses, I have only had truly excellent service experiences. The staff seems to only want to sell you glasses that look good on you, and they are truthful when a pair does not complement you.
This store on Madison is very convenient for my office, and the staff is always fun, knowledgeable, and responsive. Yes, in you need prescription glasses, you may need to wait for 4 – 6 days for them, but this is always explained.

The service at most of the RMs ESPECIALLY this store is absolutely egregious. Once you’ve paid for it, pretty much anything can happen and they won’t give a s**t about it. I bought a pair of glasses here and was told that I would get it in a 5 days. 6 days go by, no one calls. I have to call them to ask what’s up and they don’t even offer an apology or a reason for the delay and they said they’ll call to give me an update but they never did. I had to pursue them several times before it was finally ready. more than 2 weeks later. having spent almost $ 800, you would’ve thought that they’d be a little more attentive to the service. the staff in this store including the manager Nick are just a bunch of kicking squealing gucci little piggies, take your money an run types. service is rushed, and i have to admit that they are great salesmen, but i’m trying to correct my vision, not buy a second hand car. they’ll tell you how awesome you look in them, and it’s hard to fight it – it seems the whole store ambiance is designed to foster a sort of emperor’s new clothes psychology in you but don’t fall for it! in fact run away as fast as you can. if you absolutely need to get a pair of RMs, do yourself a favor and skip this store. there’s one on 80^th and madison that seemed much more pleasant. but then again, i don’t know what would’ve transpired had they taken my money. come to think of it, we need less of these bourgie poseur crap in the world. probably the only reason they’re still around is the snob appeal — yes, believe it or not paying more doesn’t always necessarily equate to better stuff. In contrast, I got a pair of glasses at Purdy’s round about the same time and it was a WORLD of difference. they were very patient in helping you choose the right pair of frames, very conscientious about getting your presciption done on time (even calling a few times to give me updates that everything is progressing as planned), taking the time to make sure it’s adjusted correctly before you leave the store,. and you don’t need to be a celebrity to look great in them.