Costco Optical

I ordered contact lenses, 2 weeks passed. I keep asking, and no certain answer, I really don’t have idea when I can get my contact lenses! Costco people tell me to call tomorrow to complain to their manager because she had no idea either, hahaha

Price is 4– star
Selection 3.5-star
Service 3.5-star
I went in to get two pairs of glasses. One designer and the others were transitions.
The wait to make my order took at least 45 minutes. Some people in line even left because it took so long. Once your number gets called, it’s really a hit or miss with the staff. You might get someone who is nice or someone who is just ready to go home. Regardless most of them know what they are doing.
Kaiser optical has a better selection of designer glasses, but definitely not with Costco prices.
One thing I didn’t like was that when your glasses are ready they don’t come together so you will get two seperate calls. I didn’t know this so I had to come twice to pick up.
Also you have to take a number when you are just picking up glasses… Good luck!

Slowest service ever. I was waiting for almost an hour, waiting for my number to be called. I was literally the next one.

I came across a set of designer frames that I loved and no store carried. Before they even arrived, I began shopping around for lenses and my usual go to (Lenscrafters) quoted me $ 315 for their top of the line, lightweight, anti-​reflective lenses. It was more than usual because I did not purchase the frames through them. I then asked friends and family if they’ve had any experience with Costco Optical and the short answer was no.
I came in, got a number, and waited a good 30 minutes and asked whether they could put lenses in my Burberry glasses and the answer was yes but there would be a $ 15 surcharge because I did not purchase the frames through them, which was fine. As for the lenses, they have 3 tiers: plastic, mid-​grade (lightweight, anti-​reflective), and their top of the line. I was quoted $ 65, $ 85, $ 115 respectively. I found the price to be a great deal compared to other optical retailers.
Once I received my frames by mail, I went down to Costco 30 minutes before closing on a Saturday and had no wait and was quickly assisted my staff member. Leo was very knowledgeable about the products they carried and quickly filled my lens order. All that was needed was a copy of my prescription from my optometrist. He then rang me up and the total came to a little over $ 100. I began to ask what tier of lenses he was charging me for and he responded with the mid grade. I then asked what about the top tier lens and after explaining the pros and cons, he personally recommended the mid grade, lightweight, anti-​reflective lens for my prescription. Furthermore, I asked him what type of lens was used on my current glasses from Lenscrafters and after examining them, he responded with the mid grade lens. I was sold. I was quoted 10 business days for arrival.
Five business days later, I received a call from Costco that my frames were in and ready for pickup. Great turnaround time. Upon picking them up, they were test fitted and were contoured for my ears. As for the lenses? 1080p HD clear. I’ve been asked many times already if I have lenses in my glasses and my response is always of course I do. I’ve come to prefer these frames and lenses over anything I’ve ever had. Thank you to the Costco Optical team especially Leo.

I guess it is all in the timing with Costco Optometry? I brought my eye glssses/​spectacles/​lunettes distance prescription to Costco on a Saturday morning with The Mother. As soon as I took a number, #15, it was called. Superb! A nice specialist named Sabrina helped me. She took measurements on what eyewear sizes would fit moi. She advised me to seek out sizes 51 – 53.
When I was scouting the racks sometime ago, a long long time ago, there were a lovely pair of Sophia Loren frames thst caught my eye. And guess what – they were there and they were in the advised size range of 52. To cut this long story short, it was between the Sophia Loren and another name brand. The Mother did not like the look of the earpieces on the other frames. She liked the Sophia Loren frames better, much to my delight. Sophia Loren it was! Ciao Bella! We were advised it would take about two weeks for them to be ready.
Sunday evening I got an automated voicemail that my new lunettes were ready. So Monday afternoon, The Mother and I high-​tailed to Costco to pick up them up a long with a few things. As soon as I grabbed a number again, I was next to be attended to. A very sweet optical specialist named Sandra attended to us. I was so excited to get them. Sandra tested my lunettes for distance. Read the eye chart and some signage nearby. And when reading the the card, what was the smallest could I read at my normal distance? It was the smallest fine print. Sandra was quite impressed, not many people could read that smallest line. When I saw the «20÷20» next to that there fine print, I was thrilled. And Sandra clued me in on the secret of looking up for far distance and down for near distance.
We placed an order for reading glasses for me with «Office lenses» for reading books, computer screens, tablets, and eReaders. I was disappointed they were out of the Ray Ban styles. Sandra picked out a few suggestions in the size range, they were okay yet nothing made me go «Wowsa!» The Mother picked a pair of lunette frames giving me a more scholarly look. We were advised they would be ready in about two weeks’ time though might be much sooner.
I wore my new Sophia Loren lunettes while picking up a few things shopping at Costco. And wore them while driving home too. The Mother advised me to use my old spectacles for reading until the new pair arrives.
I was disheartened upon reading the reviews here for Costco Optical. I did not encounter nor have any problems like that were mentioned amongst the reviews. I guess it is all in the matter of timing. Be prepared to wait if it is on the weekend, unless it is early morning. Come during the weekday, if it is possible to do so. The service is personalized and the specialists take the time to help their customers. I guess it is all in the timing, and I am quite happy with the professional care and service I got here.
Perfectly Keane, I say:

The wait = 1 star. Tooooo long. There is absolutely NO reason why anyone should have to wait and 1−½ for anything. I’ve learned to go find a store manager who can pull help from employees outside of optical. Quite frankly, the staff should wave a red flag when they see they are that backed-up…but they don’t, I guess becuase they’re just too dogone busy.
The product = 3 stars. Can’t beat the Costco standard; reasonable prices.
The staff = 2 stars. They aren’t the friendliest people, I think mainly because they are fried trying to help a million people in an hour. This isn’t thier fault, it is Costco Richmond’s fault for not hiring the staff to assist with supply and demand. I beleive this is true, because when I’m in other «Posh» locations (BTW Richmond is considered the hood store — don’t judge me for saying that, I live here in the hood) …I get quality, quick service and a smile.

I had bought glasses and contacts here in the past and been happy. When I first needed progressives I went to Kaiser because Costco had bad reviews. Got nice but very expensive glasses. This year I tried Costco. I have only had the glasses a few months and they are all scratched up. I have worn glasses since I was 6 and never had a pair get this scratched. There is no year waranty despite what some others have said. they basically told me (after an one hour wait) tough luck glasses get scratched. So that is the end of my relationship with Costco Optical.

The coating on my glass lenses started pealing off, so I went back to Costco to see what could be done. My wife had this happen at a different place years ago and they fixed them for her. Costco, on the other hand, told me that it was my fault and that I must have done something to them, but she also said that they had fixed the problem. Essentially, she said «we had a problem with our coatings and we’ve fixed it but it’s your fault so we won’t help you.»
I figured if she couldn’t see the logical inconsistancy she probably wasn’t the person to talk to, so I tried again the next time I was at Costco with a different person. This time I was again told it was my fault, and she proceeded to tell me the various things I could have done wrong: she told me how her grandfather had the same problem because he fried eggs, and how a lady had the same problem because she used hair spray. I tried telling her that frying eggs without having to take off my glasses seemed pretty reasonable, but she just kept repeating that it was my fault.
I finally went to a different Costco, and they said yes that it was their problem, but that unfortunately now a year had passed and the warranty was up so they couldn’t do anything for me.
I’ve been happy with Costco optical previously, but this was enough to cause me to write a bad review. The get a zero for such poor customer service.

went to pick up my first pair of glasses and while the bottom focal (bi-​focal) was perfect, the far away focal was plain glass. so sent it back to be fixed.
picked up my tri-​focals and they are perfect.
there was a long line this time, so i asked peter how long he thought it might be before i’m seen. he said about it would be a while, so i could shop and, when i came back, to let him know, if they’d passed my number, so i ran around shopping and came back in about 20 minutes. didn’t have long to wait and alicia and khissa were great!
thank you all for great and friendly service. the mistake is being fixed; no big deal. no one’s perfect; we are human, after all.
will tell my friends about you.

The glasses were not done right so I went back. Waited half hour. Ugh. Service was great once I was called. Ding 1 Star for long wait and glasses not being done correctly.

If you want a lot of pampering, someone who will spend any amount of time with you as you pick out this and that, if you want really expensive specialty lenses, maybe Costco optical is not for you.
If you want really good prices on quality merchandise, give it a try. I have also tried Walmart and Costco if infinitely better.
Depending upon when you go, you may have a short wait, but their people are friendly and helpful. And knowledgeable.

After reading all the reviews here, I can see that the ratings are mixed (and wothless) .
Some are including the adjacent Optometrist (Dr.Ian Nossoff O.D.) in the rating. (He’s a BIG Five Star btw)… But he is not part of the Costco Optical Department, — he’s independent of it. In fact, he would recommend them only based on what your specific ‘eye’ needs, and wallet thickness happen to be. There are many other Optical Departments that he would recommend OVER this under-​manned, un-​evenly staffed group which is next to his humble cave.
They are ‘great’ for some patient’s needs, but NOT all patients.
There are some really good lenses out there, but this outlet doesn’t carry them. They may improve their offerings in the future… and perhaps you don’t seek nor need the best…; so like everything else: buyer beware. There are quarter diopter, and better ‘grind’ physics, (and even coatings), that is ‘news’ for this establishment.

Sadly, this applies to almost ALL U.S. chain vendors (in contrast to what I encountered in Europe (Germany, England, Switzerland)), where, relative to here, the ‘best’ is standard stuff; they don’t nickel and dime you for state-​of-​the-​art lenses.

Costco is so great and affordable at so many things but they really drop the ball with their optical department. They have numbers, which is good if there’s a wait, but if you’re not there when they call your number, you get to start over. I was there on a «slow day» and there was a 20 minute wait with only a few people waiting. There were two very stressed out people trying to get the job done. Ok, so they were very prompt about telling me that the frames I ordered were on back order. I have VSP so went somewhere else instead, for half the price. Not sure what their issues are but they could use some management consulting.

I waited for 1 hour to get a new pair of glasses, and another hour to pick them up!

Went to Costco Optical Department couple days ago and wanted to look at their contact lenses. I asked the sales lady who was sitting down behind the counter about their contact lenses and their prices. She pointed with her finger and said «the contact lenses are behind the glass door and I can’t get those out for you» and I said ok, what are your prices on the contact lenses? And she said «the prices are on the wall next to the contact lenses» and then she turned around and started chatting with her co-worker.The lady who was sitting down behind the counter, was rude and very unprofessional. I was about to buy their contact lenses but I decided not to because I’m not flatterd with their customer service and they just lost their customer.
I rather go to the optical department at Costco SF soma district instead. At least they have better services.

Worse Costco Optometry department! I have tried buying glasses here three years in a row and all three years they’ve messed up my glasses repeatedly. Why do I keep going back? only b/​c it’s so cheap, but it’s probably not worth it anymore.
The first year, they misaligned my lenses with the frame and I had to send it back TWICE to fix it b/​c the first time they did absolutely nothing to fix it.
My second year, they forgot to smooth the edges of the lenses when i had already paid for it.
My third year (this year), I have had to send the glasses back THREE TIMES already and they still are messing up. They gave me a pair of chipped and damaged frames so i sent them back. The next pair of frames were again another DAMAGED pair of frames but in a different location. So I sent it back again, and what do they do? they call me to pick up my glasses and it’s THE EXACT SAME PAIR OF DAMAGED FRAMES!!! Now they want me to wait and see if they will send a new frame that is «brand new». We’ll see about that…
The people who work at the Costco optometry are nice people and they say they will «take care of you.» But perhaps the source of the problem is the people who actually make the lenses and send the frames. They are awful. 3 out of 3 times of failure.
Don’t go here. If you do, and you’re fooled by the price of the glasses, be very careful for damage to your glasses or frames. they mess up a lot. I’m no longer coming to costco for glasses. That’s it. I’ve given them 3 chances and each time they have failed.

The wait time is deplorable. Dr. Woo is fine, but get your glasses elsewhere.

It seems that the biggest complaint is the wait time. Although the long wait times are frustrating I just go in there expecting to wait awhile. I bring a book, or use a book from their book and magazine section.
I noticed they recently set up a bench for people to wait.
I have been going to Costco Optical for at least 15 years, filling my eyeglass and
contact lens prescriptions. (They only take HARD contact lens RX from the Costco
eye doc, Dr. Nosoff).
The prices can not be beat, especially with my very strong eye RXs.
Much cheaper than Kaiser.
The staff has always been thoughtful, patient and helpful. They spend the time they need to get your eyeglass fitting just right and offer suggestions. When I was interested in a pair of large frames they encouraged me not to get them because I would end up paying a hefty price for an excess amount of lenses.
They also check for frames that fit your face — -eyes close or far together,
shape of your face, etc.
They will also adjust your frames when they get bent — -which mine used to
I now have a pair of flexible frames — I love them — the lenses never pop off.
I think the long wait time issue is something Costco needs to address.
The staff is spread thin because of the long hours the Optical Dept is open.
The staff needs their breaks and lunch/​dinners. Often there is only 1 or 2
staff members working at certain hours.
So the trade off is a long wait time and cheaper glasses or contacts
VS a short wait time and more expensive glasses and contacts at Kaiser or
other optical stores.
I agree 100% with MS’s review, «The entire Costco Optical staff is personal, thoughtful, responsive, and most have been there for years. Every one pays full attention to each customer (which is why there is often a wait).»

I’ve been here twice: once to order contacts and once to pick them up.
First time, I had to wait 25 minutes to talk to someone. Longer than I had hoped, but maybe they were just particularly busy at the time. OK, whatever…
Second time, I stood in the contacts pickup line behind one person. A staff member addressed the person in front of me after about a 5 minute wait. It took another 10 minutes for her just to FIND his order.
Then the lone staff member called a number for the next person waiting even though it would have taken 20 SECONDS (well maybe not) to get my contacts. I waited an additional 20 minutes until two more staff members showed up. They had a 10 minute conversation right in front of me while I stood there patiently. LITERALLY WITHIN TWO FEET. One of them leaves and the other goes and calls the next number. W… T…F!
I wait another 10 minutes and finally get to ask for my contacts. How long did it take them to find my order and hand to me? A whopping 20 seconds.
The staff here is not only incompetent at working in optometry, but have a total disregard for customer satisfaction.
BUT I can definitely say this isn’t the case at every Costco. The experiences I’ve had at the optometry dept at Costcos in Concord and Santa Cruz were EXCELLENT.
Do you want to be served by a bunch of sloths? NO. NEVER AGAIN. I’m going to try SF next time.

makes too many excuses instead of trying to fix the legs to my mom’s glasses. They told us to wait while they consult with some other staffs to see if there are other alternative to solve the issue so we waited for 20 minutes. 15 minutes later, still nothing so we patiently waited. Still problem did not get fix.
such a wasted of time, and money. She barely wears it… because the legs are loose and keeps sliding down. Not only that but it hurts. They tighting it too much that it rubs against her ears yet still loose enough to be able to slide down.
enough said — has horrible customer service
would not take my mom here ever !!!
if I can give 0 star. I would !