Costco Optical

This review is for the general Costco optical policy as well as for as the poorly managed SODO Costco optical dept.
For a corporation that prides itself on great customer service, forgiving return policies, and happy (fair waged) staff, the SODO COSTCO optical department is that black sheep, heedless, but sadly unaware lost cousin.
From the moment of grabbing a number to be permitted to speak to anyone from the optical dept, staffs’ faces look unamused and grim. TALKING. LIKE. THIS. To anyone that presents over 50yo. What, mid-​aged folks are all deaf? Degrading if you ask me. And it’s not even personal. Mindlessly cleaning a pair of glasses, chatting with other coworkers, paying no attn to customers with the entire day to spend … The optical dept does not make a customer feel welcome.
As a customer I wanted to address my options with contact lenses purchased at Costco that after a week were causing discomfort and drying out my eyes. Sure I realize that policy doesn’t allow for opened 3 month contact packages to be returned… But speaking to someone from this dept on the phone I was told I could bring them in and they would work with me to see if other options were available (maybe the Drs office could use the unopened 10pair contacts as trials). Mind you this is all within TWO WEEKS of original purchase.
Anyway. After my number was called and I was blessed w the presence of a Costco optical clerk, I got the typical run around. Optical dept: check w the Drs office. Drs office: ask the optical department. At the end of the day, my purchase was made WITH THE OPTICAL DEPT.
Today Sloan (middle aged white lady) was dismissive and unwilling to offer anything as far as options I could look into… She consistently required me to repeat myself as she had the same two irrelevant lines she responded with… She blamed the Drs office and repeated their no return policy. She wanted me to ask the Drs office to order me 3 months of trial lenses. WHAT?!
Sloan: IT’S NOT ABOUT THE $$. If you are a so-​called manager, respect your customers. Listen to them. I had to tell you over and over that I had another brand of trials to try. That tells me you didn’t listen. Blaming the doctor. How is it the Drs fault that I opened the contact box I purchased under the optical dept? Shifting blame is such a lame tactic. It’s about your attitude in regards to customer service and maybe looking into the rigid return policy and providing options for customers. What a waste to toss 3 months worth of daily contacts just because I opened the big box and used a few. Help me make sense of this.
I wish I had a more pleasant experience to share because I have had nothing but positive experiences at Costco general store for 20+ years. I’m an avid Costco shopper and a lifer– I was there during the Price Club and cinnamon sugar pretzel era.
This is just a pebble in the ocean but I can safely say that I will make every effort to steer clear of Costco’s optical department. Well, after a call to corporate.

Wait time is relatively shorter in this office than the other Costco Optical Department in King county area. The opticians are friendly but don’t expect them to spend more time than the retail opticians. Feel rush when they work with the customers.

I had a bad prescription from the start (not Dr. Conrad), and the opticians went above and beyond to make glasses that work for me.

As I’m reading all these reviews where Unilocalers are commenting on how FRIENDLY the staff is, I’m wondering where the friendly staff was when I went in on Friday, 08/​14, around 2 pm… The lady I spoke with greeted me with an abrupt «Are you number 4?!» I said, I don’t have a number, I just have a few questions. I asked my questions, got quick, one word answers with no smile (not even a fake obligatory «I’m an employee of an establishment» smile) and was unable to order my contacts because Costco doesn’t carry them, nor will they order them for me. She did not seem concerned with helping me find other suitable contacts, nor did she offer an apology or any other resolution to my unhappiness. Thinking back, if they did carry my contacts, I would probably take my business elsewhere anyway. Being that they didn’t, I took my business to West Seattle Optix, who were very friendly and helpful.
By the way, the contacts I wear are high performance, water gradient, one a day lenses which are in high demand and a very pricey. It would be wise of Costco to consider carrying these.

Cheaper than most other places, but that’s about all I can say in praise. Typical wait times for service are 25 – 40 minutes and you have to stand until your number is called (no chairs to sit on).
Quality of competence, when you finally get to a person, varies widely depending upon who you end up with. I have had to return multiple times to get my glasses done right. They don’t call you when your glasses are ready.
Very different from the service you get from the rest of Costco.
P. S. Couldn’t post this review while waiting in line because even the wireless reception sucks.

Vast designer selection at killer prices. Selection is constantly refreshed, Costco doesn’t miss a beat and gives optometrist clinics a run for their money. Carries on-​trend frames from designer/​boutique labels including Chloe, D&G, Tom Ford (!), DVF, Burberry, Bottega Venetta, Alain Mikli, etc. Also has a limited selection of designer sunglasses from Ray-​Ban, Oakley, Ralph Lauren, etc.
Frames run $ 79-​$ 149, compared to $ 199-​$ 249 at Seattle clinics — definitely worth stopping in. Contacts (Acuvue/​etc.) are also very competitively priced.
Besides the merchandise, the staff is professional, resourceful and goes out of their way to help you with your selection. Every optician and staff member I’ve interacted with has been pleasant, helpful and takes pride in their job — I have never felt rushed, regardless how slammed they are.
Optometrists are typically booked so make sure you schedule in advance — absolutely worth your time.
Kudos for an all-​star team!

I bought glasses here two years ago but have hardly worn them. They scratched very easily within a few months and — despite having the «non-​scratch» coating — the store told me there was no guarantee and nothing they could do for me. When I’ve purchased glasses before (at other stores including discount chains like America’s Best) when I get the scratch resistant coating there’s always a guarantee & they will fix or replace glasses if they get scratched.
The lenses were also very poor quality & I just didn’t like the visual acuity. I ended up using my old glasses (4 yrs old now), even though they were a somewhat different prescription, since the lenses were so much better quality I preferred wearing them. And despite the fact these glasses were 4 yrs old, and had not been treated particularly well, they had NEVER scratched and looked the same as they did the day I bought them (at America’s Best, where I will be returning for my next pair).
While the prices were decent, I didn’t think they were that much better than other discount places, especially given the lack of guarantee & lower quality. I was extremely disappointed in this purchase experience especially given Costco’s general reputation for good service and good return policies.

I ordered replacement lenses which Costco had provided last Fall. They had all of the prescription information and told me that the lenses would be there in 10 days and they would call me. Two weeks later I finally called them. Wendy said she would check with the lab and call me back. She did call back to say that the Lab had had a delay and the lenses could be expected on Wednesday-​she would call me when they came in. That was a week ago. No call from anyone in the optical Dept. I called this morning and Sloan spoke with Wendy then called the Lab. The Lab said they had sent the lenses and Sloan thought they would be there tomorrow. Let’s hope.
Please keep in mind that calling into the Optical Dept is a defeating experience. I ALWAYS go through at least two cycles of waiting then it rings again as though for the first time. Sometimes a new person picks up who things that you just called in-​not that you’ve been holding for 10 minutes!
To be fair the individuals named have been pleasant and helpful. My message to Costco: Your optical Dept has to be making money; your employees there are always swamped! For heavens sake hire them some help! This is ridiculous!

I cannot overstate how nice the receptionist was and how helpful and professional Dr. Chin was.
I got contacts training from the receptionist. She helped me get everything done in less than 10 minutes. Efficient.
Dr.Chin gave me four different types/​brands of contacts (they come with free little bottle solution) to help me find out what is the best choice for me. Professional.
I was required to show up with contacts on one hour before my eye exam, but I forgot. I wasted one time spot. My bad. They handled my problem very well and rescheduled another appointment for me immediately. Helpful.
By the way, ALL costco optical department staff has a very charming smile :)

Ordered contact lenses and met Superman. Young clerk named Spencer. The guy was a blur. Helped me in 5 minutes flat. Guy should have a cape. While I was gathering up my stuff he helped THREE other people. Turned a hassle into a pleasure.
Thanks.

Came to Costco Optical after seeing the reviews on Unilocal for the service and the price, I was not disappointed!
you do NOT have to be a Costco member to see the eye doctor, but if you plan on buying your frames/​lenses from them you do need a membership.
I am uninsured and paid $ 80 out the door for an eye exam for glasses (I then used the prescription to order glasses online, not through Costco) I have paid $ 120 for eye exams in the past where they wanted to charge you an ADDITIONAL $ 30-​$ 40 to actually release your prescription to you! The exam did not include Pupillary Distance but the doctor wrote down an estimated P.D. for me and it worked out great.
The wait to be seen by the doctor was a little long for having already set an appointment but she was thorough, easy to understand, and friendly. I left happy and will be returning for a contact exam in the near future!
⁵⁄₅ would recommend!

I just had a terrible experience at Costco Optical and will never see this «‘doctor» again. I had an exam with Dr. Conrad and he was incredibly arrogant and condescending. I have pretty awful vision, and he insisted on making fun of me for this throughout the entire exam. He insisted that «there needs to be more humor in healthcare,» but I didn’t think his comments were funny at all. He also lectured me on not getting a blood sugar test, belittled my career, and suggested that I may have learning disabilities. I was furious upon leaving, but felt I could not call him out during the exam, as it was just he and I in a room together. I felt incredibly demeaned and small by the time I left Costco. I will never get an eye exam there again.

Really friendly and helpful staff at this location. The prices are some of the best around and the turnaround time on frames/​lenses is about a week.
I only wish they had a larger selection of sunglasses.
The Chinese lady working here was super helpful and even translated for an older relative.
Two thumbs up!

Found the reviews on Unilocal for cheap eye exam and scheduled an appointment. The optometrist is a separate entity from Costco, and has a separate phone number — 206−464−7916. You don’t need to be a Costco member, though someone will harass you for a membership card when you try to enter, so be ready to explain yourself.
In and out in 25 minutes. As a new patient I had a one page form to fill out — just contact info and a couple general questions. Saw Dr. Korneisel, he checked my old eyeglass prescription and did all the usual tests. Quick and painless, only $ 80 for the visit, and a prescription valid for 2 years. Contact lens prescriptions run a bit more.
To buy eyeglasses there, you have to be a Costco member (I’m not. I didn’t.).

I am uninsured and a contact lens exam is $ 100.
It was not as thorough as exams that I’ve had elsewhere (there was no pupil dilation, visual field test, etc.) However, I’m also not at high risk for the conditions that would check for at my current age /​level of health /​etc. so I didn’t view that as a terrible oversight.
I was given a pair of 30 day lenses to wear and test, contact lens case, multipurpose solution, and a trial color contact to test.
If I was insured, I’d go elsewhere… but for the insuranceless, it’s a good option.

Costco optometrist is a separate number to Costco optical. Call (206) 464‑7916 to avoid having to be transferred. Contact prescriptions have an expiration date of a year.
I dnt really like this office, youre cattle and service is stressed, but, it’s cheap and close by and I don’t have eye insurance so no choice.

Holy crap, the girl helping me out was soooo FINE!
I had to get more contact lenses and since I purchased here before I was already in the system so no need to bring my prescription.
I bought four boxes. She was super helpful and since it was on sale with a coupon… she gave me the discount without having the coupon.
Sweet. Saved moolah.
I always walk away feeling awesome after I got my exam or buying more contact lenses. I know they have glasses here but I only come here for my exams or contact lenses. I prefer higher end glasses but they do have good prices and value.
I need to stop by more often so I can say hi to the staff! :)

My eyeglass prescription was from 2005. My glasses were from 2006, not to mention they had been broken, duct taped together and then finally broken beyond my scope of duct tape repair. I was floundering in an equally out-​dated, torn, sample set of contact lenses. It was time to get an eye exam.
Costco Optical had been recommended based on the fact that I do not have insurance. The rumors were true; a Costco Optical contact lens and eyeglass exam was an even $ 100.
The woman at the front desk was super pleasant and friendly. I have worked the front desk and it can be a bitch. She was great!
My exam was with Dr. Phan, who was also wonderful to interact with. Because I can’t see my hand in front of my face without corrective lenses I usually tense up at the eye doctor; certain that she will fall over from shock as she clicks that goggle contraption to a higher and higher correction and I’m still saying, «Um, I can’t quite make out that middle line…». It’s kind of a nightmare. Dr. Phan didn’t bat an eye (hah, hah… hah) even when I explained that my contact lenses were practically disintegrating in my eyes.
She wrote out an eyeglass prescription and gave me two types of contacts to try. I set up a follow-​up contact lens appointment which is included in the price of the exam and went on my merry way.
Oh, and you don’t need to be a member to get an exam. You do, however, need a membership to purchase glasses/​contacts through Costco.

Wow, on the phone, these guys were so no-​nonsense I assumed I’d get warehouse style service when we went in too.
NOPE. It was first class service all the way. We went in twice, once for me, once for the hubby and we found that two different times, two different optical assistants were both FANTASTIC at what they do.
I’m so pleased, I don’t know that I’ll go anywhere else from now on!

I could be legally blind without my contacts. No seriously, I really am. This one time, I set my glasses down by the sink to put on makeup. I reach around for them afterwards… and couldn’t find them for the life of me! I groped around for a good 5 minutes, then realized, oh. My glasses were holding my hair back on my head this whole time. D’oh!
So anyways, Costco optical is great! I called around downtown to get quotes for a basic contact eye exam, and everyone was quoting me over $ 200. Over $ 100+ for a «health exam» and another $ 100 for a «contact exam». What a rip off!!!
Costco does the whole package deal for a flat $ 100. The optometrists are thorough, knowledgeable, and will recommend the best contacts for your situation.
BONUS: If you wear Acuvue contacts, Costco sometimes has coupons in the mail for buy 1 get 1 free. YES!!!