Pearle Vision

I USED to be a long time client of Pearle Vision in Ferndale, but after this visit, I’m in the market for a different Optometrist and Eyewear Store. Disappointed in the lack of knowledge of the staff. I stopped for a simple eye glass adjustment to have the employee make 10 attempts. I am going to another Pearle Vision, I hope that their staff is trained better.

I rarely stoop to a one star review, but this Pearl Vision location was a TOTAL disaster.
I came in on the last day of the year to use up some flex money. The glasses were ordered and paid for and they told me two weeks. Three weeks later and no word. I understand that it’s a busy time of year, so I figured they were a little backed up, not a big deal. Upon calling the store the staff had no recollection of my order despite an order number on my receipt. They even asked me multiple times if I «was sure I came to the Ferndale location» like I was confused about my whereabouts. They said they’d look into it and call me back shortly. After six hours I had not heard back so I called again. The associate said there was a mix up on the order, but they reordered a «rush delivery».
Two weeks passed and no word again, so the rush delivery was a total lie. I called and they said that the glasses were shipped and expected to be in the next couple days. They came in the next day and I was looking forward to getting my glasses and never having to deal with this place again.
Upon arrival they ordered the wrong glasses! I was so frustrated, found the pair they should have ordered and thankfully they switched out the lenses on the spot. When I said they were the wrong glasses the staff looked dumbstruck and literally said nothing, just looked at me and each other.
No one said sorry, the manger did not talk to me and no one offered any sort of discount for the additional month I had to wait. It was ridiculous the complete lack of caring that the several employees I interacted with had. I’ve visited several other Pearl Vision locations and had good experiences. This place is a zero, don’t waste your time or money here.

The optometrist was funny. They stuck to my appointment time and got me in and out in a timely manner. Staff was all friendly. No complaints.

Not recommended. Rushed through everything it seemed. They are not good at adjusting the glasses! My glasses finally came out right, but it was a long process that required utmost patience from ME. THE STAFF — the ever evolving faces make me wonder if their staff is hired in as temps and not trained. Not all employees were bad, but most were.
Go elsewhere and make sure someone spends time with you before you shell out your hard earned money.
I would have given two stars if I didn’t arrive at home with crooked frames.
This is my third negative experience in downtown Ferndale businesses — I can see why store fronts are empty and closed.
My suggestion: Find a place, go for a couple visits to try on frames see how they treat you and watch OTHER people’s interactions when they get their glasses.
I cannot recommend Pearle Vision in Ferndale to ANYONE!

Went to get my annual eye exam and decided to try my local Ferndale establishment. This visit had been the most pleasurable eye exam and staff since requiring eye glasses. The doctor had such a pleasant demeanor and didn’t try to up sell his products or services. Adam my optician checked me out and plugged in every deal and coverage my insurance could offer. I will be recommending this location to my colleagues. Thanks again!!!

Front showroom has a distinct smell of sewage. Not a great attribute for a sales atmosphere.

Extremely friendly and helpful! The doctor answered any questions I had thoroughly! When my eye exam was completed I was helped out by a young man named Adam. And he assisted me with finding the perfect pair of glasses! The customer service was excellent! I will definitely be back next year for my eye exam. Thanks again, great team!

Extremely friendly and helpful! Cathleen has a wonderful attitude and a knack for finding frames that fit you! They work to get you the best price possible for contacts. It’s so nice to have a friendly eye care facilitate in the neighborhood.

So helpful and friendly Adam is the best! Worked with me to find exactly what I wanted and was very friendly and patient! Will return here in the future!

Pearle Vision is one of those places Ferndalers walk past all the time, but I hardly ever see anyone in despite it having some of the most lucrative real estate in the near suburbs at Woodward and Nine Mile.
My beau, my roommate and I all wear debonaire disguises to enhance our fierce intellects, or at least pass ourselves off as erudite when we’re feeling less than sophisticated. A pair of slim-​framed glasses, mod rims or (for me) coloured contacts are all in my astounding arsenal of awesome. I rely on Zenni Optical for stylish frames and Costco for contacts. The housemates needed eye appointments last week and ventured off to Pearle Vision to meet their (glasses) maker. I tagged along for the beau’s visit, though.
First plus: Pearle Vision is rainbow friendly (as a sticker on the front door notes) and supportive of local causes and events. I dig a corporate store giving props to the local side of things.
The optometrist side I cannot comment on through lack of direct experience of being strapped down into a chair and subjected to eye-​drying puffs of air and coke-​bottle lenses while rattling off random numbers.
As for the selection of glasses and contacts, the displays do feel rather sparse for the size of the shop. How many pairs of frames does one shop or person need? That enigma I won’t answer here, a secret to be savoured like the licks for a Tootsie Pop or how caramel gets into the Caramilk bar.
But hey, Zenni spoils me for choice. At least the layout is nice and spacious, and you can meander through a pretty broad variety of styles. Thick frames, thin frames, wireless frames; progressive or plain; name it and they probably have something that fits the bill. Popular brands are carried, but with them comes quite the pretty price tag. Yeoch. I have been spoiled badly with some of the prices I pay, so sticker shock had me staring at the bill for the beau’s pretty peeper enhancers,.
The roommate only waited three or four days for his glasses, not a bad thing. My beau’s took nearly a week and a half for very similar frames, a less severe prescription, and only anti-​glare coating. Hmph, luck of the draw maybe. Pearle Vision was less than great about communicating the timeline and notifying us when the glasses were in, and when someone called on a Saturday night to tell us they were there, they neglected to note they were calling after hours. Telling us we could pick them right up, we drove down excitedly at 6:30… only to realize that no one was in the store, and they shut 90 minutes prior. Quoi?
All the same, he looks good and got plenty of compliments for how nice he is. But me, I’ll trust in my good ol’ online source and Costco for contacts unless they have a special. Or I really can’t wait.

Less than 1 star. I do believe Satan owns this place. I called the night before for an emergency consultation as I had a burning eye problem and noticed a white spot on my iris. Scary right? So I go in as soon as they open, explain to the lady why I’m there and sit… and sit… and sit. An HOUR after the business opens the Dr walks in. 10 minutes later takes the first patient. In that hour a walk in woman walked in and sat down. Thats foreshadowing.
I sit and wait for a long time, explain to every employee why I’m there. I’m nervous, very nervous. They dont seem to share my emotion. Everyone tells me how I should buy new contacts, new glasses, that thats probably the problem since I’ve had my 6month contacts for 7 months. Sure, I’ll buy some lets just get this EMERGENCY EYE problem looked at first.
Another 30 minutes go by, out comes the Dr with his 1^st patient. Takes the walk in. WHAT THE HECK?! This infuriates me. I walk to the counter and explain. «The Dr. running late.» Yeah no crap i saw him walk in an hour late.
All in all I waited around 2 ½ to get my emergency eye problem looked at. I scheduled a future contact appointment. Went back 2 weeks later for it. Waitied 2 hours. Rescheduled. Came back 2 days later. Waited another 2 hours. Left. Never went back. This place is the worst.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

I needed my eyes checked, and lucky me, I just bought an AAA membership. Woo-​hoo! I get 30% off my eye exam at Pearlevision because of my membership. I made an appointment for a Monday morning. The place was empty when I arrived. I was quickly greeted, given paperwork to fill out and was quickly seen by the doctor for my contact eye exam. I’ve been wearing contacts for over 15 years now, so I knew what to expect. I sat through the dreaded puff of air and the on-​the-​verge-​of-​annoying better 1, better 2 thing to find out that my prescription is still the same (again woo-​hoo!). But I’m not rating my eyes, I’m rating the place.
First, the doc: Dr. Lavine was super nice, very thorough but a bit too «let-me-explain-to-you-what-I’m-doing.» I personally can’t stand the doctors that have to calmly talk me through the stupidest things, like how to clean my contacts and when to replace them. He was also kind of pushy with trying to get me to do the upgraded computerized retina scan which tacks on $ 30 to my exam fee. Thanks dude, but I’ll pass.
Next was the ordering the contacts part. The sales guy told me he would meet Costco’s price… right on! But he was very pushy with getting me to commit to buying them right there and then. I paid for my exam and said I’ll be back next week to buy contacts. The next week I return and I am helped by his associate. I mentioned the Costco price match and she got pissy but claimed to be pissed at him. She wasn’t the nicest person but was all puppy-​dogs-​and-​butterflies after I mentioned that we had an acquaintance in common. I quickly paid for my contacts and bounced. I was done with chit-​chat and I was done with Pearlevision. The price was right, the doc was OK, but the service wasn’t stellar. So two stars, because it was mediocre but I’ve had better service at other places, including Sam’s Club. Honestly, I should have stuck with Direct Optical (my usual place) but I got blindsided the by deal… oh well, now I know better!