Morgenthal Frederics Opticians

Definitely pricey. But fantastic styles and expert service. I get compliments on my specs regularly. High quality products.

I paid over $ 800 for prescription glasses here last year. The arms/​hinges kept stretching outward, making them slip off my head. I brought them back a few times for adjustment. I brought them again tonight, and mentioned that it was getting very frustrating to have to adjust such expensive glasses, and essentially being unable to wear them most of the time. She said that I must be removing the glasses from my head wrong. As if that is possible to do. When I responded that I took them off in a «normal» way, and that should be sufficient since these are glasses and not art, she actually said that they are art, and I should treat them as such. I asked if there was some way to purchase a new frame and use the same lenses, but she said no, and joked that I was welcome to buy a new set of frames/​glasses. For the extreme expense of these glasses, I expected better (and at least not condescending) service. Overall, a horrible experience here, and I will never buy glasses from them again.

I would have posted zero stars is that was an option for this place.
Middle aged woman with the mousy brown hair ponytail and bangs was very rude and not helpful. I was looking for a new pair of frames for my prescription glasses — described what I was looking for — showed me one pair, which I didn’t much like — then told me that she doesn’t have anything in stock that I was looking for. She was dismissive, rude, and had no interest in working with me.
Please go to either Silver Lining Opticians, Ilori, or Robert Marc which are all just 1 block away from this location. All have great sales staff and are incredibly helpful. I finally found what I was looking for at Silver Lining.

Purchased a pair of $ 1500 horn sunglasses. The hardware on the eyepiece has broken 3 times. First time had to fight to get them to repair free of charge. Had to send to Germany. Second time with other side piece, they charged me $ 300 to repair. Sent to Germany.
The same side broke again! Now it’s $ 385 to replace !
Had I known they don’t stand behind their own products, I would not have walked in.

I went all over Downtown looking for frames I liked, and didn’t find them until I hit about the eighth place, Morgenthal Frederics on West Broadway in SoHo.
I first got a thorough, professional eye exam from Dr. Harris.
Then with Shannon’s help I found the perfect frames. Titanium, hand made, and beautiful. These are not just stamped out of plastic on an assembly line. When you look at them up close you can really see the quality and craftsmanship. I’ve received numerous compliments on them.
Had to go back twice for fitting adjustments. Each time the staff was friendly and helpful.
I’m very happy with my new glasses.

CAVEAT EMPTOR– Cool designs but low quality with deplorable service.
I bought two pairs of frames at $ 750 a pair and upon pick up, the prescription lenses had identical flaws. Anyone with common sense would easily understand that it is clearly a production/​manufacturing problem and replaced the lenses immediately. The manager tried to claim that the problem was related to my handling of the glasses, despite the fact that both pairs had the exact same flaw in an identical pattern… it was almost surreal to have to explain this and handle his ridiculous cheek. After several rounds of arguing, the frames went back for the lenses to be redone and took another two weeks to be completed, no rush order or urgency placed on correcting the problem. The incompetent managers assistant didn’t get it or demonstrate any service prowess either, as she poorly chose words such as «we replaced these because they were not to your liking» and similar condescending and ridiculous retorts. (Yes, I don’t like defective items… so I guess she was right??)
Six months later the coating on the lenses failed and both pairs had to go back again for a third redo. I have multiple pairs of eyeglasses and have never had this type of problem. Another industry person examined the lenses and indicted they were made from a cheap and low quality polycarbonate, hence the coating delaminated.
This company is trying to play the chic boutique role in SOHO but their service and quality is not commensurate with their prices. Such a shame because the designs are nice and the salesperson that sold me the glasses was a real star– guess thats why she left the company and I got stuck with the B players.

Tasteful, hip, unique, timeless, and elegantly-​designed eyewear that will have people going «where did you get those frames?» Great quality, too.
The only thing is, while the staff is friendly, I haven’t gotten the impression that they are the most knowledgeable. Feels a bit like a big chain store while I’m in there, and they don’t seem to know the answer to a lot of my questions (where other stores might have a very well-​informed response). I took a picture of myself in a pair that was way oversized for my face, and when I said they were too big, she said it was due to my camera phone and not the frames themselves (not true; they were obviously oversized in person and made me look like a clown). I prefer it when salespeople give me the straight dope, but I guess those things are subjective… But regardless, my camera definitely did not lie!
Also, while I absolutely love many of their styles, I do think some of the frames are way overpriced, some that are around $ 2,000 for the frames alone. I mean, come on, I can get beautiful handmade boutique frames from other brands in other stores for significantly less. What’s up with that?
All in all, I would still buy frames here again and recommend them to anyone looking for something super stylish yet tasteful. Really one of the best eyewear designers out there.

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High prices, low quality and poor service. I purchased two pairs of prescription glasses, one of which was sunglasses and in addition one non Rx sunglasses. The cost for the two Rx glasses was $ 1162. The sunglasses never fit properly and had to be adjusted a few times by MF. Finally I had a fairly comfortable fit. A few weeks ago I brought them in for a tightening of the screws and to see if the temples could be adjusted as was promised when they were purchased. This was done, however when I decided to wear them a week later for the first time, I wear contact lenses, I noticed that the metal forefront of the temples were damaged (scratched). I showed them to the manager who worked on them. She told me that she examined them when she was given the glasse and there were no scratches and she could not have caused them. This means that the damage occurred while the glasses were in the case while I was wearing contacts. Hard to believe! The manager then told me that I could contact Gregg, who is in charge of this district for MF, via e-​mail, as he will not speak via telephone to a customer. Later that day I received a call from the mgr. of the store who informed me that Gregg would sell me the leftover and discontinued glasses that sold for $ 150 for the reduced price of $ 100.
I tried e– mailing my response, but found out that the address written by the mgr was incorrect. I obtained the correct one from another store and sent it to him.
I did not even get the courtesy of a reply to my e-​mail where I suggested that paying another $ 100 added to the original almost $ 600 I paid was unsatisfactory.
The only good thing i can say about MF is that they offer good butterscotch candy, but I am not sure that balances out shopping there at high prices and having to deal with rude and incompetent service.
Please don’t review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you’re connected in any way to the owner or employees.

I do not get better service anywhere in Manhattan than at this store. They are competent and friendly. Their frames are so nice that other eyeglass stores ooh and ah over them. I have brought my wife and two kids here, and all 4 of us are delighted.
In my wife’s case they found her old optometrist had switched the prescriptions on her lenses. Correcting that made her life a lot better, as you can imagine.
I’m writing this because one of my six pairs of glasses from them got ruined last night when my wife rolled over them. One of the arms was twisted beyond repair, and the frame is so delicate and thin that I went in to get a new frame for the lenses.
As they have before, they somehow fixed them (it turns out they may be thin. but they’re made of titanium). Several years old. No charge. They would do that (they have) for glasses I did not buy from them.
Now that we’re financially comfortable, I’ve been able to buy all the high end things my greedy heart desires. But they stand alone for quality, friendliness and excellent service.
Just a warning on the horn glasses, though. If they break, they take 3 months to repair. Have backup. (The plastic equivalent looks almost as nice.)

My MF Willow frames are my absolute favorite of my 24 pair collection. I was devastated when they broke. I called Arturo and was back in my favorite frames in under a week. Style got me but service will keep me coming back. Thanks Arturo!

I’ve owned three pairs of their glasses. The glasses look great and they nailed my difficult prescription. Unfortunately, the glasses are ridiculously expensive. But that won’t stop me from going back.

Purchased a pair of the sunglasses, dropped on the kitchen floor (linoleum, i know horrible, its going) and the lenses cracked at the corner and broke off the screw sent back to get it fixed said can’t do anything they where 2 seasons old. i mean really are they kidding told me just to super glue. ugh !!!

I first discovered Morgenthal Frederics about 4 years ago while I was still undergoing training for my current profession. Back then I couldn’t even dream of affording a (then) $ 1200 pair of glasses. I don’t remember who I had as a salesperson but she went through all the details of the buffalo horn versions and all the perks and basically sold me on the frames. I just didn’t have the money to actually buy a pair. Now 4 years later I am finally done with school/​training and I’m in a professional field where I can easily afford what has now become $ 1500 frames.
I went there again a few weeks ago ready to finally pull the trigger. I even had my choices down to the 2. To my disappointment, in place of that bubbly salesgirl from 4 years ago was now a quite handsome but quite unenthusiastic salesman. I just don’t know what happened. It’s like falling in love with someone in the heat of passion one night and then waking up the next morning to see all the flaws. MF just didn’t seem as exciting to me anymore. This time I only got shown the bare basic plastic frames, no invitation to explore multiple options like custom making, no friendly style points and suggestions about what goes with my face. I had to ASK about the buffalo horn versions of the frames. I had to ASK to see the different finishes and colors. It was all quite bizarre but the salesman had absolutely no energy, no enthusiasm, and had almost a reluctance to sell all the bells and whistles. WIth such a tepid response, I held off and looked elsewhere. I ended up spending $ 1200 on 2 frames from Robert Marc because they had a truly excited salesgirl that took the initiative to give me options and cater her services to me specifically. I’m sure MF continues to make outstanding quality frames but whoever that handsome salesman with the gelled back hair was, he needs to step up his game.

Best on the East Coast! I had been wearing cheap frames for years until I walked into their Columbus Circle location. I will never again wear unflattering frames that break after a couple of years. I purchased 2 pairs of frames almost 5 years ago and am only contacting them now to replace a pair that I left in a cab. The sales staff was amazing, not pushy at all and they really wanted to put frames on me that looked great and that I loved.
They guarantee them for life so any time they get bent out of shape or anything they fix them on site for free. I have moved to Baltimore and they still take care of me!
Get over the price and just do it, you won’t regret it!

Very pricey, many frames over $ 1200. They use bison horn for their more expensive frames, which produces wonderful patterns and and looks stunning colored. Often the same design is also produced in plastic for around $ 400. The sales staff are wonderful and helpful, making a visit a great experience. Limited style options but if you have the money and want something long lasting, well worth the visit.

Occasionally I’ll go into other stores to look for glasses, and my experiences elsewhere remind my why I love Morgenthal Frederics and will keep going back.
Their customer service is spectacular. Both pairs of frames I’ve purchased from them have been suggestions from their staff. I wouldn’t have even tried on either pair, but their staff knows what types of frames flatter different faces. At this point, I trust them completely. It’s also gone much faster– I have wasted so much time at other optical shops trying on things that absolutely would never work.
In order to save money, I bought my last frames from MF and took them to my optometrist (who accepts my insurance) for the lenses. The lenses were not nearly as nice as the ones in my previous pair of glasses that were completely from MF, and this other doctor did not properly fit them. I didn’t save that much money in the end. Next time, I’ll let Morgenthal Frederics do it all, so that it’s done right.
I have never found the staff to be snooty, and I’ve never felt any sales pressure, unlike at cheaper stores that have tried to foist awful frames onto me after 10 minutes, or have refused to write down the style no. of the frames so I could think about it and come back later.
Frames seem to come with pretty much a lifetime guarantee– I took in bent frames that I purchased 4 years ago and had them fixed (for free) in 10 minutes, and they even gave me a very nice new case.

I had always longed for a pair of frames from this venerable New York City shop. On my last trip to New York I finally bought a pair.
I had already noted the style I wanted so it was a pretty easy sale for the manager. He hooked me up with a receipt so I could file my own VSP (insurance) claim and even arranged for temporary non-​Rx (demo) lenses so I can look brainy and stylish until I take them to my insured optometrist back home for real lenses. He even packed them with a coordinating pink leather case and orange cleaning cloth. (For $ 400 I guess this detail is probably expected.)
All in all, it was an okay experience. I’m docking ‘em one-​third star though for not having my frames ready in time for my flight back home as promised. They were sent priority Fed Ex and I got them at home the next morning, however I’m docking ‘em another half-​star because they arrived dirty and the demo lenses weren’t snapped in all the way. And, finally, another half-​star gone for charging me for demo lenses in the first place. (What kind of racket is that!?) Since I round up, they’re still getting 4 stars and a cautious recommendation for the shop behind Jackie O.‘s signature specs.

Unfortunately the computer is getting the best of my pupils…
I was shopping on Spring this weekend and stopped in for some seriously stylin’ frames. The saleswoman pulled out a pair from a bank-​like vault with antler frames and titanium hinges…
As far as spectacles go… these are the white truffle whipped cream!
Although they don’t take the beloved insurance you will totally set your eyeballs aside from the rest of the designer wearing optic logo whores.
Highly recommended if your going blind!!!

Excellent combination of form and function. Their buffalo horn and wood laminates are extremely comfortable to wear. Even their plastic frames are classy. I switched over from Oliver Peoples. And am probably converted for life.
Look no further if you seek a fine pair of glasses. On the other hand, if you are hoping to use your vision insurance, go someplace else – Morgenthal Frederics does not accept any insurance. Or you could buy your frames from them and get your lenses done at LensCrafters.

Licensing is easy money for designers, so just about every last one has sold her name to sunglass vendors, making it easy enough to find (if not afford) les swish lunettes.
Morgenthal-​Frederics’ frames have all the style of their famous-​named competitors, but here you’re also paying for good-​quality frames, lenses, and service. My beloved Morgenthal-​Frederics sunglasses survived a fall down a seven-​story atrium, and it was a very sad day when I finally lost them after five years…
Meanwhile, my Marc Jacobs sunglasses fall apart about once a month. The store replaces them every time, but I’d really rather not have to go to the trouble.