Pildes Optical

What a great place for glasses! more

Pildes has been in my neighborhood and for years now and my family and I have been going to them for years! After 5 years of wearing glasses I finally wanted to try out contacts but I was unfortunately away at college so I was not able to utilize Pildes service. I went to optical store at school and tried putting in contacts for hours with no success. A month later I tried yet again and I was their all afternoon and failed. Finally once returning to NYC I went into pildes and told them about my failed attempt at contacts but that I wanted to try again. They ensured me that they would help me until I got them in and that I would be able to do it within 30 minutes. After hours of failing a year before, I thought they were crazy. I went in for my contacts session with Maria and unlike the optical store at school, Maria first exemplified the process on herself and gave me special tips on how to properly put in contacts, each time watching me try and then tinkering my process to get it closer and closer. Within 30 minutes with Maria, as she had promised, I was able to get my contacts in and out 3 times. Never did she get frustrated when I messed up and she was always very supportive which made the process that much easier. Now contacts are a breeze for me thanks to Maria and Pildes. more

I bought glasses from Jay at the Broadway branch several months ago, the third or fourth pair I've gotten there over the years because it's a well run store with a knowledgable staff and comparatively reasonable prices. Although I've always been satisfied with my purchases, my new glasses pinched my nose. Every few weeks I'd go in to have them adjusted and was always treated well, by Jay or whomever was there when he wasn't. Jay even replaced the nose pads with silicone ones, but nothing worked. A week ago Jay adjusted my glasses once again, then amazed me by saying that if they still weren't right, even though I've had them for a while he'll exchange them for a new pair. ( Since I wear transitional and progressive lenses, they wouldn't be able to use my old ones in a new frame: it has to be a total replacement.) When I went in yesterday to say that I was still having trouble, Jay helped me find different frames; and soon I'll have a brand new pair of (lighter-weight) glasses. I'm sure that such generosity is way above and beyond what most other eyeglasses stores would do. I will be a customer for life. more

Pildes Optical is a neighborhood store run by young guys who make it seem like it's 1963. Service and smiles are impeccable, and the craftsmanship and attention to detail are unrivaled. I remember as a kid that stores in my Manhattan neighborhood used to be just like this?where the owners and employees knew your name and cared about you. What's more, the price at Pildes is right?you pay less than fancier stores on Columbus Ave.?but the quality and care are never missing from the transaction. At Pildes, I've always paid a great price for superb frames and know that Jay, Rubin and their team are always there to fine-tune along the way. Just like it's 1963! more

Out of all the damn over-priced places in the UWS, this place is an oasis. They don't have bored, or worse, over-the-top sales people, or clueless retail assistants with an eye doc in the back. Just normal, intelligent, even funny with personality, engaged professionals who will let you browse if that's what all you want to do. Or, will provide you info on your lenses, and will even do a search on the internet with you for some random frame you want that they don't have, if it's not in their many catalogs or wide displays. From basic frames approved by your eyecare insurance all the way to trendy or chic (for me it's Pro Denmark or Silhouette) frames, to Rudy Project sports frames for triathlon or what have you, they have a good selection to browse in person, and the eye expertise to answer your standard to exotic questions. Plus, at this Pildes I spent 50% less the amount I've spent with the other, apparently over-priced, UWS eye boutiques. For the SAME FRAMES (weird!). I've lived in the UWS for 20 years and I've seen them all. Discovered this Pildes last year, and I'm not going anywhere else, now. I've worked in Soho, Union Square, Upper East Side, and downtown. Still nowhere compares to the basic goodness of service, simplicity, and friendliness, as well as expertise, of this UWS Pildes. That their people are normal, nice and smart is the most important thing. I don't get why eye boutiques are often filled with weirdos. more

I've been going here for at least 15 years. The service is fantastic - most/all of the staff has been at that location for a while. I started coming here when I was having a hard time getting the right eyeglass script (not sure why, my dr. just couldn't get it right) -- did a walk-in w/their optometrist, he got my script right (had some slight astigmatism) and have been coming ever since. The staff is FANTASTIC -- Ruben, Maria. They have a great sense of style and are helpful w/out being intrusive. Wait is never > 5 min. They'll work w/you to get a good price, figure out if your insurance will cover, etc. I hope they stay here forever. more

Helpful staff and good prices. They really make you feel like you are part of a family. This place has been around for decades! more

For some of the cheapest prices on the internet you can also try www.SaveMoneyOnGlasses dot com. They are located right here in NYC. more

This past week was the second time my glasses have broken while on a trip to NYC. A year ago I discovered Pildes, and they literally saved my vacation! This time my glasses broke on the way to my local airport (is it something about going to NYC?). I was prepared with extra side pieces, and I left them at Pildes right before close on a Tuesday. They were ready first thing the next morning, and I was on my way! They are awesome!!! Pros: Quick service, especially if you are a tourist! Cons: There are absolutely no drawbacks more

This past week was the second time my glasses have broken while on a trip to NYC. A year ago I discovered Pildes, and they literally saved my vacation! This time my glasses broke on the way to my local airport (is it something about going to NYC?). I was prepared with extra side pieces, and I left them at Pildes right before close on a Tuesday. They were ready first thing the next morning, and I was on my way! They are awesome!!! If you are remotely close to them, you need to let them take care of all your optical needs! Pros: Quick service, especially if you are a tourist! Cons: There are absolutely no drawbacks more

It's rare to find a store like this one anymore. The staff has been there for a long time because it's a terrific place to be. They are helpful beyond measure (and you can trust their opinions about which pair is the very best for your face!), they're warm and kind, and they genuinely care about their clientele. I've been a customer for over a decade and have recommended them to everyone. I don't care how far I move one day...I'll still travel back to get my glasses from Jay, Reuben and the rest of the wonderful people at this store. Pros: Service is exceptional, Great selection Cons: None! more

It's rare to find a store like this one anymore. The staff has been there for a long time because it's a terrific place to be. They are helpful beyond measure (and you can trust their opinions about which pair is the very best for your face!), they're warm and kind, and they genuinely care about their clientele. I've been a customer for over a decade and have recommended them to everyone. I don't care how far I move one day...I'll still travel back to get my glasses from Jay, Reuben and the rest of the wonderful people at this store. Pros: Service is exceptional, Great selection Cons: None! more

Great long term staff. Very friendly.Know you by name. Great eye exams there.Great choice of glasses,contacts, great styles.Lots of special prices for contacts etc.The entire experience whether u r there 4 an eye exam, or to purchase contacts, or buy new glasses,frames,sun glasses etc is honestly a pleasure.Love all staff, Rubin, Maria, Jay and everyone else.They have been in the neiborhood for many years and hope they r there forever! Pros: every aspect of this wonderful store is exceptional Cons: there are none! more

Great long term staff. Very friendly.Know you by name. Great eye exams there.Great choice of glasses,contacts, great styles.Lots of special prices for contacts etc.The entire experience whether u r there 4 an eye exam, or to purchase contacts, or buy new glasses,frames,sun glasses etc is honestly a pleasure.Love all staff, Rubin, Maria, Jay and everyone else.They have been in the neiborhood for many years and hope they r there forever! Pros: every aspect of this wonderful store is exceptional Cons: there are none! more

I had a trouble with a pair of glasses that I'd gotten and the proprietor replaced them for no charge. I have gone to them for many years and will continue to. Pros: Reliable and caring service more

I had a trouble with a pair of glasses that I'd gotten and the proprietor replaced them for no charge. I have gone to them for many years and will continue to. Pros: Reliable and caring service more

Last summer I stepped on my expensiive sunglasses, so before I went out and splurged on a new pair for my vacation I thought I would check if this place could repair them. They told me first thing that they were pretty badly damged and they can't be responsible if they further damage them..understood. Than 2 minutes later the salesman came out from the back office w/ my glasses pretty much as good as new. And the best part.. no charge. more

Last summer I stepped on my expensiive sunglasses, so before I went out and splurged on a new pair for my vacation I thought I would check if this place could repair them. They told me first thing that they were pretty badly damged and they can't be responsible if they further damage them..understood. Than 2 minutes later the salesman came out from the back office w/ my glasses pretty much as good as new. And the best part.. no charge. more

I had such a great experience with Pildes! I was so distrught when my fairly expensive/ perfect-for-me glasses broke. I came on here to find a repair place and after reading the reviews, I was set on going there to get my glasses repaired! They did a fabulosu job with a quick 2 day turnarpund. They were able to solder my arm, they bent them back into shape and they fit like new. I will definitely be going back for a visit to look for glasses! You won't be disappointed! Pros: Excellent Work, Fast, and Friendly Cons: A little pricey but worth every penny! more

I had such a great experience with Pildes! I was so distrught when my fairly expensive/ perfect-for-me glasses broke. I came on here to find a repair place and after reading the reviews, I was set on going there to get my glasses repaired! They did a fabulosu job with a quick 2 day turnarpund. They were able to solder my arm, they bent them back into shape and they fit like new. I will definitely be going back for a visit to look for glasses! You won't be disappointed! Pros: Excellent Work, Fast, and Friendly Cons: A little pricey but worth every penny! more