Pildes in short, fabulous glasses with…‎‎

I’m one of those people who despise shopping in general and most especially shopping for new glasses. I’ve had to wear glasses for 20+ yeas now. It’s an ordeal deciding on frames and sitting for a fitting. The nightmare is over. My sister brought me to Pildes. I now wear the clearest glass I’ve ever had; best fitting frames; and the service has been more than professional. Everyone in the shop is pleasant. When was the last time you went into a store, made a purchase, and then sent a thank you note to the shop owner? .. at Bloomies, Neiman Marcus, Whole Foods ? I had to write to Jay and crew at Pildes because I was so impressed with the product and the service.

PatG

15 Years, maybe more‎‎

Once I walked thru the doors probably 15 years ago, I have never bought another pair of glasses elsewhere. Been around the world and all over the states but when I need new frames or stronger lenses I always go back to 77th and Broadway. Why? First – Jay. He’s authentic and smart, easy to talk to and takes care of me like family – and this is how I felt from day one. His inventory: whatever look you need – fun, hip, flashy, subtle, sophisticated, functional, designer, outragious, soft, or cool. The service: always been efficient, thorough and careful at the same time. The staff: patient and generous with their time. Cause I make them pull frame after frame after frame out from under those glass showcases as I pick and choose that new look for myself. And I switch up and do this once or twice a year. The place is a gem – they are everything one needs when looking for glasses or optometry services…contact lenses, shades……cause they have it all and most importantly their prices …‎ More »Once I walked thru the doors probably 15 years ago, I have never bought another pair of glasses elsewhere. Been around the world and all over the states but when I need new frames or stronger lenses I always go back to 77th and Broadway. Why? First – Jay. He’s authentic and smart, easy to talk to and takes care of me like family – and this is how I felt from day one. His inventory: whatever look you need – fun, hip, flashy, subtle, sophisticated, functional, designer, outragious, soft, or cool. The service: always been efficient, thorough and careful at the same time. The staff: patient and generous with their time. Cause I make them pull frame after frame after frame out from under those glass showcases as I pick and choose that new look for myself. And I switch up and do this once or twice a year. The place is a gem – they are everything one needs when looking for glasses or optometry services…contact lenses, shades……cause they have it all and most importantly their prices are competitive and fair. Of course it doesn’t hurt that they are situated next door to Caridad (Best Cuban Chinese food in the city) and sometimes I just want to get some Beef Szechuan or Plantains, bring it back to Pildes and pull a chair up to the counter, eat and schmooze with Jay about the neighborhood.

Pildes Gets it!

THEY GET IT‎‎ Pildes Optical gets it (and many companies don’t); they understand that customer service is what buys customer loyalty. Every time I have gone there over the years I have always experienced the same level of professionalism: taking the time as I try on frame after frame (then cheerfully doing it all over again when my wife arrives) … responding to crises (like when I broke my frames and Jay found new ones for my existing lenses and returned them to me the same day) … never getting the sense that more expensive frames were being pushed on me when there were less expensive choices … and the list goes on and on. Life is complicated and here is a way to make it simpler. You live on the upper west side and need need glasses? Go to Pildes. You don’t live on the upper west side? Go to Plides anyway.

Quality Service

Broken Glasses

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!

by TLTulsa at Citysearch

Service with a Smile

Pildes Optical‘s Top 7 Great Customer Service Tips are:

1.      Be Personal – We create relationships with people

2.      Maintain customer focus – Listen and help find solutions to customer requirements or needs

3.      Think long term – great service is built over time

4.      Be Service Driven – It’s not just about the sale

5.      Make their day!  We are all consumers – Put yourself in the customer’s shoes.

6.      Be Memorable – Give them a reason to return.

7.      Share the Experience – Make it easy for them to share with their friends and family.

Great customer service is the number one referral tool – and if you don’t believe that, you should think about great experiences you have had and whether you have told others about them. In the more than 20 years that Pildes Optical has been in the retail eye care business on NYC’s Upper West Side, I have tried very hard to maintain a great customer service philosophy. I have always got a kick out of helping people and the reward is very often happiness for both the customer and the provider – and often results in a long term relationship.

A case in point: Last week a mother came into the store with her child who had broken her frame. They were in dire need for any kind of solution. I knew immediately that the frame was not from my store as it was a specially manufactured overseas. It would have taken about six months to order a new frame for this child who clearly was struggling to see without her glasses.  It was the child’s only pair of eyeglasses with her current prescription.

Without hesitating, my technician and I jumped in and together we started looking for a solution. It required some ingenuity plus the willingness to help someone on a human level.  We tried a few things and vióla – we found a way to fix the glasses.  The mother and child were so grateful and appreciative of our efforts and thrilled that we had succeeded. The out pouring of thanks could not be measured in dollars and cents especially since we did not charge for the repair. Their thanks were reward enough.

It’s all about service, service, service………with a smile!

What is your definition of great customer service?

Spring is here!

Baseball is right around the corner.

I couldn’t help but notice that a lot of star athletes wear Maui Jim’s, Oakley’s, Rayban’s and Bolle’s. They wear the best so they can perform to the utmost of their abilities.

One of our customer’s, who happens to be a  high school baseball player, is a top nationally ranked prospect. He noticed that a lot pros are wearing Maui Jims. So, of course, he purchased a pair of prescription Maui Jim’s this weekend. To achieve maximum protection for his eyes, having polarized lenses will help him to achieve his goals of reducing glare and protecting him from harmful UV rays. This will also help to improve his game and enhance his vision greatly.

Eyeglass donations for the needy

As Jake Gyllenhall says”provide clear vision for poor children and adults in the U.S. and around the world”.

Please donate your old eye wear here at Pildes Optical.

Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck concert

I attended the Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck concert at MSG last month. They rocked the house. Clapton started off with a bluesy acoustic set and then went into an eclectic set on the electric guitar.

Couldn’t help but notice his ever changing taste in eye wear. He wore large roundish plastic frames. Previously when I had seen him perform, he wore metal rimless frames. This gives us a chance to keep up with latest trends and fashions. Thanks “old slow hand”.

Not just another NYC physical therapist!

Yesterday,while doing my martial arts workout, I injured my leg. In addition to heading straight to the emergency room for immediate attention, I contacted Chris Johnson my amazing Physical Therapist. He helped rehab my torn rotator cuff a few years ago.  He did an amazing job. His advice and knowledge of sports related injuries is priceless.

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