Spex

Oh My. I chose this location because they carry Salt eyewear and they take my insurance. Doctor was great, staff was friendly and helpful in finding new frames, great selection of eyewear, but in the end, not worth the money for the experience I had.
— Appointment booked for wrong store (even though i called this one), had to reschedule.
— Frame was chipped when I picked up the glasses, had to wait another week to get a new pair. Quality checks are needed before calling customer.
— I asked if they could just ship the new glasses to me because I’m not always in the neighborhood and didn’t really want to come back, but no, they would charge me.
— Expensive. I know, I have a thing for fancy eyewear, but with this service and the high cost for anti glare added to the glass lenses, I was bummed that I paid so much.

I have been a customer of Spex for around 5 years. I began working with them in Wicker Park and then at the Lake View location. I have always had an easy and good experience. So when I moved to the West Loop, I thought it would be easy to stick with the same eye company. Man I was wrong! It was a terrible decision.
First this summer I ordered prescription sun glasses from them. The prior year I ordered new lenses for my glasses and I wanted the same prescription for my sun glasses. The gentleman seemed annoyed I wouldn’t do an exam, but I didn’t need one as my prescription was current. The glasses came in and the left lens was off, it was .5 off my prescription. The same guy, I believe Jonathan was his name, would not do anything about it. He told me that it is only .5 off and that was what was on file for my prescription. So it was not his fault. I don’t know how I could have ordered new lenses for my eye glasses and then use that same order for my sun glasses and they would be different. But when you visit Spex in the West Loop that is not there fault. So I am now stuck with sun glasses that give me a head ache when I wear them.
So now I decide to go back and give them one more shot. I walked in for a simple contact exam that should be covered by my insurance. When I walk in and explain what I want, three people, at the same time, try to explain to me what my insurance will cover, all giving out random numbers. There was no organization. No chart showing what they charge and what my insurance covers. I was just a little overwhelmed at this point. Now completely confused by all the costs they are telling me, I think I have never paid more then $ 10 co-​pay and a small fee for the contact fitting. So I go in the room with the Doctor and about to begin the exam. The doctor was really nice and we were just about to start chatting. Then Jonathan comes walking in, and begins to talk down to me about what my insurance covers. I allow him to finish, as he talks condescending to me. He is speaking a million miles a minute and throwing out a list of charges. So as an accountant I am adding them all up in my head. So I say to him, so you are telling me to get a contact eye exam today you are going to charge me almost $ 200. I tell him I have never paid that much for a contact eye exam and I have been coming here for years. He begins to badger me with how wrong and that I have always paid this much for a contact exam.
I let him badger me for about 5 minutes about how wrong I am. At that point I decided that this is not a place that I would want to give my business too. I felt completely uncomfortable in the establishment. It was as if he was trying to bully me into paying more then I should have to pay. At this point I decided to walk out. I told them that this is not a place I feel comfortable with and I will be finding a new place to bring my business too. At that point Jonathan turned into a charmer trying to win back my business. He even had the courage to ask me if there was anything that they could do to win my business back. I told them no. I was completely embarrassed by this point and left the business location.
I have never had issues with Spex until I started going to the West Loop location, but if I was you I would not go. When I first went to the establishment this summer for sun glasses, Jonathan told me they were having problems getting business in the area. I was really confused as there are so many apartment complexes and residential areas, that I would have expected there business would be doing great. But after going to this location now twice I have figured out why they are not doing well.
After five years as a customer of Spex, I will no longer be using there services.

When vision insurance was added to my insurance package I was super pumped. Nothing against the big box optometrist, they were always good to me but I just felt like I had outgrown them.
Spex is like the first time you walked into a fancy boutique where everything is in cases and you know you want everything but your student loan payment says ‘HA, you wish’…I digress. Their glasses selection is really epic, I mean, seemingly had-​curated. Spex is a fancy boutique that has beautiful things BUT ALSO really intelligent, helpful and insightful optometrists’.
Making my appointment was super easy. Dr. Plummer was amazing and very quick but thorough. I like her bedside manner, to the point and she speaks in ‘doctor’ese but then will dumb it down for someone like me who doesn’t understand all the big words.
A special shout to the gentleman (I don’t know if he wants to be named here) for fixing my 1990’s era Ray Bans. They are like new! You totally made my summer!
Thanks guys, the best experience I have ever had with contacts and glasses! I’ll be back for my Tom Fords really soon!

I went to Spex for the first time, I live in the neighborhood but have an eye doctor elsewhere. Even after I told them I bought my glasses somewhere else they were (Luis) willing to repair them… free of charge! Was so nice and I even offered them money and was turned down. The store had a really neat brands and was really kind of them to take care of me. I would recommend people to consider this customer service. I will be going back. Thanks!

Harry was a great doc. He was very helpful and unbiased. Not pushy at all. He even told me to take my time with my purchase, which I was grateful he did. I ended up buying a pair of glasses through him and have not been disappointed.

At first I was a little irritated with this place. As has been described in some other reviews, even though I made sure they took my insurance before making an appointment for an eye exam, it ended up being $ 50 more than my $ 30 insurance copay. I was irritated and considered cancelling my appt once I was informed of that.
I decided to go ahead with my appt, I was already there and it is hard for me to make time for things like this. The eye exam I got was great. Tons of tests I had never had before, then the Dr went over scans of my eye with me, explained everything in detail, and it was really interesting.
After my exam, I wanted to browse frames for a moment, as I wanted to look a few other places before committing to anything. The woman who assisted me was so patient and helpful. I am very picky, and she brought over countless frame designs for me to chose from, listened to what I liked and disliked about each, then brought more frames over based on those comments. She really took the time to find what I was looking for, and although I looked a few other places, I ended up ordering my frames from Spex. Unique, high quality frames and great customer service.

Stopped in today to see if they had a screw that would fit my Nicole Miller sunglasses (that I didn’t purchase there) and boom, Lou (please forgive me if I got his name wrong), Hooked me up! Free of charge and polished them up nice.
I’ve stopped in here years ago to look at watches they had on display, and found everyone very friendly and helpful.
As I was there today I checked out some of their selection of eyewear and I plan heading back there to get proper everyday glasses and give these contacts a rest.
Thanks again guys, that was totally awesome and I’m really excited to come back.

I have bought my last three glasses at this location, so it has definitely become my first destination of choice to find a new pair. Billy always goes the extra mile in terms of customer service and they carry a great selection. I think that deserves the loyalty to be a returning customer.

Two years ago I bought glasses at the Spex in Geneva and the experience was very good from Terri.
When I needed new glasses I had moved into he city and the Madison location was nearest (they have many locations now).
Billy greeted me warmly and was patient as I scoped frames. He was very appropriate. Showed that he wanted to help but was not pushy pushy pushy.
I just got the glasses (SALT) and like them very much. Ask for Billy!!!

I had my first visit at Spex in the West Loop yesterday. I had the pleasure of working with Billy who was a wonderful to work with. He answered all my insurance related questions and helped me choose new glasses that I not only loved but were in my price point.
Every person I encountered from the doctor and the other staff were professional and personable. Add an incredible array of designer glasses and sunglasses such as Chanel, Tom Ford, Lafont, Seraphine, L.A. Eyeworks, etc. Spex has all of its bases covered.
It’s an easily accessible location and there is an abundance of street parking. Just the icing icing on the cake!

I was initially turned off by Spex in the West Loop after having had disturbing conversations with one of the sales associates. However, the optometrist was very thorough and professional and another one of the associates, BIlly, has a sense for great customer service. It is a pleasure to work with him. This location is ideal for purchasing Tom Ford and Salt brand lenses in a convenient, friendly, and efficient environment.
… Billy is no longer working at spex.

Customer service goes a long way and Billy did a great job providing a phenomenal experience for me during my first (and second) visit to Spex. I was down to my last pair of contact lenses and he made sure to get me an appointment immediately. I truly appreciated him going through all of the details of the appointment, but was disappointed that I only had one option in regards to the exam. However, nothing is free or even close to cheap anymore, so I went ahead with the next steps. The optometrist was friendly and thorough too, which made me feel better about choosing Spex over another eye care center. I wasn’t too fond of having to come back for a 10 – 20 minute follow up, but it paid off because Billy helped me find an awesome pair of sunglasses. My year supply of contacts arrived within 2 days and I was prepared to complete the rebate form after talking to Billy before leaving my follow up visit. Again, it was a great experience and I look forward to my fiancé’s first appointment next week.

Billy at Spex turned my nay into a yay! I was a little bummed about waiting so long for my new specs but the customer service I received has made me feel less anxious.

I walked in to this location, never being a customer, with my ear piece on my glasses bent out of shape. They weren’t horribly bent, but enough to be annoying. I asked if they could help me fix them. The guy took my glasses and had them fixed within minutes. There was no one else in the store but that’s fine by me. After I asked him what the charge would be, he said «Don’t worry about it, come in if you need anything» I would have given it 5 stars but considering there was no one else in the location, I do not know how they would have acted if they were busy. But anyway, solid 4 stars for their customer service efforts!

Billy at spex is one of the most kind, accommodating people I’ve dealt with in a very long time. I will undoubtedly be back as well as tell everyone I know. Thanks buddy.

I wish I could give this place no stars. I love supporting local businesses which is why I gave Spex a try, but this place is truly horrific in terms of customer service. I will not be going back and have no idea how this place is in business.

LLIIIAAAARRRS. Ohhh I have no patience for those who do not tell the truth, stretch it to fit their needs, or take advantage to others knowingly. That’s exactly what this place seems to be.
Despite the reviews, Spex is on my insurance plan. I was having a hard time finding a place near me that isn’t a crappy Lenscrafters or VisionWorks, so I thought «Why not?!»
I called my insurance plan beforehand to get specifics on what exactly I was allowed for, what my plan included, what the co-​pays were etc… I was a well informed consumer!
I called Spex to inquire about what services they were «in network» on for my plan. Turns out, everything. However, the receptionist initially tried to force me into the super-​de-​duper eye exam which is «their standard of eye care» which is $ 150 on top of what they collect from 1) My $ 10 co-​pay and 2) What they collect from my insurance company. HHMMM… sound suspect? She refused to offer any other exam.
When it comes to lenses, they told me they just offer a straight across the board 20−30% discount depending on the frame I choose. WHAT? Really? That’s not what my insurance company said, according to them, it’s a $ 40 co-​pay and the remainder is paid in full – NO MAXIMUMS.
When I called her out on this bullshit, she rapidly peddled back pretending that she hadn’t read it right but started to sing from the same playbook as the insurance company quoting the right co-​pays.
Wouldn’t trust them as far as I could throw them. If you don’t know to the letter exactly what you are entitled to, TRUST ME… you won’t get it here.

I agree with several of the reviewers and having recently moved to the West Loop, liked the idea of using a local business rather than drive back to the burbs to my old eye doctor.
I specifically asked, when making the appointment, whether they were a VSP provider since the copayment is only $ 10 for my plan and was happy when they said yes. However, when I got to the appointment they explained to me that they only offer an advanced exam and it was $ 50 more than what would be covered by my insurance. I questioned why I had to pay more and was told it was the only way they do it. After my exam when I was waiting for the results, another girl came in and was told the same thing… when she was about to walk out they told her she did not have to do the advanced exam as it was optional! When I said something, they did not offer to refund the extra $ 50 saying the exam was completed and I acknowledged the additional fee.
After I was given a quote on lenses only (over $ 300 after the insurance) I told them to just give me my prescription since last year I paid half of that and it included the frames so I was going to go somewhere else. The guy then bashed every other place and told me my insurance only covers cheap, plastic lenses which is why it costs so much.
The doctor was very friendly and answered all my questions, so she saved the place from only getting one star. The remaining staff should be let go.

I’m all about supporting a local business in my neighborhood, but this was a truly disappointing experience. While very friendly, the optometrist seemed to be straight out of school and inexperienced. The contact lenses were over twice as expensive compared to online and they also charged extra for what most places include in the standard exam fee (e.g. $ 19 extra for a vision field test). Overcharging + nickel & diming = no repeat business.

I have walked past Spex every day on my way to and from work for the past year, and every day I was reminded of how badly I needed new glasses. Finally I made an appointment, and I’m glad that I did! The staff is friendly and helpful, and the selection of high-​end frames is extensive. My glasses were ready relatively quickly (within a week) and they were adjusted within minutes to fit my face perfectly.
I do not have vision insurance, so this place was very expensive for me. However, I have gone to Lens Crafters in the past and I don’t think it was much more expensive than that place (before insurance kicks in).