Metro Optics

I’ve been going here for a couple of years because my insurance covers this place and it’s close to where I work, but I’m thinking of switching as the customer service is lacking.
The last time I went (to renew my prescription and order contacts), I requested an itemized receipt so I could use my HSA or FSA dollars, which typically require backup receipts. This is a pretty standard request for any health care provider, but especially for dentists and optometrists, since fewer people have good insurance coverage for these. I was told the printer was broken, so I should come back another time if I needed a receipt. I did so two or three times over a few weeks to follow up on this (and had to wait a while on each occasion as they are perpetually understaffed out front) and was told every time that their printer was broken again, but they’d mail me a receipt. They never mailed me anything. On the second or third visit, I asked if they could email it to me instead, and they said no – judging from their website, they really don’t use email at all, which also makes it less convenient to reorder contacts and book appointments.
They have a link to a third-​party site to reorder contacts, but just registering for an account requires you to enter all the most arcane details of your prescription, which seems rather pointless since the website has to verify your prescription with the provider before sending it anyway. In contrast, the place I used to go had an online contact ordering process that was easy to set up initially and took five minutes to re-​order. That office would also make appointments and send receipts via email, which was very convenient.
This kind of thing is why people switch to the optical departments at big box stores. At least there I can easily make an appointment, receive reminders, get an actual receipt for my purchase so I don’t have to fight with my HSA/​FSA provider later, and easily reorder contacts. Too bad my insurance doesn’t cover those, so I’m stuck with mediocre boutique service that I have to deal with during the work day, when that extra twenty minutes I have to wait to be told that their printer is still broken is much more of an inconvenience.

Quick service and reasonable prices. The staff here was quick to acknowledge I was there and promptly helped me out. I was just buying some cleaner and wipes so I don’t know what they are like for eye exams.

Hello? Can you see me? hardy har. Well, I’ve been coming here for eye exams and glasses for years because our insurance covers it. This was the first year I started to really like it.
I decided to get contacts and have to say I was very nervous about touching anything to my eyeball. (Yes I know you’ve heard this story before)
No worries my friends because KiKi will take care of you. We spent a half our together getting the lay of the eyeball and all the contact techniques.
KiKi was also the one who yes/no’d every pair of glasses I tried; «too big for your face, to wide, to small…» She practically runs that place.
I also really like the Dr. I saw this time and will continue to request him every visit. (I think they rotate 3) And of course I can’t think of his name! I’ll get back to you. He really gave me the best info I’ve ever received about which contacts/​glasses are best for me.
So you SEE? It’s a nice play to take your eyes.

This is a nice little spectacle shop in the skyway in DT St. Paul. I finally had to succumb to my middle-​aged eyes and get my first pair of glasses. I choose convenience over big box chain and was happy with the choice. Although I have nothing to compare to, I thought the selection was adequate. The service was good despite having to wait about 10 days for glasses. I really wasn’t in a hurry and quite frankly just like the idea of being able to walk to store if I need anything in the future. If you live or work downtown St. Paul I recommend giving it a try. Note: they accept most insurance.