I needed new contacts, couldn't remember the name of my previous eye doctor (it had been some years) and thought I'd try Hour Eyes as it's in the neighborhood. First thing to note: there's no customer parking, not unusual in Cap Hill, but given that the store is located in the plush confines of the Brix, you'd think ... No matter, I'll park at QFC and grab some things I need after. I arrive 10mins early for my 4pm eye exam. When I'd called to book the woman on the phone suggested it was the doc's only appointment and he'd be doing me a favor by coming in so late on a Saturday. However, upon arrival I was told to sit and wait (rather grumpily by one of the sales staff who may have been having a bad day - or week), and wait I did. After 10 mins the dr took in another patient, so I guess bookings had filled up for Saturday afternoon after all. Another 10mins and the receptionist came over to give me paperwork. I asked if the dr was running later, and he told me that he - the receptionist - was but that not to worry I'd be done by 5. I began filling in the paperwork: the usual who am I, why was I here, HIPPA form etc. But there was one more unusual form: either pay all costs upfront and hope to be reimbursed by Hour Eyes or write in credit card details and they'd charge me once they'd heard back from my insurance. This didn't sit well with me: given the excellent health insurance I have (a great benefit provided by my employer), it wasn't something I'd been asked for before. I expected that once they heard my insurance they'd waive this requirement, but ... you guessed it: no. (I understand that this is a business and has to make $ - rather a lot of $ when you read some of the other reviews - and that I'm in the very fortunate position of having great health insurance, something rare in the US and which should be a basic standard like the right to freedom of speech, BUT that doesn't mean that this is the way to do it. It's all too easy for a mistake to happen, either at my insurance or the dr's office, and if I pay upfront or allow them to freely charge my credit card, I get to spend my time and energy chasing down a refund for a mistake on their part. No thankyou.) So, after asking if there was an alternative and being told no, chose to cancel on the spot. Here's why you shouldn't go: - if this is a policy of the practice, inform the patient (customer) upfront, ideally at the time of making the appointment. It's customer service 101. - display this information at the reception desk so it's clearly visible and available to everyone who walks in the store. Again, CS101. - find a method that involves the patient (customer) and opens up a discussion: eg provide a menu of fees, list what's in an eye exam, ball park what to expect in terms of cost so that the customer is informed and can make choices. - provide an option of placing a hold on the customer's credit card, much like hotels do; once insurance info has come back the customer can authorize payment over the phone, and if they refuse the held funds can be used for payment. This covers the unfortunate case of those who don't pay, as well as providing an option for those who don't want to blindly hand over credit card info (don't get me started on the security risks of a business storing your credit card info where the business has no certification or controls to ensure this info is securely stored). - lastly, be prepared to talk to your customers and have a discussion. Every medical practice has tests that aren't really necessary, but which they'll run if they see good health insurance - or even just because it's a way to gouge your customers. By not being open to discussion, not being clear upfront, and by not giving your customers choices, you're locking them into a 'my way or the highway' scenario. And given the economy, basic supply and demand laws and the apparent priciness of their frames and lens-crafting services, you might find that many potential customers choose to walk away. read more

What can I say about Hour Eyes without sounding gushing? First off, this place has GREAT quality with technically advanced and thorough examinations. The selection of frames is amazing featuring simple styles as well as top designers. But with all these great qualities, Hour Eyes' best attribute is service. When you buy your prescription, you get a second pair of glasses free. That's nice. But recently I broke a VERY expensive pair of glass. I have a very complicated prescription and had purchased high-end expensive frames. I took them in to see what could be done. I pretty much destroyed them in an accident. Michelle, the wonderful optician who originally helped me pick out the frames, worked it out so that they completely replaced the glasses with no charge to me. I encourage everyone who needs glasses or even just an exam, to go to Hour Eyes. Ask for Michelle, she will make sure you receive the best possible service, and are completely happy with your choice of frames. read more

I love this place, the service has always be great. Staff member Rebecca has helped our family with two prescriptions and three sets of frames so far, and she always is friendly and really seems to know what she's doing both during the exam and when helping us find frames that suit us. (You know how hard it is to see when you don't have your glasses on...I for one, need help!) I checked out the new location on north Broadway a couple of weeks ago, and it's really nice in there, very warm and inviting with good lighting and the new frames are very well displayed. We'll certainly shop there again. read more

Woohoo indeed! After going to 3 other "well known" optical shops with no success & some frustration, Hour Eyes Optical provided me awesome customer service, satisfaction and eyewear. Michelle displayed incredible patience & grace in finding me the eyeglasses I really wanted. And I learned more about eyeglass frames, style and fitting than I had in 20 years of wearing glasses. Save yourself time & effort and have a great eyeglass experience; go to Hour Eyes Optical 1st, not 4th! read more

HOUR EYES is the BEST!!! When I first walked into the joint in 1990 --Dr Bluff was kind enough to loan me an expensive frame for a theatre production I was producing, for a four week run, no less!....when I needed contact lenses I returned for an exam and have been going to him ever since ---a major part of his great business is Warren Ruby who has been a meticulous, fun and fun-loving curator of my account there ---it's always a pleasure to get my eyes checked!!! Victor J. read more

I've been getting my eye exams and glasses at Hour Eyes for over 15 years, with a huge shoutout to Rebecca for being so kind and helpful! Really the whole team at Hour Eyes is kind and knowledgeable. My child recently got a first pair of glasses. We were both touched by how sincere and helpful the team was to help a first time glasses wearer with the frame decision and to provide great options that were in our budget. Also, a great selection of frames. Highly recommend! read more

Well this is Josh Harris from the T.V. show Deadliest Catch. I just went to Hour Eyes and I hate eye doctors. But I had a great visit the people were amazing awesome products I left able to see perfect and for the first time got a pair of contacts in my eyes. Thanks to John Bluff and staff there to make something that I hated dealing with seem so simple. Love the products and the people will be back to get glasses from them soon. Thanks again Hour Eyes. read more

I had a fabulous experience today at Hour Eyes. Rebecca LDO (manager) was as helpful as any salesperson I've ever met. She was patient, interested and fully engaged with me. A difficult customer came and with a very difficult glasses problem and Rebecca came up with an incredibly creative solution -- the customer left happy. I commented on her skill in her work and she said, "I love what I do." It doesn't get better than this. Five stars, easily! read more

I'm a first time client of Dr. Bluff and Hour Eyes Lenses and I have to say, the service and atmosphere of there store were excellent. I've been wearing glasses for over 20 years now and this has been, by far the best experience I've had. From there amazing equipment that did not require eye dilation (Hooray), to the awesome selection, gracious staff and wonderful doctor. I will return every year with commitment. You have to check them out!! read more

Hour Eyes new location on Broadway is very classy! The staff is courteous, professional and very knowledgeable. The manager Rebecca seems to have taken this office to greater horizons, which is not what I experienced before. I love the new location, the bigger space and the staff is better than ever. Michelle helped me pick out frames that I love! If you want to visit a optical shop with no fluff and complete service, visit Hour Eyes! read more

Both my husband and I went into Hour Eyes on Saturday 5/9/09 and the service was excellent. They are really good at picking out the best glasses that look good on you! It can be very confusing, but they make it easy. Then we received our glasses super fast - in just 3 days they were ready. I highly recommend doing business with these guys. Friendly, knowledgeable, professional, and fast. Large inventory to pick from too. read more

I had a lot of problems with this store, so why 5 stars? ANY business can have a problem day, and they all do. Honest problems aren't an issue but how they are dealt with can be a huge issue. While I did have an unfortunate string of things happen with the glasses I wanted, all was set right by Rebecca, the customer service specialist. I appreciate an honest business that sees it self as part of a community. read more

I visit Hour Eyes every so often for an adjustment to my glasses. They fix or adjust me for free. I walked pass the new store and I think the new location is bigger. The staff is still the same from what I can tell. I refer everyone I know to Hour Eyes until they give me a reason not to. read more

please note this is the old address for Hour Eyes. They have moved about 4 blocks north on Broadway. The new address is: Hour Eyes Optical 534 Broadway E. Seattle WA 98012 206 324-3937 read more

Timely, professional, and answered all my questions about getting glasses for the first time.

Hour Eyes = Quality. Bottomline. Make sure you're a patient.

Super friendly place to get glasses on the Hill.