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Fashion Stores

Spectacle

Rating: 2.5/5 (41 votes)

Posted by Staff / Reviewed on August 25, 2007

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It's been a while since I've received customer service like this, especially at an eyewear store? Not since the days of "Wenches and Rogues" on College Street, ran by all those wonderful Newfoundlanders, have I run into such a swell bunch as the gang at Spectacle Eyewear. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was handed a bottle of H2O, and was told to "try anything on that you like." The open shelf concept is great; it's well lit, with lots of mirrors, and as laid back as their Sales staff.

It was a bright fresh day in July and I needed sunglasses, that's right, needed. At first I went for the big beautiful Brand Names, which were surprisingly affordable, but after being walked through some of the more specialty brands I found myself being opened up to whole new world of possibilities. Was I to go for the edgy, biker-style Chrome Hearts, the supremely engineered screwless-hinges of ic! berlin, or a throw back to the disco-funk of Cazal, which are literally circa 1970/80s, and sourced by Spectacle.

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It's hard not to get caught-up in the design of sunglasses, once I was taught the importance of a well-made pair, I found myself wandering the store, even looking at regular seeing/reading eyeglasses. Suddenly I was an expert, I could appreciate the sophistication of a Paul Smith, the retro-look of Cutler and Gross, and the hand-made artistry of Alain Mikli.

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I was overwhelmed by the selection, I started to get that video-store-feeling, where you don't know what you want to watch anymore, and your girlfriends saying, "Come on, would you just choose already!" I boiled it down to the two Oliver's; would it be Oliver Peoples' Mosley Tribes, or that 60's vibe from the originator of sunglasses Oliver Goldsmith? I settled on a cool set of aviators from Mosley Tribes, which I ended up cracking a lens of within the first month, but because of warranty and service was replaced within a week, free of charge.

Spectacle has a third location opening soon (September 2007) in the Distillery District; Other services provided by Spectacle include, eye exams, state-of-the-art edging lab, product maintenance, and if you happen by the Queen Store location on a Sunday.... M-i-m-o-s-a-s...

Discussion

12 Comments

SH / August 28, 2007 at 01:03 am
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What?! Mimosa's? Seriously?

I love this store by the way, and you're right the customer service is tops... they always remember my name, awwww.
Grimm / January 10, 2008 at 07:37 pm
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Sick shades !!!
Dan (spectacle eyewear toronto) / April 21, 2009 at 02:24 pm
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hit up our new blog to!
Reuel replying to a comment from Dan (spectacle eyewear toronto) / June 20, 2009 at 06:34 pm
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Hello Dan,
I am looking for the following Cutler and Gross frames:
Model #0692 in Black for Prescripton Nikon Glasess.
Model #0425 Brown stripes for Prescripton Transition Driving SunGlasess.

Which of your stores have these frames available?
Can you give me a qoute on the total package for each?
Let me know. Thanks. Reuel

PS Tried your store email. Not receiving emails?
Hello,
LS / February 23, 2010 at 12:27 pm
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i visited the queen west location on saturday afternoon - not intending to buy - just to browse some styles for new eyeglasses. I guess Darren noticed me trying on glasses that were much too big for me and brought me over a couple samples that he thought would work better on my petite face. needless to say, it was his thoughtfulness and customer service that prompted me to book an appointment with their on-site optometrist.
Rodney Chan / August 1, 2010 at 05:11 pm
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Poor service after you buy your glasses if you have issues with fit.
Bill / October 1, 2010 at 12:40 pm
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Pretty funny that I went to Spectacle and found a great frame. I had then mentioned Gafas and they started hating pretty bad and saying they use crappy lenses. I then went to Gafas and guess what they sell the exact same lenses lol..I ended up buying to 2 frames with Nikon lenses. Thanks Gafas you guys rock..
irina / June 2, 2011 at 11:53 pm
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i liked the store and the choice-however i dont think the customer service was great. The girl that was helping me with the selection was nice-however when she introduce me to the lady that was explaining me abou the lenses-i instantly felt an attitude from that lady. She was talking with me like that store has the best of the best and how dare i ask her question about quality when i should of known from the day i was born that they are the best. wtf?????? she ruined the experience for me. Guys, just be more relaxed and down to earth.
keith / June 20, 2011 at 04:57 pm
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Went to the Queen St store when i was back from Beijing ... was leaving a few days and they could not do the lens for me in time before i left. Grabbed the frames got the lens done at lens crafter. had a great experience ..
Came back this week went in... night and day ... attitude !!
Was in the Distillery District and same company different store and treated like a human again.
nicky / November 18, 2011 at 12:01 pm
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They've made so many mistakes with my prescription and give me trite responses to explain their incompetence. They don't know customer service, especially at the prices they charge. They give you poor quality and expect you to be happy. I'll never go back.

I've been to specs and specs on Queen and they are so much cheaper and the service is better.
tea / November 18, 2011 at 01:32 pm
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They've messed up the prescription so many times and give me vague excuses for their incompetence. Their customer service is non-existent. I would never go back. I've had better service elsewhere.
scott / February 4, 2012 at 01:47 pm
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very poor customer service; they only care about $$ not the customer

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