Regent Optical

After being «greeted» I immediately left. I walked in, and from behind me I immediately heard an unwelcoming «what can I help you with?». I turned and said «oh I’m just looking to see what you have». Then he gives me a look, either intentional or not (I don’t know), and said in the same unwelcoming arrogant tone «k, well let me know if you need something». There was nothing genuine about this guy or his cutover service, and no way could I be bothered to ask this guy for help. So I said «wow you’re rude» and left. It’s hard to put in words, but his tone and body language was so unwelcoming.

Wow… talk about poor customer service at this Regent location. This was my first time here with a friend who came here for an eye exam and to pick out new prescription glasses. I’ve personally shopped at the Chinatown location for the past 10 years but had known that their Whyte Ave location carried more up to date and trendier frames/​sunglasses compared to the Chinatown location.
Upon arrival, we received a delayed greeting even though there were 4 employees within earshot. Half of them were eating behind the counter. The lady who checked my friend in seemed confused and wasn’t very friendly.
While I waited for my friend to have her eye exam done, I decided to peruse the sunglass section as I was interested in a new pair. After about 5 minutes of looking around and numerous employees passing me by (it wasn’t busy by the way…) I finally had one guy ask me if I needed assistance. I told him I was interested in sunglasses. However, he didn’t stay to help, he just walked on by to continue what he was doing — nothing — actually I lie, he was too busy picking his face as he had bad acne, to the point where he was bleeding and was blotting his face with tissue. How lovely.
So I continued to look around and eventually just sat down since it seemed no one really was interested in helping. However, a few minutes later, a female employee finally came over and was more serious in helping me. I told her what I was interested in and she started pulling some sunglasses for me to try. This went on for about 10 minutes before my friend came back from her eye exam. So this lady ended up helping us both. She was never overly friendly or helpful, at times seemingly annoyed to have to pull glasses for us both — but hey that’s your job is it not? Eventually I narrowed down my choices to a few and my friend, (who I should mention had visited the weekend prior and found a pair she liked), was unable to secure the same pair she tried on the week prior. She was told they were sold. How disappointing. She tried on many other pairs which did not resonate with her. So she asked the employee if they’d be able to order it in to which the employee said she could try and find the same pair however it would be final sale? Really? You’ve got to be kidding me I thought. Here you guys are the ones who screwed up (the glasses were supposed to put aside) and now you’re saying you could but it would be final sale? That’s a huge purchase to have to rely on memory. And here you have a store that has probably thousands of frames. It would be easy for you to order one extra pair that would easily be resold should my friend decide they were not to her liking. But hey, I’m not the running the store am I?
So my friend then has to ask if the other store carries it. I mean come on, this lady should be the one offering up solutions but it’s like pulling teeth. So the call is made and we find out that the Chinatown location does not carry the frame.
Very disappointing experience overall. Here my friend is motivated and excited to get herself a new pair of glasses only to have poor customer service ruin it all. I told my friend that we could make a trip to the Chinatown location and see if they have a pair of frames that would work as each location carries slightly different selection.
The catch is that she only has 2 months to try and find a pair at the other location before her eye exam store credit expires. At least this is what we were told.
So we leave, both aghast and almost laughing at the ridiculous experience we had.
The cherry on top? My friend got a call later in the day from the Whyte Ave Regent Optical that indeed they did have the frames she was looking for, and they had put them aside for her. But apparently couldn’t get organized enough to realize so until after this whole fiasco. *face palm*
So I would never willingly come back to this location again. Yes they have a trendier selection than the Chinatown location, but the Chinatown location can order frames in too that you see from this location. I will keep my business at the Chinatown location from now on. They are too posh and cool at this location to give you down — to — earth quality service.

After searching high and low for a good optician, I finally took the bait and followed the leads left by my fellow Elites. This place boasts of great quality customer service with a very reasonable pricing options.
Walking through the door, I was immediately greeted and served. There were no hassle or wait required. I was quite pleased actually but definitely wasn’t expecting myself to be in an optical store in China town though. The guy was pleasant and friendly to start with followed by a good level of helpfulness in picking out the best frame to my liking. I must say, he was quite patient as well which made me felt quite comfortable and at ease when taking the time in picking my frame.
What amazes me was that they could even dispense my eye glasses almost immediately. I was busy and requested if it was possible to have my glasses right away. He responded with a smile and a definite yes. In my past experiences with optical shops, you don’t find many that can dispense your eye glasses in less than 30 minutes. Regent was quite the star!
The eye exam was free as long as you’re purchasing a frame otherwise it’s CAD$ 70. The optician was well capable with the exam and made the experience quite a pleasant one.
I would likely go back again when needed. Oh! Did I mention that I was even given a complimentary a bottle of Lens Cleaner. Win! :)

Hate to bring it down a notch after all the 5 star reviews — but, I have to be honest, no?
I really love the selection here but it is a little overwhelming — the spectacles are all in cased in glass displays (like a jewelry store kinda) compelling you to reach out to a sales associate for assistance. Not really my favourite way as I like to do my own thing (like at Hakim…) when shopping for new glasses. I got over it though, and was helped by a very nice lady who was patient and pleasant. After trying many, many different pairs, it turns out that it was the very first pair I tried on that I went with (typical).
They were able to get me in for an eye exams shortly after I came in (Saturday morning around 11am) which was great; but this is where the one star is lost… I actually came out of this eye EXAM feeling as if I had failed it (AAAAHHHH flashbacks to the university days…). I couldn’t see the differences in the clarity of the letters when she was switching the lenses around with that big weird alien lenses machine thing; and when I said I saw no change, I felt as though she was getting annoyed with me. My bf was having his exam in the next room and he came out as if him and the doc were long lost buddies; talking sports and such… to Regent’ credit, although my prescription had changed, and it took about 2 weeks to get used to, I do like my new glasses, and do realize an improvement in my vision.
The price is really where this place is a cut above — cheap! My favourite price! I paid $ 269.00 for lenses, frames, and an eye exam. I walked in at 11am, left after everything was settled around noon, and was back by 5:30pm (myself and the bf who also found a great pair) to pick up my new glasses. Not so bad if you ask me. In 2 years, when my benefits kick back in, Regent will be the first place I check out.

There is no place better for glasses. I just bought my 4^th pair now in two years, not because they are not durable but because I love them that much. The staff is incredible. The prices are so cheap, I dont want to post in case other opticians see it and force regents prices up. This place is a gem. I cannot stress enough how good it is. The unique selection of glasses and the quantity they have can take you all day. They have an onsite optometrist that took me in within 20 minutes. THIS IS NOT A LIE, THIS IS EDMONTONS GREATEST OPTICAL STORE.

Great experience at Regent — I would highly recommend them. First, the service is excellent. The doctor who saw me was professional and friendly; I was pleased that he was diligent enough to follow up with an extra test an opthalmologist referral over an issue I reported to him. The woman who assisted me was an absolute treasure: I’m quite slow to choose things, and pretty picky, but she was able to find a number of great options, and was friendly and patient throughout.
Second, the selection is good and the prices are great. They have a huge number of frames to choose from (which made me more thankful for the help from the assistant!) at a range of price points. The lenses were also much cheaper than I had been quoted elsewhere — half the price of places like Lenscrafters. And finally, they were quick to get them done: tempted by the low prices, I bought two pairs around lunchtime, and got a call that very evening to let me know they were ready for collection. Overall, a very positive experience.

Thanks to a combination of a favorable benefits plan at work and a health spending account with my job, I am able to buy new glasses every year, so that means every year (for the past 7) I’ve hit Regent on Whtye for new frames and lenses. They won my loyalty on my first visit with a combination of VERY friendly and helpful staff and great prices. The girl who helped me (and actually remembered my name on return visits for years to come) was great at helping me find frames that fit my face and looked stylish as well. I’ve never actually tried any other eyeglass stores ’cause this one is conveniently located and I’ve never gotten anything less than superb service. I’ve sent many people there — from my sister to co-​workers — and they’ve also always enjoyed the experience of buying glasses. And sure enough I’ll be heading back there in the fall when it’s time to buy another pair of frames.

We stopped by Regent Optical for the first time today because my boyfriend finally succumbed to the fact that he needs glasses. While he went in for his eye exam, I browsed around the shop, checking out their different styles in frames. They have lots of great brands, like Calvin Klein, Nike, Oakley, D&G, and Verscace, to name a few. All of their frames are unisex, but some are made more feminine, or wider to fit most guys’ faces. There was one entire wall where the frames were 50% off, and another wall full of sunglasses.
They were really busy when we came in today too. I was surprised how many people needed to get glasses and eye exams today! There were people stepping into the shop every ten or fifteen minutes. And it’s kind of a small, narrow shop too, not wide and spacious like the places in shopping malls, so you have to squeeze around everybody when it’s crowded.
There were lots of staff to help us all out, about four or five behind the counter in all. The staff who helped me and my boyfriend out were very patient, pulling out all kinds of frames for him to try on and waiting for him to decide on one. The sale was quick and we were out the door again in no time.
They have about four optometrists on hand here, and my boyfriend said his doctor was very nice. The eye exam was about $ 50, which seems to be on the lower end to me. I’ve had exams for about $ 80 at other places before. I think I’ll be coming here when I need a new pair of specs.