Arlington Vision Center

After reading all the glowing reviews here and with the recommendation of my opthalmologist, took my new prescription here. John Dunn was alone in the store and came to help me select frames. I told him I wanted something similar to the ones I was wearing. He handed me one frame to try and then another. At that point a woman walked in and he left us abruptly to serve her. I thought he would greet her and come back. After 10 minutes of a prolonged conversation with her that showed no sign of ending I picked up my prescription and left.
I found this encounter rude and the only explanation I have is that I was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and she was «well dressed». I will not return. This seems and aberration and i really am shocked at how different it was from what I was led to expect.

I started going to see John Dunn back around 1985, when I first moved to Arlington, and for 5 years he was within walking distance from me. I’ve been continuing to go to Arlington to see him for my glasses, even though for the last almost 13 years I’ve lived about an hour away in Beverly, because of the great service he’s always provided. Just a couple of days ago, he proved his worth once again… I’d lost my glasses, just before a business trip to Europe, and John went the extra mile to pick up the right lenses with anti-​glare coating Friday night, so that he could make me my glasses Saturday morning and I was all set for my trip.

The phrase «customer service» is inadequate to describe the care and dedication this proprietor pays to his customers. If you come in with a challenge, John Dunn doesn’t truck it off to a lab, he tackles it himself like a trained craftsman. Young-​ish man, old school devotion to the hands-​on task. Contact lens issues? He’ll keep trying diagnostic lenses until you’re happy. I think he’s got a good variety of frame styles for all tastes; he reckons it’s not a «Cambridge or Boston» selection. I always find edgy frames to covet among the more attractive conventional styles, though. Being an optician captivated John when he was quite young, so he trained in the practice which he eventually took over. With 30 years under his belt, you can feel confident that you’re in the best care. Pleasant staff, attractive store windows.

I am new to the area, and was wondering where to find an optician to adjust my glasses. Luckily, I found Arlington Vision Center only several blocks away from my condo. When I went in to explain I was new in the area but had my glasses frame in need of an adjustment, I was greeted warmly by the receptionist and promptly attended to at no charge. I had occasion to return several weeks later to get my frames repaired after stepping on them and then again for replacement for a nose pad. Always friendly and most accommodating, I have found a great place to do my «glasses» business and recommend them most positively.

Agree with Eli — I get tempted to go to one of the big chain stores sometimes, but I love the fact that I can walk in and John will fix my glasses, or my kid’s glasses, at no charge. He’s got all my records from years of buying glasses, tells me whether I should or should not get certain features based on how I use (or, more accurately, abuse) my glasses, and all around has just excellent customer service.

My family has been getting our glasses from John Dunn Jr. since well before I was born and I continue this legacy to this day, even though I basically live on the other side of the world. Not only is the service top notch, but it’s always nice to be known by name. Family run businesses are a dieing breed and I do my best to help keep them alive.