Paris West Optical

11/29/05

Worth the Trip

by seitschu at Citysearch

I'm shocked by the previous "bad" review. I've been a customer there for 11 years. I'm in a highly visible field and regularly get compliments on the glasses from Paris West. I'm hard on my glasses and, though I do not have optical insurance, buy at least a pair a year. I have purchased from the chains and have shopped other boutiques, Jordan (the owner) always has the latest styles and in the end his glasses are, for me, better value than what I've seen or bought elsewhere. Additionally, when I've had a problem, he's gotten it fixed without any fuss. I've reccommended this place to plenty of satisfied friends.

• Pros: Selection, Staff, Location

11/16/09

Best in Baltimore!

by CLM335 at Citysearch

My experience at Paris West was great! They have any designer brand you could ask for and the employees were SO nice. I would recommend Paris West to anyone looking for a great pair of glasses!

• Pros: selection and service
• Cons: None!

05/25/09

World Class with a Charm City Twist

by flyntiejones at Citysearch

I've never seen so many interesting unique european designs in one shop before. The entire staff helped my friend and I narrow down an endless list of possibilites to find a pair that I absolutely love. If you go make sure to ask for help, otherwise it can be overwhelming.

• Pros: extensive selection, knowledgable staff, excellent eye exam
• Cons: can be very busy at times

04/05/09

Keep life simple, but glasses unique

by DoctorNurse at Citysearch

Listen, So I am a type-A, meticulous, glasses snob....I admit it...I think that generic, soulless frames are ridiculous, and I am willing to look extensively for *exactly* what I want- Glasses that are unique, stylish and sophisticated, durable and high quality...

This is why I have been a Paris West customer since 2001....I get glasses from them every year, and I like their selection of shapes and designers, their stellar customer service, and the fact that I could be confident that NO-ONE would be walking around in my glasses...

I was quite happy with them...

But then, 2 years ago, I move to Switzerland permanently, and I say to myself "Okay, so I'm sure when I go to PARIS (as opposed to Paris WEST) I will easily find glasses from even more designers, even funkier frames, and even better selection than in Baltimore..."

Uhhh....Not-so-much...

...The style in Europe at the moment are wide, fat rectangular lenses and frames and I am a small circle lens kind of cat, so I have been quite frustrated...All (no really, ALL) the boutiques that I have visited have jumped on the bandwagon...So no worries- I live in Europe right? Travel is cheap and easy- I' ll just look in London, Geneva, Milan, Madrid, Rome, Paris, Zurich- I am SURE that I will find something I like, right?

Uhmmmm.....So while I was getting fitted for new glasses and new sunnies at Paris West last weekend I decided that this was my bottom line... While I get my eyes checked in Geneva, I buy (without insurance, at my expense) my glasses at Paris West in Baltimore...They are just that good...

Listen, save yourself the shopping trip- I have clearly not checked EVERY Glasses boutique in Europe, but its cool to have a friendly shop with knowledgeable professionals, to have a conversation (in English!) with people aho can show me a largely unmatched selection of sophisticated, stylish, unique and reasonably priced frames (in Dollars, as opposed to Pounds or Euro) that get compliments IN Europe...You don't have to be a type-A, meticulous, glasses snob like me to appreciate that!

Get your glasses from them and make your life simple (even though your glasses may not be!)

Cheers...

DrNurse

• Pros: Unmatched selection, service and prices
• Cons: Uhmmm....Gimme a minute

01/21/09

A fantastic experience

by Vlampe33 at Citysearch

On the advice of a friend I decided to stop in and have an eye exam. I am a first time "bifocal" wearer and was apprehensive about what to do. My exam with Dr. Rubin was very comprehensive and the help from the staff in selecting attractive and suitable frames was exceptional. It's taken a little while but I am now functioning with my new varilux lenses perfectly and have received many compliments on my new "look".

• Pros: Lots of unique eyewear, patient and competent Dr, helpful staff

12/10/08

If you like being Ignored

by adriangoldberg54 at Citysearch

I was looking for a new Optical shop Paris West is right dow the street from my offid, so I go. Went in and was ignored, waited and waited, as I was about to leave a woman quickly ran over to me and asked if I was trhough browsing? I said who said I was browsing? I came in for service waited you were on the phone 10 mins by my watch and no one helped me. So now I am leaving and NOT coming bac, ok? Too bad because this place looks like I could spend lots of my dollars here! I left. I went shopping on the web and I went to Baltimores Other Best in Owings Mills whis does live up to their reputation at Shear Opticians. Yes, I wrote a review on their website today also, to let everyone know you have staff problems and I was a "lost" consumer" because of it....keep you eye open ...is my advice to the owner...Your staff only performs when you are in the store!

• Pros: Beautiful Store, Great City Local, Great Selection
• Cons: No Service from staff, no greeting, on the phone , was ignored...too bad

Response from this business

jmf29– December 17, 2008 at 07:58:03 PST

We have had 2 negative reviews in our history of this site. Both times the reviewer gave glowing praise to the same one of our competitors. On the day in question, we had 3 opticians and one office staffer working. (not to forget our office managers 2 1/2 year old daughter, who greets everyone...over and over, sometimes even offering them hugs). I find it hard to believe that in a store as small as ours, a client could wander unattended for 10 minutes without as much as a simple greeting. So, out of curiosity I checked our security tapes for the day in question. Shockingly, I saw no such incident. Our staff is one of the best I've ever seen and the countless referrals and repeat customers over the near 15 years of our existence are a testament to that. As I said in my response to the other "negative" review..stop in and judge for yourself. And if you have any issues you can reach me directly in the shop or via email at info@pariswestoptical.com. Jordan, Owner, ParisWest Optical

09/24/08

Wonderful service!

by victorsee at Citysearch

I am an out of town visitor,who accidentally broke the arm of my eye.glasses.. you know the 'clear tape on glasses look'. One national chain practically laughed me out of their store.. so i walked up N Charles and came to Paris West. The staff immediately offered help; identified a large 'parts supply' in their back room, and within 30 minutes had a new arm installed on my difficult to match frames. In addition to on the spot service, they refused to charge, saying that all repairs are free.. .

I am now missig the 'scotch tape' look, and able to see again.. I would go back as a paying customer in a minute.

thanks for the emergency help!

05/10/08

j'aime l'ouest de Paris!

by sukia at Citysearch

Wide selection of super cool designer and boutique frames at competitive prices. Outstanding service ? the staff are welcoming and personable and were exceptionally patient and helpful during my first ever contact lens fitting. I was also given a discount as a loyal customer. Their optometrist is highly skilled, professional and very easy to talk with - the only downside is that he is only there once a week. Hands down they're one of Mob town's best and I wouldn?t go anywhere else for my eyeware and eyecare!

02/06/08

Wonderful selection & friendly staff

by reiyn75 at Citysearch

I've walked past many times but after many recommendations decided to stop in. No pressure/non-commisioned sales staff was friendly and helpful in finding many great choices to flatter my face, work with my thick lenses and fit my budget. After a long deliberation and multiple visits I finally settled on a beautiful tortoise pair that has been great so far. There's no other place like it in the area and if you wear glasses every day you really should check this place out.

• Pros: Very friendly staff, large selection, reasonable prices for a boutique
• Cons: the display cases are locked, but I guess that's to be expected in a large city

12/25/07

awesome sunglass selection and "extra mile" service.

by hollywoodd at Citysearch

First let me say that I don't wear eyeglasses so I can't speak on that subject, but they seem to have an impressive selection. The sunglasses, however are out of this world. Every brand I can imagine from Prada to Armani to Paul Smith to Oakley...all of it. I was actually looking for an older Chanel model for my girlfriend which was not in stock. The sales person went out of her way to check inventory online and then to special order the model for me. They even had it shipped so it would arrive in plenty of time for Christmas. Then, because of work commitments I was unable to pick it up before they closed for the holiday. I called Saturday in a panic and Jordan, the owner, agreed to meet me on a Sunday (his day off) in Owings Mills near my house and deliver them to me. Needless to say he saved Christmas for me...and my girlfriend is thrilled. Paris West Optical now has a customer for life. Thanks again and Happy Holidays!

• Pros: incredible selection, beautiful store, knowledgable and polite staff

Editorial Review

by Contributor at Citysearch

Paris West Optical offers a wide selection of designer frames for a stylish or modern look.