Council Optometric Center

If I could leave negative stars, I would. Council Optometric is undoubtedly one of the most incompetent businesses I’ve ever had the displeasure of visiting. Time and time again they have been a letdown in terms of quality of care, customer service and billing. The final straw was when a staff member made an error, another staff member acknowledged the error then proceeded to say “I’ll bring it up to my manager, this isn’t the first time she has done this”, with no intent to make it right. It was basically a “whoops we made a mistake and we acknowledge it but you, as the customer, are going to pay for it.” If you care about quality care, honesty, and ethical practices, do NOT visit Council Optometric.

I ordered contacts, without thought of price, only to be surprised on how much they cost. Upon checking online, I found they were double the cost, and that was AFTER insurance. I called, what I thought was Olean and it was Hamburg. Same name, no affiliation. The woman listened to my concerns, and dissected my issues. In the end, I paid $90 more than Olean. Before she knew I was not their patient she was kind and willing to help. Fast forward 5 minutes to call to Olean; as usual, very cold greeting and basically, “ that is our price, like it or leave it.” No willingness to offer concessions… nothing…. Have to move on Council Olean… you do not represent the strong customer care qualities I look for in the people I conduct business.

Staff was good no complaints on how I was treated. I just couldn't hear anything they said because they had the radio playing loud and staff and patients were yelling over eachother the entire time. And I'm deaf in both ears and I require to wear hearing aids. I could hear everything but the staff that I was talking to. I know if I can't considerate because it's too loud I would hate to be a hearing person because... DAMN!!! Overall not the worst.

I called in March to have my contacts refilled right after vacation. They said ok! No problem. I have noticed lately that they have been taking weeks to months to get them in (I have a special prescription) so I called way before I was out. I called today to check because it’s been so long. They said that my contact script ran out in APRIL and they cannot give me contacts and OOPS no one called me. (Never mind I called in March). I stated that I’m a stylist, and I literally need to be able to see to do my job. Glasses give me a migraine at work. She said oh well we cannot see you until AUGUST. I have been going there for 20 years with all of my kids. Look elsewhere for eye care.

I spoke with Sandy today at the Olean office. She couldn’t have been more rude and condescending. She kept cutting me off and automatically told me I had not refilled a contact prescription for a long time because I was “wearing them too long” instead of listening to me when I told her I could not wear the contacts because they hurt my eyes and that’s why I hadn’t refilled the prescription. I cannot believe Council allows their staff to be so rude to their patients. I will DEFINITELY NOT go there again. I had heard the staff was extremely rude, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I was proven wrong and should have listened to what others told me.