retail sales associate

optical technician

optician

general manager

optical manager

Eyemart Express

I have worked for eyemart for one year. Although I feel the products have improved over the years from the reputation they had when I originally started ten years ago in optical-their atmosphere is horrible. Even luxottica was a better experience than eyemart has been for me-at least they had clear expectations. And luxottica is down right unethical(google if you don’t know). Eyemart dramatically underpays. They want you to sell certain products and then you are reprimanded if you sell too much. I have never heard of that. But regardless there’s no clear guidelines and either way you’re being tormented about overselling or underselling. Walking on egg shells would be an understatement around our gm. She’s unprofessional and vindictive. Constantly attacking employees and extremely unhealthy and abusive behavior. Gm gossips and plays favorites. When employees call our district manager about her; they retaliate against you. Or he comes up with a laundry list of what the employees are doing wrong and fails to follow through on returned phone calls.  The true issue is never addressed. She is always under in sales so asks us to “oversell” then when management gets upset she has us written up for doing what she asked us to. Our manager is constantly concerned with getting everyone to work harder and do more. The expectations are unacheivable. But takes several smoke breaks each hour. She ran an entire fundraiser for several months collecting peoples stuff leaving while on the clock to pick stuff up. She fights on the phone or they show up (different family members or girlfriend) throughout the day and is not work oriented. If someone calls in to work, the manager does not lead the store by showing up to help the already understaffed employees get through. She’s had screaming matches with past employees in the breakroom and customers heard it. Since I’ve started at least 9 employees have turned over so we’ve had to completely retrain the new staff team at least 3 times. Our manager is intimidated by anyone who has experience so she has someone very young with a few months of optical experience acting as the “retail lead” trying to tell people with 10-20 years of experience how to do their job. He doesn’t even fully understand what he’s doing yet and is training all the new people setting them up for failure. She promises people growth and then holds them down because she doesn’t want to lose employees or have anyone possibly be better than her. It’s such a disappointment that eyemart is like this- but I should have known. She asked if I had children during the interviewing process! This company is a mess, you’d think corporate would want to know why EVERYONE except the GM quits. Even the employees from the business we are attached to can see it. I have heard of this being an ongoing issue with eyemart. However, I have also heard that there are a few locations that hold onto employees and have a better atmosphere. So maybe try it if they have several employees there other than management for over two years. Or get what your worth and treated how you deserve-go to a private optical!

I applied for retail but was “promoted” to Lab Tech after I had a lack of retail environment/customer service (I had 5+ years?) and was told I would have training. I had zero experience in ophthalmology and basically was given books and CBLs (Computer based learning, which by the way can give you points you can use for merchandise and gift cards, as well as household items) that were to be completed so I could begin receiving incentive. It was honestly a lot to take in, and shortly I was expected to handle the job by myself even though I really was not fully trained in anything. I really do wish I was given proper training in retail as it helps you read the prescriptions, transpose if necessary, how to use the computer system, and how to pick the lenses and frames necessary for purchase, as well as giving experience for being an optician and insurances. It took me almost a year or so before I could somewhat confidently handle being by myself simply bc it felt like I was expected to know how to handle the job when I had no experience prior. The hours are decent since I don’t have kids and with incentive (hourly being $11.50) I often make about $15-17 before my taxes and deductions, which is decided based on store statistics and hours worked as of now (it seems to change often). In all, the job is decent, but you will have MANY moments of learning, being alone, and mistakes no matter your experience since it still is majorly a hands on manual labor job, with having different things such as callouses, cuts, stains, and aches due to the constant standing, use of tools, and hands on pressure to do tasks. It is a decent job but definitely more of a stepping stone as moving up in the job is difficult since the employee hierarchy is rather tight and the company actually has very little stores in reality (as of now only 200 in the whole nation). I would recommend as a decent job and something to add good experience on your resume. The company as a whole really does nothing for the worker as they simply submit to the doctor’s will and will not give you much assistance in many aspects but I luckily have good managers that work with me well. I do feel we are understaffed as a lot of high stress moments just should not be a problem but we are only enough workers to essentially handle if one person is not there, but say someone is on vacation, there will be a lot of moments and even days of having to handle the entire order list by yourself for (possibly) 10 hours.

Eyemart Express is constantly trying to advance the brand, however this usually leaves the bottom players as you guessed it, the bottom.  They require you to work overtime as a manager and only compensate you based on an archaic equation they undoubtably invented themselves to keep from paying you for your time.  Turnover is an understatement, they should change the name to Revolving Door Optical.  The employees they keep are often times conniving and underhanded or misguided and uneducated or a combination of both.  The upper echelons keep an 'old boys club' about them and feign compassion with an "open door policy".  Everything I know about optics I learned on my own and in a very abridged definition was I trained in any aspects of my job.  The starting pay is legendarily low and the raises and chances for advancement are marginally slim.  Bonuses are offered but reflect an associates ability to sell just the right package versus what the customer needs.  Discipline in unheard of, there is no reeducation or hands on training, simply punishment.  The hardest part of working at EME is the people you work with the District Managers are usually self serving and only available via phone or text.  When problems are reported they become standoffish and childish.  Its a fly by night kind of operation.  The ground level associates are basal individuals hired because "we need a warm body"  or "I'm going on vacation"  or "i have a friend that needs a job"  so basically they will hire anybody, except for felons.  So if you dropped out of school in say the 8th grade they would hire you.  Helping people see is the only rewarding part of the job the HR rep said "making eyeglasses within tolerance" not ensuring customer satisfaction.  And lastly lets talk about customer satisfaction.  It doesn't exist unless the customer doesn't know any better or they are getting something for free.  The Corporate customer care reps will always side with the customer especially the dumber ones.  So the dumber you are the better you are treated.  Its a little backwards.  Free benefits if you're a manager except for the new hires, existing management received one time raises to cover costs per the AHA (aka "Obamacare")  which can increase your salary substantially effecting your worth to the company.

A typical day in the lab is non-stop from the moment you clock in (often before that) to the moment you clock out. Typically a skeleton crew (absolute bare minimum for operation) for larger volume stores, solo for lower volume stores. You are timed at every possible opportunity to crank out as many glasses as you can in an hour. Getting jobs done in less than an hour is paramount. Under ideal circumstances, it's doable, but the machines are decades old and constantly falling apart. In the year I've been there, I can count on one hand the days I've come to work and haven't had to complete complex repairs while also being pressured to make glasses at maximum capacity. There is no training on how to diagnose or fix any of the machines, and there is no option to call specialist in for it; you are either handy or you call other stores in the hopes whoever answers has also had the same issue and may know of a fix.
Home office is impacted by weather and infrastructure issues in shipping, leading to extended delays that you are still somehow responsible for, even though you have no control over it. It does impact your performance and you can (and will) be fired for underperformance caused by these repeated late jobs.
You, quite literally, have to threaten to quit and/or have a full blown panic attack at work to have any issues addressed: need a part for a machine? Need a tool to continue operating? Full blown meltdown required. I spent 6 months trying to get a key tool in production, going through the entire management vertical at every step of the way, and was told repeatedly it would cost too much. We where spending more on correcting the defective products than we would have on the tools in the first place. One intense crash out later and we got the bare minimum to continue operation.
If they maintain their equipment (properly, by people who know how to do such things), if management listened to concerns/feedback, and if they hired more than the bare minimum amount of people to do the job, it wouldn't be a bad place to work. As it stands, VSP (the vision insurance company that now owns Eyemart) won't tolerate anything that could take a few cents away from their shareholders.

I loved working for Eyemart Express. If I had not moved, I would still be there.  The management is made up of actual adults which is, I know, a blessing. They constantly have morale building contests, appreciation for their employees, good benefits, and great understanding of families. If they would open up in the town I live in now I would sign up in a heart beat.
   A typical day is fast paced, depending on your location, and the hours are normal full time hours. employees are multitaskers who repair, adjust, fill prescriptions, sell, up sell, down sell, depending on the needs of the patient. They believe in "selling vanilla" which is wonderful considering that most businesses simply want you to add on til the customers are broke. Return business is what's important. They actually sell at fair realistic prices when other optical stores gouge so badly they should be ashamed. 
   The hardest part is the same as every where.  There are difficult customers everywhere you go.  If you have retail experience, this is normal, and not something that you can't shrug off, if you're are new to the field then it can be a trial. The management will come to your defense if needed. They do not let their employees get abused.
   Co-workers are always going to be the same everywhere as well.  You're always going to have that one.
   The most enjoyable part is the customers. They remember you, request your help every time. It was very similar to when I did hair...requests, holiday cards, 2nd family type of relationships grow. You will be shocked by how truly grateful people are if you care enough to help them.
   All in all, Eyemart Express turned out to be one of the best jobs I've had.

Management at my store was decent , but the company itself need improvement in taking care of their workers . It has been plenty of situations where the customer is upset with the opticians for the doctors mistakes or if their warranty expired and their glasses broke and we cant do anything about it that they would cuss at us or something and the manager would just give them what they were fussing about . I feel like if us as opticians already explained the rules and the customer gets irate the manager should ask the customer to leave and not just give in because it makes up look like as if we don't know what we are talking about and they are going to fuss every time because it worked for them before . So I feel like management and the company should have the opticians backs more often .  If you're not a good seller then your pay would not be worth the stress . With the good deals they have already it's a challenge to up sale to customers because they want the cheaper price , but one you learn the different lenses type and what customers needs and doctor recommendations it will become easier each time . Also Lab techs are annoying , some are anyway . At least the ones I worked with , for one they don't even have to look at customers , but have an attitude because they had jobs to do . Like the opticians are out there with rude people, not all , and we still have to keep our cool and stay calm . The lab tech complained about any and everything , especially on busy days , Ugg very lazy . So I guess it depends on the location and coworkers that will make or break this job . but does need improvement within the company as a whole .

● Work-life balance
The corporate office of Eyemart Express is fantastic,  and the TC location used to be a great place to work. But the general manager who took over in 2019 is has no education or experience in management and the workplace has suffered as a result. Morale is at an all time low, all of the experienced retail opticians are actively looking for other jobs, and things only seem to be getting worse.

● Pay & benefits
pay varies widely depending on what you ask for going in. One coworker makes 30% less than everyone else because she was not informed about the average starting wage. Paid time off and health benefits are generous,  but there are so many blackout dates it's difficult to use them.

● Job security and advancement
There used to be a lot of growth opportunities with the company, but there will be no moving up for anyone who works in Traverse City. If you are looking to move it might be a possibility. If you are female forget it.

● Management
Corporate management is excellent. Local management including the general and district manager are toxic and overtly sexist.

● Culture
Drama, secrecy, and lack of faith at the local level has made this an untenable work environment. It is a shame, as the corporate office is excellent and there used to be a lot of opportunity for growth.

● Overall
Most of the retail opticians who have worked at the Traverse City location since the store opened are actively seeking other employment. It has become an utterly miserable place to work. Other locations can be excellent.

Despite what career Opticians want you to believe, it's still retail sales and looked at as such by most companies in the industry and the general public. You will have a typical retail structure and lazy incompetent condescending management all around who want more more more and never appreciate the work you do. The pay is okay, commission could be alot better but in optical commission is relatively unheard of these days anyway. Your DM will ask (demand) you to defraud customers so they earn a bonus and you earn pennies on the dollar. There's no real training by anyone and alot of the stores are staffed on a skeleton crew and you could lose your job at any moment. We also never got 2 days off in a row and worked every Saturday. Opticianry is an art and it takes alot of knowledge and skill to do well, it's sad how un-respected it is. You do get to sit at a nice desk and the work flow its self is relatively non stressful. This is a pretty good job for anyone between 18-22 years old who wants the opportunityto sit or gain healthcare experience, and anyone who plans on becoming a private practice Optician and is in a dual income household (private practice doesn't pay squat and is often overworked but the work culture is usually better / non corporate). 

I worked here for maybe 2 weeks in Louisiana. I was a retail sales associate and when i first started training all I did was sit on the computer and go into the lab. I barely learned any hands on duties. My vehicle had broke one time and I called the store and no body answered well when I emailed her she never emailed me back. The policy here is Open Door, therefor you can go to your manager for anything, not here! When I came the next work day she was rude and told me that we needed to have a talk. I emailed her the following morning asking her if I was still scheduled because she never answered me so I went in on my scheduled time anyway. Some of the co workers were very friendly to me while the others did nothing but criticize me and play on their phones. They train you to do one thing and then the next they tell you that what your doing is wrong. You ask them a question they have an attitude with you. You don't even get full time at first your part time for 90 days and then you move to full-time. I didn't even last that long because I rarely learned anything but what the computer told me. I HATED IT. Work somewhere else because you will not learn a thing. 

And it took me 3 months to get hired. I got the interview, manager said she liked me, hired someone else, she never went back neither, and they hired me, i left also.


This job has the potential to be great, but only if everything goes well. The lens generator at the location I worked at was a constant source of problems. It malfunctioned on a regular basis, and on two occasions, it nearly caught on fire. Even after the district lab manager came to "fix" it, the problems persisted. The lenses it produced were consistently out of tolerance, no matter how many adjustments were made.

The management situation was initially tolerable. However, everything changed when a new general manager was hired. They brought in their best friend as the new lab manager, and the two of them quickly created a toxic work environment. The new general manager was incompetent and had no respect for their employees. They would frequently break equipment on days when I was not there, and then blame me for the damage. They would also talk to their employees in a demeaning manner, and they would constantly repeat prior conversations, making it difficult to have any meaningful discussions with them.

As a result of the new management team, my incentive pay was reduced. The general manager claimed that this was because I was not performing well, but I believe that it was simply a way of punishing me for not being their friend.

Overall, I would not recommend anybody to work at this company. The equipment is unreliable, the management is incompetent, and the work environment is hostile.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Retail sales associate 12 salaries reported	$15.02 per hour
Optical technician 11 salaries reported	$14.59 per hour
Optician 2 salaries reported	$14.50 per hour
General manager 2 salaries reported	$56,250 per year
Optical manager 2 salaries reported	$37,500 per year

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