u/Emotional_Yellow_631

I love Robert's content. I think it's informative and entertaining. But always felt like I already know what I like. I have an obscene number of frames and I am pretty sure I like what I like and know what I like. And even though he's excellent, I never felt like he or anyone could teach me something that would change the way I think about glasses and frames. I came across his online shop and purchased a pair of Masunagas and texted him to ask if he could get a different pair of Masunagas that I haven't been able to find in years. I see them on social media on Japanese and European sites, but no one in the Us ever has them. Robert came back a few days later and said he found them. It's crazy because no one in any store from LA to Chicago to New York has been able to find them. Robert did.

He then asked me if I wanted him to do the lenses too to which I replied, no, I'll take them to my guy who's been doing my glasses for over 15 years. He said he could probably recommend something different for me. He said he specializes in tints. I responded, I have a corporate job and tinted lenses won't work in that environment. I can’t be looking like I am going to a club at work. But as I have lots of glasses, I said, ok, give it a shot. I sent him one picture of me, front and sides. When I received my frames, I was amazed. The frames are this light browning and he added the most amazing brownish tint, very subtle, almost not there. But they looked beautiful. They are subtle enough I can wear to work and I love them. They even seem to sooth my eyes, protecting me from the computer glare.  And I am not sure what brand lenses I got, but they are suer clear and have no distortions at the corners. None at all. But the most amazing thing about this journey, wasn't that he sourced a pair of impossible to get frames, and not that he recommended the most beautiful tint, not that he provided the most clear glasses I've ever had- it was that he actually fitted my frames with a perfect fit and he did from a freaking picture! I have a funny high bridge nose and one ear higher than the other and have a difficult time getting glasses to fit properly. He gave me a better fit than I ever had. What a great experience with The Spectacle Factory and Robert and his team, not to mention how polite, and kind and responsive they were during the whole process. If you want a new look, try Robert's consolations.  What I paid for mt frames we well worth every single penny. Today, he found another pair impossible to get frames for me. He’s amazing. 

I Love Japanese and Japanese inspired frames and always admired Tetsuya Okada, the owner, frequently following him on social media and his store. His store focused on independent Japanese brands and I loved that about his shop and have always understood Japan to be the premier destination for high-end, artisan crafted eyewear where handmade frames are perfected.

 In particular, I love the small round and iconic Japanese and Japanese inspired brands made in Europe and Asia, many of which are difficult to get in the U.S. like Eyevan, Yuichi Toyama, Kame Mannen, Kaneko, Masanuga, Matsuda, etc.  So I made it a bucket list adventure to visit Globe Specs and a few other Japanese glasses stores.  I visited Eyeware Mebius in Jinnan, Oh My Glasses in Chuo City, and a few more wonderful places and picked up 5 beautiful frames, including some hard to find Lunor and Gernot Lindner frames.

My experiences with those stores were wonderful. The only one where I was disappointed was Globe Specs run by Okada San.  While I found the Globe Specs staff to be kind and respectful, Tetsuya Okada was rude and obnoxious, self-centered and mean. He hardly looked at me even though I was prepared to spend over $3,000 in frames (which I promptly returned to their places after his snub). He refused to answer any of my questions and continually pushed me off to his staff.  Turning his back on me, he snarled please stop asking me questions, that’s what these people are for.  These people?  Huh I though that was an insult to them, as well as to me. He then walked away and didn’t even say goodbye. His staff totally relaxed when he left the room. They seem to be afraid of him. I’ll just say if you visit Globe Specs, take this store off your list. The good thing is I found all the frames I needed at the other stores.  I think Tetsuya is more interested in world travel than taking care of his customers who make the travel possible.

If you are a glasses enthusiast, you must take a trip to Japan. It’s where high-end, hand made ,independent frames can be found in abundance. But leave Globe Specs off you list. It was a horrible experience.