Glasses - Have been changed three times, now broken

Saversue

In July I had an eye test and ordered new glasses, varifocals for the first time. Chose Dior frames with polycarbonate lenses. Opticians stated they would change lenses to distance prescription if couldn't get used to varifocals.
Couldn't see with varifacals, so lenses got changed.
Still having problems, so optician did a retest and told me that the pupilary distance may be wrong do to the frames.
Was told to choose a different frame with thinner sides and a smaller lenses, which I did and glasses were remade.
This time couldn't see properly out of left lenses, but right lenses was OK.
Opticians then re glassed left lens using my old prescription.
This was better, but i kept having to get them adjusted as were hurting my nose and ears.
We are now in October, when I chose my Second Free Pair, which actually cost me £89 for the frames because I didn't like any of the free frames available.
Total cost £514.00, so £425.00 for the first pair and £89.00 for the 'free pair'.

Last week the first pair broke. They are Channel and no spare parts are available, as apparently they were old stock and the optician was selling the frames for £99.00.
Whoever supplied the frames to the optician is willing to replace them and pay for re-glazing, but will only cover the price the optican was selling the frames at, which was £99.00.
I paid £200.00 for the original frames and didn't get a refund when the frames were changed.

Does anyone know how I stand legally, when I am being told I will have to pay the difference?
I can only choose Channel or Bvlgari ( thats the range that the supplier will cover and the shop no longer stocks Channel. the cheapest they have are £220 for the frames. So I will have to pay another £120 to get my glasses replaced, which are still under warrranty. That would bring to cost up to £634.00.

Can I ask for my money back as I have had such terrible service,or should I have to pay yet more money?

bcl999

Think I'd contact a proper consumer advice service. Aside from the question about whether frames were "fit for purpose", it's now apparent you were overcharged (i.e £101 difference between original frames and the ones you ended up with).

Saversue

bcl999 wrote: »

Think I'd contact a proper consumer advice service. Aside from the question about whether frames were "fit for purpose", it's now apparent you were overcharged (i.e £101 difference between original frames and the ones you ended up with).

Thanks for the reply.
Opticians told me it would be about a week for them to get the frames in I want to try - had to go looking for them in other shops. Has been a week and still waiting for a phone call. Then I have to sort out the cost. If we can't agree I just might get very cross and got to Trading Standards/CAB, but in the meantime I need some glasses that I can see with?

bcl999

Surpised you've not had better response to your thread.

Good luck with whatever approach you decide to take.

westiea

hi Sue
I am so sorry - :mad: nothing worse than being unable to see properly - i completely sympathise!
I would have thought however

Whoever supplied the frames to the optician is willing to replace them and pay for re-glazing, but will only cover the price the optican was selling the frames at, which was £99.00.

is totally irrelevant and that the owness is on the supplying optician to replace like for like - and if your Chanel glasses are no longer made that is not your problem but your original supplier - ie. your optician. I also think that if this is not possible then an alternative to the value you paid for them would be correct.
I would advise a trip to CABS as a first port of call - they will be able to advise you of your rights as previous poster mentioned.
Good luck in your endeavour.

mudgekin

Hi Sue

You have my sympathies. I had a similar bad experience with a new pair of varifocals where we ended up changing the frames after the first pair didn't work. OFC I chose a more expensive pair than the first but it was the only frame I liked that was within the width range that they suggested. My issue was that I couldn't read at all with them. My first pair of varifocals had been perfect from the day I put them on so the excuse of having to get used to them didn't really sit well.

I persevered with the first pair for 2 weeks, went back, chose the new frames and had another eye test, got the new pair and I still couldn't read. Had another eye test , each test was a different optician, got the frames reglazed with the 3rd prescription. I still couldnt read.

Fortunately this was a local optician and they ended up determined to get me a pair of varifocals that worked. I think it was because my original pair was from Optical Express and they decided that they should be able to do a better job. Eventually we got a pair that suited, I did however have to forego a bit of sharpness in my distance vision. It seems that there was an extreme difference in the gradiant.

I do think you have been very shabbily treated regarding the price differential and the overcharging and for that reason alone it may be work speaking to CAB

Saversue

bcl999 wrote: »

Surpised you've not had better response to your thread.

Good luck with whatever approach you decide to take.

westiea wrote: »

hi Sue
I am so sorry - :mad: nothing worse than being unable to see properly - i completely sympathise!
I would have thought however

is totally irrelevant and that the owness is on the supplying optician to replace like for like - and if your Chanel glasses are no longer made that is not your problem but your original supplier - ie. your optician. I also think that if this is not possible then an alternative to the value you paid for them would be correct.
I would advise a trip to CABS as a first port of call - they will be able to advise you of your rights as previous poster mentioned.
Good luck in your endeavour.

mudgekin wrote: »

Hi Sue

You have my sympathies. I had a similar bad experience with a new pair of varifocals where we ended up changing the frames after the first pair didn't work. OFC I chose a more expensive pair than the first but it was the only frame I liked that was within the width range that they suggested. My issue was that I couldn't read at all with them. My first pair of varifocals had been perfect from the day I put them on so the excuse of having to get used to them didn't really sit well.

I persevered with the first pair for 2 weeks, went back, chose the new frames and had another eye test, got the new pair and I still couldn't read. Had another eye test , each test was a different optician, got the frames reglazed with the 3rd prescription. I still couldnt read.

Fortunately this was a local optician and they ended up determined to get me a pair of varifocals that worked. I think it was because my original pair was from Optical Express and they decided that they should be able to do a better job. Eventually we got a pair that suited, I did however have to forego a bit of sharpness in my distance vision. It seems that there was an extreme difference in the gradiant.

I do think you have been very shabbily treated regarding the price differential and the overcharging and for that reason alone it may be work speaking to CAB

Thank you for replying, I am surprises at the poor response as you stated. but good replies.
Ranf opticians today as have been waiting for a call about the new frames I asked them to get in to try.
Response was the frames are coming from Italy and have been held up as a result of the Volcano - you couldn't make it up!
Can't believe there are No Frames already in this country, as I have seen them in another shop. The saga continues