Vision Express Refund

michael1965

Hi,
A couple of weeks ago I took the plunge and decided to get some varifocal glasses, I had my prescription done in boots, then I took that to Vision Express and bought a £100 pair of frames and a £275 pair of varifocal lenses (no idea what they're called as I was just told that it can go upto over £500, but I was given a specific price of £275 for the lenses agreed upon (no information on different types of VF lenses or prices on their website – very poor)). Anyway, I told them I was a free-lance website designer and that I wanted the glasses so I could read, see distances and work on the computer without constantly changing glasses. The price was agreed, so I paid (interest free credit) and went home. 10 days later I called and was told that my main pair had arrived but that my free second pair had arrived with a broken lense (I only look out of 1 eye so we agreed there would be 1 VF lense in each pair of glasses). I left the sjop and put on my glasses, I've had them on for 3 days now; they're great for watching TV, and I can read (though the reading bit is quite narrow) but the compter 'hotspot' is like a fisheye lense, it only gives clear focus on 5 words wide and 1 line high – basically the size of a fag, not much use when I have to look at whole pages of code. So using the computer with these glasses on is impossible. Because the clear area is so small I have to move my head when using the PC which causes nausiating distortion on the word at each side of and above and below the words I'm reading, also, the edge of the screen leans one way then the next as I move my head from left to right, and also the PC hotspot is so low on the lens that I have to tilt my head way back. They're completely useless to me.

I haven't been back to the shop yet, as I'm sure they'll say that I should give them time, which is why I'm going in tomorrow. The glasses are no use to me, and I'm going to ask for my money back, but I'm pretty sure that have a no refund policy.

The date on the Credit agreement letter is 19th November, presumably I can cancel up until 3rd December?

Uncertain

I've used varifocals for many years and took to them very easily. I just opted for the most basic lenses available.

However, a few years back when my glasses needed changing I was persuaded to have more upmarket lenses (much more expensive but nowhere near your costs) and experienced many of the problems you have encountered, but maybe not quite as severe. In the end I downgraded and got a partial refund. This solved the problem

What is very important is exactly where the glasses sit, particularly if the lenses are quite small. A small adjustment can make a huge difference. It may be worth having this double checked.

Like you I use a computer for lots of detailed work. I sit well back from my iMac screen so use the middle part of the lenses a lot.

Pretty much all opticians seem to offer an opt out for first time varifocals as not everybody can take to them.

Although you have a perfect right to take your prescription to a different optician (as you did) it does make it more difficult if there is a problem as one will tend to blame the other.

Finally, the prices you mention are huge. I've never paid anything like that much!

michael1965

I've tried all positions, but the VDU hotspot is just far too small to be usefull.

BY THE WAY. I checked the credit agreement (which was actually taken out by my partner) and they listed a proof of ID as 'Full UK Driving Licence' which she doesn't even possess!!