RIPPED OFF by Lenscrafters!

Discussion in 'Optometry Archives' started by Ron M., Aug 28, 2003.

  1. Ron M.

    Ron M. Guest

    I've always had my prescriptions and glasses done at Lenscrafters, and
    they've always been absolutely, spot-on with the accuracy of their
    prescriptions and grinding. We've spent thousands of dollars there
    over the years on glasses for myself and my family, and never been
    even slightly disappointed.

    Until now.

    About a year and a half ago, I bought some bifocals at LC, same place
    we always went. I got a second pair just to use with my computer at
    work. This was a pair of single vision glasses made specifically to
    focus at 24 inches, the distance to my computer monitor. They were
    pure heaven; no head-tilting are straining, the monitor was just razor
    sharp.

    These were Featerwates with the Duralens scratch resistant coating. I
    take very good care of my glasses, keep them in cases, clean them
    using eyeglass cleaner, etc.

    Now, the coating is peeling off. On my "main" glasses, it has peeled
    off about 1/8" around the ENTIRE circumference of BOTH lenses, and in
    streaks reaching all the way to the center of the lens.

    On my computer glasses, which I ONLY use a few hours a day in my
    office, and which are placed in a protective case in the desk drawer
    otherwise, the coating also peeled off - again, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch,
    around the entire circumference of both lenses.

    And this after only a year and a half!! I emailed LC and received a
    reply that since they were over a year old, this was considered
    "normal wear and tear." Good GRIEF! My prescription is very stable,
    and I normally wear glasses 3 to 5 years before replacing them. So
    it's "normal" for the coating to peel off after just A YEAR AND A
    HALF???!!! I mean, as my teenage daughter says, "HELLO?"

    I suggested that perhaps the technician had applied the coating at the
    wrong temperature, or didn't let it cool off enough, or something of
    that nature. OBVIOUSLY this was a serious defect.

    He "understood my frustration," however, and to appease my feelings,
    he mailed me (snail mail) a $100-off coupon, the SAME coupon you see
    in the Sunday paper, or can even print off their web page.
    Whoopity-do. To twist the knife, it came in a big 9" X 12" envelope
    packed with brochures, booklets and advertising.

    Do they REALLY expect me to go back down there and blow $600 on
    another pair of glasses (two), assuming it's "normal" for the
    coatings to peel off after just 18 months? "I don't think so, Tim."

    I'm not sure that it will serve any useful purpose to post this
    message, other than to let off steam. Sigh.

    Ron M.
    Austin, Texas
     
    Ron M., Aug 28, 2003
    #1
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  2. Ron M.

    Mark A Guest

    There are several types of AR coating. The standard coating applied by many
    in-store labs is quite fragile is does not last very long. One and half
    years life span is not unusual for this kind of coating.

    The other type is a much more durable coating (such as Crizal) applied at
    certain optical labs. There are also some good factory applied coatings by
    the other lens manufacturers for their lenses (Sola, Seiko, etc.). Crizal
    may not be available for all lenses and is not typically used by the chain
    stores like Lenscrafters.

    One advantage of the cheap coatings is that they can sometimes be stripped
    and reapplied (or not reapplied). You might ask them about that (but you
    would have to pay for a new coating if you wanted it reapplied). If you keep
    your lenses for 5 years then you should use a product like Crizal or not use
    an AR coating at all. 5 years many be a stretch for any coating, even
    Crizal. Also, polycarbonate tends to not last as long as other materials due
    to scratching.

    One more thing. Just because the optical shop gives you a case for your
    glasses, does not mean that the case will not damage the coating. No case
    remains perfectly clean for the life of the lens, and most of them use
    synthetic material for the lining that is not suitable for cleaning a lens
    (such as cotton) and therefore is capable of scratching the coating.
     
    Mark A, Aug 28, 2003
    #2
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  3. (Ron M.) wrote in
    Don't email lens crafters about this. Drag yourself into the shop where
    you bought the lenses, and ask them nicely if they can help you. After
    all, its THAT shop that prepped your glasses, that shop you would go to to
    get new glasses, and that shop that would be profiting off that sale.

    FWIW, even if they choose not to help you, you are not being "RIPPED OFF".
    You might not be satisfied, and you might even be justified, but you're not
    being robbed.

    Also, I've been told by a friend in the business that they consider the
    expected life of a set of glasses to be two years.

    Scott
     
    Scott Seidman, Aug 28, 2003
    #3
  4. It's the frames that are expected to last two years. I've had plenty of
    frames last plenty longer, though.
     
    Scott Seidman, Aug 28, 2003
    #4
  5. <snip>

    Gee. I do not even get coatings on my glasses. I expect coatings applied
    cold, as I think the must be on plastic substrates, to have adhesion
    problems.

    Ask them if they are willing to strip and recoat the lenses. The plastic
    polymers are probably very resistant to chemicals that would be used to
    strip the coating. But I am not sure of that.

    Bill
     
    Repeating Decimal, Aug 28, 2003
    #5
  6. Some users (or rather abusers) have a hard time getting two years out of
    any frame. If you're inactive, have non-acidic skin secretions, and
    meticulously remove your glasses with two hands, even an inexpensive frame
    might last a long time.

    Are any frames warranteed for more than two years?

    Scott
     
    Scott Seidman, Aug 28, 2003
    #6
  7. Ron M.

    Ron M. Guest

    Sigh.. are some people just totally clueless? I said it was the
    SCRATCH-RESISTANT coating, not the "anti-reflection" coating. Their
    regular "Duralens" stuff. I'm quite aware of the problems with AR
    coatings.

    Sorry, try again...
    Ron M.
     
    Ron M., Aug 29, 2003
    #7
  8. Ron M.

    The Real Bev Guest

    I would regard a pair of glasses that lasted less than four or five years
    as a ripoff -- I've bought only the cheapest frames (maybe expensive
    closeouts, but unlikely) and have had no problems.

    SOMETIMES you get what you pay for, but mostly you don't.
     
    The Real Bev, Aug 31, 2003
    #8
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