Do you think I'm correct that my optician shouldn't be charging me for t!
Question: Do you think I'm correct that my optician shouldn't be charging me for this!?
When I got my first pair of contact lenses a few weeks ago, the right lens tore a few minutes into the fitting at the office!. It took a week for a new lens to come in (toric)!. A few days after I was finally wearing the lenses, I called the optician asking if he can order me another brand as I felt that the lenses were shifting constantly (or something) so I wasn't having consistent clear vision!. He told me to go down to the office!. A few minutes later, when I put in my contact lenses, the right lens tore again!. The office is now telling me that they have to charge me $15 for a new pair of toric contact lenses- although it's a (free) trial pair, it costs them shipping!. Never mind that in the same shipment they get other customers' orders too!. They claim that the initial $80 fee that I paid includes only one pair of contact lenses!. I feel that they should be supplying me with a pair from various brands (one at a time) at no charge until we find a pair that is right for me- even if it happened to tear!. I really try to be careful with the lenses so they don't tear- I feel - and hope- that as I become more proficient in putting them in my eye, I won't have problems with them tearing !.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I've never heard of such a thing, ever, from anyone!. There's a reason the contact lens companies provide free samples -- they want you to try, and use, their products!. That's why they often provide giant boxes of samples to keep in-office, and why they'll send you anything you want in next-day delivery shipments!. Last I checked, they're the ones paying for shipping too, so that argument sounds a bit fishy too!.
Frankly, if you were my patient, I wouldn't charge you to re-order another one of those trial lenses, because I wouldn't want to re-order another one!. I'd order you something else (from another company or another brand or whatever) and have you try them -- after all, don't we want you to spend your money at our store on some form of contact lenses!? That $80 should be a "fitting fee" -- feel free to argue that you haven't actually been fit with contact lenses, because if they fit they wouldn't rip!. Threatening to take your business elsewhere, as well as (threatening to) badmouth their reputation, should change their tune pretty quick!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Frankly, if you were my patient, I wouldn't charge you to re-order another one of those trial lenses, because I wouldn't want to re-order another one!. I'd order you something else (from another company or another brand or whatever) and have you try them -- after all, don't we want you to spend your money at our store on some form of contact lenses!? That $80 should be a "fitting fee" -- feel free to argue that you haven't actually been fit with contact lenses, because if they fit they wouldn't rip!. Threatening to take your business elsewhere, as well as (threatening to) badmouth their reputation, should change their tune pretty quick!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
A lens should not normally, even with mildly rough handling, tear!. This isn't something you should be charged for!.
However, to be fair, you have to realize that they ARE spending money on you- by taking time with you instead of other patients!.
Www@Answer-Health@Com
However, to be fair, you have to realize that they ARE spending money on you- by taking time with you instead of other patients!.
Www@Answer-Health@Com
Become a letter writer and complain!. That usually works!. Businesses don't like letter writers and try to settle with them ASAP!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I went through several contact lenses when I first started wearing them and was only charged for the initial fitting!. This does not sound right to meWww@Answer-Health@Com
should be no charge-may need to change office if they will not be responsible and do the right thing!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Yes I think you should be correct because it's not like it's your fault it tore!. It SHOULD be free until it is correct!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I have previously worked in the optics field and we would never consider charging you for trial lenses unless you had tore a dozen or so!. It's all part of the learning process, getting used to handling the c/l's etc!. Some c/l's are thicker than others you might be better off trying one of them!.
Alot of the time the optom wouldn't even be paying shipping costs for these lenses!.
Explain to the manager that you are not happy with the service that you have recieved and request firmly that you be supplied as many trial lenses as necassary until you find one that is right!. If they still don't come to the party tell them that you will be contacting that manufacturer of the c/l's that has torn to advise them that they are charging customers for trial c/l's !. C/L's companies really frown upon this practice!.
Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Alot of the time the optom wouldn't even be paying shipping costs for these lenses!.
Explain to the manager that you are not happy with the service that you have recieved and request firmly that you be supplied as many trial lenses as necassary until you find one that is right!. If they still don't come to the party tell them that you will be contacting that manufacturer of the c/l's that has torn to advise them that they are charging customers for trial c/l's !. C/L's companies really frown upon this practice!.
Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com