I ordered 1.74 lenses for a -20 /-17 prescription and they gave me 1.64, what to!
Question: I ordered 1.74 lenses for a -20 /-17 prescription and they gave me 1.64, what to do?
Due to my unusual high prescription of -17 and -20, I went to a place and ordered glasses in 1.74 to replace my old 1.67 pair. They charged my credit card and took my prescription, and said that should take a month or so because they would use an external lab. I went to get the glasses,t the lenses are as thick as my previous pair. The woman didn't say a word....I asked her " aren't these the 1.74?. She replied saying that the lab didn't have the 1.74 so they made in 1.67. I was speechless. just took the order that was paid a month ago, and left very upset. I got home and kept thinking that nobody called me to give me the opportunity to accept or cancel the order. Should I tell them to get me what I asked for or return it? But do these place accept returns for prescriptions?
Answers:
Usually when the lab doesn't have something, they call the place and ask "is 1.67 okay or do you want to cancel the order". It seems there was some missing communication on their end, or they decided to make that decision on your behalf without asking you. Either way, you didn't get what you paid for.
If you went in and asked "can I return these", they'd probably say "no", but if you go in and say "You charged me for 1.74, you gave me 1.67 without asking, so either get me 1.74 from another supplier or give me my money back" you'd probably get somewhere with that. If they give you a hard time, tell them you're going to complain to the opticians/optometrists regulatory board but you'd like them to try and fix the problem themselves first.
I'm an optometrist.
If you didn't get what you ordered, you should return them for a full refund. If they won't refund, ask them for the address of their licensing body (they are required to tell you) and make a complaint.
With that Rx you know your lenses will still be thick no matter what. The difference in index would likely be negligible anyway, so if you can get a refund for the difference in cost that would be a reasonable request if you actually like the glasses. However,they should have called you with any changes to the order to let you know what you were expecting wasn't available. If you don't feel comfortable with them now, make a big deal about it and demand either what you ordered or give you your money back. Problem is, now you won't know if you got what you ordered a second time around, as they can easily say it is and you really can't verify that it is true.
If they will give you the difference back or even a bigger discount then take it if you like the glasses, the aggravation will be less and you'll still have your glasses and in the end the thickness may not even be noticeably different. Just remember that next time and try another place.
A month is along time to wait, a week or so would be reasonable to expect. Sounds like the place you went to has personnel that isn't really very knowledgeable in your type of lens other than to use high index, but not to assure the final outcome is as cosmetically appealing as possible for you. I might be a little leary myself.
A couple of factors can make the new lenses just as thick as the old, even with thinner materials. If the Rx increased and if the frame size was even a little bit bigger than the old one that can make a difference and will still be thinner than other conventional lens materials.