Don’t Like Your Glasses
If you’ve recently purchased a new pair of eyeglasses and, after wearing them for a few days, decide you don’t like them for one reason or another, you do have options. Here’s what to do when you don’t like your new glasses.
No-Hassle Refunds and Replacements
Usually, an optical store will offer a refund or replacement for the following reasons:
- There’s a manufacturer defect such as a frame that breaks. They will be replaced or your money will be refunded.
- The prescription is clearly wrong, due to a mistake in how your eyes were measured or the in how the lenses were made. An optical store is obligated to provide you with lenses that meet the exact specifications of your prescription.
A reputable optical store will have no problem giving you a replacement due to defects because eyewear manufactures have a reputation to maintain and will stand behind their products.
However, if the lenses or frames have been obviously abused or have been in an accident, neither the manufacturer nor the seller has any obligation to provide replacements. You can, however purchase insurance or a warranty plan from many optical stores at the time of your purchase.
It’s a good idea to let your eye doctor have a look at your new eyeglasses to check the lenses for accuracy. If there’s been a mistake, have the doctor give you a written explanation of exactly what’s wrong so you can have the store remake the lenses. Naturally, there would be no charge to you.
If the prescription has been made correctly but you are still having problems seeing properly, your eye doctor should recheck your eyes and modify the prescription, if necessary. Most optical stores won’t charge you for the first lens remake, if the doctor adjusts the prescription.
If you have a specific eye problem or medical conditions that cause your vision to change constantly, ask the optical store how many times they will remake your lenses at no charge and under what conditions.
I Just Don’t Like My New Glasses
Many optical stores offer satisfaction guarantees and will replace the glasses, offer a full refund or a store credit if you have a complaint about the way your glasses look on you. This would be an option within a certain time frame – typically one to four weeks from the date of purchase.
Common complaints are:
- The glasses are too heavy, causing them to constantly slip down your nose
- The frames are unflattering
- You’ve simply made a poor style choice
Optical store policies can differ widely so your success in exchanging eyeglasses or getting a refund will depend on where you bought them. That’s why it pays to ask questions about a store’s refund policies before you buy.
Staff members often look for ways to help with any problems you have after the sale. If the frames simply don’t fit properly, a minor adjustment may be all it takes to correct the problem.
However, if, for instance, the glasses are too heavy, staff may be able to suggest a lighter-weight frame or lens. In that case, you would only pay the difference, if any, between the cost of the original frames or lenses and the new ones.
They may also suggest putting existing lenses into a different style of frames that suit you better. Again, you would only pay the difference, if any, between the original frames and the new ones.
