Mis-sold lenses for spectacles?

[peteb]

Went into store and asked a well known high street opticians if they were prepared to glaze a pair of spectacles I was proposing to buy on line. The make, size, description was advised to them. Opticians said yes no problem. So paid £90 for lenses. Lenses arrived.

Took in frames. Optician refused to glaze frames owing to them being "reading glasses" and although lenses specially ordered to fit these frames they won't do it. So they have my £90 lenses plus my frames which I bought separately. They told me I can choose a pair of glasses from their store or take the lenses elsewhere.

What redress do I have? The frames are mine. The lenses are mine because they're paid for.

Can I reject the lenses as being mis-sold as the opticians are refusing to fit them? Can I ask for a £90 refund? It appears to be their error not mine.

Any consumer or legal advice gratefully received.

 

[Trackman]

I don't understand this 'reading glasses frame' bit. A frame is a frame, end of. I have short-sighted and varifocal glasses, when I pick a pair it doesn't matter.
I'd be going back and demanding my money back, surely you must be protected legally, but if it's a reputable high street company I'm sure their customer services team will sort it out.

 

[Ediswan]

I don't understand this 'reading glasses frame' bit. A frame is a frame, end of.

Some non-prescription reading glasses use very low quaility frames.

 

[Buzby]

Clearly they want to sell you frames (as the profit margin for those is far in excess of the lenses). Not many opticians have in-house optical workshops, it is contracted out and the supplier fits the lenses to the frame and return it to the optician for final fitting - usually wire bending or using hot air gun to mould the legs for the best fit.

i used to source (unknowingly) bad frames made of polycarbonate and got an optical workshop local to me to grind the lenses and fit them for me - a retail shop would not do this. My multicoloured frames were cool, but they were originally for sunglasses - but within 6 months use the frames cracked and the lenses fell out due to the polycarbonate not being strong enough to take the stresses of daily use.

Your issue will depend on how well your optician knew what you wanted to do. SOGA does not apply here as glasses with prescription lenses are bespoke and customised so outwith the act. Did the optician see the frame before ordering the lenses? When I had a medical condition I had 3 sets of lenses placed in the original frame as there was no need to change it but you negotiate this in advance.

in your situation I would pay for the lenses - making sure they are correct for your vision, then go to an independent workshop to make the lenses fit the frame you have. It may be worthwhile showing them the frame and asking if they can reglaze using the lenses you have.

 

[Trackman]

Some non-prescription reading glasses use very low quaility frames.

you mean those cheap things you see in shops, like for £5 or whatever?

 

[peteb]

you mean those cheap things you see in shops, like for £5 or whatever?

No the frames were £30. I've had other frames reglazed in the past (sunglasses). Incidentally they are of the polycarbonate type but then so were my sunglasses!

 

[Ediswan]

you mean those cheap things you see in shops, like for £5 or whatever?

Yes, though £5 is by no means as low as you can get. The hinges usually go first.

 

[ricoblade]

Not a refusal but one of the High Street opticiancs got very grumpy with me when I wanted them to fit my new lenses (from them) in my existing (very expensive) frames.

They said "It's at your own risk as the frames might break" and didn't tell me how much extra they were going to charge me for the privelege until the final bill.

Suffice it to say when they sent the feedback link through, they got both barrels.

 

[Buzby]

Suffice it to say when they sent the feedback link through, they got both barrels.

Why? They were asked to complete a job they had no control over - the fact your frames were ‘very expensive’ is no indication of suitability. If the frames failed (ie broke) when the lenses were applied you would be unhappy but would not be entitled to a replacement. Alternatively if the High Street firm provided both and the frame and it failed, they would have to suck it up and supply a replacement at their cost, not yours.

 

[david1212]

Too late now but in future send your prescription, frame and and a pair of glasses fitted to you to one of the online reglazing companies e.g. Reglaze Glasses Direct The old glasses are needed to determine your fitting.
Back in a few days and much cheaper e.g. £60 for lenses that would be £200 on the high street.

 

[Crossover]

Why? They were asked to complete a job they had no control over - the fact your frames were ‘very expensive’ is no indication of suitability. If the frames failed (ie broke) when the lenses were applied you would be unhappy but would not be entitled to a replacement. Alternatively if the High Street firm provided both and the frame and it failed, they would have to suck it up and supply a replacement at their cost, not yours.

I read the post from the point of view of the ire was directed at the final bill not being what was expected