Can I Get A Refund On New Glasses ?

[CW1]

Hi,

Bought varifocals, as recommended by the opticians, but just can't get on with them. I've had occupational varifocals in the past (for a specific job that I don't do now) & had no problems. These ones are giving me headaches & I can't use the PC or my phone without straining. The manager at the opticians says I should persevere with them as it can take up to 3 months for my eyes to adjust (!). One problem is the distortion zone, if I look very slightly to the left or right, eg. when typing, it's totally blurred tho' I paid for lenses with a minimal distortion zone. Manager says I need to turn my head but to me that's crazy, that just isn't practical for the job I do.

This is an optician I've never used before & I'm not confident they've got the prescription right. I want to give these up & go back to the optician I've used before & have faith in.

Can I return these for a refund, or am I obliged to go with their advice & either persevere (don't feel that's an option) or get occupational varifocals / separate glasses for reading & distance ?

[Bobbisox1]

They may refuse because of the work already carried out CW ,

[dannyk13]

Goods supplied must be fit for purpose and it sound like yours are probably not.
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/consumer-rights-act

[spathiphyllum]

You shouldn't have to adjust to glasses, they should be suitable for your eye sight.

I would follow the not fit for purpose route and I would bring this up with the manager.

Has it been 14 days? That's why they want you to wait months! so that they're not liable and you have no options.

[bednobs]

are they a high street store? Most would probably give you a refund if you asked

[beso]

They have not supplied a fit for purpose product. If they refuse to cooperate, take up a position outside their premises and share you experience with everyone who who will listen.

[237SJ]

I`m not sure they are unfit for purpose. I`m in the same position (or might be soon) I am awaiting some vari focals purely for reading and I was told by the optician that you have to turn your head in the direction that you are looking at rather than just turning your eyes. That seems to be the norm with them and they take some getting used to.

[ummmm]

Spath - wrong, you are advised that adjusting to varifocals can take a few months.

I use Specsavers and I was given 3 months and if I didn't get on with them they would swap them for standard lenses for no extra cost.

[237SJ]

Thanks for that tip Ummmm. That's where I`m getting mine from so I know what to do if I don`t get on with them!

[CW1]

That's what concerns me, Bobbisox1, they weren't cheap & would obviously be useless to anyone else.

It's been longer than 14 days but they told me I had 28 days to change them for something else, including separate pairs where a 2nd pair would be half price (& would still cheaper than what I've already paid). I s'pose giving that option infers they're prepared to lose some of what I've paid.

They're not one of the recognisable shops, I'd never heard of them, but they do have other branches.

Well, consensus seems to be to get a refund, thanks. The manager's SO persuasive tho' ...

[Bobbisox1]

In that case CW, stick to your guns, the best way forward is not to be angry/ aggressive just tell the persuasive manager, they're not for you and would like your money back-please
Best of luck

[hc4361]

Where did you buy them from, CW1? It would be useful to look at their policies, terms and conditions but in any event you are entitled to a full refund or alternate glasses of equivalent value. They are not fit for purpose.

I have been wearing varifocals for years and do not have to turn my head to read. I have no distortion lines nor am I aware of the different zones - they just work.

I have bought them from large High St opticians and local independents and they have all given me a 'trial period' that allows me to swap them to a pair of readers and a pair of distance glasses. I'm lucky in that I have always adjusted to them within two or three days.

As you are getting headaches and eyestrain these glasses are not fit for purpose. Be insistent that they remedy the situation.

[CW1]

237SJ, really ? Even using a keyboard ? I'd get neck ache ! And I have to get in some very tight spaces in my job, can't be worrying that I can turn my head in just the right position ! Makes the bottom left & right in the lenses redundant.

They offered me 3 different lenses, with varying degrees of distortion left & right. I went for the most expensive, with least distortion, but can only see out of a tiny bit, & even that not clearly, which is why I'm wondering if the prescription's right.

[CW1]

hc4361, the manager asked me if I felt queasy or like I was going to vomit. I said no as I'd take them off before that happened ! He told me his own wife had, but she did - eventually ! - adjust.

[CW1]

And I've looked for t&cs, couldn't find any.

[hc4361]

Tell us the name of the company - it is allowed :)

[ummmm]

My sisters varifocals made her feel sick.

[ladybirder]

CW1, if all else fails, go to an Asda optician where you will get varifocals, with thinned lenses all in for £110. They are excellent.

https://opticians.asda.com/info/our-complete-price-on-glasses

[hc4361]

Asda can't make lenses to my prescription - too complex, apparently, which would put me off recommending them to anyone.

[ladybirder]

How odd hc. I wonder why. They told me they used the same people to make them as all the high street companies but didn't mark them up anywhere near as much as the others. Mine used to cost me around £600-£700 before I read Which's recommendation.

[hc4361]

Tesco couldn't do them either, when they had their own opticians. Maybe they are too expensive for their price bracket, so they could no longer claim to sell them for x amount.