Bifocals, the sequel aka Is it all Lenscrafters, or just mine?

[Mrs. Bradbury]

So I asked a while ago about bifocals for my husband and I. With our tax refund we got eye exams ($20 each) and new glasses. I was leaning toward going with a fairly new, local business but my husband wanted to go back to Lenscrafters. I guess he thought we would still be able to get our glasses in under an hour, which is definitely nice.

However, the more I think about our experience the more irritated I am. My husband's appointment was before me, and by the time I got out he had already picked out the frames and they had written up the order. Rather, he had his frames picked out for him by the girl "helping" him. I didn't particularly like the frames he showed me, but I figure it's his head and his choice so I didn't say anything. Before going in I said, "Make sure they don't dialate your eyes!" because we had had this done at our last appointment. Well, after the fact I found out that a) he did let them dialate his eyes, rendering him unable to see properly to pick out frames, and b) the girl picked out what she thought would look good on him because he couldn't see. Once I came out and was "helped" by this girl, I couldn't get mad with my husband because she tried her best to steamroll me as well. There were no other clients in there, and she pushed and pushed me until I finally told her I wanted some time to look at the frame selection by myself. All the glasses she chose for me were well over $200 - my husband's turned out to be ~$230! After I asked her to give me some time alone, I realized what was bothering me (besides her ) - there were very few frames to choose from. Of the frames there were, many were repeats. I asked her about this and she hemmed and hawed and I finally said, "Look, I've been coming here for years, and this whole wall used to be filled with women's frames, I'm not imagining it!" Her reply was that she couldn't get "them" to send a larger variety of glasses. So anyway, I settled on a pair of frames that I didn't particularly like but it's what they had, and my husband and I chose expanded progressive thin (can't remember what that is called) lenses with anti-glare - I was not going to get anti-glare but it was a package, so cheaper than not getting it - and together our glasses were ~$940 - supposedly with 30% off the total cost of each pair! And because of the prescription she said they would not be done today, that it would take 7 - 10 working days. So now we're waiting to get them.

After we left I realized that where there is usually a bunch of people bustling around back in the lab making glasses, the (glass) wall was covered up with something and I don't think there was a soul in the lab. On a weekday afternoon. I always have gone there after work and lab staff have always been there working, lots of them.

Now that we have to wait days for our glasses, there's really no reason for us to go back to Lenscrafters.

I also think they inflate the prices when they have a 30% off sale, so that it's the same prices as if they weren't having a sale. But that's just my gut instinct.

All of this to say, is something up with Lenscrafters or is it just the store in our area?

 

[wdwfan16]

I will go with "just the store in your area".

DH and I both got new glasses earlier this month. Mine at LC and DH's someplace else. I had many frames to choose from. I was not pressured and picked out my own frames. Then I want to the person and placed the order. DH went somewhere else because he thought that LC overcharges. He got his the week before mine.

The final cost for each was $10 apart. Mine had to be sent out because I need special blanks with the right BC. They had blanks for me but no in my BC. The lady next to me was told her order would be ready in one hour. Mine were ready 5 days later.

ETA: We go to an Eye Dr. and do get our eyes dilated. We pick out the glasses at another time.

 

[msmayor]

We always get our glasses at LensCrafters because that's where our vision insurance pays the best benefits. My recent pair of no-line bifocals would have retailed for almost $700, but with my benefits they only cost about $125.

To my knowledge, they never do bifocals in an hour. They only advertise 'most' can be done in an hour. Quite honestly, I wouldn't want them to rush the bifocals...I want them done right.

As for the dilation, that one is all on your DH. They can't force you to have it, and he must have allowed himself to get talked into having it done. Once that happened, I probably would have said "Let's wait until tomorrow/another day to come back and select frames".

 

[anabelle]

Wow, I don't feel so bad now. I just got Progressive lens with anti-glare coating at my Kaiser facility for $200. We have always gone to Lenscrafters in the past because we had no benefits and they give the best discount with AAA.


I agree with picking out frames before you get your eyes dilated. The frames I picked out were a bit large for me and I couldn't tell because I couldn't see well.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm 60 - and have been wearing glasses since grade school.. (Vey, very bad vision..) When I was in my 40's, I "graduated" to bifocals.. Sigh..

Over the years, I have been to every eye glass place available in the tri-city area I live in and Lenscrafter's have been the best - hands down.. Of course my glasses are never ready in "an hour" - because it's a very strong and complicated lense package..

Whenever possible, I don't even get new frames.. If I have a second pair of glasses, one gets left with them to put the new lenses in.. If I need new frames, I ask them right up front to direct me to the least expensive frames that they have, tell them I need time to decide on what I want, and then slowly work my way "up" to the frames I like best..

It sounds to me like the problem was "just" your particular store.. And as a PP said, the dialation was something your DH agreed to - so you can't really hold them responsible.. Ditto for him going ahead and agreeing with the pushy sales girl..

Sorry you had such a bad experience.. If you have your scripts, perhaps you could send away to Zenni optical for "extra" glasses and then the next time you need new ones, leave whichever pairs you like best with them to be sent out..

I really do understand your frustration though.. Glasses sure aren't the "inexpensive" item that they used to be!!

 

[dolfinjuls]

Well my husband is a lab manager at a LensCrafters. I'll say that most glasses at his store are still made in an hour or about an hour. Only very difficult prescriptions or certain materials or combos are special orders. But I have noticed in his store that the selection has definitely went down. I work at an independent optometrists office w/ an optical and I think our selection is much larger! haha

 

[pixie921]

I'm not a LensCrafters fan. I tried to get a pair of rimless glasses a couple of years ago, and they kept cracking at the drill points. They remade them 3 times over the course of several months, and finally I got so irritated with having to return over and over that I just got my money back.

We haven't gone back since -- I just don't want to go through that again.

 

[FozzieFan]

I used to swear by Lenscrafters... in fact I got my last pair of glasses there in August. All they had were designer frames... which ok I had D&G frames last times so I'm not totally against designer labels. I wear my glasses all the time, I don't have the patience for contacts unless I'm on vacation and want to wear sunglasses. Anywho, when picking from the very expensive frames the only ones I liked turned out to be PRADA... I got them, saying to myself that I'll keep them for years, simply changing my lenses as needed (prescription hasn't really changed in years). Well my dog had another idea because she thought they looked tasty one morning in December while I was in the shower.

Everyone I knew told me to go to costco for my replacement. First I went back to Lenscrafters, they offered to replace my glasses for half price $390, which is about what I payed originally with my insurance discount. Then I went to costco and was AMAZED by the cute frame selection they had there. I think the most expensive frames were $120. I picked out a pair of Bulova frames, with lenses and anti glare and the total came out to $125. Long story short, I'll only go to costco for my glasses from now on!

 

[2Eskiedogs]

I try to keep my frames for a couple years if they can get lenses to fit. I usually pick out my own frames and the boys, and try to keep them under $130. Usually try to have a coupon for them, we go to Shopko Optical. Our school does scrip, so I can usually put $5 down and run to school to buy gift cards for shopko to apply to my bill.

It seems like we(I) pick out the same frames. The last 2 pair of glasses my DS(11) got had a 2 year frame warrenty on them. Helped out a lot with him breaking his glasses at school.

 

[buzz5985]

My DF always swore by Lenscrafter - I took him to BJ's for his last set of new glasses. He loves the work BJ's did, and for half the price.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Lenscrafters can't do my Rx in an hour either. It's not their fault. I need strange lenses apparently. They can do dd's in an hour, each time.

I really like Lenscrafters. Sometimes I can't find frames that I like. So then I go to PearleVision. (owned by the same company)

 

[Tina]

I used to go to Lenscrafters and hated them. Not for the prices or selection, but for their scheduling methods. They would book a ton of people in the same time slot and it was like playing musical chairs. Call your name, go take this test, now go back and sit in the waiting area. Wait 20 minutes. Call your name again, go take another test, now go back and sit in the waiting area again. It was ridiculous. The last time I went, my "appointment" took well over THREE HOURS. I never went back.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

My DF always swore by Lenscrafter - I took him to BJ's for his last set of new glasses. He loves the work BJ's did, and for half the price.

Do they do exams there or do you have to bring in a script? They are having a good deal at our BJs and my dd and I both need glasses and sunglasses.

 

[Melrosgirl]

BJ's Wholesale doesn't do exams where I live.

 

[wdwfan16]

I used to go to Lenscrafters and hated them. Not for the prices or selection, but for their scheduling methods. They would book a ton of people in the same time slot and it was like playing musical chairs. Call your name, go take this test, now go back and sit in the waiting area. Wait 20 minutes. Call your name again, go take another test, now go back and sit in the waiting area again. It was ridiculous. The last time I went, my "appointment" took well over THREE HOURS. I never went back.

The dr and store are two different entities. We get our Rx from another Dr. and then get them to make the glasses.

 

[bear_mom]

After it took over 9 months for dh to get the correct contacts from LC we haven't gone back (they had the wrong ones, didn't call dh to tell them there were in, he called after a while and was told they were in, the script was wrong, send them back, wait for them to call, they didn't, right script this time, wrong type of contact, send them back, dh calls them right away this time, wrong script again, etc). Lucky he only wears contacts for outdoor activities and not every day.

We now use a local eye doctor and get wonderful service. The guy who helps pick out frames and adjust them remembers us and when we walk in will have out chart pulled before he calls us back. He let dd try on EVERY pair of girls frames in the store the first time she had glasses. Never rushed us, didn't get frustrated with her at all. He offers an honest opinion on what frames look good on you and which ones don't.

Emily

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Note to all: I CANNOT BELIEVE I MISSPELLED DILATED. I'm kind of vain about my spelling ability. So embarrassed! Where is a redfaced smilie when you need one?

I will go with "just the store in your area".

ETA: We go to an Eye Dr. and do get our eyes dilated. We pick out the glasses at another time.

Glad to know you've had good experiences. We have to travel to get to our closest Lenscrafters, so coming back later has never been an option. But picking out glasses when you already can't see a foot in front of you and also having dilated eyes is interesting, to say the least.

We always get our glasses at LensCrafters because that's where our vision insurance pays the best benefits.
To my knowledge, they never do bifocals in an hour. They only advertise 'most' can be done in an hour. Quite honestly, I wouldn't want them to rush the bifocals...I want them done right.

As for the dilation, that one is all on your DH. They can't force you to have it, and he must have allowed himself to get talked into having it done. Once that happened, I probably would have said "Let's wait until tomorrow/another day to come back and select frames".

I want vision insurance!!! I've never had it and have worn glasses or contacts since I was 8. It's never been offered any of the places I've worked. You're right about "most" glasses getting done in an hour. I spoke with someone at our Lenscrafters (probably the same chick) when I made our eye appts, and she said that they are able to do some bifocals in an hour, it just depended on the script. Both my husband & I have very strong scripts so I didn't hold out much hope.

My husband always teasingly accuses me of thinking ahead way too much - I'm always planning - but that is why I told him not to get his eyes dilated, so he could see without that added difficulty. He's one of these very, very laidback guys who seems to drift effortlessly through life and said that he just wanted his eyes dilated, end of subject. I love that man! And no kidding, his order was all written up by the time I came out of the exam room. I didn't have a chance to say "Let's wait! Let's go somewhere else, look at this place, there is NO selection!!!!"

I agree with picking out frames before you get your eyes dilated.

Not gonna lie, it NEVER occurred to me to pick out the frames beforehand. And I 've been wearing glasses almost 37 years! Genius!!!

Whenever possible, I don't even get new frames.

If you have your scripts, perhaps you could send away to Zenni optical for "extra" glasses and then the next time you need new ones, leave whichever pairs you like best with them to be sent out.

The one time I can remember that I had new lenses put in old frames, it was almost the same price as getting new glasses. But I guess less expensive is less expensive, huh? And ordering empty frames from Zenni is another genius idea!!!!

Well my husband is a lab manager at a LensCrafters. I have noticed in his store that the selection has definitely went down.

Does he have any insight into why they have downscaled? It was just really weird, and kinda sad.

I'm not a LensCrafters fan. I tried to get a pair of rimless glasses a couple of years ago, and they kept cracking at the drill points.

I entertained the idea of rimless, but because of my strong prescription I was told my lenses would pop out. do. not. want!

I used to swear by Lenscrafters... in fact I got my last pair of glasses there in August. All they had were designer frames... which ok I had D&G frames last times so I'm not totally against designer labels. Anywho, when picking from the very expensive frames the only ones I liked turned out to be PRADA... I got them, saying to myself that I'll keep them for years, simply changing my lenses as needed (prescription hasn't really changed in years). Well my dog had another idea because she thought they looked tasty one morning in December while I was in the shower.

Everyone I knew told me to go to costco for my replacement.

I did notice that none of the reasonably-priced frames I saw on the Lenscrafters site were at my Lenscrafters. I'm not label conscious either, but I wouldn't rule out buying designer ones if I completely fell in love with them . . . which isn't likely to happen with me because I hate wearing glasses, but can't wear contacts anymore.

Oh my, it just makes me sick for you, to hear the dog ate your expensive glasses! Our dog decided my dental appliance would be a tasty treat - it was just a hard plastic-like thingy that fit over my two front teeth to keep me from clenching my jaw when I was asleep - worked great, expensive for me - we called it my Wascally Wabbit teeth . . . anyway, I found him and some crumbs of it.

I try to keep my frames for a couple years if they can get lenses to fit. Usually try to have a coupon for them, we go to Shopko Optical. Our school does scrip, so I can usually put $5 down and run to school to buy gift cards for shopko to apply to my bill.

I'll keep my frames indefinitely as long as the script doesn't change. I don't guess we have Shopko around here; never heard of it. Also never heard of a school selling gift cards - that sounds very convenient!

My DF always swore by Lenscrafter - I took him to BJ's for his last set of new glasses. He loves the work BJ's did, and for half the price.

No BJ's close by.

Sometimes I can't find frames that I like. So then I go to PearleVision. (owned by the same company)

I should have stopped my purchase, but my husband and I have an all-for-one, one-for-all mindset, so it never occurred to me to not purchase there, too. Duh!

I used to go to Lenscrafters and hated them. Not for the prices or selection, but for their scheduling methods. They would book a ton of people in the same time slot and it was like playing musical chairs. Call your name, go take this test, now go back and sit in the waiting area. Wait 20 minutes. Call your name again, go take another test, now go back and sit in the waiting area again. It was ridiculous. The last time I went, my "appointment" took well over THREE HOURS. I never went back.

Where we are, the optometrist is in Lenscrafters, but is a separate business. But I know what you mean about musical chairs, it happened to me, too! My appointment didn't take as long as yours though, that would really make me mad, too.

 

[msmayor]

Yeah, I have to admit: our vision insurance is a great benefit. All four of us wear glasses, and at only $20/month for the coverage it pays off in spades.

We rarely use the "annual eye exam" part of the coverage because of the limits on the doctors in the plan. Our regular medical insurance allows one vision exam per year in network and the copay is only $5 more than the vision insurance copay with a much bigger network of providers.

The only hitch with the vision insurance is contacts vs. glasses. The policy will pay for only one or the other, and only for new glasses every two years. Basically what we do is use the vision insurance only for glasses. Our eye doctor, covered through our regular medical, offers a GREAT discount on contacts so my daughter and I get our contacts through the them and we all get our glasses from Lens Crafters.

Last year, three of the four of us needed new glasses. As I said mine retailed for over $600, my husband's for $450 and my son's $285. We paid less than $400 for all three.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Just thought I would post an update. We got our glasses Friday afternoon and having been loving it! Neither of us are having problems adjusting so far, and it's great to be able to see again! I even like DH's frames a lot after seeing them again. This adventure is ending very nicely.

 

[pixie921]

Just thought I would post an update. We got our glasses Friday afternoon and having been loving it! Neither of us are having problems adjusting so far, and it's great to be able to see again! I even like DH's frames a lot after seeing them again. This adventure is ending very nicely.

Glad to hear that things turned out positively for you!