Wal Mart Vision Center: Ripoff!

I bought a pair of glasses from Wal Mart, I know several people who get their contacts there, and the savings are phenomenal, so I thought I would go there this time. I went during a 'Complete set of glasses for $38.00' sale. The exam was 60, but I added the 10.00 glaucoma testing so that made it 70. The glasses were not 38.00, each lense was 39.99, the frames were only 9.00. Total: $158.00.
I told them the day I picked them up that I could not see well with them, and was told it would take a couple of weeks to adjust. So I gave that a chance, running into everything, falling down the front steps, ect, became too much quickly, and I dare not to drive while wearing them. So I go back, another optomitrist was there, she fooled around with them, bending them a little, she took them and did a 'wrap' on them, whatever that is, and had me put them on and look across the store, I told her I could not see with them on, but could read the signs perfect without them (my problem is reading close-up).
I was told again to give it a couple of weeks to adjust. So 2 weeks later I went back. This time the optomitrist, the one who gave my exam, redid the exam and apologized, telling me the frames were sitting perfect on my eyes, but the first exam was incorrect, they replaced the lenses in 7 days. I got the new lenses, and still couldn't read signs across the store with them on. Now even the bifocal is incorrect, I can't use them without straining so badly my eyes water. I gave up last night and pulled out the old reading glasses, that is what I am using now. I am going back to Wal Mart in the morning, and I want my money back. I can get new reading glasses for under 10 dollars!

Any of you ever had to do this? How did the store respond? Promptly refunding or refusal? I feel that my exam is not right therefore I want a full refund, I cannot even take the prescription elsewhere, it isn't right!

You get what you pay for. Don't go to a department store, and don't go to a chain of any kind, even a small regional one. Go to a doctor who has his own independent practice.

Your sight is worth the extra expense.

Sounds like just a bad experience.

I get my colored contacts there, and they've been always exceptionally well.

When I got a bacteria in my eye that was corroding my eye and could've left me blind, they helped me out just fine, I had a superb optometrist (I'd rate him 100 of anything!).

I had even had pink eye, a month before the 'eye eating bacteria' and so when i came in for the bacteria corroding my eye, he took pity (lol) and didn't charge me for the consult, and gave me a check up free of charge Score.

Medication was only 4 dollars and I got it from target!

I don't know, but my city has a great walmart optometrist,

Sounds like you had an awful experience, and I empathize, I guess I shouldn't take my great experience for granted... mind you i've had terrible experiences at other places! (Wendys for example!!!!)

reply to post by Republican08


I mentioned contacts in my first post, because I know plenty of people who swear by theirs that they purchase at Walmart, and they rave over the quality and prices, also the call to let you know you are about to need more contacts. But the glasses suck. I feel like I am looking through tupperware! Maybe they should only sell the contacts!

Originally posted by space cadet
reply to post by Republican08

 

I mentioned contacts in my first post, because I know plenty of people who swear by theirs that they purchase at Walmart, and they rave over the quality and prices, also the call to let you know you are about to need more contacts. But the glasses suck. I feel like I am looking through tupperware! Maybe they should only sell the contacts!

Possibly so?

Why not consider getting contacts yourself?

I am myopic, and because I wear contacts, my myopic vision is reduced, but I can see further much, much better, a fair trade I'd suppose.

If you do get contacts, change them out everyday....... just trust me on that crap!!! Theres a reason for it lol.

I've had glasses with walmart vision center, and well... the price is high, and the quality is low... I don't know at all what happened, but I enjoy contacts.

I would suggest in following the wave, if not, then bear the front of glasses, mind you i'm STILL waiting for the sewage leak from my neighbors upstairs to be fixed.......... I think it's been a couple of weeks, to a month since it happened, and still no action other then a half assed spray painting.... and i've raised hell.....!

Originally posted by space cadet
and had me put them on and look across the store, I told her I could not see with them on, but could read the signs perfect without them (my problem is reading close-up).

I got the new lenses, and still couldn't read signs across the store with them on.

I can get new reading glasses for under 10 dollars!

Sounds like you never needed anything more than reading glasses in the first place. Can I ask why you thought you needed something more?

Is this what ATS has become? A consumer complaint forum?

Oh wait....it involves Wal Mart.....must be a conspiracy!

Originally posted by Carseller4
Is this what ATS has become? A consumer complaint forum?

Oh wait....it involves Wal Mart.....must be a conspiracy!

Some of these threads are more interesting and helpful than alot of the BS one's that are here.

I am in San Antonio Tx for a few months for work and thought I would pick up some glasses at a local WalMart here. They did not have a on staff Optometrist but recommended one just next door. The exam cost me 55.00 including a Glaucoma screening. The staff at the WalMart were very helpful with my prescription. Paid for my glasses and was excited cause driving here in San Antonio is challenging for me the road signs fly by before I can focus on them. Well my benefits from work stopped my plans, they won't cover my glasses if out of the country. Walmart was very understanding and refunding my $300.00 purchase without a hitch. So I will wait till I am back in Canada to get my glasses.

I know this doesn't give you much about the quality of the product but I just found it funny to see your thread here after what I just had happen.

reply to post by space cadet


In all fairness, I have gotten glasses and contacts all over Canada and the US in 45 years, its ALWAYS the eye doctor who screws up the script.

The doctor will make all the difference in the world for your eye glasses...

True but what's the conspiracy?

Now I feel for OP I really do...I've had my share of bad medical experiences but I have had the bad experiences in chains or mom/pop stores

-Kyo

Anyone shopping at satan mart
gets what they deserve!
I would go blind before shopping there ...

I bought my glasses about a decade ago for $200 from a doctor who was a specialist. I dont remember how much the exam cost as my insurance covered it but the glasses still work today. I do need a new pair though, something a bit stronger.

If you need glasses for reading you should not be wearing them for long distance vision. If you want reading glasses that you dont need to take off get the ones with a second smaller lense on it for reading and just regular glass on the rest.


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

Just thought I'd point out that many of these "big box" optical centers are not operated by the store themselves, but are contracted out to others.
Ex.
LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical, and BJ's Optical are all owned by the same parent company.

reply to post by space cadet
Sorry for your experience, but truth be told... when it comes to your eyes (especially glasses) you do get what you pay for. Experienced Optometrist and Optician are key. Pay the money for a good doctor if you want your prescriptions to be correct.

*I've a family member who is an Optician and who has worked for the same family practice for 2 generations of Optometrists... I've never once had a problem with prescriptions (I wear contacts, but do have glasses stashed somewhere) and it's like anything else, you have to search around for top quality professionals.

*I'll just add one other thing... the Optometrist performs the eye exam and writes the prescription... the Lab will actually make the glasses (lenses, etc.) to that prescription specification. If there is a problem with the outcome it's likely to be with the Lab and less likely to be a problem with the actual exam. Always check Lab quality issues first. The Optician should do this.


[edit on 28-12-2009 by LadySkadi]

reply to post by space cadet


The optometrist most likely messed things up. I can't think of one place around here that actually grinds to specification. They either pick a packet of lenses that fit the script, or order it out for grinding. There's no such thing as getting used to new lenses, they either work correctly from the time they are put on, or they do not work and will never work. There's no adjustment time.

Originally posted by SpacePunk
reply to post by space cadet

 

The optometrist most likely messed things up. I can't think of one place around here that actually grinds to specification. They either pick a packet of lenses that fit the script, or order it out for grinding. There's no such thing as getting used to new lenses, they either work correctly from the time they are put on, or they do not work and will never work. There's no adjustment time.

This is untrue

Most people adapt to their new single vision glasses within several days if the change is not great. Bifocal wearers may take longer to adjust to their new prescription but that time can be shortened to a minimum if the patient wears the bifocals full-time and follows the ground practice techniques. Flyers should keep in mind the changes in visual perception that may occur with new glasses and they should exercise caution when flying until they feel confident with their new vision.

American Optometric Association

Although this article speaks of Pilots adjusting to new glasses , it also applies to everybody else. I found some more extracts from optometry journals but they require registration to read the extracts.

reply to post by KyoZero


KyoZero, I did not place this thread in the conspiracy forum, a mod moved it here. I am not sure though that it is not a conspiracy, to sell glasses that are no good, then not refund the exam price, which was also no good.

I spoke to the vision center this afternoon, I have another appointment for another (3rd) eye exam, and the associate I spoke with told me that 'she has gotten quite a few prescriptions wrong since coming onboard' she, being the optomitrist. She scheduled for me to come in 'when one of the male doctors are in'. I will be going on Wed afternoon for this new exam. I was also told I could recieve a full refund for my glasses and lenses, but not for the exam, but that they could keep giving me an exam at no cost until the glasses are right. All that was sooooo reassuring to me, NOT! If the exam is incorrect, the lenses are incorrect. Not very fair. That means the doctor doesn't even have to do their job correctly and still gets paid.

Someone above suggested I change to contacts, well, I am one of those people who cannot stand the idea of sticking anything into my eyeball. I cannot even watch someone else do it to their own eyes. Freaks me out. I have worn glasses though without problems in the past.

I agree with grumble, some things should never ever be attempted. You should never try to bargain when it comes to your eyesight.
Trusting your eyes to a place that caters to mullets is not very smart.

So you're out a hundred and some bucks, are your eyes worth that little to you?