Eye Don't Heart Lenscrafters

[kybearfuzz]

A slight but accurate modification on my gift bag
This is going to be a bitchy rant, so I'll put this behind the cut to save the uninterested.

This little odyssey started last Sunday. You can catch up rants I previously made for Sunday and then again on Tuesday.

Well, it gets better and better in a totally sarcastic way. So on Thursday, I went back to my optometrist to get my prescription checked. She checked and found that she'd mis-measured my astigmatism. So Lenscrafters, at least for this, was in the right. They'd made my glasses to prescription. My optometrist apologized and re-wrote my Rx. So I went from there to Lenscrafters to get my lenses fixed.

The perky sales bitch who sold me the bells and whistles, i.e. the "polish," wasn't there. So the new sales lady was very gracious. She wrote up the new lens order, but told me that one of their machines was being repaired and it would take longer than an hour. She asked if I wanted to just come back and get them later. I figured I could come back tomorrow. She took my number and said she'd call when they were ready.

Yesterday, she didn't call. Again, I was in no big hurry. This morning, I got a call to tell me that my glasses were ready. So thinking I could just go in and grab them, then get lunch.

Sigh... if only...

Again, the store was packed, but I got my name on the list. The sales lady from Thursday saw me and asked if I was there to pick up my glasses. After a few minutes they called me over to get them on. I immediately looked at the bottom of the lenses. No polish. Again. The optician said he'd check to see how long the polish would take. I stopped him for a second so I could try them on and see if the Rx was right. Thankfully, it was. The optician came back and said it'll be 15 minutes.

By this time, I'm learning how time is referenced in Lenscrafters. One hour = four hours. 20 minutes = one hour. So 15 minutes was going to be at least 45 minutes. I was getting hungry, but didn't want to leave, so I said sure.

I've been passing the time while waiting and waiting and waiting by taking photos of me in old lady sunglasses.


Granny Sunglasses from Sunday, Tuesday, and Saturday...
and apparently I wear a lot of green shirts...

So after I wait a good 40 minutes with no appearance of my glasses, I go up to the desk and notice that the sheet that I'd signed in on is long gone. I've been lost in the crowd of kids, the elderly, and more grumpy adults.

The sales lady from Thursday sees me and says, "Are you here to pick up again??"

I reminded her that I never left. She goes to check to see what's the hold up the lab. She comes out and raises five fingers on her hand. Five more minutes. This is now 45 minutes after the optician told me it would be 15. My intimidation level jumped to 11 and my face must have told quite a tale.

To apologize for my "extensive wait" as she put it, the sales lady gives me a gift bag full of lens cleaner and wipes. She then asked if I wanted to go and have her call when they were ready. I just looked at her with amazement and asked how long it was REALLY going to take.

After seeing the look on my face, she went back to the lab and came out with my new glasses. She again apologized profusely and did a quick fit. She said that she hoped the rest of my day was going to be much better. I told her thanks and walked out.

While I felt the sales lady did an amazing job in dealing with the public, the optician and the lab folks are on my shit list. Don't promise 15 minutes if you need more. Don't call that things are ready when they aren't. Don't waste my time and I wont stare at you with pure disdain.

Finally... me in new glasses. They don't look much different than the old ones.

Comments

I certainly don't blame you for being aggravated, Mark.

[bonkishnurtaz.livejournal.com]

I empathize with you completely. When I had purchased my present set of glasses nearly 8 years ago, I had found that the time it had taken for preparation and the cost of the glasses had grown exponentially. My frames by themselves, were over $300, the cost of the lenses $550. Therefore my current set of glasses cost me $850 back in 2003. My insurance paid about half of the cost. I had to foot the remainder of the bill, however! (((((HUGS)))))

[itzgid.livejournal.com]

You're right. Not much difference in the glasses. The rest of you is looking darned nice, though.

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

It's a strange thing. You'd think that getting a prescription for glasses correct would be routine and easy. And yet, like you, I've had incorrect prescriptions, and even more often, incorrectly made glasses. No idea why.

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

"Don't promise 15 minutes if you need more."

REALLY! At the risk of sounding like a total geek, they should adopt Scotty's Rule: Figure out the length of time it will actually take to do the job and double it. Then, when you finish far short of your estimate, you come off like a miracle worker.

The good news is that the finished product looks fine. You look all smart n'stuff.

And, yes, you DO own a lot green shirts. Good think the color works for you. Love the Saturday look with the Granny Sunglasses. SSSssssassy!

[dewittar.livejournal.com]

That kind of crap puts my rage meter at 'molten'. I have no patience for it.

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

Well that sucks about their procedures. I would look for a new class place if I were you.
They do look great on you though.

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

That would have pissed me off as well--nice glasses though!

ye gods, do I need to get new glasses.

[ui-tomcat.livejournal.com]

so you're never going back there, Right?! You should call the manager and tell them your story and about how you'll never patronize them again.