Voorthuis opticians - spent 580 dollars in vain because of their false advise

[Anonymous]

Had an upsetting experience with this family business. I broke my glasses (my baby daughter did when I was taking a shower), took them into Voorthuis where their manager said they were beyond repair. I scheduled an eye exam with them (150 dollars), after which I went home to think where to buy new glasses. I bought contact lenses from them but bought cheap eye glasses elsewhere because am considering laser surgery. A couple of days later I went back to ask for a statement that the glasses indeed were beyond repair, my insurance co needs it, and I was told by another technician that they actually could be fixed. I ended up wasting 580 dollars because of the manager's ill advise. She refused to take responsibility and compensate me in any way. Furthermore, she treated with incredible demeaning manner only because I voiced my opinion. I just feel I need to share this information with others: companies tend to take advantage of us customer when you are at your weakest, without defenses.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry to hear about this. Just yesterday my husband was complaining about them on New Mexico Ave. He went ahead and bought contacts through them after an eye exam b/c they said they were $20 cheaper. Well, they are, once you go back to the store, fill out the rebate and wait 6-8 weeks. What a pain in the neck. He should have sticked with 1800 contacts.

I guess I would have asked them for the slip of paper showing that you agreed to the repair. Like at a jewelry shop - they give you a receipt when they take something in for the estimate and work. Who authorized them to make the repair at that price? Is there a standard price which they would have called the customer. I would ask to speak to the manager again and see if they can work with you on the labor.

[Anonymous]

OP - I assume this is a locally-owned business. If I were you, I'd write a letter to the owner (assuming it's not the manager you spoke to). I've done this a few times to restaurants and have been pleased with the responses I've received. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Hi, it's OP.

The manager of the store is also the owner. Her father, who was not in the store when I went in to complain about the issue, called me later last night a very intimidating phone call and told me never to step my foot in any of their stores again.

Does anyone have experience with Better Business Bureau - does it pay off to complain?

The person who answered about your husband and contacts; I wonder if he got the same incredibly rude treatment by Ms. Daughter of the Owner.. My case was also in the New Mexico Avenue store.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the BBB would be a great mediator. Every time I've used the BBB in a dispute with a company, the issue was resolved quickly and to my satisfaction.

www.bbb.org

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I would stop payment on your credit card, cancel your check, etc. You can do that, you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would stop payment on your credit card, cancel your check, etc. You can do that, you know.

I think this would be an iffy case, at best, to do that. She authorized a charge based on their advice (the fact that it turned out the advice was wrong and she could have done something else is not the kind of thing that credit card co.'s consider their problem).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would stop payment on your credit card, cancel your check, etc. You can do that, you know.

I think this would be an iffy case, at best, to do that. She authorized a charge based on their advice (the fact that it turned out the advice was wrong and she could have done something else is not the kind of thing that credit card co.'s consider their problem).

I don't see it that way.

Based on the facts as I understand them:

(1) The shop represented to OP that her glasses were beyond repair. In reliance on the shop's representation, OP bought contact lenses and new glasses which she would not otherwise have bought.

(2) After OP purchased new glasses, etc., in reliance on the shop's representation, the shop then stated that the glasses were not beyond repair. However, the shop refused to reimburse OP for her detrimental reliance on its misrepresentation.

(3) Thus, the shop has refused to either reimburse OP for her detrimental reliance on its misrepresentation that the glasses were beyond repair (the cost of the eyeglasses, contact lenses, etc.) -- or to stand by its representation -- if correct -- that the glasses were beyond repair, and to provide her with the insurance papers that she needs to cover the costs of the eyeglasses, etc.

If I were OP, I would report these facts to the credit card company if I used my credit card. Or if I wrote a check, think about stopping payment on the check, or going to small claims court.

[Anonymous]

I bet they come back and change their story - do you have evidence that the manager told you that they can be repaired? That really sucks - keep spreading the word about them. I for one, won't ever go there.

[Anonymous]

I think it speaks volumes that the owner of the store called you at night to harass you and warn you off. Chances are there are more instances of this taking place -- I doubt you are alone.

Definitely report them to BBB. If you paid with a credit card I would look into stopping/reversing payment.

[Anonymous]

OP here,

WOW, this is such a powerful forum! Thank you so much for taking time to reply. It shows what intelligent and fantastic DCUMs&Ds are around in this area!

[Anonymous]

OP, don't have any advice on your situation, but would like to suggest a different glasses shop for you. I've had great luck with Hour Eyes over the years - and the Rockville Pike location truly saved me about a year ago. My glasses snapped in half in my hand as I was cleaning them just before I needed to leave for the airport on a business trip. I drove to the store in a panic, since my backup options were sunglasses or an old pair in an outdated prescription, and was truly blown away by their customer service. They sold me a new pair of frames for half price, even though I hadn't opted for their warranty, and had me out the door and on my way in under 30 minutes.

The frame selection can really vary from location to location (I've found some particularly good ones at the Tenley location in the past), but I'd have a hard time going somewhere else now after having them bail me out like that. Plus, they have great specials, and as someone with a very strong and expensive prescription, half off or buy one pair, get one free is tough to beat.

[Anonymous]

OP: I've just field a complaint on BBB - interested to see what happens next.

[Anonymous]

Good Luck! The fact that they said never step into their store again shows their true colors. My guess is that it was a scam, you caught them, and they thought they could scare you off.

[Anonymous]

In this economy, every business is trying to get you to spend more money. If you walk in their door, they will try to upsell you because 3 others didn't. Only difference is that they got caught.