To expect a discount or some other compensation?

[bitesthedust]

I bought new prescription glasses for teen DD after an eye test.

Instead of going to specsavers as usual (because they cancelled our appt last minute when we were about to leave and the future available appts were outside our available days/times), and because DD really needed new glasses, we decided to go to a local ‘trusted, independent optician’ who claims ‘our eye tests are the most accurate in the world, offering 25 times more precision than the UK standard’

After her eye test, we were given the option to put new lenses on her current frame - which meant she would have to wear contacts until getting it back - or purchase new frames.

We decided to purchase a new frame as a treat. It wasn’t specsavers price but that is ok as DD hardly spends any money, buy anything and love wearing her glassess. I also didn’t think it was a good idea to make her rely on contacts and wanted to keep the old pair as a spare pair.

We were told we would have the new glassess in two weeks time or less. After two weeks, I called them and was told there was a delay and we would have the glasses in a few days and they would keep me updated. After another week, I called them again and was told the same thing but with a guarantee we would have the glassess by Thursday and they would keep me updated.
Today is Saturday, so Thursday came and gone and no glassess and no updates.

It has been 4 weeks of wait and I’m glad I decided to go for a new pair. Imagine if DD were wearing lenses for 4 weeks straight? She needs the glasses for everything bar sleeping of course.

AIBU to think they should give me some sort of discount or something?
I paid half during consultation and will pay the other half upon collection but what started off as a lovely experience and a treat turned into disappointment, worry and headache.

Also I wanted to get my new glassess from there as they have cool frames but changed my mind.

They had such great reviews, what a shame. Guess we just been unlucky.

*they said the lenses didn’t pass quality test and had to be remade - I expressed my worry that the quality test failed but they turned into a positive thing saying ‘we just want to make sure it is the highest quality possible blahblahblah’

That's appalling service. Boots gets them done in a week. I don't know about compensation as you haven't actually been impacted by the delay so you have no "losses" as such, but I wouldn't use them again.

Gosh, I wish my teens saw going for glasses as a treat. I must have set the bar too high
Anyway, no, I don't think you could expect a discount. It's really just one of those things. You were unlucky though, and I'd think twice about using them again.

That's awful, your DD has been without the correct glasses for weeks, that's not ok!
I'd be tempted to ask for a refund so I could buy her glasses elsewhere

Maybe if indeed they were using her current frames I’d have a better chance but I bet it would be a faff

I will probably get there in person today and ask for a refund since I bought a item but did not receive it.

So what happened @bitesthedust ? Did you get sorted?

Am I missing something here?
They've taken longer than usual because they've remade the lenses after they'd failed a QC test so you'd have preferred the scratched, bevelled or whatever lenses?
Also why are these glasses such a treat that a little delay has meant they're no longer acceptable and you're now no longer going.
You left spec savers because they cancelled your appointment now you're no longer going here because they've spent extra time making your custom made product perfect instead of sending them out damaged 😳 you sound a bit hard work to be honest

No wonder that customer service is so appalling in most places nowadays if paying customers are prepared to accept being treated like rubbish

Imagine if DD were wearing lenses for 4 weeks straight?

What would be so awful about that? I've been wearing lenses every day since I was younger than your DD.

The contact lenses dries her eyes out and it is uncomfortable, she can tolerate a few hours at time

For the price they charge I’d expect them to have no quality issues in the 1st place. But since we were unlucky I’d expect updates from them rather than having to chase

I went there and they looked in the system and apparently the new lenses passed quality control and are now in the process of being fitted to the frame.
They asked me to wait till Monday when they will call the lab to get a delivery date since the lab is closed today.
They offered me a discount on my final payment.

The new frames were a treat but new prescription is essential

If I could get new glasses made in 1 from a fraction of the price of those ones, than one more week would not make such a difference because God knows when the glasses will be actually ready

Depends on type of lens, prescription and your individual eye, but there are often restrictions on how long you can wear them. I'm supposed to have 1 day off a week, and not wear them for more than 12 hours per day.