Updated by user Mar 14, 2012
Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. is the parent company of EyeMasters and does hold its subsidiaries to a high standard of customer service while offering high quality and exceptional value to those who does business with any of its subsidiaries.
After visiting three EyeMasters, it is readily apparent that:
(1) None of the employees I dealt with were accustomed to their location being able to provide “one hour delivery†of eyeglasses to customers.
(2) While some of the employees I spoke with were aware of the “One Hourâ€
Advertising of the parent company, all told me that “those ads refer to
Single vision glasses.†They also felt that the “One Hour†applied to
“…other stores with more updated equipment and more staff.â€
This is unbelievable when you consider that I picked the accompanying flyer
up while was in the store on my current visit. (See attached copy of flyer).
(3) It is apparent that Eye Care Centers of America holds its employees to
a very high standard of service; however, this standard was only achieved--in
my case--after numerous emails and phone calls to Customer Service.
(4) Eye Care Centers will “do the right thing†once a problem is reported.
SUGGESTIONS
1. EyeMasters should evaluate the staffing of these three locations.
All of the EyeMasters that I visited seemed understaffed. I was unable
To find out if it was the lack of personnel who prevented their delivery
Of glasses in “One Hour†or if the problem was due to equipment limitations; however, many of the employees told me they did not have the staff they needed.
Original review Feb 12, 2012
This is an account of my dealings with Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. whose website brags "is one of the nation's leading optical retailers. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, ECCA opened in 1984 and has grown to operate or manage over 400 locations under 11 brand names. Our mission is to provide total eye care that is unsurpassed in quality, value, service and convenience while increasing value to our customers, team members and shareholders." The company does business under numerous names including EyeMasters. All of my dealing were with EyeMasters Brand Stores located in Panama City and Pensacola (FL) and Dothan, Alabama. I feel this company has a pattern of bait and switch advertising; http://eyemasters.pissedconsumer.com/eyemasters-bait-switch-tactics-200903****6786.html. This company has numerous complaints about a variety of problems on a number of Internet websites devoted to consumer complaints. Sunday, February 5 I "Googled" for "one hour optical in Panama City, FL" and was happy when EyeMasters at the Panama City Mall came up. I was even happier when the website offered 2 for $99 coupon less $10 for progressive lens; so I purposefully drove to the mall and arrived minutes after 12 (the store's posted opening); this was yesterday, February 5, 2012. My visit went downhill from that. The only employee I saw in the store was MARY ANN, (an optician, I believe her name tag said). MARY ANN is the most negative person I've ever dealt with in terms of customers. When I asked how long it would take to get my glasses, she said "4 to 5 days." I had expected an hour or so from you website as my prescription is rather simple, I've been told. She went on to rant saying "there are at least 40 or 50 eyeglasses in there waiting to be finished" and "you see nobody's working!" She said because their "equipment is so old and out-of-date" they sometimes might be able to get some glasses out in "an hour"; however, she never even asked to see my prescription. When I told her I just wanted "basic" glasses to back up my contact lens, she started in to saying if I "wanted tinting, etc." it would take longer. She did tell me to go to another business for one-day service, but that store was not in the immediate area and I didn't know where it was. Basically, MARY ANN did everything she could to discourage me from doing business with EyeMasters...and she succeeded. I don't know how EyeMasters stay in business if the info MARY ANN is saying is true; nevertheless, even if it is, I don't think it is something an employee should be repeating to a customer. As a note I learned that MARY ANN has been in the optical business "since birth" which I think explains her negativity. I think she feels the Panama City location is not up to par or falls short of previous places she has worked. After sending an email to customer service, I telephoned and spoke with Jeff (800) 669-****. After explaining what had happened he assured me that this was not the company policy and apologized. He assured me that they would let the Territorial Manager know. Monday, February 6 Deciding to give EyeMasters another try, I drove to Dothan, Alabama and phoned EyeMasters. Their location in the Mall. I spoke with Lisa who was very friendly and gave me excellent Directions. I explained that I wanted to get my glasses that day and she said "as long as I can turn your order in by 4 pm, they can be out today." So I drove to the Mall, and met Lisa who was standing near the entrance. The first thing I did was show her my prescription and asked her if she had the lenses in stock. Lisa went to the back of the store and returned with 4 lenses. After selecting 2 pairs of frames, Lisa an I sat down and she quoted me a price of over $300. I told her that I really didn't need 2 pairs and she told me I could purchase one pair for around $170. I paid Lisa and she went in the back. About 5 minutes later she came out and told me it would be "after 12 tomorrow" that my glasses would be ready. I immediately asked and received a refund. Lisa apologized and said because they were so busy they just couldn't honor her "by 4" promise. I called Customer Service (800) 669-**** again and spoke with Susan. She listened to my complaint then said she was transferring me to Jeff. Jeff "˜s voicemail came on so I hung up and called back and spoke with Joann who told me that no record of my complaint had been entered into the company's computer. I asked her for a supervisor. After quite a wait she asked if she could document what had happened since neither Jeff nor Susan had documented my earlier calls. Again I repeated the details of my visit. Later I received a voicemail from Joann saying that she had talked with the Manager and that per the sign displayed in the store, my job was a surface job and it would take two hours.….the sign says glasses in one hour in most cases. She repeated thay mine was not a one hour procedure.Tuesday, February 7 I sent the following email to customer service for Joann; the email was sent to mailto:customerservice@***.coma with Joann as heading. I received your voicemail message yesterday and was very disappointed. First of all, the "manager" you spoke with focused on the 1-hour delivery of glasses and you say she referred to a sign that was posted in the store; the use of such a disclaimer is absurd. I never saw such a sign, but the issues involved are: 1. My order was never promised in an hour; it was promised that if I " got it in by 4 p.m.", I'd have eyeglasses by the closing time. I assume they closed when the mall does (9:00 p.m.). Because she did not have a watch, I kept close watch on the time. Lisa was told by the lab technician at 3:38 p.m. that I could not get my glasses done until Noon the next day. I feel I did everything on my end to meet this deadline: a. Upon arrival in your store, I had Lisa to physically check and make sure the lenses were in stock; b. I made my selection of frames and had Lisa to get this order in "before 4;" and c. I paid the price (receipt shows 15:46 as time) asked by your company (around $170) which was a great deal more than the 2 pair for $89 that my coupon offered. I had ordered 1 pair of glasses because Lisa quoted me a total of over $300 for both pairs. This was partially because the store had such a limited selection of frames in my size; there was an abundance of smaller styles but because I needed a wider size with deeper lens length to fit the progressive lenses, I was extremely limited and wound up having to select a two more expensive frames. In retrospect, I wonder if this is a "bait and switch" tactic? During the process Lisa kept trying to " up sale" my purchase by offering cleaning solutions, insurance, etc. Now I wonder if my order was not important because I had not increased the total order? If I had bought the add ons, would my order have received any more priority? 2. As issue is a company who does not keep its promises. In this case, Lisa was the "company"; she was EyeMasters! She was the only one I dealt with and I entered into an agreement with your "company" to have eye glasses the same day. I even made sure you had the necessary lenses before I selected frames. Lisa went into the lab and pulled 4 lenses (this was because each prescription is different and I was considering using the 2 for $89 coupon which resulted in 4 lenses being used). Lisa said these were the only lenses she had and that they would cost an additional $50 per lens, but I could still get the glasses that day. I am so disappointed in the way EyeMasters deals with the public that I have documented this entire episode and plan to send it to the Attorney General's Consumer Affairs Department. Also, please be assured that I will do everything in my power to make sure other consumers do not fall victim to EyeMaster's online ads. I feel a company who seemingly prides itself on misleading advertising and unkept promises (verbal contracts) should be investigated. Wednesday, February 8 I did receive two emails from Nancy Kichton, Internet Team Representative at 1-80*-943-****; while these were form responses, both did apoloize and restated their website's philosophy "…Eye Care Centers of America strives to provide the highest level of customer service to our valued customers and are dismayed when we do not." Since I was in the area, I found the Pensacola, FL EyeMasters and went to their store.This time I did not present my coupon but went directly to the frame display. About 10 minutes later a young man came over and asked if he could help me. I told him I wanted basic, plastic lenses. I gave him my prescription and asked him if he could make the glasses in one hour or the same day? He left and came back and said that he did not have the lenses. When I asked him how long it would take he told me "14 days." I asked if hehad the polycarbonate lenses in stock (knowing it would add $100 to my cost) and he checked and again told me he did not have them. This employee identified himself as the "Retail Manager" and his name tag read, "Jonathan" February 9 On February 9, I receive the following email from Doug Vigneau: Hello Mr. Todd, my name is Doug Vigneau, the Territory Director for the stores you visited in Pensacola and Panama City. I apologize for the experience you received, but want to assure you that we have many customers who purchase just the 2/$99 eyeglasses. 1 hour service is done in our stores, and there are exceptions to that based on whether we carry the lenses for the prescription needed in stock. If we have the lenses in stock, we should provide them within an hour unless our lab is closed on that day (which Sunday the lab is closed) or if there are any unforeseen circumstances where we have any lab equipment down for repair. If we do not carry the lenses in stock, then the time frame would be 14 days, but the price would still be 2/$99.The associates are paid commission, but are paid commission on everything they sell, including 2/$99. We believe it is the responsibility of our associates to uncover the needs of the customer to determine what would be best for their needs, but the final decision always is left to the customer. We advise them what products to use to best care for their eyewear, and also make them aware of an extended protection plan that is available to them if they so choose to purchase. There is never any intent to sell a customer any item they do not need or want, or to only make eyewear in an hour if they purchase more than 2/$99.I want to do what is right for the customer and our mission is to take care of every customer to their satisfaction. We have failed to take care of you the way we should have if we did not explain everything to you.I can assure you that we can make your glasses for the 2/$99 price point you wish without you having to travel to multiple stores. The exception would be if we have those lenses in stock in order to make them in an hour. If we do not have them in stock it could take up to 14 days.Based on the experiences you had, and the time and travel you endured, I would be more than happy to make you a pair of glasses with the plastic lenses at no charge to you with the frame of $69.95. If you choose to have them in polycarbonate, I will make that pair for you at no charge also.Please let me know what location (Panama City or Pensacola) you would like to go to, and I will make sure that they are completed at no charge to you.I apologize for the service you received and hope you will give us another opportunity to take care of your eyewear needs.Feel free to contact me at any time, my cell phone number is 407-462-****Thank youDoug VigneauDouglas M VigneauTerritory Director-OrlandoEye Care Centers of America, Inc.11103 West Avenue, suite #6 | San Antonio, TX 78213Office: 813-672-****, Cell: 407-462-****, Fax: 813-672-****dvigneau@***.com | www.ecca.com Friday, February 10 I arrived at Eye Masters (Panama City, FL) at 1:00 p.m. and asked for Kathy. Two employees saw me waiting and asked if they could help me. Both told Kathy I was there; she was assisting another customer. Finally after about 15 minutes I spoke again with Kyle and showed her my prescription. Kyle went in to the back and said there were a lot of others in line, but to just wait for Kathy and maybe she could do something; I had asked if I could get my glasses the same day. Kyle explained that she normally worked with the Optometrist and she was just "helping out" because they were busy. About 10 minutes later, I met Kathy and showed her a copy of the email from Doug; Kathy read this and re-read it, again. I simply asked her if she could get me the glasses that day? She explained that it depended upon the lens availability and went to check.In about 10 minutes she returned and said the lens would have to be "surfaced," and it would take at least 2 hours; she say that in order to get me my lenses they would "have to call some other people who'd been waiting and tell them their prescriptions would have to be delayed." Kathy told me I could pick up my glasses in about 2 hours and suggested I try back at 4:00 p.m. I agreed and left. When I returned at 5:00 p.m. everyone was busy, so I waited about 15 minutes and Kathy fitted my new glasses. I thanked her and left. CONCLUSIONS Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. is the parent company of EyeMasters and does hold its subsidiaries to a high standard of customer service while offering high quality and exceptional value to those who does business with any of its subsidiaries. After visiting three EyeMasters, it is readily apparent that: (1) None of the employees I dealt with were accustomed to their location being able to provide "one hour delivery" of eyeglasses to customers. (2) While some of the employees I spoke with were aware of the "One Hour" Advertising of the parent company, all told me that "those ads refer toSingle vision glasses." They also felt that the "One Hour" applied to"…other stores with more updated equipment and more staff." This is unbelievable when you consider that I picked the accompanying flyerup while was in the store on my current visit. (See attached copy of flyer). (3) It is apparent that Eye Care Centers of America holds its employees toa very high standard of service; however, this standard was only achieved--in my case--after numerous emails and phone calls to Customer Service. (4) Eye Care Centers will "do the right thing" once a problem is reported. SUGGESTIONS 1. EyeMasters should evaluate the staffing of these three locations. All of the EyeMasters that I visited seemed understaffed. I was unableTo find out if it was the lack of personnel who prevented their deliveryOf glasses in "One Hour" or if the problem was due to equipment limitations; however, many of the employees told me they did not have the staff they needed. 2. EyeMasters shoud re-train its employees to make sure that to make each employee understands that "One Hour" Delivery is a goal of every location and is not something done "at other stores." The employees I spoke with were all aware of the "One Hour" ads, butseemed to feel it was unrealistic or did not apply to their stores. Again, Idon't know I this attitude was fed by the lack of personnel who prevented their delivery of glasses in "One Hour" or if the problem was due to equipment needed. Note: As all of thee EyeMasters stores are "soon to be VisionWorks" perhaps these changes would ensure fewer complaints and a much happier customer.
Cracks like the ones in your photo are usually caused by stress---from improper storing in cases, pockets, dropped, etc. Happens all the time.
That's why, if you only need reading glasses, your best bet is a few pairs from a dollar store.
Find a dollar store that sells metal-framed glasses instead of the cheaper plastic ones. The ones in your photo are plastic and costs just cents to make but sell for big bucks at a glasses place, thus the dollar store recommendation.