Sears Optical

****Proceed to the Optical Care Service with Care and Caution****
The optometrist was extremely professional as I agree with the first review. The check up was quick, pleasant, and honest but it all goes down hill from there.
I am a local to the neighborhood and decided to give Sears a chance as i was never ever a patronage of sears. I heard in the news that Sear’s were in financial trouble for 2014 because Sears Holding turned to Lampert’s Hedge Fund for a cash infusion so I decided, what the hell, why not put my money into a neighborhood chain and spread the wealth. BIG MISTAKE!!!
I did not have an intent to purchase my frames and lens from Sears Optical because all I wanted was my yearly eye exam. I decided to take a look around and the sales associate or ophthalmic assistant said they are running a special and all the frames are $ 200 dollars filled. I said, «and nothing else, what is the catch.» She said…“yes and nothing more.” it was explained to me later in layman’s terms, just pay the lens prescription or package and the frames are on promotion, meaning deducted from the bill.
I picked out the frame and the associate proceeded to process the invoice. The associate said it will be $ 260 dollars and I ask what does that include. She said frames, lens, and everything. i said was is everything. Keep in mind, this is a conversation over the counter. The associate never once provided the printed invoice and presented it to me to inspect the charges. She said, frames, lens, delivery, mumble, etc. At the time, I was already in a rush to leave because I had prior arrangements and I had no intent to purchase frames but decided last minute out of impulse, I thought to myself and said, why not. i said OK, she probably did not know the exact figure (giving her the benefit of the doubt) as to what she was selling me when I was picking out frames because she is probably new (an assumption). The associate said swipe here and you can be on your way. I swiped and the associate stapled the receipt to the invoice and intentionally folded it in half hoping I will walk out the establishment without scrutinizing the charges. i did exactly that because I took the sear’s associate word for what it was worth.
I walked out the store and into the train station to catch the R or M into Manhattan. I read the receipt and invoice on the train an flipped out only to find out she added a one year warranty service charge on the frame,
******2 050 000 042 101 Store Service 1 YR EEP 200 and Above $ 36.99********
I said to myself, I never agreed to this, I went back to Sears Optical the very next day and the a different associate was attending to me only to say, «you need this, it’s a good, you can come back in a year and exchange for anything.» I said I do not want this and the associate said, «it’s a great deal, I need to help the next customer» and walked away quickly. I was snubbed by the associate. I attempted to remove the charges upon pick up of the frame but was again unsuccessful. The associate said you need a manager but the manager is not here to perform the return. Snub a second time. How can one perform a charge but not perform a return when you are the only associate in the department. Questionable Business Practice on Sears part or just bad customer service. I said who is the manager, the associate said «Patty.»
I am writing this to bring awareness to the community. Please do not have a Sears Optical associate hit you with this Eye Wear warranty charge blindly. It is not a lot of money but at least but up front with the charges and maybe Sears can show some integrity because as of now, the Sears corporation have zero integrity in my perspective. I probably try to avoid to be a patronage of sears in the near future after this experience.
I have open a disputed for charge of $ 36.99 out of $ 260.00 with my Credit Card Company.
Costco and BJ’s have much more competitive pricing than Sears. At least 30% less than Sears on eye wear and contacts but the only downside is you will need to purchase a membership.
I just hope Sears Optical will be operating in 2015 to service all the customers whom purchased the Eye Wear Protection plan (including myself if the dispute does not go accordingly). The plan only covers for 1 year (12 Month) once your eye insurance is renewed.