Complain about a product or service

Wal-Mart Vision Center

Cheri of Mackinaw, IL November 2, 2009

I just picked up my glasses from Wal-Mart Vision Center. They are going back tomorrow. Where to begin? First off, I have a very strong prescription and always in the past have been told to get a smaller frame and to get the higher quality lenses. I did. Top of the line. My prescription barely changed in one eye, but my lenses are thicker than my old glasses by 1/5 of an inch, yes folks, an inch! The edges are unfinished, so they have that frosted look to them.

I asked if they could send them back and have them corrected, they said they'd never heard of such a thing. I showed them the glasses that I had on (which are what I want) and the guy was still made the comment, "well, you do have a strong lense." Yeah? Well, the prescription hasn't changed that much that I now need coke bottle lenses.

Also, I got the transition lenses. It's a bright clear sunny day today, and these glasses didn't get nearly dark enough to feel comfortable in the sun. I still had to squnit and had a headache by the time I got home. Also, what is it with Wal-Mart pushing the contacts? I don't want contacts. I have terrible allergies and don't want them. When you tell them that, they act like you must be some kind of freak of nature.

And just for mention, I bought my son a pair of glasses last year and the frames that they helped pick out, have flowers on the ear piece. My eight year old is livid, but since he didn't tell me about it until after the 60 days, I guess he's stuck with them. Well, we'll see how it goes and if I get my refund when I take mine back tomorrow.

Doris of wallace, SC November 2, 2009

I made an appointment with Dr. Elven S. 3rd, to check my vision and order contacts for me, on Sept. 12, 2009. He gave me an eyeglass prescription, and proceeded to fit me with a pair of suitable contact lens. He brought out a pair of contacts for me to place into my eyes, and told me to go home and try them out for a few days. The contacts were apparently the wrong strength, and I could not read even large writing; plus I could not read the large highway signs while driving!

I returned to Walmart where his practice is located, behind the vision center. I was tried on another pair of contacts and sent home. I ended up making 10 trips to the vision center Optometrist, Dr. S., driving 360 miles, before I got a pair on contacts that I could see and read with them in place!

Finally, I had the contacts that I needed, and called Dr. S.'s office at Walmart's, and informed the lady working in his office. I asked them to order the last pair that he had fitted me with. The lady behind the desk in his office informed me that the dr. was standing next to her at the time we were speaking, and she was giving him my chart; as we spoke. I was told from the very first pair of contacts tried on my eyes, that THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THE CONTACTS CAME IN.

The last week in Oct., 2009, I called again (one of many calls to these people), to find out if my contacts had come in yet. I was told no, so I informed them that I needed another trial pair, because my eyes were exuding pus, and I had cleaned the ones I had as much as possible, many times.

When I made another trip to Walmart's of Rockingham,N.C., the lady behind the desk; Tammy, had another pair of contacts waiting on me, but they had been taken out of the original package and placed in a plastic contacts holder. This was the second time that this incident had happened, so I questioned her about handling the contacts, and inquired as to why she opened them in the first place. She said she had to keep the foil they came out of and place it on her paperwork! I NEVER ONCE SAW THE NAME OR STRENGTH OF ANY CONTACTS. I asked her not to open another package that would be used by me for MY EYES.

She gave me the wrong ones! I called back and told them that the lens were incorrect and not the same as the last ones he had given me, and to please have another pair waiting. I made another 36 mile round trip. Finally, I insisted that something was dreadfully wrong with everything, and insisted on knowing when my contacts would arrive. I was then told that "I" had to order them! Now, I was told 30 days earlier that they would call me when the contacts came in; even though I had to try several pairs before I finally got a pair I could see out of!

I made another trip to see them and demand a prescription for the contacts I had requested ordered much earlier in the month. The Optometrist left a script with her for me, but aside from the strength and other basic information needed to order, he wrote the lens name down as Cooper EP, by Cooper Vision. I Cannot locate that lens with no more information than that! I have tried several lens dealers on the internet, to no avail!

IN the meantime, I have suffered just straining to read, and have had several migraine headaches as a result of this escapade, AND STILL HAVE NO CONTACTS! I will NEVER get my eyes examined by this man, regardless of where he is working, again. I had to drive 360 miles overall, back and forth to Walmart of Rockingham, when I live only 18 miles one way! For one month, I was unable to read, see anything with clarity--not even a person's face--or drive at night,esp. I suffered several migraine headaches that put me into bed because the contacts were the wrong strength

Janis of Brimfield, MA October 26, 2009

I took my eyeglass prescription to Walmart's Vision Center in Ware, MA and chose frames. I was told that with my prescription, the cost would be 294.00. I thought that was high and no less than the other eyewear chain stores. The clerk took my pupillary distance measurement. When I asked if I could have the measurement written on my prescription, I was told it was against Walmart's policy to do so. I stated that since it was part of my prescription, it was my health information that I was entitled to. The clerk stated that if she gave me that information, she could lose her job, saying that if I were to purchase glasses from another vendor and get in an accident, Walmart would be held liable.

I've never heard so much baloney in all my life. I ordered the glasses, then shopped in the store, all the while thinking about my conversation with the eyeglass clerk. Finally, I returned to the Vision Center and canceled my order. I later found the glasses I liked online through Zenni Optical, where I ordered glasses and frames for under 80.00. I would discourage anyone from going to WM's Vision Center and/or believing the cock and bull pitches from their clerks.

Linda of Fort Lauderdale, FL October 7, 2009

I went to get new glasses and contacts. I told the doctor I'd had glaucoma and I didn't know if my eyes should be dilated or not. He proceeded to dilate and even overdosed my left eye, which I brought to his attention but he said no problem. A few hours later I ended up in the emergency room with very elevated eye pressure and in severe pain. I was put on a morphine iv among other things to stabilize my eye pressure and sent immediately to a specialist.

My doctors have all said that this severe pain and eye pressure was definately due to the dilation. Neither Walmart nor Dr. Ferris will accept any responsibilty for the bill that I have incurred due to this. My doctors have told me that I could have gone blind due to this. My medical bills as of the moment are approximately 3300.00 but they aren't all in yet. I feel Dr. Ferris and Walmart should pay for this. My deductible is 5000.00.

Diane of Enville, TN October 5, 2009

My son needed new glasses for his truck driving job. He got them in time to go on the road for 6 weeks. Evidently, they were made incorrectly and for 6 weeks he suffered with them until i was able to order a set from his old vision place in Ohio from his old prescription. The glasses he received from WalMart Vision Center caused him horrific headaches, swelling eyes, and any use over an hour caused great discomfort.

We took the glasses back and told them the problems. They said that perhaps they were ground and made incorrectly and for an additional amount they could change the type of lense. We just asked for our money back. We will order his old prescription from Ohio again and never trust WalMart Vision Center again. He was in excruciating pain with headaches and swollen eyes. Severe eye strain and unable to drive as much as he could have.

Debbie of Glen Burnie, MD October 1, 2009

Hello 2years ago I bought a knew pair of glasses over 300.00 dollars in 6 months they broke at the arm that meets at the lens I taken them back to the vision center at Wal-Mart they made me buy another pair of frames in which I didn't think I had to do but I did anyway because I need my glasses fine I did so. But in 6 months they broke again I had to do the same thing all over agian now here it is the third time they broke agian I had to super glue them together so I can use them I beleive that this make off glasses have a default in them I can not afford to buy new frames every 6 months. Is it anyway possilbe that Wal-Mart can take my prescription and get me a knew pair of glasses.

Marcus of Portland, OR September 30, 2009

I was told my exam was free and to come in, but after the exam I was told to pay for the exam. I had no money with me and it didn't matter that I was told the day before on the phone the exam was free. I asked specifically how much the exam was going to cost and the lady on the phone replied free. The woman taking care of the bill acted irritated, never apologized and had an attitude throughout the checkout process. I was told without paying for the exam I would not be prescribed the new lenses I needed for my correct fit.

Early in February 2/18/2009 I went in to get my contacts fitted. I was fitted with Acuview bi-monthly lenses. My eyes unfortunately made these unwearable just after 2 days of wear. Protein was being built up or my eye lids were tearing them as I blinked. I thought it was just a bad set of lenses so I ordered more through 1800contacts and the new sets were just as bad. Lenses that were supposed to last 2 weeks were only lasting 2 days before I could not wear them any longer. August I tried to order dailies and was denied by 1800contacts because they daily Acuview made it a whole new prescription. I concacted Walmart Vision to just allow me to buy the daily Acuview but I got no reply even after leaving several messages. On September 29 I was finally contacted by Nicole to come in for a refitting. The Dr saw me and later while sitting with the receptionist I was told there was a charge of 59 for the eye exam. I explained to her it was supposed to be free, but she kept telling me I had to pay. I walked out of there without the right prescription or any contacts that I needed.

Nancy of Sparta, GA September 24, 2009

I received a letter from my insurance company (Aetna) which said it was time for my eye exam and new glasses. It showed The Vision Center in Wal-Mart as one of the places that accepted Aetna insurance. I called the number on the letter and got the part that actually sells the glasses, not the eye doctor. I asked the girl if they took Aetna insurance and she said yes. I asked her if they were a participating EyeMed provider. She said yes. I told her about the letter from Aetna and she asked what they said my coverage was with them. I told her per Aetna I was to get a 38% discount (on average) for prescription eyewear at participating EyeMed provider locations plus a 100. allowance which was applied after my 38% discount. She said fine. I told her I needed to schedule an appointment and she transferred me to the eye doctor's office for the appointment. Well, I went to my eye appointment today. I took my prescription out into the vision center and picked out a pair of frames. The young man (very nice) asked for my insurance card so that he could call Aetna and check my coverage. He came back and said that they did not accept Aetna. I told him I had called two days before and they did, so he went and got the manager. Now she was a piece of work. She just didn't know who I could have talked to. Perhaps I called another store. (Gee I had the eye appointment at the right place).

She said that she could give me a 20% discount that would actually save me as much as my insurance would have. Now think about that. I was supposed to already get a 38% discount (on average per my letter) and then another 100. after the discount. I told her to go ahead and figure up how much my glasses would cost then. And I told her I wanted glass lenses instead of plastic. Oh, No! I didn't need glass lenses. I should use this other special kind of plastic lenses that were much better than glass. (I tried plastic one time, scratch to easily). I said fine, figure it up. She got her calculator out and said that my cost would be 175.00 which was actually 2.00 less than what my cost would be using my insurance. I told her I wanted to think about it and look at my letter again. I asked the nice gentleman to just give me the individual prices at which time she turned and stomped off. You'll love this....my frames were 99.00, the bifocal GLASS lenses were 100.00 and if I wanted transitions bifocals they would be 200.00.

So let me see...If I wanted just the plain glass the total I would pay would be 199.00. He agreed that was correct. So in other words if I figured in my head that I would get about a third off (just roughing out the 38%) the glasses, that would take off about say 65.00 or thereabouts. Then you take off my 100.00 and I would only be paying about 45.00. Let's see...which is less 175.00 or 45.00. That's hard to figure out. Just how stupid do they think we are? I just wonder if they do not take Aetna and they were going to have me pay 175.00 and then bill Aetna for what my coverage should be. I will not ever go back in there, nor will I recommend them to anyone and I am going to call Aetna and tell them what happened. Wonder if they are playing about the same scam that CVS was playing on the insurance companies several years ago?

Christine of Monroe, GA September 1, 2009

I'd been a previous customer of Walmart Vision and hadn't had a problem until now. I called my local Walmart Vision in Feb. 2009 to schedule an eye exam for myself and my son while I had vision insurance. I'd recently left my job and as of the end of Feb. would no longer have vision insurance. They made my son's appt and preceded to tell me that I had just had an exam in September of 2008 and the insurance wouldn't cover me until September of 2009. I had thought my previous exam had been in February of 2008, but didn't argue because I honestly wasn't sure. I had gotten married in October and there was so much craziness in September that it was entirely possible that I had had my exam then and didn't remember.

Being as it was Feb. 2009 I could understand how I may have gotten that mixed up. Well I had my son's appt in which he got glasses that have of course already broken. The ones they gave us were nowhere near as sturdy as the display ones that we looked at and picked from. That was annoying enough, but now as I'm trying to get more contacts from 1-800-Contacts I'm told by them that Walmart said my prescription had expired in Feb... the same month that I previously had TRIED to make an appt.

I called the Walmart in case they mixed something up only to find out that it did indeed expire in Feb. Well now I have no vision insurance and can't go get another exam as I can not afford it since I will now have to replace my son's crappy glasses from there. Needless to say I will take my business elsewhere from now on. That is just totally unacceptable. I will say at least, that the woman that I talked to today about it was very nice and never once rude.

Barbara of Elmore,, AL August 31, 2009

I have needed bifocal glasses for the past several years. I went to Walmart Vision Center in Wetumpka, Alabama to have my eyes checked and purchase glasses. After the exam, I was told that I did not need bifocals. I reluctantly agreed, due to the fact that Walmart Vision Personnel are supposedly state board certified.

After I received my glasses and attempted to wear them, it was apparant that the person who examined my eyes made a wrong diagnosis. I cannot see out of them at all and they are virtually useless when I'm reading or watching t.v. I am out 200.00 for a pair worthless pair of glasses that I cannot wear due to the fact that I am fearful they will damage my vision.

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