General Chat

Heather A wrote: Hi - I wondered if anyone has, or knows anyone who has, tried "Spare Spec" glassess - supposedly invented (in USA) to help mitigate the problems of glare etc.

I received my Spare specs from America today. They do seem to soften the halos a little and the glare quite a lot. I can see the outline of the headlight pretty clearly when a car approaches. I did have to pay £14.38 customs and handling charges to the post office. Why a handling charge when the company in the U.S.A. had paid full postage charges is beyond me. I think like Optical Express the Post Office has a nice little scam going. Grrrrr.

My body is under 'house arrest' until after xmas - but OE shouldn't get complacent because my mind is fighting fit!

While I'm office bound I'm trying to catch up with countless unanswered emails - some going back months!

Because of the volume of messages I regularly receive it's quite easy for some to get overlooked, so If you have contacted me and not yet received a reply, please resend and include your phone number.

admin@opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk :kiss:

Recovering from an operation earlier this week (nothing to do with eyes), hence the delay in responding to messages.

Normal service will be resumed very soon

Hi - I wondered if anyone has, or knows anyone who has, tried "Spare Spec" glasses - supposedly invented (in USA) to help mitigate the problems of glare etc.

I asked OE to buy some for me to try, but they confirmed today that they wouldn't:
"Regarding the possibility of acquiring a pair of “Spare Specs” to minimise the ongoing quality of vision symptoms (halos and glare) that you have been experiencing, I’m afraid we cannot at this time consider purchase to try them on you (as you mentioned in your email). What we are prepared to do, however, is book you in to see a surgeon to discuss more methods to mitigate these issues with more permanence."

My reply to this was:
" ....... I cannot for the life of me understand why you wouldn't want to try out a non-invasive, simple option as a possible solution. Surely you could "mock up" a pair of glasses similar to the "Spare Specs" (they provide the technology on their website) and at least see if this would help."

Not that I really beleive they would help that much, but I'm sure that fellow sufferers will appreciate the grasping at straws!!

robmort wrote: Whilst I sympathise with anyone suffering after-effects...
I don't blame OE for calling the police

How does that work Do you think it's wrong for people to make a stand against a company obviously unconcerned about the problems they cause their [strike]patients[/strike] customers?

robmort wrote: There are proper ways to obtain redress

robmort/Optical Express
What is the proper way to obtain redress in your world?

I actually believe now that it is me suffering harassment - as well as ruined vision. I have spoken with Stephen Hannan on the phone who told me I have 20/20 vision, not what someone in my condition wants to hear!

I have asked to meet with Stephen Hannan or someone in authority at their London branch, they have refused.

Stephen Hannan said he would write to me, he didn't. What am I supposed to do now?

When I first arrived at Harley St I told the receptionist that I was there for a refund but that I wanted them to know that in no way was I hostile towards them. I have been polite and courteous to all the staff and obviously have recorded these conversations so that this can be verified.

To be ejected by the Police was not very nice I can tell you. Last Thursday I didn't even enter the premises as the door was locked! I stood outside and they called the Police again for a second time, this was a blatant waste of Police time, not by me but by OE.

They can ruin my eyes and then think that because I have asked for a refund (not even compensation I might add) that the way forward is to ignore me and hope I will just go away, and if that fails call the Police.

Optical Express you should be ashamed of yourself.

Whilst I sympathise with anyone suffering after-effects, your behaviour looks like harassment. There are proper ways to obtain redress, and I don't blame OE for calling the police.

Watchdog have been contacted at least 200 times by at least 100 people - for whatever reason they won't investigate!

Contact Lindsey.harris01@bbc.co.uk

Hi Sasha
Just a thought: Have you ever tried putting the OE hard-sales tactics subject forward to Watchdog?

I went to Optical Express Harley St clinic again today to ask if someone in authority would speak to me regarding my ongoing condition and the fact that I want a refund.

Last Friday, after politely asking for the same, I was ejected by five Met police officers. This time I didn’t even go inside the clinic as the door was locked, so after knocking a guy opened the door a few inches and told me I couldn't go in and would I wait outside while he called head office to get someone to speak to me.

So I waited expecting some kind of response, and lo and behold up screeched a police car and at the same time two plain clothed officers came from the other direction, unbelievable!!
I think Optical Express staff are now being told to say I'm harassing them, which is not true as I have been polite and courteous to their staff at all times, the police even agreed that I seemed calm and polite.

Where is this going Optical Express? Do you really think that by wasting police resources and calling them every time I ask to see someone is going to get rid of me?

I have no intention of going away until someone sits down with me to discuss the reasons why I want a refund - and gives it to me.