Can just swapping out the lenses multiple times damage glasses frames if done properly?

July 26, 2006 9:37 AM

Can just swapping out the lenses multiple times damage glasses frames if done properly?

I went through a few changes of lenses recently on my glasses, and the last time, they gave them back to me like this.

Obviously, the screw isn't seated properly, but it looks like the lens is cut slightly too large for the frame. When I brought them back, they told me that this just happens if you swap the lenses out too much, and I'm looking for some backup that that's actually true and not an excuse to cover up a problem with the way the lenses were cut.

Additionally, they told me that since they're my frames, they're not liable for any damage. How true is that if this damage is actually the result of their shoddy work?

Does this "just happen", or was there negligence here?

posted by Caviar to clothing, beauty, & fashion (10 comments total)

I can only answer the second question: They're only not liable for shoddy work if you signed some kind of waiver, or they told you as you handed the glasses over, that they would not be held responsible. If you didn't waive your rights, you still have them.

There is no special rule that I know of that states you're liable for negligent harm to all kinds of other goods, but not glasses.
posted by kingjoeshmoe at 9:44 AM on July 26, 2006

Looks like the lens is improperly seated, possibly ground wrong/wrong blank.

I've used the same frames through six or seven lens changes (I'm cheap...), and that never happened. Were all your lens changes at the same shop?
posted by words1 at 9:45 AM on July 26, 2006

Well, the damage liability waiver is their policy, and non-negotiable. I can understand that they're not liable if, say, the frame breaks through no fault of their own. But this is pretty clearly (to me), the result of trying to force too large a lens into the frame.

Yes, the lens changes were at the same shop.
posted by Caviar at 9:56 AM on July 26, 2006

Moreover, they're trying to fix this (and they didn't tell me if they're going to recut the lens or what), but what happens if the screw is completely stripped now?

Am I just totally out of luck, or do I have any recourse?
posted by Caviar at 10:10 AM on July 26, 2006

I've used the same frames for different lenses at least 5 times in the past with no problems - both plastic and metal frames. They screwed up. They should fix it.
posted by clarkstonian at 10:12 AM on July 26, 2006

If the screw is stripped they might use a nut and bolt.
posted by robofunk at 10:17 AM on July 26, 2006

If done properly, changing a lens shouldn't do anything to the frame to damage it or "wear it out". It sounds like they're feeding you a line.

Additionally, they told me that since they're my frames, they're not liable for any damage.

This makes no sense. If they owned the frames, there's no question of "liability" (how could they be held liable for damaging their own property?).

It's probably not something worth pursuing legal action over, but it definitely is something I'd raise a stink about. Tell them that they've damaged your property, and you want them to fix the problem - either by repairing your frames properly or replacing them.

If they refuse, see if you can talk to a manager or otherwise escalate the dispute. Putting everything in writing might help to create a paper trail.

If firm-but-polite methods don't work, you could always threaten to publicize the dispute in the Internet, the local news broadcasts, or by telling every customer that walks into the store about your crappy experience.
posted by gwenzel at 11:04 AM on July 26, 2006

'My frames' refers to the fact that I didn't buy the frames from the shop that's doing the new lenses.
posted by Caviar at 11:21 AM on July 26, 2006

Well, they were able to fix it about halfway. The frame is still a little bent, but not as badly as it was. They did refund half my money and let me keep the lens, so I guess that's a reasonable compromise.
posted by Caviar at 11:48 AM on July 26, 2006

I can't tell for certain, but there seems to *me* to be an *angle* between the flats on that joint; I suspect they crossthreaded the screw, screwing it back in. 2-56 screws are pretty small.
posted by baylink at 10:53 AM on July 27, 2006