Kaiser Permanente - Santa Rosa Optical Services Ripoff Eyegalsses warranty Manufacturers warranty 50% replacement cost Santa Rosa California
I purchased new Calvin Klein eyeglasses from Kaiser Permanente in December, 2004 for almost $500. I also purchased a warranty for them. Approximately 6 months later they broke at the nose bridge.
I took them back to Kaiser and they said my warranty was a 50% replacement cost and my share would be about $240. I asked if there was a 1 year warranty by the manufacturer and was told there was not. I then left with my broken glasses.
I researched and found a company named Marchon manufacturers Calvin Klein eyeware. I contacted them and found they do indeed have a 1 year warranty on their eyewear as do most other eyeware manufacturers. They asked for Kaiser's phone number and the next day Kaiser called and said they would fix my glasses (new frame)for free.
Just last week I noticed a crack in the frame. I went back to Kaiser and they again said I would have to pay for half. After again talking to the manufacturer I found that the manufacturers warranty is from date of original purchase which I am 3 months outside of.
I did find the same frame online for $155, almost half of what Kaiser says 50% is.
2 things spell fraud to me.
1. They would have made me pay 50% of cost for new frames under their warranty, which also cost me something although I do not remember how much, if I didn't contact the manufacturer myself and get them to contact Kaiser. How many people did they charge for frames that should have been free.
2. After they charge someone the 50% under their warranty do they then get the frames free from the manufacturer if less than a year old.
Hopefully someone can look into this.
Jon
Windsor, California
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Hateripoffs
Alameda,California,
U.S.A.
Kaiser Optical is bad
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, February 10, 2009
I bought glasses a few years ago at Kaiser . I ordered the highest level of refraction lenses. When I came to pick them up I saw that the lenses were too thick to be of the highest level of refraction. I enquired and the clerk admitted that the lenses were of the second highest level of refraction. There was a sixty dollar difference in the price of the two lenses. They expected to keep the money while fraudulently selling me the inferior lenses.
Yes, the prices are the highest possible markup. I have checked prices on frames and find that Kaiser optical shops will quote a price that is much higher than the manufacturer's recommended list price. So that any so-called discounts you may be entitled to only bring you down to the same price you would pay at another store. I stopped buying at Kaiser Permanente. There are many better chain opticians and I have never encountered an outright fraudulent practice in any of them.