Comments on: IRIS, Tillcum Mall

By: dolly

dolly — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:43:06 +0000

I just purchased TWO pair of glasses from Iris. They were going to cost $2300+ tax. after checking about the competition would build the same for less than $1000 but using inhouse lense brand..go figure

By: Serena

Serena — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:13:56 +0000

Thank you so much for these comments. I am going to school to become an Optician in the fall, and I wanted to look online to investigate which companies would be the best to work for. I know I wouldn’t be passionate helping costumers at IRIS if I was cheating them in some way, only concerned with making profits even if it means hurting people.
I would appreciate it if anyone knows about other companies like Costco for instance, that are good optical alternative locations to work at.

By: Elaine Poulter

Elaine Poulter — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 03:52:18 +0000

July 2010 I purchased one pair of glasses at the Wonderland store in London, Ontario last year. Cost over $1000 dollars. The girl that helped me with was great and good customer service. After I ordered my glasses I didn’t hear back and called in to find out that the girl that helped me was no longer with the company.

At first they couldn’t find my order and the new girl was abrupt, rude and rushed me out, about a week later they found my new glasses, for the first few weeks I felt disorientated and had a headache I returned to the store to find my perscription was off, the lenses were warped. So they reordered them and for the next few months they seemed ok but had to return several times for tightening and adjusting meeting a new person each time.

Approx. the next January I was sitting next to my daughter and kept adjusting my glasses and she took a closer look to find out one of the screws was missing on the side. And the glasses were scratched.

i took them back to Wonderland Store to find a new set of people very nice lady said she just bought the store and was more than delighted to help me, as glasses were still under warranty she checked my glasses and stated she would reorder a whole new pair.

I received the new glasses, Unfortunately they dont fit right and I am adjusting these glasses all the time. They are loose and its outside the year since I purchased them. Funny thing I mention this to my daughter who took closer look at glasses and noted scratches on glasses in same place (not sure if its me or just the frames were replaced). The most annoying thing since they were replace is the nose rest the one on my left side I can see it all the time. Its like looking over a white smudge.

I thought alot about going back to store but thought I would write to head office and ask advice of what I should do. I paid alot for these glasses and I feel glasses should last more than a year.

When I returned to the store I found out yet again the person who claimed to purchase the store was let go as she was only an employee. And had replaced my glasses with the same pair she never placed another order.

I have constantly asked for money back, complained to head office and they dont care they got my money and now ignore me.

DO NOT BUY GLASSES FROM IRIS

By: Meaghan Walker

Meaghan Walker — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:13:06 +0000

I had an absolutely lousy experience with IRIS in Langford and on Fort Street. First off – I am native and so my eye exam is supposed to be completely covered by my medical insurance. The first time I went to IRIS a few years ago, I got suckered out of money because they did a bunch of extra tests that DIA does not pay for and then billed me for it. This time they got a little snotty when I asked to opt out of the exam. I expect that they get a commission for the extra exams. Then they told me that they were giving me a $100 cash rebate on certain frames. I later discovered with my husband by doing some research that they jacked up the price of the frames by exactly 100 — from what those frames sell for elsewhere, and *give it back*. Some Deal? Seems like a scam to me. Their staff act like chipper happy morons who can’t seem to answer a straight question. It took me asking them plainly several times over and over to get them to tell me EXACTLY how much money I was paying for frames and lenses. Then they were supposed to send my glasses to Fort Street to pick up. But they screwed up and sent the glasses back from Fort Street – delaying my ability to get the glasses quickly by 2 days. They also lied about what was happening… It’s odd — the first thing that the sales associates do is lie when dealing with customers instead of simply copping to the truth and apologizing… I will never do business with these people again, and I would suggest that ALL native people avoid using this establishment… it’s clear that they do not value the extra business that comes from treating customers fairly, honestly and decently…. I will make one exception to my comments. The ONE part of the process that I actually found was worthwhile was the actual eye exam with the Doctor…. He was competent, professional and decent. It’s a shame that he works for such a shoddy outfit.

By: Robbie

Robbie — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:45:11 +0000

I have spent thousands at the sunglass hut, the most expensive sunglasses i bought where almost 400 for maui jims, Not even a year later the screws fell out of the lens. i went back and asked them for help, They told me to write a email to maui jims. so meaning to say why would i buy from them i should buy direct from maui jims. Sun Glass hut sucks, i will never go back. i proceeded down the mall in West Vancouver to Iris where my prescriptions are from, I told them of my dilemma they took my glasses from me, inspected them and found that the other lens was starting to crack. they offered to send them to maui jims for me for a measley 25 dollar shipping fee. They called me today to tell me that maui jims replaced them for free AND I DIDNT EVEN BUY THEM FROM IRIS. They arent a cheap eye wear company but give awesome polite professional service and they stand behind their product, Sold by them or some one else. you cant beat that!, Its true you get what you pay for from them, NOT the sunglass hut!

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:45:52 +0000

You wrote – Quote “Is IRIS more concerned about profit margin than customer satisfaction? It certainly appears so to me.” My answer is definitely YES! I personally filed a complaint to the BBB regarding IRIS The Visual Group in Tsawwassen BC at 1202B 56 St Delta, BC V4L2A4 after they promised me I would be reimbursed by the Government for the expense of my prescription (I told them I could cover the cost of frames but being on Disability could not pay the full $800.00 for my glasses) They assured me I would get MOST of my money back from the Gov. if I could borrow money to pay for my lenses. They LIED. They later admitted they know this isn’t the Gov’s policy. Which left me stuck having to pay back money I did not have, other than for food and medication not covered by Gov. So I was stuck in a nightmare for months, trying to get help. I did get $100.00 back from the Blue Cross FINALLY after IRIS Group in Tsawwassen tried to steal my cheque and cash it in MY name. Cindy, the horrible bitch who works as manager there, called and yelled at me…ignorantly accusing ME of trying to cash two cheques…harassing me in my home. She finally called back laughing, saying it was all some mistake…that someone in their office had tried to cash my cheque. It was suppose to be sent to ME in the mail. She laughed it off…after screaming at me and treating me like some criminal, NOT one damn apology….EVER. I had to finally go down to their office to get my cheque…which they wouldn’t get to me. They are liars and big time scammers and Cindy is an abusive bitch from hell. Don’t ever have anything to do with IRIS The Visual Group in Tsawwassen BC at 1202B 56 St Delta, BC You WILL be very sorry. Karma will definitely be a bitch for her and her bossman in Ladner BC. Beware customers!!!!

By: pete

pete — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:05:47 +0000

Anybody have had a bad experience dealing with the Iris Optometry group?
I had my eyes check by one of their doctors. After leaving the clinic, I realized that I was not given any prescription. So I phone the office back and they mentioned that they do not give out prescriptions. Ok fine. I go to my optician, thinking they can have me sign a release of medical records, and then fax my prescription. Well, this is where Iris started to play games by giving my optician a fax number that didn’t work (and insisting that it is fine). I phoned the office again and they said they didn’t fax prescriptions. I had to go to the office to fill a records release. Even then I had to come back to get my prescription. I cannot understand how a clinic with such malicious business practices can still survive. The law in BC states that optometrists are to give out prescriptions, free of charge, without the patient asking for it. Clearly this is in violation of the law. Later on checking with the Better Business Bureau, I find that there have been a number of complaints against Iris in BC. They are not a member of BBB. Lesson learned here: Beware of Iris and you should too.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Tue, 25 May 2010 03:30:20 +0000

I know what you are going through.I order glasses for my son, paid for it. 2 hours later my wife inform me that I made the wrong choice of glasses and I asked to have a refund. They kindly told me to kiss my butt.
So I’m going to talk to head office and demand my refund and if I don’t get it I will create such a
sh*t storm that it will cost them more in bad press and lost sales then the cost of the lens.

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:34:14 +0000

IRIS optician @ Tillicum Mall in Saanich, BC said I had a very small piece of metal in my eye but that it wasn’t going to be a problem. I phoned back and said I wanted a second opinion and referral to an opthamalogist. I went into the store and spoke to an employee who said they wouldn’t refer me. They want me to come back and see their other optician — This DOES NOT satisfy me at All. I will never do business there again. I intend on writing them a letter to let them know.

By: D

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:45:54 +0000

I work in the industry in Victoria BC and I deal with many MANY unsatisfied customers from Iris. The common theme I see with them is OVER selling the customers into progressives that do not benefit them. If your Rx doesn’t include certain elements it doesn’t warrant certain expensive lenses they push on every customer. As a matter of fact over selling you can actually restrict your field of vision.

Many people get pulled into they hype of them saying “we’re the best and thats why we cost so much” when in reality most places in town carry Essilor lenses and Essilor is the parent company of Nikon. Explain that?

Next time make sure you shop around and get a few different opinions. As well get the satisfaction guarantee and REFUND policy in writing. In the brochure they give you with your purchase it states in extremely fine print that there is NO return policy whatsoever.