RayBan Customer Disservice

[Ty Webb]

Well, guys, I have been buying and using RayBans for over 16 years, but I have bought my last pair. They used to have a premium product, and, if you had any problem, customer service was top notch. Well, those days have definitely come to an end.

Seems ever since they were bought by Luxotica (an Italian company) the service center has changed their attitude 180 degrees. If you have a problem now, just wait until you get to deal with these people. You're not a customer, you're a problem.

After refusing to repair a defective pair under warranty, they said to send an additional $32.50 (on top of the non-refundable $10.00 "evaluation" charge), and they would replace them . . . .

Paid my charges, waited yet a few more weeks, guess what arrived in the mail -almost 7 weeks later? That's right- my old, broken glasses. When I called the Sefvice Center, and asked them to send the replacement pair (which I had already paid for) they refused to do so until I sent in (yet again) the same broken pair they had sent me by mistake!

When I asked to speak with a supervisor, I was given the voice mail of some clown who has yet to return my call after three days of leaving a mesage each day.

Bottom line- buy Oakleys, or any other brand besides RayBans or Revos, and buy them directly from the manufacturer or from anyone other than Sunglass Hut (which, like Ray Ban, is owned by Luxotica). Here is an address of a place I buy from that is about half the pice of Sunglass Hut, anyway:

www.eyesave.com

 

[Skyrunner]

Smith is a great co. too

Broke my Smith Flybys in Afghanistan. Sent them home for my wife to take care of. Wife sends letter to Smith with glasses. BAM!!!!, new pair of sunglasses in two weeks for no charge. I will always go with Smith.

Take care,
SR

 

[captjim]

Thank you Ty, I'll not buy another pair of Ray Bans!

 

[Ty Webb]

I truly wish I had something else to report. AFter 16 yrs, it's pretty disheartening.

But, I guess the good news is that there are a whole lot more companies making quality shades now, and, with the internet, you can actually find them at a fair price. Of course, you can't see what they look like on you . . . that's why I recommend going to Sunglass Hut (a Luxottica company) try them on, then go order your selection off the internet, for about $49. less.

After all, why pay for service, if they're not delivering service anymore?

 

[ArmyPilot]

Ray Bans are junk

I also have wore Ray bans for years but have purchased my last pair. I actually have a pile of them that I use for parts to fix the my current pair. They don't hold up, there service sucks, and most of all SUNGLASSES HUT is a JOKE! I bought a pair that where polarized, wore them for 5 seconds (the cockpit looked like a rainbow) and took them back to Sunglasses Hut to swap to a non-polarized pair. I spent an hour arguing with them about a small stress fractor around the pin in the glass. I told them that I wore them for 5 seconds and the fracture was obviously there when I bought them. Finally after showing the clerk her own sign (read: 30 money back guarantee) she swapped them.

I have not tried Oakleys yet but I think I might head in that direction, plus they do have a cool looking plane!

 

[bobbysamd]

Sunglasses

Save your money. Try a pair of BluBlockers. About $15 at Walgreens. They really do work as advertised.

 

[FL717]

I got fed up with Ray-Bans and "Banned" them from shopping list. I switched to Serengeti Drivers (non polorized) and they are great for driving and flying! I use www.sunglassescheaper.com and they were $70.00 including shipping and I get them within several days. I have bought numerous sunglasses from these people and have yet to have a problem.

Great glasses and great company.

 

[Jetsnake]

Re: Sunglasses

Save your money. Try a pair of BluBlockers. About $15 at Walgreens. They really do work as advertised.

Not to doubt your wisdom,
Spend 500-600 hours a year at
high altitudes and tell me again
$15 BluBlockers are great.

Your eyes's are what your parent's
gave you. You can replace your teeth.
Not your eye's.

I'm not defending any sunglass provider.
But spending $100 plus on a good pair of
shades will make difference.

Ask any Eye Doctor, if he/she has any wisdom
they will tell you what works best for contact's
or any eye ware as a pilot. Low or high altitudes.
If they don't know, seek another Optometrist.
Or ask your Flight Surgeon.

Jetsnake

 

[captjim]

update

Ty, just as an update to you, I have found a great pair of glasses for a fraction of the cost of Ray Bans. I have a nice new pair of Varnets, that are great. So you've got your message out, and I hope Ray Ban gets it(the message), live up to what you promise.

 

[HPaul3]

Serengeti Drivers

I have been using the Serengeti Drivers for over 15 years, and I would have a hard time switching to anything else. I have the small Aviator frames, and they look pretty General MacArthur (looked great on him, not on me), but they are very effective. Here's why:

1) The brown lenses enhance contrast, especially in gray shades. They are fantastic in the clouds, and they help with picking out traffic.

2) They are coated with an anti-glare coating on the inside which is great on bright days.

3) They are darker at the top than the bottom. Perfect for bright windscreen, darker cockpit. (I know this is true with the Aviator style...not sure about others.)

4) The brown lenses also work fantastic with the electronic displays and colors in glass cockpits.

5) They are photochromatic....they get darker in bright light, but you can wear them through sunset to dusk.

6) They are pretty cheap for good sunglasses. $70.00 is a good Internet target price.

Do not wear cheap sunglasses. Your eyes are too valuable. Polarized glasses DO NOT work with aircraft because of the coating on the windscreen. I second the recommendation to take any new glasses to a competent FAA-knowledgeable eye doc just to make sure they'll work OK.

Cheers!
HP