...continued from Solving Eyeglasses Problems

Although state laws vary, what you are entitled to depends on the refund policy that the store posts in some form: on a sign by the register, a written policy on the sales slip, or what have you. However, what you actually get may be much more than what you're strictly entitled to.

Just as when shopping for any other kind of merchandise, you're best off using common sense when deciding on which optical stores to patronize. One that comes highly recommended from satisfied friends or relatives is often a good bet.

If you don't have a recommendation, talk to a shop's opticians; if they don't seem knowledgeable, or if they treat you poorly, then chances are that you won't have a good experience should you have a problem down the road.

If you are treated courteously by the staff when you make the purchase, they will often look for ways to help you overcome your difficulties. If the glasses are too heavy, for example, the optician may be able to suggest a lighter-weight lens and allow you to pay only the difference between the cost of the regular material and the premium lens, rather than charging you full price.

Likewise, if the frames aren't a good fit, it may be possible to put the existing lenses into another style that fits better — asking you to pay only the difference, should the better-fitting frames cost more than the ones you originally bought.

However, if your dissatisfaction is a case of simply not liking the eyeglasses (for no particular reason), your success in getting rid of them will depend on where you bought them: optical stores have policies that vary widely.

Some will take the entire pair of glasses back within a certain period of time, such as seven or 30 days, and offer you a full refund or a store credit so you can get something more to your liking. Some stores will offer a credit or refund only on the frames because they can be returned to inventory and resold, while the lenses are useless to anyone else.

Other stores won't take back the eyeglasses at all, unless there is an excellent reason to do so. You invest a significant amount of money in new eyewear, so you need to know what to expect "just in case."

Page 4 of 4: Insurance, warranties and replacement plans; what to do if you're still dissatisfied