...continued from Solving Eyeglasses Problems

Aside from being unable to wear your eyeglasses comfortably or being unhappy with them, the other consideration is what happens if your eyewear gets damaged. Here again, the policies of different optical stores will vary, and you should inform yourself of the options that will best suit your needs before deciding where to make a purchase.

Some shops charge a fee — generally in the $25 to $50 range — for damage insurance or a warranty on the eyeglass frames and/or lenses. Consider what the replacement cost would be if a lens became scratched (the easiest type of damage that can occur). Does the cost of replacing one lens exceed the price of the insurance? If so, it may be worthwhile to purchase the extra peace of mind — especially if the glasses are for a child or a rambunctious adult.

While some warranties guarantee unlimited replacements at no additional charge, others have a limit on the number of frames or lenses they will provide. Different policies may also charge you a small fee, or a "co-payment" charge to replace the frame or lens.

Sometimes replacement policy costs are included in the purchase price, and sometimes the shop doesn't offer any type of guarantee at all. If damage is a big concern, then factor that into your decision about where to buy.

If you do your homework up front and purchase your eyeglasses from the optical store that makes the most sense for you, chances are that you will have good results should you have to request a refund or exchange. But if you try to negotiate with the optical shop in good faith in order to resolve a problem and you believe that you are being treated unfairly, you are not without resources.

If you are dealing with a retail chain store, contact the corporate headquarters and explain your difficulties at that level. If it's an independent store, or if the chain's headquarters is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, which will work on your behalf to try to resolve the situation. In addition, your state or local consumer protection agency may be able to help.

If you are unable to achieve satisfaction from any of these avenues, you always have the most powerful weapon available to you: you can vote with your wallet. If enough people take their business elsewhere, the offending optical store will find itself with no customers left to offend and will be forced to close its doors.