September 4, 2007
Dear Sir:
First of all, I was diagnosed with incurable Lymphatic cancer nearly 3 years ago and told that I probably had 5 years to live. I have undergone 3 series of chemo and am currently in remission, though must take pain pills to be able to live a normal life. Due to that, I decided to enjoy everything that I could in whatever time I had left. I had worn a pair of faceted lens glasses several years ago and loved them, so decided to have them again since I was in need of a new prescription.
In May of 2006 I ordered 2 pair of prescription glasses – a faceted lenses clear bifocal and a sunglass bifocal -- from Dr. Victor Rogo of Eyewear Designs Optometry 1241 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn, Ca. (Phone # is 530 888-0303). Though I used my own frames and had a discount from my insurance, the bill came to $838.20. I was shocked that it was so much, but was assured that they would last me since I had agreed to a special non-scratch and non-glare coating. I picked them up in July and was thrilled, though I felt that Dr. Rogo was anything but professional --- having dogs he bred in the office and telling me (I am a large woman) about a diet book he had written. I was embarrasssed and insulted by the latter, but said nothing. Within 3 months the lenses of the clear pair began to get foggy, but my health was poor and I did not go back as the office was in Auburn and I live in Lincoln. It was difficult for me to drive many days.
I was in the hospital 3 times in that year. Finally the lens problem got so bad that I could barely see out of them, so, in May of this year I want back to the office and saw Dr. Thomas Fong (who I later found out was the owner of the business), who told me there would be no problem, but the coating had to be removed -- I would have to bring them back another day at the beginning of their work day as the lenses would have to be removed from the frames and sent to the lab – this and removing the coating would take an entire day and I would get them back that afternoon. He also said there would be no charge. In the interim I had a back injury and was in bed for an entire month and was taking physical therapy. As soon as I could, I returned to the office. I think it was the 22th of August, but am not sure of the exact date. When I arrived I found that the parking lot was being resurfaced so I parked in the front of the lot and walked to the back to the office.
I am disabled from an auto accident several years ago, and this was very difficult for me. Dr. Rogo was on duty and, again, was very rude to me. He told me that Dr Fong had been mistaken and there was a 50/50 chance that removing the coating would ruin my glasses and he was not responsible if it did. He also said there would be a $20 charge. The problem, according to him, was that I had not cared for them properly, though I had never been told that there was a special way to take care of them when I got them from him. I left them with him and telephoned a friend to meet me for coffee. When I got back to my van after having coffee it was about 1:30. When I checked my cell phone there was a curt message from Dr. Rogo that he was closing the office at 1:00 and if I didn’t pick up my glasses before that it would be the next day before I could get them… and, “Oh, by the way, it didn’t work.” This left me with only sunglasses. There had been no sign on the door that he was closing early as I had checked before I left and seen that their closing hour was 6:00 PM, and he did not warn me then about an early closure. I tried calling the office number and it took no messages. When I called the next morning and asked for Dr. Fong, I was told he was not in yet and was expected around ten. When I called back 2 hours later, about 10:30, I was told he had already left. I had no intention of dealing with Dr. Rogo again.
It took 3 days of calling before I finally connected with Dr. Fong and told him what had occurred and how unhappy I was. He agreed that he would see that they were sent to the lab and call me when they were done. As yet I have not heard anything from him. It has been very difficult to wear sunglasses all the time. I am a freelance writer and can not do my work as well, nor can I drive safely at night. I am having severe headaches. I stumble around in the house after dark even with the lights on. I feel that I have been treated very unfairly and have had my glasses, which I paid so much for, stolen from me – my quality of life has actually been stolen from me.
This would be a terrible way to treat a healthy person, but since I have no idea how long I will be healthy enough to work or enjoy life, I am even more upset with this treatment. I really need my glasses back and feel that they should be repaired with no charge since the coating that Dr. Rogo talked me into was at fault and not me as he claimed. Please help!
It is best to reach me on my cell phone: 916 521-2595. I screen cals on hime phone due to many,many calls from a mentally ill brother. Number is 916 645-1865. Speak up and I will answer if I am closeby.
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