Update on my Costas

cd1 · March 15, 2011, 10:50:20 PM

I sent my Costa del Mars back to the factory earlier this month. I had a problem with "double vision" when viewing an object with glare.

Costas customer service wasnt just great. They didnt email me when they said they would, then their phone system didn't work properly. When i finally got someone on the phone they tried to tell me that there was nothing wrong with the glasses. She said its just the polarization. I then explained to her that ive owned polarized glasses before and that none of them have ever had this issue.

I told her there was indeed a problem and i had no interest in the glasses if they couldn't find and fix the problem. I told her that if they couldn't fix the problem to just send me my $250 back and I'd go buy a product that worked.

I then asked her how they had tested the glasses. I asked if anyone had put them on and gone outside. Apparently thwy had not.

She transfered me to the manager. He tried to suggest i wasn't wearing them properly. Then tried to say it was just the polarization. I asked him if he'd had them on outside...he hadn't. I told him to just wear them outside...take them out at lunch and drive around with them in bright sun.

He said he would have difficulty recreating conditions that would let him see what i was talking about. I guess they dont take the glasses outside.

Ultimately...with some salesmanship on my part...he agreed to replace the lenses. He didnt want to put another green mirror back in for some reason. I told him thats the whole reason i bought them. I had to explain that the green mirror isnt the issue...its something in that particular lense.

It was a bit of. Run around, the customer service was marginal, and the tech guy wasnt terribly sharp...but they say they will replace the lenses and return them to me.

DBrooke · March 15, 2011, 11:10:27 PM

I wear polarized lenses year round and have never had a double vision problem. I do find it funny that they wouldn't even try them on outside though.

bigjim5589 · March 16, 2011, 12:06:40 AM

That's a shame you had to go through all that. But, what do you know! They're the experts, they obviously know more about what you were seeing than you did!

I tried to get a local eye place to get me a pair of polarized prescription sunglasses several years ago & they kept telling me they didn't recommend it. That they're "special" coating would reduce the glare sufficiently. I hate being treated like I'm an idiot!

I need a new pair of sunglasses, and was considering Costas. I'm looking to get a pair of prescriptions. I think I'll look around some more based on this post!

cd1, let us know how it finally turns out!

kidd · March 16, 2011, 12:37:02 AM

For $250 they better have lasers in the lenses that I can shoot down mig jets with! Yowza! Sorry about your bad experience!

Canesfan · March 16, 2011, 08:25:53 AM

Quote from: BUZZKIDD on March 16, 2011, 12:37:02 AM
For $250 they better have lasers in the lenses that I can shoot down mig jets with! Yowza! Sorry about your bad experience!

I hear ya'. My $ 19.99 BPS sunglasses work just fine for me.

Darold_31 · March 16, 2011, 11:13:00 AM

SOLAR BATS....they do prescriptions if needed and are very fairly priced...great customer service...no need to say anymore...

cd1 · March 16, 2011, 11:32:16 AM

If the double vision issue goes away I'll be very happy. For $250 they are by far the best lenses I've ever looked through. Again...aside from the double vision issue...the optical quality and contrast these lenses deliver is stunning.

I've owned evertying from $5 cheapy Wal Mart shades to the Maui Jims and Costas. The only time I'll every buy another cheap pair (like the Wal Marts) is if I'm on the road and left my good ones at home...the difference in quality is really dramatic.

I've heard lots of good things about Wiley's and some of the others...I've just never worn them.

WES · March 16, 2011, 02:56:07 PM

Thats funny that he said you were wearing them wrong. $:-\$

cd1 · March 16, 2011, 03:20:44 PM

Quote from: WES on March 16, 2011, 02:56:07 PM
Thats funny that he said you were wearing them wrong. $:-\$

Yeah I got a kick out of that too. I got the feeling that he doesn't deal with people very much.

WES · March 16, 2011, 03:36:24 PM

I own 2 sets of coasta's and it seems like I send a pair back about once a year for one reason or another. I have never talked to anyone. They just send them back and they look brand new everytime.

ex301p · March 18, 2011, 01:44:45 PM

I would have to agree with Darold_31 about Solar Bats and add that there the best I have ever owned and I have owned many, but speaking of customer service, I also own a pair of GuideLine Polarized shades. There not on par with say Costa, Solar Bat or Wileys, but better then the cheapo in that they actually feel like your wearing a high end pair of shades. Very conformable and light weight with better clarity then the 20 dollar shades. I would say more a middle ground between the high end and low end. However where they really shine is in there customer service. I got a crack in the frame, I think my kid sat on them but he won't admit it lol, I called them and then sent them in and they replaced them no charge. I sent them in and in less then two weeks I had a new pair.

Sorry to hear about your issues with Costa. IMO they make the most comfortable shades on the planet, but also IMO nothing so far has beat the Solar Bats as far clarity and seeing whats in the water. Hopefully Costa will resolve your issues soon.