There is a program called Give the Gift of Sight at LensCrafters that gives glasses to low income people. I went to get a pair recently. After my first appointment, I recieved a phone call saying my appointment was cancelled because I looked too "rich". I had brought in my own frames to use and I was told that was the reason they thought I had money. I called the manager and she apologized. She said she trains her employees to determine the financial eligibility of clients by their appearance, not financial records. This sounds very strange to me, even discriminatory and could be illegal. Does anyone know if this is illegal and what law it could violate?
2006-11-23 16:38:51 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
LensCrafters is running a scam.
I went there yesterday and showed them the box I'm living out of, and I even blew some of my unimaginable halitosis on the lady who was fitting a frame on my face. I thought for sure I was going to get hooked up! But they pointed at my "Will Work for Food" sign, and noted that I used a "Sharpie" Brand marker to write on the sign (instead of using my own feces - oops, my mistake), and they said that *I* was too rich, too.
It must be a marketing strategy.
2006-11-23 16:45:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes but perhaps not in your scenario...if it even happen.
I was told by an optometrist that they give those glasses to ppl in urban areas, and other countries. Lenscrafters does this w/help through the Kiwana's club.
If indeed your story was true, and the fact that you probably got off your cable modem computer, drove up in your car parked in front of Lenscrafters, walked in w/new shoes and labels hanging off your jeans, cell phone to your ear...then them determining your need would not be that off. I
t's all about priorities in life.
Glasses or a cell phone hmmmmmmmm
2006-11-23 16:49:04 · answer #2 · answered by MaryJaneD 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Appearance is also a good gauge in determining the financial ability of a person because documents are sometimes tampered to hide wealth just to get a benefit.
2006-11-23 16:42:03 · answer #3 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's their policy, and you have enough money to own a computer and be online...I just paid 400.00 dollars AFTER insurance for contacts and glasses, and as a fulltime student, paying for school out of my own pocket, 400.00 dollars was not easy to come by.
2006-11-23 16:42:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That sounds stupid to me. I went through a time in my life when I was down on my luck, but I made sure my appearence was repectable. I wouldn't have had much oppourtunity to pull myself up by the bootstraps if I looked as poor as I was at the time. However; I suppose they are making a gift, so it's theirs to give to whom they please.
2006-11-23 16:48:20 · answer #5 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's almost like saying, are certain thoughts illegal?
On the other hand it could be construed as being profiling, and that's another kettle of fish...
2006-11-23 16:42:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, i agree, it does sound very strange. It sounds to me that it is disciminatory, i guess you could ask for free legal help, I am not sure, but it is definetly something to look into.
2006-11-23 16:48:07 · answer #7 · answered by vanilla53402 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋