Praise indeed!

[johnwayne]

Like many if not most here I’m certain we all treasure our aviator s/glasses? Many years ago, so long I can’t recall when, but I bought a pair of Randolph Engineering’s when their selection was nothing like today but the fact the USAF wore them was good enough for me, loving the ‘spade’ style arms even though I have no reason to wear a helmet they were designed for! However, recently the nose pad broke off, not the pad itself but where it joins the frame.
I emailed RE to ask if they could recommend somewhere in the UK to fix them and same day I got a reply asking a few bits of info and to send a couple pics. Incredibly they said I was covered by their lifetime guarantee and today I rec’d a brand new pair via DHL today, 3 days after my first chat!!! If that’s not fantastic customer service I don’t know what is? Thought you all might like to know.

 

[leper-colony]

My stolen RE pair were not covered, lol.

 

[Chandler]

Wow.

I have a very old pair from an old army friend -- the plastic on the arms and nose pads have yellowed terribly (glasses are probably 1980?).

I wonder if they're covered under the warranty?

 

[johnwayne]

Wow.

I have a very old pair from an old army friend -- the plastic on the arms and nose pads have yellowed terribly (glasses are probably 1980?).

I wonder if they're covered under the warranty?

My nose pads and arm ends were yellowed but somehow doubt that’s covered, you could ask and they might be able to replace? Stolen ones I suspect only covered by general insurance!!

 

[Pilot]

Like many if not most here I’m certain we all treasure our aviator s/glasses? Many years ago, so long I can’t recall when, but I bought a pair of Randolph Engineering’s when their selection was nothing like today but the fact the USAF wore them was good enough for me, loving the ‘spade’ style arms even though I have no reason to wear a helmet they were designed for! However, recently the nose pad broke off, not the pad itself but where it joins the frame.
I emailed RE to ask if they could recommend somewhere in the UK to fix them and same day I got a reply asking a few bits of info and to send a couple pics. Incredibly they said I was covered by their lifetime guarantee and today I rec’d a brand new pair via DHL today, 3 days after my first chat!!! If that’s not fantastic customer service I don’t know what is? Thought you all might like to know.

Quality always pays off.

 

[Chandler]

My nose pads and arm ends were yellowed but somehow doubt that’s covered, you could ask and they might be able to replace?

So, I should just wait for them to break?

 

[Chandler]

@johnwayne -- did you register your glasses with Randolph?

I just saw the registration page at their website -- I might do that just to see how they respond to a pair from 1981 and another from 1985.

 

[johnwayne]

If I did register them then I can’t remember, it really was that long ago!
Not sure Bauch & Lomb/Ray Ban would be so accommodating now they are I believe, an Italian owned company!!

 

[Chandler]

Not sure Bauch & Lomb/Ray Ban would be so accommodating now they are I believe, an Italian owned company!!

Yeah, B&L sold the Ray Ban brand a long time ago.

That Italian company owns just about every designer eyeglass brand these days.

But I can't afford them or Randolph anymore.

(Full disclosure -- both pairs of Randolphs I own were gifts -- and given to me by an Army Reserve friend who got them at a serious discount from the base exchange. I wonder if Randolph still sells thru base exchanges at a discount?)

 

[Pilot]

Yeah, B&L sold the Ray Ban brand a long time ago.

That Italian company owns just about every designer eyeglass brand these days.

But I can't afford them or Randolph anymore.

(Full disclosure -- both pairs of Randolphs I own were gifts -- and given to me by an Army Reserve friend who got them at a serious discount from the base exchange. I wonder if Randolph still sells thru base exchanges at a discount?)

At Osan AB, only AO issued ones can be purchased at the PX.
RE also came to late for the “Vietnam war “ contracts.
AO was the military supplier ( and still is ).
RE history:

Randolph Engineering - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

AO history:

American Optical Company - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[MikeyB-17]

This is interesting-I have a pair of Randolph’s which I bought new many years ago-kept them pristine until I managed to step on them. Bent the frames, scratched the lenses, managed to bend them back and still use them for work, but it would be good if I could get another pair.