Great Glasses Empire Faces a $4-Million Fine
The man behind the fast-growing Great Glasses empire faces a $4-million fine if convicted of defying a court order demanding that he obey the law.
Maverick Dundas optician Bruce Bergez will appear before a Hamilton judge in the next two weeks for a decision on a civil contempt of court application filed by the College of Optometrists of Ontario.
The Ontario college contends that Bergez is breaking the law — the Regulated Health Professions Act — in the way eyeglasses and contact lenses are prescribed and dispensed at Great Glasses.
The College of Optometrists says the case raises serious public health and safety issues.
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November 30th, 2006 at 11:46 am
Well it has come to an end - so far….. 1 million fine to be paid in 14 days or seek jail time. Of course he has 1 million that is probably pocket change to this guy. Also as soon as he appeals the verdict we all go back to square one. I would so love to smack this guy. His sarcastic grin makes me sick. Although I am very disappointed that the only paper that wrote about this ordeal was the Hamilton Spectator and I highly praise Steve Buist for having the balls to actually say something. Unlike other local papers and new channels who have barely if at all reported anything. Just wait until someone who bought glasses or contacts from these people hits a child crossing the road. Then it will be news!!!!!
January 12th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Good for him it’s about time someone else made money besides the doctors. $75-80 on average to get your eyes checked and this guy does it for free. Good for him, why not use a machine to check our eyes? they seem to do everything else in our lives. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but computers are parking cars now!!!!! No one seems to have a problem with that, “just wait until someone who bought one of these cars hits a child crossing the road” (because the system wasn’t properly engaged). Then it’ll really be news!!!!! Till then good for him.
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:59 pm
wise man Are you kidding?
$75-$80 for an eye exam for something he does for free? Is that how you see it? What about when you are blind from undiagnosed eye disease? Are you gong to be satisfied with “free” then. Not to mention, nothing is free. His “free” eye exam is for the benefit of an opportunity to sell spectacles to you, which he does typically for a cool $700-$800. Does that sound like free. Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is rather than comment on something you know nothing about.
May 15th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Eye Gal and the rest of the optometrists in Ontario can go take a long walk off of a short pier. I actually sickens me that optometrists call themselves doctors. Hey, PEOPLE! I’m not sure if you know this, but optometrists DID NOT study anatomy to get their lame designation. If this same child were to get hit by a vehicle, an optometrist could do NOTHING for her. A vetrinarian could do more for her than an optometrist. They are nothing but liars and fakes. Go and ask an optometrist to write you a medical prescription. They CAN’T because they’re not doctors! Wake up and start asking questions. Go Team Bergez!
July 30th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Where do you people get your info from? “Wait until someone hits a kid with their car?” Either you’re a complete idiot, or one hilarious comedian. Why would someone who CAN’T SEE WITH THEIR GLASSES OR CONTACTS keep wearing them, much less drive around town? You’re a moron.
And “a cool $700-$800″ borders on lunacy for what you’re talking about. Go to any optometrist and check their prices next to Great Glasses. Doctors consistently mark up their frames and lenses close to 50% more than almost ANY other optical, nevermind GG. A $800 sale would almost always constitute some combination of designer frames, progressive multi-focal lenses, hi-index (read: thinned) lenses, extra coatings, etc.
Their basic package starts at $344.00. For three pairs. Show me one “doctor” who will charge you that for three pairs.
Know what you’re talking about before you begin spewing your BS. Obviously you people that complain have nothing better to do in your lives than to jump on the bandwagon with people trying to bring down an entrepreneur without any sane reason for their bitching.
August 13th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Hey Bergez fan,
No, I am not a Medical Doctor. I did have the same clinical medicine professor as the Harvard medicine students. The same histology professor as the Harvard med students. Anatomy? yes we did have anatomy, including cadaver lab. As for helping after an auto accident, I could help, I do know where all the major arteries are, and can perform CPR, I dont know what else you think anyone else could do at the scene of an accident without equipment, but I think I may provide better first aid than the average person. And yes we can prescribe medications, and perform minor surgical proceedures, depending in what part of North America we practice. I really hope that you would have the guts to come into my office with a serious eye problem and tell me who you actually are. But you see, I am a real profesiional, I would help you. I may not like you, but I would help you.
Bergez fan, you have the right to your opinions, but before you go bashing any profession, do your research. I dont believe that you made one true assertion in your statement.
Good eye health to you- I hope that you never need my service.
August 26th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
ok everyone
this guy who owns great glasses just gives franchises to anyone, to people who don’t even know wtf there doing ,like come on ive been to many great glasses locations they have shit frames witch they call designer frames that are old and discontinued. They cant even order in a frame if u give them the model number, there jusst a big FRAUD!!!!!!! they have cheap 2 dollar frams that they sell to u with very cheap lenses.they also dont even have an Optician on site . If people dont noe, its illegal to have an opticall store with out an
optican. Great Glasses might have 3 for 1 but come on lets face it yr a shame to the optical industry, name someone who dosnt look down on u. Yr a descrase to the optical industry. U even noe it. Come on People its time we understand this fraud business called Great Glasses
August 29th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Tell me where to find you and I’ll gladly tell you what I think. Then we’ll see who has the guts. Don’t let your mouth write a cheque your body obviously can’t cash.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:33 am
And don’t worry about needing your pathetic service, Eye Guy. I’ll go to a REAL doctor - an Ophthalmologist.
August 30th, 2007 at 7:16 am
I see I have irritated you a little. I have made no threat of physical violence, remember, I am a professional. It is you my friend who suggested this. Why dont you ask the 2 people that had retinal detachments this month (one who was seen by a “real” doctor 2 days earlier), and the brain tumour I found last month if I am a REAL doctor. As for seeing an Opthalmologist feel free to try and refer yourself for an appointment. By the time you are aware of any eye disease in yourself, or your family doctor detects it, it will most likely be too late. I will not post after this. I will let you have the last word, and the public can decide for themselves.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:35 am
I appologize for the typo. Ophthalmologist is spelled wrong.
August 30th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Well, Im glad that typing is not my career. I have to slow down…. I even made a typo on the typo correction.
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:55 am
good job eye guy im all with u bro Bergez fan and her stupid business she supports is a fraud and we all noe it let them think whut they want, to float there boat
September 4th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Hey thanks for the support D by GG. I re-read an earlier post by GG supporter. I would like to let you know that I have complete glasses from $96, and you only need one pair. So you do the math, 96*3+70 for your REAL eye exam. Thats $358 Hmm, now which is the better deal. I dont have sales, you dont need coupons. If you come back tomorrow, it is the same price! Anti-reflective coating is $40. Scratch Coating is included. But why do you want 3 crappy pair when you can get a D&G or Diesel for $198 with lenses. I have not seen anyone come into my office that only paid $344 at Great Glasses. Most people end up paying about $500 and get nothing special. I have seen 2 bills for $800 but they did include bifocals with which they could not see. Optometrists are for the most part not a greedy sort. There are good and bad in EVERY profession. Unfortunately, sometimes the bad ones give a bad name to the whole profession, be it Optometry or Opticianry. Most Opticians are very well qualified, and look after their customers. They unfortunately do not get to set their prices because of their corporate environment. I do have the freedom to set my prices, and offer the best prices I can afford. Now I know Bergez supporter is going to say- Nice advertisement. NOTICE my name and office number are nowhere to be seen. My patients will know who I am. Looking after you and your family. Eye Guy.
September 26th, 2007 at 7:11 am
I was having headaches and thought that maybe it had something to do with my eyes, afterall I hadn’t had my eyes checked in about 4 years. I went to one of these ‘Great Glasses’ place on the referral of a co-worker. When the guy sat there and told me that I have astigmatism in both of my eyes, and a slight prescription in one of them - and then proceeded to try to sell me their glasses all the while talking about his own glasses and how great they were. I asked him his credentials and was shocked to hear that he used to be in HR and then just ‘decided one day’ that this is what he wanted to do for a living. He was not a medical doctor of any sort but rather an optical technician. So yeah, me being a bit taken aback I decided to find an Optometrist and make an appointment. Most out there are taking new patients. So I just went to the optometrist yesterday had a full exam and found out my eyes are extremely healthy, and I have 15/20 vision in both of my eyes.
This being said - spend the $90 (some healthcare plans reimburse this too) - its much better than getting a pair of glasses with a prescription that you do not need, which could be making your vision worse and be giving you problems. Now I am good for 2 more years and will definitely be going back to the same place I went and not some silly ‘optical technician’ who never actually looked into my eyes.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
You two (’eye guy’ and ‘disgusted’) make me laugh in absolute derision. There’s a reason that HM Smitherman called Optometrists ‘terrorists’. The stories I’ve heard about this ‘brotherhood of ODs’ is absolutely appalling. Just face the facts and the truth - Optometrists are greedy and they lack integrity. They’re opening up dispensaries in an attempt to horde profits and put Opticians out of business. Period. If ODs can dispense, then Opticians should be able to refract. Simple. Sure, Bruce Bergez is not the most moral or righteous entrepreneur out there, but at least he’s fighting the good fight.
September 26th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Again, check your facts Bergez fan. Smitherman called Optometrists \
September 26th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Again, check your facts Bergez fan. Smitherman called Optometrists “Terrorists” after we suggested that a job action might take place. To put it in perspective, we had not had a raise in nearly 20 years. The government was refusing to negotiate with us. What other option did we have? When was the last time you received a raise? He did apologize too. Did you notice we did not take any job action? That is because we care about our patients more than ourselves. The other thing you keep forgetting is that we do not provide the same service as Mr. Bergez. We actually perform an eye exam. The other issue is that Mr. Bergez does not perform the exam, a “Technician” does this. What training do they have? I keep hearing this 1 year of training. I have a cousin who worked for Bruce before he found out the truth about the things he was doing. He had no where near 1 year of training, and truly still does not understand very much about glasses and optics in general. If we used the same analogy that you use about Opticians testing eyes, then Ophthalmologists perform eye exams, so Optometrists should be able to do cataract surgery, this is absolutely absurd. You must be trained to do these specific acts.
1)Dispense eye wear -Optician-Optometrist-MD
2)Eye Exam – Optometrist-MD
3)Surgery - MD
Optometrists respect and recognize the level of education of Ophthalmologists and Medical doctors in general. We respect that opticians are well trained to Dispense glasses. Most Ophthalmologists respect our services and routinely send their patients for post cataract management. Why is it that some Opticians spew hate about Optometrists? If you want to be an eye doctor, go back to school to be an eye doctor. If I wanted to do surgery, I understand that I would have to go back to school and get an MD degree. What Bruce is doing as much as putting the health and welfare of the general public at risk is making a mockery of Opticians. They have argued for years that untrained individuals cant dispense eye wear because of harm to the public. I have not seen a pair of glasses cause direct harm to an adult. That is why anyone can sell sunglasses. I have however seen a patient blinded in one eye because of her free eye test. I hope the owner of that franchise gets her summons for the lawsuit soon. Maybe this will be the end of Opticianry in Canada? Maybe it will be like in countries like India. You get an eye exam, buy your glasses and bring them back to your doctor to make sure they were filled correctly. I hope opticians will survive this exercise in stupidity, The big chain stores would like nothing more than to get rid of their opticians. I don’t want the hassles of untrained people dispensing glasses, and patients expecting me to adjust their frames, and even replace their nose pads. (Apparently they don’t do those things at my local franchise). The end is near for Bruce. The first charges under the Regulated Health Professions Act have been brought at a Great Glasses location in Toronto. I am expecting some incredible fines and maybe jail time. Also his appeal is coming to an end. Let us see who has the law behind us.
September 26th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
.Also might I point out that you continually spew hate toward Optometrists. Attack our virtue and honesty. Why don’t you actually make a real argument based on facts that supports Bruce? Read the rules based in HPRAC and within the laws on Ontario, and the regulations put forward by the college of opticians, optometrists and physicians and surgeons and produce a reasonable defense for what he does. Show me that you are not just regurgitating information provided by Bruce. I will have much more respect for you if you can do this. I can tell you are not a bumbling idiot because you can actually spell and have a vocabulary of more than 150 words.
Bruce is single handedly trying to change the scope of practice of more than 1 profession. Optometrists’ TPA legislation went through this spring. I had practiced in the US where I had complete TPA privileges. Would it have been right for me to order drugs directly from drug companies and dispense them to my patients? The proper channels must be followed in our system. Bruce has completely ignored our legal system and should be punished for this. If he wants the right to sight test, he must follow the proper channels, just as Optometry has been doing since 1991.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Regardless of whether any of you “Great Glasses Supporters” understand things like the importance of detecting eye diseases and other things that would get in the way of earning $10 an hour at your retail jobs, the question stands to be asked: When will Great Glasses have to pay taxes on their glasses? Revenue Canada and the Government of Ontario are asking that very question.
Who sets up a business with magic mailbox drops and family pet names? Might there be a reason to be suspicious? Why are there special exceptions for Crooked Bergez?
If you are ignorant enough to entrust your eye health and money to a retail staff member who flipped a coin about whether to work in fast food or at Great Glasses, testing eyes on a really cool machine: (”It, like, beeps and tells me stuff. And then I, like, say, you have ‘the astigmatism’. That’s not good. I don’t know what astigmatism is, but I think you should buy 3 pairs of glasses for the price of one - $800. That should fix you. What’s that? Oh no - my boss, Mr. Bergez, told us we’re never to let you leave and get a doctor’s opinion. He said something about optometrists being legitimate and having 8 years of post-secondary education - 4 of them about eyes and the brain! Whoa, that’s deep! They totally know stuff, like what affects a prescription. And if they discover that our eye tests are inaccurate, we don’t make money. And Bruce doesn’t like that. At all. He’s not out to save the world from blindness. He just wants your money. And oh yeah, we don’t give refunds as a result of our neat little (money-making) machine making mistakes. Bruce doesn’t like that either. Because then he doesn’t make money.” You can probably see the pattern here. Read on if you’re slow.)
If something seems too good to be true, it is. Free eye test, my ass. If you don’t need glasses, that eye test wasn’t free. You just spent money on something you don’t need. And the kicker is, if you really do need glasses, one of two things will happen: if the machine is having a good day, and punches out the correct prescription, the lab won’t make your glasses properly anyway. They just won’t. But don’t worry about that happening, because the machine in the Great Glasses store is usually wrong anyway. So even if the lab does their job properly, the machine got the wrong prescription anyway. WHAT A DEAL! (For those of you who like a challenge, go complain about that. Ask for a refund. They will just keep remaking your glasses again and again, never getting it quite right. Start using words like PDs, optical centre, doctor, etc. and you’ll get a response: “Get out of my store.” They don’t really like optically educated people coming in - it makes it too obvious that they don’t understand optics.)
Quality costs money, and if you think that Bergez is running his business from a philanthropist’s perspective, pull your head out of your ass. He depends on idiots like you, who are not informed and who will believe anything they are spoonfed. The irony is that he brainwashes his supporters, and in the end, after all of their defending, THEY’LL GO DOWN WITH HIM.
There are many issues going on with this case that are so complex, and the Great Glasses people can’t even begin to distinguish fact from fiction. So they take what they are told by Bergez, not having any sense of objectivity, and run around babbling it. Anytime you’re forced to watch movies with cult influences as part of your training seminar, you should see red flags. But when you’re desperate to be a part of a “team”, a cult seems pretty good. And hey, if some dude is going to pay for your car insurance in exchange for your soul, prostitute yourself out for that, too. You’ve already lost all of your dignity anyway.
Seriously people, you need to pick up a paper, read court transcripts (that’s plural - he’s been to court here and there) - use your brain. If these issues don’t make sense to you, ask a grown-up to explain it to you (preferably one with some form of post-secondary education).
Some of this stuff is tricky, but the bottom line is: if you break the law, your arrogant ass goes to jail. That you should understand.
P.S. I’ve always been really good at using scissors to cut things out. Based on Bergez’s theory, I’m going to become a surgeon. It can’t be that hard, can it? Surgeons use computers. I should be able to manage that. (Oh wait a minute, a computer is used to ASSIST the doctor. It doesn’t actually REPLACE the doctor. Hmmm. But Bruce said that news reporters wouldn’t like going back to typewriters - computers have replaced typewriters. When did computers get brains and develop cognitive abilities? Does this mean that no human does the actual reporting or interpreting of today’s headlines? OR, do reporters USE computers to help them with their jobs - but the reporters still have to do the work? Gosh, his bullet proof defense makes total sense. If you’re a GG supporter.
October 3rd, 2007 at 8:27 am
Hi there,
I worked for this organization for a short while.
It was disgusting.
I could not continue to work for them after just a short time due to my own personal moral fiber.
Some of the designer frames they sell are fake, it is true.
Sometimes, when they run out of the correct lens, they substitute another lens for it. A half of a diopter the client will never notice.
I have more gems like this…if you care to hear them. I will bookmark this page if you have any questions about the internal environment at not so Great Glasses
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:28 pm
I guess ‘astigmatic’ and ‘eye guy’ take a horse and buggy to work. Not a ‘machine’. As usual, a couple of OD’s are using their flacid vocabularies and unjustifiably huge egos on display to make their point. All the while showing us just how holy and righteous they really are. Hey, I’ll put my I.Q. up against yours any day, any time, any where.
When I hear of OD’s walking into an Opticians’s dispensary and saying bs like, “I don’t know why OD’s pimp themselves out to your f’ing Opticians”, what am I supposed to think?
I agree, Bergez is cheapening Opticians by doing what he’s doing. But the fact of the matter is, you OD’s are using technology that is so bloody outdated as to be laughable. This ‘machine’ is infinitely more accurate than you’ll ever be.
Lastly, if an OD hadn’t convinced the Minister of Health to put a ban on Opticians refracting, you wouldn’t have this mess. How fair is that? Some bum off the street can refract, but Opticians can’t?
OD’s, please. Your words are empty. Your actions prove beyond argument that you are a foul, malicious bunch intent on driving Opticians out of business.
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:33 pm
OD’s - YOU ARE NOT REAL DOCTORS. Deal with it.
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Here, here.
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Let me put it in simple terms so that the two of you can comprehend this: A PHYSICIAN cannot prescribe and then dispense a drug. It’s a conflict of interest. Justifiably so. Why then, do OD’s refract and then dispense frames and lenses? If Opticians are the Pharmacists in this case, how in the world can OD’s claim that they are real doctors? That’s easy - they can’t. The general public is ignorant to this fact. And you miscreants say you have integrity? Please.
October 3rd, 2007 at 8:04 pm
There you go again with your personal attacks against a profession…. tsk tsk
If Machines are better, why is a goldmann tonometer more accurate than an NCT?.
As for convincing the minister of health about Refraction… yes anyone can refract…. but prescribing is a restricted act- anyone can take blood pressure too…. doesn’t mean they can prescribe the beta blocker to reduce it. The college of Opticians is supposed to restrict opticians from prescribing. (this is a real problem but don’t get me going on this- I think this is even a bigger story than Bruce) We don’t need provincial legislation governing this. As for all the Great Glasses franchises. The college of opticians in my opinion has a duty to have investigators outside the doors 12 hours a day, fining the employees and employers every time the law is broken.
So Here is a note to you my friend…. I have a dispensing office and a non dispensing office… It is people like you who give us that impression. I bet if you have an OD next to you and you showed him your post here, you would not have an OD next to you for very long. I dare you to show him/her your post. We can work well together but people with misdirected anger like you create unwanted animosity between the professions.
I would like to point out 1 major contradiction to you as well..
If you check out the Optiboard there are many posts from Opticians that they cant compete with the Cost plus that is required of Optometrists in Ontario. - Hence we will put you out of business. Then there are constant posts that we charge too much and are ripping the public off. So you guys will have to make up your minds… are we too expensive, or too cheap?
My guess is that you all believe that we don’t charge enough for our glasses. I’m guessing that because if you were less, all of our customers would know that and you would have no problems with them coming back.
So if we are so much less how could that be a conflict for the public? It is actually an advantage.
I’m guessing you have this hatred towards… Sam’s Club, Costco and Walmart too. Am I right?
And for putting Opticians out of business, if we wanted to do that, we would charge $300 for an eye exam and you would get your glasses FREE (sound familiar?)
And Bergez Fan,
Yes Physicians in Canada can not prescribe and dispense… probably not for long. You see pharmacists in Albert can prescribe now… Funny how that is not a conflict? Or is it. Maybe you should write a letter to the Minister of health complaining about that too…. (Yes this scares me, apparently a Pharmacist in Edmonton can treat glaucoma, but I cant….) Physicians have no problems dispensing in the US. I would love it if my family doctor could dispense here. So I can support him, and he will look after me when I need him. And if pharmacists could do it for the same or less with better service- they would have no problem competing.
And to you Bruce, I doubt at this point you will EVER get an Optometrist or Optician to work for or with you.
Again, I would like to point out I have made my point without any insults, threats or degrading any profession. I don’t need to belittle others to make my point. I am glad I would never have to deal with you on a day to day basis.
One final point… if a sight test becomes common, why wouldn’t Optometrists be able to provide the same FREE service. I dont agree with it, but it would certainly be easy for me to do a 5 min refraction and then still sell my glasses cheaper. Why would anyone EVER go to an optical then? You guys really have to think about the ramifications of what you are asking for. Remember my point about Pharmacists in Alberta?
October 4th, 2007 at 8:18 am
I worked for this organization for a short time.
If you have any questions that you would like answered from someone with experience from within this organization, please post them and I will answer honestly and without bias.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:23 am
QUESTION: How many Optometrists does it take to screw in a light bulb?
ANSWER: None, of course. While one Optometrist is lighting a candle and charging you to use it, 2000 others are out lobbying to ban the light bulb.
October 4th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Ok, Now I have to respond to that one…
How many great glasses employees does it take to fix someone who cant see with their new glasses?
None, the just tell them to get out of the store, and no they cant have their money back.
Scary part is one of us is telling the truth and one of us is grasping at straws.
October 4th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
That was out of line but I couldn’t resist.
Bergez fan, you keep saying computers provide better results. But did it ever occur to you that you might not realize that you are missing something? There is only one thing worse that not knowing, and that is NOT KNOWING you DONT KNOW. For example, you would have to be out of your mind to try and represent yourself in court when facing millions of dollars in fines. And also not knowing you cant represent anyone other than yourself in court unless you are a LAWYER. It is funny how Bruce thinks he is an OPTOMETRIST and a LAWYER. But I guess the Judge pointed out the lawyer thing, and then he must have made a little bit of a point when he applied a $1000000 contempt of court fine, that is probably around $19 000 000 by now. Why doesn’t he go back to court and be his own council. Did he learn his lesson? Its only a matter of time till the Optometrist “with out the papers” thing catches up with him too.
I wonder if the irony ever crossed Bruce’s mind…. made me chuckle a little…
October 5th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Eye Guy,
My anger towards a few OD’s prompted me to paint you all with the same brush. This is wrong, of course. My future blogs will be tempered with a little more…understanding.
Last thing I heard, and this is all heresay by the way, is that when the court finally forces him to pay that huge fine, he’ll liquify all his assest and jump on a plane to the Caymans. He’ll never pay that fine, I assure you; setting a precedent that will ultimately erode the relationship between consumers and opticians.
October 5th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
thank you Bergez Fan, I appreciate your candor. I was thinking the other day and came up with the ultimate truth here.
So a customer comes in to Great Glasses, they test them 3 times, remake their glasses 3 times and they still don’t work. Where do they send them? to a refracting MD? NO. To an Ophthalmologist? NO. (they wont take a referral from GG) They send them to an Optometrist, at least thats where they end up. We fix the problem. So if the machine is better, why cant if fix the problem? It may be true that sometimes the eye logic system will produce an result that in some cases may fix a problem with a prescription from an Optometrist, but the Optometrist can fix it too. Also because a patient has a problem with an RX, doesn’t mean the prescription is wrong, it may just be that the patient is not ready for such a change. Remember what I said about art and science…
As for Bruce leaving the country, I’m pretty sure the Judge has asked for his passport by now. Also after seeking a legal opinion, (I know a lot of lawyers, I know everyone…LOL) I’m guessing our good friend is going to do a little time in Maplehurst, because money is obviously not a deterrent.
October 5th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Bruce may not fear the law, but I’m sure his fellow inmates will find him an interesting fellow.
October 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Bergez Fan, thank you for your candor.
I was thinking today, and came up with a very interesting situation. So lets say you go to GG and they test your eyes, make the glasses, and they are uncomfortable and blurry. So they put you through the eye logic again, and the same result. What do they do? Send you to a refracting MD? No. Send you to an Ophthalmologist? No, cant make that referral. Send you to the other refracting optician in town? Absolutely not. So they end up in the Optometrists office. So what does that suggest? Maybe we do a better job than a machine?
Now I will not argue that the eye logic may have fixed a few patients with prescriptions from an Optometrist, but I will assure you I have had more people throw out glasses from great glasses than any other chain I have ever seen. I guarantee that Great Glasses does not fix this many prescriptions from Optometrists.
As for Bruce fleeing the country, I would be surprised if the judge has not already seized his passport. Secondly, I have talked to a few Lawyer friends, and they seem to think that because money does not deter Bruce, jail time is very likely after this appeal. I think he may do some time in Maplehurst. Broke and in jail- maybe he will make some close friends on the inside.
October 12th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Just an update….
It appears that Bruce and his wife have lost their appeal of the contempt charges. The judge ordered that they pay a fine of $50 000 per day for the last 320 days… Ive run out of fingers but that is about $16 000 000 if I estimate right.
Also the employees who were charged under the RHPA for illegal dispensing appeared in court unrepresented, (are they insane? hell you would think one of them would be smart enough to hire a lawyer) Preliminary hearings will be in December. If you guys (read: employees) read this, don’t listen to Bruce, hire a good lawyer. You would if you were charged with impaired driving, this has just as much potential to cost you a lot of money. I’m guessing $25 000 each, or more.
BTW remember ignorance of the law is not an excuse. (or believing a deliberately misleading person)
October 15th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Crickets…..
Appears our friend “Bergez fan” has been really busy lately. I think it might have something to do with all the court action. I read the judge’s ruling and it is interesting that they were trying to get the contempt charges dismissed on a technicality. Not on the merits of what they were doing. It is an interesting read if anyone is interested.
Here is the link
http://www.coptont.org/docs/Legal/Great%20Glasses%20Justice%20Perell%20JudgmentPM.pdf
It is interesting as well that every Great glasses franchise has to pay for the appeal and the College’s costs $17,000 per location. (This is on top of the contempt of court fine)
I just want to see justice done.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
hahahaaha Great Glasses got f’ed up 16 million woow whut happened GG supporters why arnt u talking now have fun closing GG’s doors lol
October 24th, 2007 at 10:34 am
I’m here, Eye Guy. Unlike you, I’m a very busy entrepreneur and only have time to check this blog every now and again. Don’t worry your pretty little head, I don’t run away from a fight.
Yes, I am aware of the 16 million fine. How he’s going to get out of this is anyone’s guess.
As for justice being done? Hilarious. When has this world been anything but? Maybe Bruce and Martha Stewart can get together somewhere and go over old times. Name me one billionaire that didn’t resort to ‘unlawful practices’ to amass their fortune and I’ll eat my business card.
Eye Guy, not only are you terrible at debates, but you’re extremely naive as well.
October 24th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
So what you are saying then is that you believe that making money at any cost is ok. I bet you would like the name of your business promoted then. I know your customers would like to know that you would like to take advantage of them to make money. I am a very busy business man as well, the difference between you and me my friend is that I have a conscience, and my customers come first, not the money.
Profit at any cost…. how compelling.
Actually my friend, I really feel sorry for you. What a horrible way to work and live.
I hope it does not enter your family life or you will be a very lonely man.
As for being naive- I know business is a dirty game, but I would rather be less successful and be able to sleep at night. Bruce will never be a billionaire, unless he steals it. Martha Stewart would be a upset knowing she was compared to Bruce.
Why don’t we ask the public, who they would buy their glasses from just from reading this blog. Bergez Fan or Eye Guy.
October 25th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Feel free to vote….
http://snappoll.com/poll/228230.php
October 26th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I must say, Eye Guy, you keep this blog lively. I couldn’t help but laugh. Okay, I’m the villian. The villian has more fun anyway.
Again, don’t worry your pretty little head - I sleep quite well, thank you.
Does anyone know what Bruce is paying these kids to refract and dipense anyways?
October 30th, 2007 at 8:21 am
$9 an hour cash requires selling frames/fitting dispensing measuring PD and billing
$10 an hour cash requires above and cutting lenses
$11 an hour cash requires all of the above plus refacting
Putting a logo on your automobile pays $500.00 cash for 6 months
All employees are paid cash (cheque). There is no payroll. He calls everyone of his employees independant consultants and tells these people that they are responsible to pay their own Government dues. In the same breath, he tells these people that it really is up to them because they will not get caught if they do not contribute.
November 26th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
The Bergez character is a bad news. But Optometrists are worse! The reason they do not like the computers refraction is it would admitting that there is no skill involved in 90% of what they do, and would negate them to specialists for more serious issues. They are fake!
January 10th, 2008 at 10:41 am
The more I hear about the ‘machine’ Bergez is using the more irate I become. I may have just done an ‘about face’ here. Eyelogic Systems keeps providing Bergez with these machines and doesn’t give a damn about the Opticians in Ontario. Does anyone know anything about this company? Can’t we get the OAO to boycott them?
January 12th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Well, are you really surprised? All they want to do is make money. Sound familiar? I can go to a dental supply company and buy a lane of dental equipment too. Should they sell it to me as I am not allowed to use it? No. Will they? of course. Just like any optician can call and order any autorefractor, retinal camera, phoroptor, HRT, retinoscope. Are they allowed to examine and diagnose? No. Do they know how to use them all? No. But they can buy them if they want. I am really surprised by your response. This is a business that is in the business of making money. Nothing more, nothing less.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:24 am
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/320663
update
March 24th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Just got cheated by this company. Called them the following day, after I paid, to cancel. They claimed the lenses are already made! Funny how it takes ten days to get glasses but lenses are made within 24 hours of initial sale????
What can I do to get a refund? Any thoughts?
March 31st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I strongly recommend that you do not make the same mistake as I did. I went to the Great Glasses Bathurst Location. The only great thing about that store is the great up sell training that they all received. I was told that progressives would be the best thing for me since slice bread. Well they did not work for me. Gee what a surprise. Gary replaced the lenses to normal ones. Guess what? I strongly believe my vision was affected by the replacement. My eyes water and I experienced headaches. I am trying to get my money back. Another Great Glasses location is offering to redo the exam and replace the glasses. Gary you were so fast in taking my money. I wish you were a big enough man to return my calls and stop hiding behind your well trained staff. Will I ever be able to reach you? Will you ever deal with your problems? I do want to visit my eye doctor and get a proper exam. My eyes are hurting since wearing their product. There should be a recourse for us unhappy customers.
May 11th, 2008 at 9:36 am
isnt there a 24 hour cool-down period to get your money back no matter what?
i think there is
however…i dont know what the minimum purchase amount has to be….
also its may now so i dont know how useful this info will be to you
August 15th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Great Glasses is indeed violating the public. I worked for the company for quite sometime and sat through quite a few of Mr. Bergez long verbal ranting meeting on many occasions. I left that company because I refused to sign insurance forms that would be forging a doctor’s signature. For those of you who are in support of Mr. Bergez, I assume you too work for him at one of his 25 locations. And yes, Bergez does read the blogs, he gets off on the attention. What you ppl do not know is you are simply a pawn in his master plan of fortune- keep feeding him b/c when it all hits the fan, he will be sipping margarita’s while the store owners are left to clean up the mess. There is no optomitrist working for that company or any of it’s stores for that matter. Throughout my duration I know of 2 opticians hired for the use of their name, both of which have lost their licence and are now Frame Reps for various cheap suppliers.
All of their employees’ are paid “casual labour” meaning no taxes deducted, nor do they follow the laws of Workman comp.
The Cambridge location was fined substantially for this reason, Bruce’s response was to chew out the remaing 24 stores and have them jointly pay the 30 plus thousand dollar tab. I mean the list could go on for ever. The previous comments about a dissatisfied client trying to reach an owner for a refrund- yes your call was carefully being re-routed, a practise they take great pride in acheiving. It has been over 2 years since i worked for this company and I still feel guilty about taking a paycheck from such dishonest group of people, but mostly I feel guitly for the public who under the laws right now is able to con these people for so long due to a loop hole in the law, mere imperfect wording can do so much damage. Pay the 80 dollars for an eye exam , the doctor can detect it all, the tech aren’t even taught about eye diseases. Dispensing is one of the biggest issues. Shotty workmanship for a $300 frame that cost the owner one tenth of that and worse of all substitating rx’s to accomidate the availabilty of stock. My intention is not to slam this business, it does that on it’s own - my intention is so the general public will not get dooped out of hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars.