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Optical Express
by Sarah Iban
I went to optical express as specsavers never had open appointments for contact lenses after being six minutes late. I went there and spoke to a lady who booked me in for an appointment. My optician is nice. However, when speaking to the lady I said, "I am here for the free trial i think?" never did she say they would take £35 ... out of me for something that I can do for free at specsavers? it's frustrating, they led me on, knowing that I didnt have any intentions of paying and then pressed me for money. I also feel pressed to join their direct debit scheme, which I am not going to do because I won't be wearing my contact lenses often. I feel manipulated. They knew they were getting a new customer which is why they didn't inform me that it isn't free. I know it's just £35 but it's annoying knowing that I can get it for free somewhere else.
I know I'm not going to be a customer anymore, might just go back to specsavers, or move to vision express or boots opticians.
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Specsavers Opticians
by spanielize
It can be tricky to rate a service rather than a product - as a service can vary due to particular experiences, whereas unless something has gone badly wrong a product remains the same!
I have been going to Specsavers for over 14 years - and the only bad experience I had was at my most recent visit. It didn't put me off using ... them, but i think it's worthwhile giving readers an outline of both the good - and the bad.
My eyes aren't too bad, I tend to get a little more shortsighted as the years go on, and I need glasses for driving and distances. I used to visit an independent optician as a former employer had a contract with them and we received free eye tests, but since leaving that job I have gone to Specsavers.
The Good:
There is a lot to put in this category - after all I've been going back for 14 years!
The branch I visit is bright and airy, nicely furnished in light coloured wood fittings, and painted white and the corporate Specsavers green. Lots of mirriors make it seem even brighter, and the outlay is spacious. Unlike my GP or Dentist I do not see the same optician each time, and I am looked after by a team of staff during my visit. I am greeted by a receptionist, then I update my details and discuss my needs with an assistant, before seeing the optician. Everyone is usually pleasant and helpful.
I have a number of tests - one for the general health of my eyes (including the nasty but necessary test of puffing air into my eye) - the other, in a different room for my actual sight tests. Sometimes I do not need new lenses and there is no hard sell to get me to pick new frames. Even when I do need new lenses, it's easy to get new ones just put into existing frames.
If I do decide to get new frames I am given a wide choice at good prices - currently there are 2 for 1 offers from £69, and designer frames at 2 for 1 from £99. I'm not one who must have designer frames, I just go for what like. Right now I have two lovely Red Or Dead frames - one in a tattoo design and one in a delicious leopard print (my favourite). The glasses are always ready quickly, usually in just a couple of days, or if I am just getting new lenses I go for a cuppa and they are ready in a couple of hours.
I work full time so with Saturdays and late night Thursdays I can easily get a slot that suits me.
I get regular mailers to tell me when my eye test is due, and often news of special offers and vouchers.
So on the whole I am very pleased and would recommend Specsavers.
The Bad:
As I've written, I've only had one bad experience - at my most recent visit.
I have two sets of glasses, one I keep in the car permanently as I have to wear them for driving, while I keep my favourites in my bag for when I'm out and about and need them for shopping, a show or the cinema.
After getting new lenses put in I wore my driving pair and was discovered that I couldn't see at all - if there was any magnification in the lenses it was only very slight as the road was a complete blur. Luckily I had my other pair in my bag otherwise I could not have driven at all.
Now, this was just a simple mistake (goodness knows I make plenty myself) however when I phoned my branch whoever I was speaking to argued that the prescription was correct, and when I said what had happened the reply I received was along the lines of "I find that hard to believe". I had to take time off work and go back to the branch, but they were quite reluctant to agree to see me.
When I arrived the assistant I spoke to brought my details up on the computer and told me there was no way I had the wrong prescription and that I had made a mistake. Eventually I asked her to try the glasses for herself (and compare to the correct ones). Although the difference was obvious, I didn't get an apology for the error or my inconvience, instead I felt like I was inconveniencing them!
In Conclusion:
I'll keep going back to Specsavers, as it wasn't the mistake that I was annoyed at, but the attitude, especially as I'd been going there so long. Perhaps this is one of the downsides for being looked after by a "team" and not an individual. I would still recommend them - but please - do check your lenses before getting behind the wheel!
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