I went to Specsavers! (Specsavers Opticians)

Member Name: katew

Product:	Specsavers Opticians
Date:	02/04/09 (720 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good prices, excellent eye test and advice

Disadvantages: Slow; have to wait a week for your specs

When I noticed that I was sitting with my face a few inches from the computer screen, I decided it was time to get my eyes tested again. I'd had them done a few years ago and, being broke, bought glasses off the internet, but I never felt they fitted properly. This time I decided to go to Specsavers in Bath.

**The shop**
Specsavers in Bath have quite a big shop which is well laid out and has level access, although if you need level access from the reception desk to the rest of the store you need to go out of the shop and back in again, or right to the back of the shop. There are displays of glasses around the store, with clear price labels at the top of each section and plenty of mirrors for when you're trying them on. The waiting area is quite small, but adequate. There are several examination rooms which are of a suitable size for their purpose. The branch in Bath also does contact lenses and hearing tests/hearing aid supply.

**The staff**
The reception and shop staff are very helpful, but, although the store wasn't particularly busy when I went, it can take a while to get some help with choosing your glasses. The optometrist who tested my eyes could not be faulted - she was friendly and helpful and answered all my questions.

**The appointment system**
I was rather hoping that I could walk in off the street and get an eye test there and then, but I had to make an appointment. The first available one was about 3 days from the time I made it.

**The eye test**
I'm not an expert in eye testing, but the equipment they used seemed to be very up to date - gone are the days when they put a pair of 'glasses' on you and then loaded it up with different lenses until you thought your nose was going to collapse! I was seen initially by someone who I think was an optical assistant and, as I'm over 40, I had the glaucoma test, where they blow puffs of air into your eyes. They have to get 3 readings on each eye, and it's really difficult not to blink, but the woman was very patient with me and eventually got her readings. She also gave me some focussing tests, where I had to look into a machine at a picture of a hot air balloon, and she checked how my eyes focussed on it. Then it was back to the waiting area before the main sight test.

The main test was carried out by an optometrist, who, as I've said, was friendly and helpful and asked a lot of questions about my lifestyle as regards computer use, driving etc. She carried out a range of tests, and decided that I needed glasses for computer use and distance vision, but not for reading. I asked her about contact lenses as well, and she said that they would be suitable for me, even though every other optician has said they wouldn't be. She explained the modern techniques that meant that people with my sort of vision (one eye long sighted and one short sighted) could use contacts.

I was then escorted back to the shop area to browse the frames on display and make my choice.

**Choosing glasses**
At this point, I felt that I had been abandoned a bit. I wandered around trying on several frames and eventually narrowed it down to two that I liked - on for computer work and one for distance. I took these to the reception desk and they said they'd get somebody to come and see me and help with fitting the glasses. I sat in the waiting area again and eventually, someone did come to see me. I'd read online that they had a two for the price of one offer on certain ranges, so I asked about this as it didn't seem to be offered instore. The assistant said that it was indeed available, so it was back to trying on glasses from those ranges. Eventually, I settled on two pairs again and someone was dispatched to help me with fitting. It was at this point that I was told that the two for one offer was for two frames with the same prescription, and that I would have to pay an extra £39 to have different lenses in the second pair. By this time, I was too exhausted to go back and choose again, so I stuck with the pairs I'd chosen, even though the cost was a bit more than I'd expected to pay. The frames were adjusted to fit me, and the order was placed. I had to pay there and then, but was told that the glasses would take a week to be made up. This was a surprise, as the receptionist had told me 3 days.

I went back on the appropriate day, and the glasses were fitted and adjusted. I was also given a case (I could have had two, but I've got several of the things kicking around at home), and a couple of cleaning cloths. I was also advised to only wear the glasses for 2 hours at a time while my eyes got used to them (advice which I totally ignored!)

**The range of glasses and prices**
Frames start at £25, which includes standard lenses with scratch protection. Other options, such as tinted glass, extra thin lenses, etc, can be provided at extra cost. Prices then range to over £100 for designer frames. The choice was pretty good, with a few 'oldies' frames in plastic, a lot of metal rectangular frames and several designs a la Gok Wan. I felt that there were not as many of the lower priced frames available as I had seen on their website.

The eye test itself cost £19.95, which I believe is pretty average.

**My opinion**
In total, I was on their premises for an hour and a half for my main visit, which I feel was a bit much, but to be fair, they did say they'd had an 'optical emergency' in, which had pushed them into running a bit behind.

I couldn't fault the eye test - it's the best I've ever had. I'm 52, and have been wearing glasses on and off since I was 2, and for the first time ever, with my distance glasses, I can see in 3D. I'm still getting used to it; because of the difference between my eyes, I've only ever seen things as 'flat' until now.

I feel, all in all, that I did the right thing in going to Specsavers, but the staff do need to get their act together in getting someone to help customers with choosing and fitting, and in explaining the special offers.

Summary: Glad I went to Specsavers!