Has anyone had an eye test at Specsavers?!
Question: I am considering changing my Optician as although I cannot fault them they seem very expensive. They are not part of a chain, just a small independent Opticians.
I have been looking at the Specsavers website and have priced the cost of the eye test and contact lenses which is cheaper than what I would normally pay with my existing optician.
What I wanted to know, was peoples experience with Specsavers, the quality of the eye test, how thorough you felt it was, whether you return there etc. All feedback welcome to help me decide. Thank you xxx
Answers: I am considering changing my Optician as although I cannot fault them they seem very expensive. They are not part of a chain, just a small independent Opticians.
I have been looking at the Specsavers website and have priced the cost of the eye test and contact lenses which is cheaper than what I would normally pay with my existing optician.
What I wanted to know, was peoples experience with Specsavers, the quality of the eye test, how thorough you felt it was, whether you return there etc. All feedback welcome to help me decide. Thank you xxx
Just keep in mind that the large chains are staffed by people who have no stake in the company. They just get a paycheck with the extra commissions they have earned during the week for all the " extras" they have managed to unload.
They don't have to work at building a reputation, they just have to keep the boss happy and not get fired.
Most of the big chains are like revolving doors, and you can't find the same employee a few months later.
The big chains also use their own "central labs ", where all their stores send all the work to be done. So when they are sent back to the stores , the opticians there often have to accept work that is somewhat past accepted tolerances normally, because the branch managers are on a very tight leash about profits...and having jobs redone. As long as the patient can see with it is often the rule.
The chains don't have to work at keeping a customer...if you don't go back, there are thousands of others to replace you.
The chains are not usually any less expensive either than the independant optician.
I am a small independant in a small town and I have been established here for 27 of my 37 years as an optician.
There are many large chain stores within a half hour drive of my office , but I have had a faithful and growing clientele for many years, even the children of those I first saw as children themselves.
Thing is, you were buying your glasses from the Optometrist...that is almost always more expensive than taking your prescription and going to an optical store owned and run by the Optician.
My dad found them inefficiant and eventually switched to Dolland & Aitchison.
I was actually quite impressed by them to be honest, the lady was very professional and my glasses arrived pretty fast.
Have a check with your work btw, because many employers pay for eye tests for their employees on a yearly basis (especially if you work with computers) and SpecSavers work with a lot of businesses offering vouchers and money off for this - hence my eye test was free and I get money off my glasses.
i have used them and always found them useless and ended going to boots, they are rude in there too and not as cheap as you expect as they add on loads of extras, stick with your independant guy who has known you and actually cares about your eye health!
VISION EXPRESS is way better
Go small pay large best bet is to go with an actual chain of companies as they tend to have deals to offer there customers like Specsavers for example they offer 30 or 40 pounds off if you purchase a pair of glasses within a certain price range. Where as smaller companies want to take as much money as they possibly can. Good luck!!
Big branches of tesco have their own opticians now, my partner went and got new glasses and contact lenses, really cheap and straight forward too!
Been using Specsavers in Dundee and Arbroath for several years. Their service is friendly whilst professional. The prices are very competitive and the service turn around very good. Can't fault them. Up to date kit too, with good prescriptions.
the specsavers in swansea are very efficient and nice staff had eye test there last week and it was very thorough
so i would reccomend them
I have had two recent consultations with them in which they diagnosed a macular degeneration in my eyes.which enabled me to be referred to hospital.I lost sight in one eye but could have been worse but for their professional advice.And they never charged me a penny.
Used one of their free offers for a test but found their glasses too expensive. Bought some online instead, much cheaper.
I've had no problems with my branch, been with them for years
I wear contact lens and get regular free check ups on the contact len scheme.I'm on a monthly disposable system and lens and solutions are posted to me every three mouths. so no messing about collecting them.
I've been using Specsavers in Newcastle for 10 years without fault, they've recently expanded the shop, and I now feel they've lost that personal touch, (but I still go).
Just keep in mind that the large chains are staffed by people who have no stake in the company. However specsavers are owned by different directors, depending on the region or area, so actually they do get a stake in the profit so each chain tries their hardest to give you the best offer possible. Think of specsavers as lots of small business owned by different people in different areas, but who have the same promotions and customer values.
Staff are fully trained and reliable... if not they will be fired!
The specsavers i go to has had staff working there for about ten years!
Although some specsavers do use central labs, they are still quick with making up glasses and often come back perfect. However no pair of glasses is unchecked. Obviously 'As long as the patient can see with it is often the rule'. But if there is a scratch, your not happy with your frame or you don't like how a tint came out, specsavers will be happy to amend the problem free of charge.
Specsavers send a letter to you every time your eye or contact lens test is due, so they work at keeping you as a customer.
From my experience i know specsavers is one of the cheapest there is.
Just thought id contradict that previous answer. Small opticians dont like chains because it is competion for them.
I find them really helpful with incredible value for money. Give them a go!
hope this helps :)
they'll rush you in the test but be absolutely sure that you've had the test done correctly.
they are always in a hurry to sell you glasses, the second pair are a handy option but if you buy contacts lenses from them, the frames of the glasses will be half price so often you can get the complete price at approximately two thirds of the price of one set of designer range, something to consider