I would like to hear your experience about Specsavers opticians?

Question

I have heard different stories about Specsavers optician.
Some good and others not so good.

Anyone like to tell their views ?

Answer 1

I prefer the independent optician myself.
When I was going to specsavers I found that they were very sales orientated. Always recommending new glasses even when your prescription has changed little. I was told that I had thyroid problems, high eye pressure and had a blind spot on the visual field test.
I changed to a local firm. No thyroid problem, normal eye pressure, perfect visual field test. They also told me a new pair of glasses was unnecessary at present and then offered to adjust the frame on my existing pair........and I didn't even buy them there. All in all I'm much more impressed by the "smaller guy" firm.

Answer 2

"I have heard different stories ..."

That's going to happen. They are a big chain and many, if not all, the practices are franchise based, so a lot is going to depend on the attitude and expertise of the local staff.

Where I used to work we had to sort out a lot of problems from Specsavers tested/dispensed people, but naturally I don't know how many of mine went *there* to get their problems solved.
Casualness withoptical centres, failure to consider prescribing dispensing unusuaul Rx's or forms of lenses, missing key details due to inadequate taking of history, symptoms and requirements...
Varifocals for sports car drivers was one that came up more than once!

The only thing you can really give weight to is the personal experience of friends and family.
The only thing that massive advertising proves is that the company has spent a fortune on advertising, and they've got to get that back *somehow*.

All in all, they wouldn't be the first place I'd turn to in a new town. I'd enquire after any independents or small local chain, first.

Answer 3

As someone has already mentioned - Specsavers are a franchise, so each store is likely to be different. But generally on the whole I'd say they're great. Fantastic prices and always a good service - but might that be because I work for Specsavers?!

Answer 4

Once again, my view is goto an optician in France. I did pay once at specsavers "savers" indeed it was still double the French price. Plus, as a UK citizen you might get back 70% of French bills paid for dentists, doctors, opticians etc.
UK is such an incredible rip off !
Opticians are just another rip off and (safety not so good too).
Buy everything in France ! It's cheaper and better !
Even if one pound only bought one euro, it is still a much,much better deal to do all your shopping (and especially health spending) in France (or Spain, or Germany) Have a great trip and don't forget to come back ! (to the UK that is).

Answer 5

I've mostly had a really good relationship with Specsavers. They're cheap and friendly! The only time I wasn't satisfied with the service was when I had taken a pair of glasses in for repair because the back bit of the part that goes behind the ears needed changing. It's part of their policy to take the lenses out of glasses when they have to send them away to prevent damage, but when they did this to my glasses they damaged the screw that holds the lens in the frame.

The glasses were basically useless but they wanted me to pay for the original repairs. I refused to do this, and made a complaint to the manager as the glasses were ruined. In the end they were quite pleasant and everything was sorted out!
xx

Answer 6

I've been going to spec savers for the past 8 years and in my opinion they've been quite good Glaucoma and diabetic runs in my family so oi always get the extra checks ,This is the first time that I've not had to get my prescription changed as there was very little difference in my last test and if i felt i needed to get them changed to come right back and they will deal with me they could have told me they need ed changed and toOK all my money as i don't qualify for any expenses for glasses so i think they are ok where i am any how but it might be a diff rent story some where else.

Answer 7

I have used several opticians over the years, some small family run and others like Boots and Specsavers.
The family run shop where I live tend to think that their service is special, I don't think so. Boots are no longer available.
That leaves Specsavers who do a reasonable job and put things right when you are not satisfied, without quibbling.

Answer 8

My eye test (which I had recently had in Boots, but wanted Specsavers glasses and they were doing a free eye test offer) wasn't very thorough. I have been with Boots for years and years and they are very thorough, they do fields tests and pressure test (as there is glaucoma in my family) Specsavers knew my family history but didn't do these very important tests.
I wasn't at all impressed, didn't buy their glasses, and wont go there again.

Answer 9

they try to sell you extras that you dont need, my children had to have glasses and asked me if i wanted the protective coating for an extra £20- £30, then afterwards i found out that the glasses were covered against scratches anyway and they would have been replaced for free anyway, also i stoped my lens mail order and stopped the standing order, but they kept sending me contact lenses, then i got the you will be taken to court letter from a debt collection agency, when i took the letter and the lenses back to the shop, all the info was stopped and upto date on the computer in the shop but not at head office

Answer 10

Just been to spec-savers after 2 weeks trial of new glasses. They were very helpful and informative and will change lenses to lighter ones and refit until I am happy with no quibbles. They retest eyes to check optics are correct. Will get a pair of half price sunglasses too.