Choosing an optician

[PaulSB]

Maybe the answer, if that' your concern, is to get the eye test done at an independent, then buy glasses elsewhere

And then, like the LBS, the independent opticians will begin to die out and quality will become a race to the bottom.

I'm a strong believer if one values the service and knowledge of a good independent retailer one should allow said retailer to profit from the advice given.

To ask for advice, eye test, and then go elsewhere because of price is taking the mick. Just like going to an LBS for advice on bike purchase and then buying online.

 

[PK99]

And then, like the LBS, the independent opticians will begin to die out and quality will become a race to the bottom.

I'm a strong believer if one values the service and knowledge of a good independent retailer one should allow said retailer to profit from the advice given.

To ask for advice, eye test, and then go elsewhere because of price is taking the mick. Just like going to an LBS for advice on bike purchase and then buying online.

Agree completely.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Specsavers If you get a good fitter..and not a child or someone who's been there a few weeks.

Ive been a glasses wearer since i was 3 yrs old.
Only time i had problems was specsavers was them trying to sell me Varifocal.
And youngsters who wouldn't listen..or just didnt do their job.
Firstly they didnt work well for me ,poor glasses frame choice " crap fitter" and the price!!

I had a barny with the manager and ended up with bi- focals.
Brilliant and have had no probs since.

You can get scrip readers for £25 plus lenses.
Or go for 2 pairs in the £69 range so you get some sunnies too
Its cheap if you have a minor eye correction.

Mine is a bit more costly due to my scrip

 

[Globalti]

I use an independent who is conveniently close to home. He measured me for varifocals and took enormous care to get everything right. The glasses are superb in every way. Having witnessed the chaos in Specsavers I doubt I'd have got the same service. My local even has an MRI scanner for the eyes, which he uses to do NHS work on contract and he has already spotted signs of other diseases in patients and sent them to their GPs.

 

[nickyboy]

And then, like the LBS, the independent opticians will begin to die out and quality will become a race to the bottom.

I'm a strong believer if one values the service and knowledge of a good independent retailer one should allow said retailer to profit from the advice given.

To ask for advice, eye test, and then go elsewhere because of price is taking the mick. Just like going to an LBS for advice on bike purchase and then buying online.

So the answer for independent opticians is to charge a realistic price for their superior eye test. Concentrate on that, instead of selling specs. They can't compete with the big chains

If they really offer a superior test then they should charge more. I think independent opticians are living in the past. Their business model should be based on the provision of specialist eye care, not selling specs

 

[Levo-Lon]

Agree completely.

They can be pretty money orientated load of crap too..
Been there got shafted..

 

[vickster]

So the answer for independent opticians is to charge a realistic price for their superior eye test. Concentrate on that, instead of selling specs. They can't compete with the big chains

If they really offer a superior test then they should charge more. I think independent opticians are living in the past. Their business model should be based on the provision of specialist eye care, not selling specs

I assume test cost is broadly set by the NHS as many people don’t pay (like prescriptions?)

I know someone who was persuaded to spend a fortune on varifocals by an independent even though she only needed them for driving. She’s never been able to use them as a result and is about £400 poorer iirc

 

[tom73]

Which ever you pick remember your free to take your prescription to any other optician you like. Shop around just be carful the price they give you don't always include extras. Two for one may sound good but the 2rd pair will be just a basic lens. So if you go for say lightweight lenses or special coatings. the 2rd pair will not be.I stopped going for 2 for one as I never did use the other pair as they did not have same extras. The real bargains are on online I have a 2rd pair with extras bought them on line and still have saved over a pair on 2 for one.

Over the years i've used both independent one and chain one my independent one has been great over the years often they can just phone the lab get the lenses ordered the same day and i've picked them up the next. The big boys will often win on price but free eye test offer has to be paid for some how and it's often in what they can get you buy over what you thought you wanted.

 

[nickyboy]

I assume test cost is broadly set by the NHS as many people don’t pay (like prescriptions?)

I know someone who was persuaded to spend a fortune on varifocals by an independent even though she only needed them for driving. She’s never been able to use them as a result and is about £400 poorer iirc

I checked this. Opticians can charge whatever they like for an eye test unless an individual is entitled to a free test, then they get whatever the standard NHS rate is.

So an independent optician could say "my superior eye tests are £100 if you aren't entitled to a free test"

 

[vickster]

I checked this. Opticians can charge whatever they like for an eye test unless an individual is entitled to a free test, then they get whatever the standard NHS rate is.

So an independent optician could say "my superior eye tests are £100 if you aren't entitled to a free test"

Ah ok, fair enough They’d have to convince me of the superiority of a standard test though (without any specialist testing like MRI) given optometrist training is standardised.

 

[Archie_tect]

Mrs A_T has to have vari-focals or 2 sets of glasses.

Had used Vision Express for years but tried Specsavers. SS did an eye-test but made the glasses to a different prescription. Mrs A-T got bad headaches trying to use new glasses- went back to SS who checked her eye test to confirm prescription but didn't spot glasses didn't match prescription so said the eye test was correct... after three more weeks she went to Vision Express who checked eye test [correct] and glasses and found mistake.

To be fair to SS she got a full refund on glasses and went back to VE.

 

[PK99]

I checked this. Opticians can charge whatever they like for an eye test unless an individual is entitled to a free test, then they get whatever the standard NHS rate is.

So an independent optician could say "my superior eye tests are £100 if you aren't entitled to a free test"

Could do, but do you know of any on the high street who do?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I checked this. Opticians can charge whatever they like for an eye test

Move to Scotland, eye tests are free.

 

[vickster]

Could do, but do you know of any on the high street who do?

Maybe because they can't prove superiority in an objective way?

 

[Smokin Joe]

To ask for advice, eye test, and then go elsewhere because of price is taking the mick. Just like going to an LBS for advice on bike purchase and then buying online.

False analogy as the optician makes a profit from an eye test.