To not pay for the eye test?

[ObiJuanKenobi]

I went for a contact lenses consultation today and started a free months trial of contacts at Specsavers. Whilst I was there I tried the lenses on and was asked to read a line on the screen and I couldn't - the optician was concerned that with my lenses (which were the same strength as my glasses have been for a year) my sight had changed since my last visit and he started a new eye test there and then - he literally said let's do a test to get this right. Turns out my eyes have changed quite a bit!
Afterward I had the intro into lenses and learned how to put them in and out, all fine and I asked how much I owed for the lenses and they said nothing, I need to come back in a month to see how I got on and then start a direct debit for monthly lenses.

All fine and I left.

About an hour later I got a voicemail from the manager saying they had forgotten to take payment for the eye test and I need to go in to make a payment of £22.

Aibu to think that they should have told me there was a cost before starting the test?
Also, I asked if I owed anything and they said no.
Also also the other local branch is advertising free eye tests so £22 seems a bit cheeky!

Bit harsh. When I was last in Specsavers it was bedlam as their system was having all sorts of errors. They could book me in but not take the eye test payment.

Got done; then completely forgot afterward to pay. Called them to pay it and they said it was just as much their error as mine and not to worry about it.

Are eye tests not free? I never pay (but I only get a check up every 2 years)

No, eye tests aren’t free for people who work.

So if they’d given you contact lenses you couldn’t see with that would have been fine with you? It’s £22 for gods sake. And you obviously needed the test, pay for the professional time you took up.

Oh - they are in Scotland - I assumed it was the same everywhere

itsall, no - only free for children, pensioners and I think if you are in certain benefits. However, Specsavers have always promotions running/vouchers for free eye tests you can just print out. I have never paid for an eye test. I always get the vouchers.

You should pay. And your contact prescription is very unlikely to be the same as your glasses - they sit much closer to your eyes so they're usually quite different. Mine are miles apart.

They probably should have told you there was a cost but equally you should have asked; especially when he said "let's do a test". They're often on offer or free somewhere but they do have a charge.

Are eye tests not free?

In Scotland, yes.

They should have told you when booking the trial that you needed a current prescription, and if you didn't have one you'd need an eye test at standard charges.

OP, many workplaces offer free eye tests too. could you get your money back from work if you have an invoice?

It’s not like the op tried to bail out without paying

Yabu for using specsavers. They are utter shit and I had to report them to the relevant ombudsman.

Eliza, just because you had a bad experience which is unbeknownst to the OP, she isn't unreasonable for using them. plenty of people use specsavers and are happy with it.

Eye tests are free once you are on a contact lense plan with spec savers . I do think it's rather rude to just call you up to pay when they said you didn't owe anything!

Do you use a computer at work - often you’re entitled to a free eye test.

It was a bit cheeky not to warn you.

I'm self employed so no work place discount/claim it back option that I know of.

I did ask if there was anything to pay to the guy doing the test and the woman who taught me to put them in and out and they both said no - so I thought it was cheeky they then phoned and said I had to.

The other branches locally are all running a free eye test voucher online so had I have known I'd have gone to one of them!

I just figured people should be made aware of costs before being provided with a service that's not advertised - he didn't ask if I wanted an eye test he just got on with it IYSWIM.