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AIBU?

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Original poster

to ask if you canreturn glasses that you can't bloody see through?

53 replies

AlpacaP1cnic · 16/06/2019 10:18

I have a complicated prescription - high astigmatism, minus 8 in both eyes and I need varifocals. I've worn varifocals from Boots without issue for 2.5 years

Anyway went to specsavers this time. Mainly because I get two pairs for price of one. Picked up new pairs on Thursday and I'm struggling with them. Everything is blurry, especially looking down. I wasn't sure when I tried them on in the shop - was advised to 'start afresh' next morning with them and they made various adjustments but I'm not particularly happy or convinced - my vision was better in my old varifocals. My prescription has only changed very slightly anyway

So my question. These were £400. Will they refund them because I'm just not happy with my vision in them? In 30 odd years of wearing glasses, I've never returned a pair before!

OP posts:
userabcname · 16/06/2019 11:06

Yes complain. Specsavers are shit. They should refund you!

CrotchetyQuaver · 16/06/2019 11:11

Next time go to Asda
I've got rotten eye sight like you, we could probably swap specs and each be ok.

Asda will give you the thin lenses, varifocals and whatever else you need - 1 pair for £80/2 pairs for £120. Ok they're plastic lenses rather than glass but as it's affordable to replace them when they get too scratched it's not a problem. The worst pair of glasses I ever had were from Specsavers funnily enough...

Take that pair back and get them to sort them out and don't be fobbed off

Original poster
AlpacaP1cnic · 16/06/2019 11:12

Oh I can see. I'm typing this no problem. But it's just not right. It's blurry in areas, it's requiring me to have to re-focus a lot

I suppose it's easy to be fobbed off because it's not like returning a top with a hole in it - the fault is there for everyone to see. With glasses, I suppose you just need to say ' nope they're not right' and they have to take your word for it

I'll probably go back to my local Boots optician. Just never had a problem. I only went to spec savers as cheaper option

OP posts:
WhiteDust · 16/06/2019 11:15

Yes. Take them back and tell them all of the above. You cannot see clearly in them despite giving them a few days. You would like a refund.
Don't let them fob you off. DH got his glasses refunded from there for similar reasons.

Original poster
AlpacaP1cnic · 16/06/2019 11:18

@CrotchetyQuaver now that is cheap!

OP posts:
BlueJava · 16/06/2019 11:20

You need to return them - they only have a 30 day returns policy though: www.specsavers.co.uk/legal/terms-of-purchase#returns

I returned my glasses (to Specsavers) and went back to Boots!

AnthonyCrowley · 16/06/2019 11:22

Specsavers have a very good refund policy, they won't try and fob you off in my experience.

longwayoff · 16/06/2019 11:28

I had terrible service from specsavers last year, returned glasses 3 times before satisfactory. TAKE THEM BACK. To be fair to them, they didn't complain about my complaints and willingly tried to soft it out. But this is your sight. Insist until they get it right.

CrotchetyQuaver · 16/06/2019 11:31

@AlpacaP1cnic
Cheap and very good too! For the first time ever, I could justify getting a pair of prescription sunglasses! Also their plastic lenses haven't really scratched badly at all (unlike that awful pair from specsavers) Honestly, give Asda a go, they've been brilliant for me. 😎

Nyancat · 16/06/2019 11:32

I put up with headaches from not being able to see properly in Specsavers glasses for far too long and they kept insisting that the prescription was correct everytime I went in complaining I couldn't see properly and had headaches.

The final straw was when I went in, unable to keep one eye open from pain, eye streaming etc and they told me there was nothing wrong. Ended up in eye casualty same day diagnosed with corneal ulcer.

Swapped to independent and never had problems since. I found my local Specsavers useless with my prescription which is higher than yours op, my local independent spent time telling me what glasses would and wouldn't work with my prescription due to the shape of the lenses etc.

Teachermaths · 16/06/2019 11:37

Specsavers are shocking. They tested me and said I didn't need a prescription at all despite having prisms and being short sighted.
I went back to my local independent. They are more expensive but I actually trust the test. Unlike Specsavers who do it all on a machine.

AnyMinuteNow · 16/06/2019 11:42

Intrigued to know exactly what 'adjustments' can be made to lenses?!? You are supposed to be able to see with your new prescription, they should never have sent you away. Your vision was blurred you said, well, in certain areas, well in certain areas it will be wont it? In perfect glasses you can't look to the distance through the close-up area of the lens and expect to see, or vice-versa.

Your vision was blurred from the outset, they should never have let you leave the shop like this, did you then drive like that?

AnthonyCrowley · 16/06/2019 12:16

Its a franchise I think. our local one does seem to have a very good head optician who I guess owns the franchise? So maybe it depends on the staff.

I have astigmatism and -10, dd is -12 with astigmatism. They are usually very good at saying what frames will work and what won't.

I think when I finally need varifocals I might go elsewhere though as I hear bad things about them and vsrificals.

WrongKindOfFace · 16/06/2019 12:17

The increase in floaters, did this happen after the test? If so and they haven’t been checked you need to see the optician ASAP - can be a sign of retinal detachment. Most likely it’s a PVD, but it does need checking.

imsorryiasked · 16/06/2019 12:26

DP has varifocals with Specsavers. They're never right first time, he's on his 4th pair them now.
The new pair he got last month required a new frame (as the ones he'd originally chosen were the wrong shape to have the lenses focused as he needs them) and three adjustments since.
Be firm and clear about the problem. They will sort it but you need to insist and not be fobbed off. Ask to speak to someone who has experience with varifocals.

midgeland · 16/06/2019 12:36

I would take them back and insist they either check the prescription and if needed replace the lenses, or refund your money so you can go elsewhere. Specsavers are a franchise so if the branch is difficult about it you could always go above their heads to HQ.

My current branch are very good and recently replaced a set of faulty frames with no trouble despite me having had them over a year, but my previous branch were bloody awful so I know it can vary quite a bit!

LarryGreysonsDoor · 16/06/2019 12:37

Do be aware that all Specsavers are franchises.

With your prescription I would go in and ask them to recheck the heights and the BVD (back vertex distance). Ask to see their dispensing optician and don’t be fobbed off.

The lens manufacturers usually offer refunds to the store so the store shouldn’t have a problem returning them.

Are they the same make of varifocal? There can be quite a difference between different makes.

Ronsters · 16/06/2019 12:47

I tried varifocals for the first time with Specsavers, they were blurry. They said to try them for 2 weeks but the glasses just didnt seem right to me.

I felt like I was being fobbed off so went to another branch and the optician said they hadnt been measured properly so were not aligned correctly.
They fixed them and they were ok. I tried them for a couple of weeks but just couldn't get on with varifocals, so they then replaced them with two pairs of single vision, no extra charge.
I find some branches of Specsavers are crap and unhelpful and some are really good. Try a different branch if they are still unhelpful.

stucknoue · 16/06/2019 12:49

Yes they will, for varifocals they have an additional guarantee too but it's common not to get along with them/not get the division in the right spot

Saltisford · 16/06/2019 13:33

This happens to me almost every time I get new glasses and I have a similar prescription to OP. Once it was due to a weird reaction I had to the type of thinning they use which gave me headaches and a few times it has been due to them not taking the vertical measurement correctly and working out the part of the lense I actually look through. Every time though they’ve just redone the lenses at no cost.

Original poster
AlpacaP1cnic · 16/06/2019 13:49

@AnyMinuteNow it's my left eye mainly. Blurred but then not. Fine if I move my head to look, not great if I move my eyes. Things looming and receding. Just need to re focus

It's very hard for me to explain. I'm fine to drive though - honestly. My glasses are just not right

OP posts:
Original poster
AlpacaP1cnic · 16/06/2019 13:50

@WrongKindOfFace I've not got a detachment but I agree - someone should always get this checked out. Floaters can go with the territory with my prescription and I get this on and off. My eyes themselves are perfectly healthy

OP posts:
HouseOfToys · 16/06/2019 19:14

Specsavers have a 3 month "no quibble no fuss" guarantee. Any issues will be sorted. Go back and ask to speak to a dispensing optician. They will get you sorted.

Gingerkittykat · 16/06/2019 19:21

I also have a complex prescription and had problems last time. I was sent home with the glasses but didn't get used to them. They gave me a thorough retest, including getting me to talk around and look outside with the new prescription still in the heavy optician frame, and replaced the dodgy lens.

I would phone before you go back because they will need to give you a retest so make sure they can fit that in.

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