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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think they've lost their minds?

138 replies

OneTiredMam · 21/02/2022 12:28

During the pandemic specsavers have been a bit OTT.
Locking customers in the store, taking temperatures etc. i could deal with that.

Now they have a new policy where they refuse to see children until after 3.30pm during weekends and weekdays.
My DS needs his glasses, but they are refusing to give him a mid day appointment despite it being half term.
My DS has autism and relies on routine, they know this as I explained and was given a eye test in the day time and it was fine they were happy to adjust for him.

Now they are being awkward and won't let him collect them till 4pm and he won't cope with his routine being changed. I've explained to the manager and they are still being awkward as hell meaning either my DS will have a absolute melt down and probably refuse to collect them or he goes without his glasses that he needs.

AIBU to think there discriminating?

OP posts:
Original poster
OneTiredMam · 21/02/2022 12:30

Just to add it they had told me they wouldn't adjust there timings for him, I would of taken my custom elsewhere but they didn't tell me this until after his glasses were ordered. Angry

OP posts:
NewIdeasToday · 21/02/2022 12:30

Why not go to a different opticians?

Nosnogginginthekitchen · 21/02/2022 12:31

Can you collect without him? It does seem a bit dictatorial - ask to speak to the next person up? Perhaps whoever you spoke to isn't 'powerful' enough to go against policy

WutheringHeights66 · 21/02/2022 12:32

To be honest I found Specsavers awful on every count, customer service and choice of frames and moved to Boots who were more professional.

I now go to a small independent as they are FB superb.

Featuredcreature · 21/02/2022 12:32

Yanbu so many so called services seemingly taking delight in being awkward and obstructive. I swear to god during the the whole pandemic have been barked at by fucking idiots for existing or standing in the wrong space, it's emboldened many to be the twats they always wanted to be but weren't brave enough.

Original poster
OneTiredMam · 21/02/2022 12:33

I can go to a different one, but it means paying for another pair of glasses as specsavers used the nhs voucher for that pair they won't let me collect and no they won't let me collect without him there.

OP posts:
ClariceQuiff · 21/02/2022 12:33

@NewIdeasToday

Why not go to a different opticians?
OP has already ordered the glasses - it's the fitting she's having issues with.

OP, have you tried contacting their head office?

WutheringHeights66 · 21/02/2022 12:33

No idea where FB came from!

Hellokittyninja · 21/02/2022 12:34

Our local Specsavers don’t have any of these rules and are great with my autistic DS. This branch sound over zealous, complain to someone higher up in the organisation.

Original poster
OneTiredMam · 21/02/2022 12:35

I can't find any details for their head office, I've looked all over the place their website just says they'll send my complaint to the store which isn't helpful. Angry
I'm really annoyed as he's broken his old pair so needs these ones sorted for school next week and they just don't want to be helpful at all. They have gone completely mad with these new policies and I won't be using them again after this.

OP posts:
Bananarama101 · 21/02/2022 12:36

I wandered past local one today and noticed still had someone stood on the door admitting people, with those waiting for appointments presumably stood around outside. Struck me as a bit OTT still.

IdentifyingAsAPrincess · 21/02/2022 12:36

Are they on Twitter?

Original poster
OneTiredMam · 21/02/2022 12:38

@IdentifyingAsAPrincess

Are they on Twitter?
They are but I can't figure out how to send them a tweet. Blush
OP posts:
TheFlis12345 · 21/02/2022 12:38

That’s ridiculous. I would be asking them to confirm in writing that they are not prepared to bend their ‘rules’ for a child with a disability, that might focus their minds.

BattenbergdowntheHatches · 21/02/2022 12:42

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

actiongirl1978 · 21/02/2022 12:50

Our specsavers have been ridiculous all the way through.

We were leaving and there was no one at the door so I lifted up the fabric barrier to let ourselves out.

Someone ran over and shouted :stop don't touch that'.

Ffs.

I have been several times since and I now refuse their revolting hand gel as it makes me feel better bucking their stupid system.

I really want to go and choose some new glasses but I feel nervous going in now.

BrinksmansEntry · 21/02/2022 12:50

Specsavers as a company annoyed me when they stopped doing the 2 pairs for kids as standard. No advertising. Chose not to tell me until my 5yr old had picked both pairs and they were telling me how expensive the second pair would be and how pricey the lens thinning would be. I had been in a few months before and picked up 2 pairs for £99 for myself with lens thinning for both that cost less than they estimated it would cost for one pair of my child's glasses.

That doesn't help you in any way. Sorry.

actiongirl1978 · 21/02/2022 12:50

OP i feel sorry for you, yanbu

forlornlorna · 21/02/2022 12:51

ComplAin via social media if you can. That always seems to get somewhere. I moved to boots with my ASD teen due to the same issues. They've been great. Good luck

Nosnogginginthekitchen · 21/02/2022 12:52

I'm sorry to hear you've all had so many issues. We used them for the first time last week and they were bloody fabulous with my adhd 10 year old who was having a very very bad day and was, frankly, a nuisance and a hazard.
So much depends on the individuals in the store though, too, as to how they implement the policies

ChessieFL · 21/02/2022 12:53

@TheFlis12345

That’s ridiculous. I would be asking them to confirm in writing that they are not prepared to bend their ‘rules’ for a child with a disability, that might focus their minds.
This.
Mistyplanet · 21/02/2022 12:55

If its just appointment to collect wont it be really quick? Can he go in watching his tablet or something like that to distract him?

Original poster
OneTiredMam · 21/02/2022 12:55

I've left them a tweet asking why their store is discriminating against disabled people. I'm going to ask the manager for it in writing and then add in that I'll be sending it to the local paper so we'll see where I get.

Can I ask them to send the frames back and get his nhs voucher back so I can go elsewhere? I'm so annoyed. I've rang round other opticians local to me and they've all said I can just go in with him and select a new pair just need the voucher. 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
ClariceQuiff · 21/02/2022 12:57

@Mistyplanet

If its just appointment to collect wont it be really quick? Can he go in watching his tablet or something like that to distract him?
It's never that quick in my experience - there's a wait to be called and then lots of fiddling to align the specs correctly.
daimbarsatemydogsbone · 21/02/2022 12:57

@NewIdeasToday

Why not go to a different opticians?
^This - the joys of capitalism - a choice.
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