How to stand up to the optician and walk away with only a copy of my prescription?

[ineedareasonto]

Off for an eye test this morning because I’m getting headaches at work when looking at my computer for long stretches. I do not want to purchase glasses there because they’re extortionate and I’m probably going to get them online. How do I make sure I get a copy of my prescription? Posting here for traffic

I usually just say I’ve got to pick someone up and running a bit late already, thanks!

As others have said, just ask. You pay for your eye test and they should give your prescription in a card. I wanted to buy some glasses online and couldn't remember my details. I just phoned Specsavers where I had my last eye test and asked for my prescription. They emailed it to me and hour later (apparently not allowed to give the info over the phone).

Ive always been given a copy regardless of whether I bought glasses or not.

I've never even needed to ask. It's always given you me by optician at the end of the eye test.

i have varifocals so no longer buy online as would rather they are measured by them etc but more often than not, 2 for 1 deals are on in specsavers. So sunglasses and normal frames for one price.

if you don't want the upselling, say no. It's not compulsory. You can get frames with simple lenses fairly cheaply at specsavers. That said, when my prescription was much less complex I bought online too.

I commando crawled down the High Street clutching my Boot prescription to take to Specsavers. I'm sure they have a lookout and a spreadsheet!

Seriously, I make no apologies. I'm a customer and can take my custom where I wish.

You'll need your pupillary distance. They're not obliged to give this measurement as part of the test. You need it to buy specs online. Just be honest and ask for a pd measure to buy glasses online.

I hate Specsavers with a passion, they try and force expensive varifocals on you and don't offer you your prescription, you have to ask the fuckers.

Good grief some people are wet. Just ask them for it, they legally have to provide it.

What have I just read? A grown woman too scared to ask for her prescription. So much so she needs to start a thread asking others how to do it. This is insane

I’m really glad I didn’t need new glasses from them (I wanted a new pair because the “anti scratch” coating is about as useful as a chocolate tea pot), if I did it’s so awkward!

Haven't read the full thread but can highly recommend M&S opticians. Not pushy, spend a lot of time explaining things and really professional. Gave me my prescription with all details. Same with my son.

They are a sort of franchise. Every store is different.

You are right they don't but if they've measured it previously and you really want the official measured value (as opposed to using an app) it's considered personal information, so I did a Data Subject Access Request and got it that way.

Particularly satisfying after I'd rung up to ask for it and was refused by a really rude receptionist.

I always tell my (expensive) optician that I'd like to take my prescription away with me, as I buy cheap glasses from Boots Opticians (I only wear reading glasses). There's never been an issue. I don't care if anyone thinks I'm a cheapskate!

They have to give you the prescription by law.