Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Other subjects

Opticians - which one should I go to?

18 replies

Tommy · 23/06/2006 23:11

Having spent the last few evenings marking hundreds of exam papers, I have come to the sorry conclusion that my eye sight ain't what it used to be...
Which opticians would you recommend?
TIA

OP posts:
chipmonkey · 23/06/2006 23:32

Me!

Tommy · 23/06/2006 23:34

OK - that's great - I'll come round tomorrow if that's alright with you

OP posts:
chipmonkey · 23/06/2006 23:36

Welcome to Ireland, Tommy!

Tommy · 23/06/2006 23:39

ah...now that would be lovely but it might negate the "budget" part of my request that I forgot to mention in the OP.
So - come on - are you Specsavers or Visionexpress or what? The last time I went was to an independent opticians (who told me that I woudn't need glasses until I was old - I guess I am now )but I think they might be a bit pricey. I don't want to go somewhere rubbish though

OP posts:
Skribble · 23/06/2006 23:53

I got tested at a good old fashion independent after conflicting results from those express ones. I politely asked for my prescription and went to a express place and got cheaper frames.

Last time I got tested (OK I went for the free test again), I ordered the 2 pairs, (tinted due to migraines, bogof), and paid up only to find when I put them on I couldn't see a thing. I tried to protest and he said give them a chance, drive a few times with them on and you will get used to them.

I went back after 2 days and a few near death experiences and demaded a retest. He was so surpised when the results were different and he said I barely needed glasses at all.
I said fine give me my money back,
he said but I thought you needed the tint to stop the migarines,
I said my visions is so blurred with that prescription its worse, thanks but a 5.99 pair of sunglasses wil do the trick, good bye and thank you. .

SueW · 23/06/2006 23:55

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

saadia · 24/06/2006 00:18

Dh went to Vision Express once and they put the lenses in his glasses the wrong way round. He took them back and they said he just needed to get used to them but he insisted they check and it turned out they had erred.

My local indie optician is lovely and my mum's local indie one is really nice - and not too pricey.

saadia · 24/06/2006 00:19

I was also quite happy with the service at Boots opticians, but they were always very busy on a Saturday.

Tortington · 24/06/2006 00:35

i went to spec savers last week have took my kids there too.

we are all fine.

which restores my faith cos they could have said one or all of us was blind as a bat and i wouldnt have known any difference.

now i know they arn't ripping me off i shall use them constantly - besides i get very close to a lovely young man

chubbleigh · 24/06/2006 00:57

Have always had good service from Boots, have had some real bargins with frames on special offer too and also have been helpful when I have gone back for repairs, always free of charge.

Tommy · 24/06/2006 09:34

ooh - thank you everyone - I shall check out a few near me. Am a SAHM so don't need to worry about going at the weekend. Will maybe think about Boots as a "mid range" option.

OP posts:
TheBlonde · 24/06/2006 09:50

If you join the boots health club one of the booklet things gives you a voucher for a free eye test

SaintGeorge · 24/06/2006 15:25

D & A. Have used them for about 20 years. Always had excellent service. Regularly pop in just to get a free MOT for my glasses - they clean them up really well, tighten screws etc.

Very thorough test as standard, but I always get longer appointments because of my history. They automatically report to my consultant if there are problems.

mawbroon · 24/06/2006 15:51

I had a crap experience at 20-20. On testing me, the optician (who was barely out of school - or is that me just getting old here!!) said that one eye was worse and the other was better - eh??? I got new lenses and within 2 months needed to go back as I couldn't see a damned thing. I had moved, so went this time to an independant optician locally. He said that the other guy had been talking nonsense and no wonder I couldn't see! Yes, it is more expensive, but I felt that I was getting better care.
I do like the ad on tv that says "we won't treat you like a sausage" is it D&A?

BadHair · 24/06/2006 16:11

I've been with Specsavers for over 15 years and with 4 different branches. Always fine - cheap but do the job.

My Dad had an horrendous experience with, and yes I'll name them as they were that awful, Dolland and Aitchison in Chester, earlier this year. He had an appointment and told a young girl on the front desk that he had arrived, 5 mins early. Staff then ignored him for 45 mins. He asked the girl what was happening, and she shrugged. Was overheard by an older member of staff, who told him that his optician hadn't turned up for work that morning, but to sit tight as they were waiting for a locum to come over from Manchester. So my Dad (aged 68 and with wonky legs, BTW) sat back down and waited for another 30 mins. After which he asked what was happening, only to be met with another shrug. So he left.

Being a grumpy old complainer I wrote a complaint letter for him. D&A just sent back a one-liner - "sorry you have had a bad experience in our store, we value your custom and look forward to seeing you again soon". My Dad's one line response involved the words "shove", "service", "your", "backsides", "your" and "up".

After an earlier visit to D&A he came home looking worried and told us how suprised he was at the cost of glasses nowadays. He told us he'd been charged over £800. It turned out that the D&A staff had seen him coming, what with him being a little on the doddery side, and had only shown him designer frames. He'd bought a pair of Dolce & Gabbana frames with Reactalite lenses, neither of which he needed. We tried to persuade him to cancel the order and go elsewhere, but he was too embarrassed to admit he'd made a mistake and went ahead with it.

So, as you can guess, I'd avoid D&A at all costs!

jessicaandrebeccasmummy · 24/06/2006 16:26

i went to specsavers today.... £115 for 2 pairs of glasses, one with all the uv coating etc and one pair of sunglasses.

Couldnt fault the service, just begrudge paying so much money!!!

Tommy · 24/06/2006 19:55

thanks for these - I guess a lot of it is down to the individual shop. I'll ask around locally as well
Thank you!

OP posts:
JoolsToo · 24/06/2006 19:56

I'd recommend specsavers but I suppose it depends on the actual optician you're seeing.

The one at our specsavers found my retinoschisis but maybe at another branch they wouldn't have?

They do some great deals in specs though!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread