Specsavers rubbish varifocal specs

Ippylady

I went to Specsavers, was told I needed Varifocals, , salesperson guided me to towards the top of the range varifocal lens, they were absolute rubbish, was told by the person "guiding" me to buy the best - that I would buying the most expensive varifocal lens, that I would have greater vision than the cheaper varifocal lens. I had the most miniscule amount of vision with the glasses, infact unless I looked totally ahead, no eye movement at all , Ieverything was totally blurred and out of focus. I went back to the shop and was told I shouldn't have been sold the frames that the salesperson helped me choose - because they were not big enough for a varifocal lens????Why guide me and sell them to me then??? I have now been back and have got two sets of glasses. I had a NHS voucher towards the cost of my glasses that Specsavers failed to reimburse me, so I had to pay extra for the privilege of being mis-sold glasses and then having them replaced!! I for one will never go to Specsavers again.

Laz123

glassesdirect_company_representative wrote: »

Oh no! Do please let me know what happened.

You sound very unhappy. I'm keen to know what ever happened to you, so I can make sure it doesn't happen again.

I gave GD my prescription which I'd got from D&A a few days prior. The script was slighty stronger than the previous.

GD then sent a rep to take final details and to check the actual script with what I'd given over the internet. Fine. Ordered the glasses which came about 10 - 14 days later. I tried them on and found the outer vision all the way round the glasses was blurred. I tried them for about 3 days but still couldn't adapt to them. I found whenever I crossed the road I couldn't judge the kerb properly which was a bit dangerous really.

I never had this problem with my previous varifocals from D&A. The only reason I didn't choose them again was they're quite expensive.

I called GD to complain and they sent round the same rep I'd seen earlier. He seemed to know his job and expertly checked everything. Then after finding the script and spec were the same, eye distance etc, he said it was possibly due to the type of lens. He said if I could find out the spec of D&A's lens they would try and do something about it.

My wife also has varifocals but insisted she got them from D&A again.

It seems when you order from D&A they give you three options on best quality sight (which includes the depth of perifial vision). I usually choose the middle one. It seems GB doesn't have this option and their spec would be the lowest of the three.

I hope this helps. Sorry, I'd never use you again.

wends6539

Having just opened a new optical practice in December 2009, I must say - its quite common for us independents to have a bit of a sour taste in our mouths regarding specsavers. I think, specsavers own about 70 percent of the market and it is so hard for us independents to be competitive.

But specsavers dont have the customer friendly approach they used to. Its all about how much you can spend once they get you in the door.

We use Essilor varilux comforts (varifocals) lenses as a minimum. The more expensive the varifocal, the wider the centre zones are - less blurring/distortion at the outer edges.

If you are buying a set of varifocals for £50 - you will be buying a poor quality lens. What do you expect?

The problem with specsavers is this - they get mysetery shopped all the time. The staff are forced to offer you coatings, high index lenses, second pairs bla bla bla. The thing is, specsavers pay their staff the minimum wage - and staff have to 'earn' a bonus by selling all these add on's. So all the optical assistants - try their best to get you to take the most expensive frames, lenses, coatings etc. Lining the specsavers pocket and getting a measly 25p or whatever it is, for each addition they sell you. And if you go back to specsavers for a refund? The staff that sold you that spectacles, get the bonus taken back off them.

However, we charge £120 for varilux comforts - they are great lenses and by giving this lens out as our basic lens - we have never, (have been trading the last three years as a home visiting optician prior to opening shop), not once - given money back to anyone who didn't get on with their varifocals - as not one person has made a complaint.

I took on a part time member of staff last year who had previously bought varifocals from specsavers - who went back for a refund as they were rubbish. I fitted her with a set of our varifocals and she now has two pairs - she loves them.

To be honest - going to an independent over somewhere like specsavers means - you will get a personal service - its less likely staff will go for the hard sell approach and independents.

I am a strong believer in the customer comes first - when a customer arrives for an appointment - they are greeting with a friendly face and the offer of a tea/coffee. We have extrememly comfortable seating and pride ourselves in putting the customer first. There is no hard sell - they buy what they want - not what we want them to buy.

The optometrist takes 45 minutes over a test - which is 25 minutes longer than you would get in specsavers. The test is thorough and he will explain everything you need to know and any questions asked.

This is called a personal service. Dont like any frames on the shelves? We order in on approval, frames we think the customer will like, based on what they tell us.

The thing is - the more support specsavers get - the unfriendly conveyor belt system they operate - one in one out - sell as much as you can; independents will suffer.

They already have such a huge percentage of the market - so support your local and keep us independents serving the customer the way we do best. With a personal service.

Sour grapes? Yes. Everyone knows the specsavers slogan - they have their marketing down to a T. Shame they cant do the same with the product and the customer service. I would then, have no reason to complain.

wallbash

I don't know if the above is SPAM ??
The poster is ( in their first posting ) about a service they supply
... seems like SPAM :eek:

But !!! no web address or personal details ... so NOT spam

Runs down a competitor ( specsavers )

Might well be just trying to give a professional opinion.

I like my local specsavers , I get Zeiss lens , friendly advice and a 1st class service.

BUT have never been offered a cup of tea.

macma

'probably in the wrong place but i wondered if anyone knows if specsavers would re glaze my old frames which were quite pricey and very comfortable.I had an eye test with them last year and didn't need to change my glasses-just basic reading-but i did purchase a spare pair from them.Now my original (bought 3years ago from another optician)specs are scratched but the frames are really good and this is the pair i want reglazing,I've looked on line but you need to provide prescription details so I'd have to contact specsavers anyway so thought they might do it for me .:think:

sagalout1954

Macma - yes they will certainly reglaze, that's what I had done (& got the crappiest 'top of their range' varifocals I've ever had).

Wallbash, how did you manage to get Zeiss lenses from Specsavers? I opted for their 'top of the range' and was given Pentax Independence. Thanks to advice from Flobyjoby I discovered they had another 'top of the range' lens they could have given me, Sola One HDV.

Made Specsavers swap them and they are indeed marginally better but nowhere near as good as the Nikons I originally had (& still have) from D&A. Those were 2 years old and were top of the range at the time but are 2 improvement levels lower than they have available now.

Doubt I'll be able to stand these for many more months, very conscious of the amount of peripheral out-of-focus, might as well have flushed over £300 quid (just lens cost) down the toilet.

macma

sagalout 1954 just seen on another thread that specsavers wont re glaze other opticians frames did you have their frames reglazed or others ?

wallbash

Wallbash, how did you manage to get Zeiss lenses from Specsavers?

Already posted my story in another thread.:D But too save you looking.

First time I went to Specsavers , was given the 'standard' our lenses are the best .

But I have had Zeiss lenses for many many years, so I 'innocently ' said to the
salesman .... better than Zeiss??
Got the apology :rotfl:
My prescription is off the limits on their standard charts , so its Always a wait for a phone call .
Three years ago the price was just over the £600 , still cheaper than others I tried . But this year , same style frames , cost was down to £320

I do have all the extra's . The price was with glass , plastic was about the same price. Plastic would have been lighter, but 'could' scratch
I have worn glasses for over 40 years .... I do my homework.
Not saying everyone , everywhere will get the same sort of treatment I have had from Specsavers. BUT I object to those who write off the whole chain .

macma

just a thought if specsavers won't reglaze the frames i bought elsewhere how much will they charge me for a copy of my prescription so i could get them done somewhere else ?

pollypenny

I have had Spec-savers varifocals for 15 years. I have never had any thing other than minor problems with my specs ( the nose pad kept falling off one pair) and these have been quickly resolved.

I'd say they offer a good range and a good service at a fair price.