Opticians contact lenses- want to leave, won't release my details

Oasis1

So I had a contact lens fitting with the opticians in my student union a while ago, agreed to pay £30 a month for bioclear daily disposables. I then found that ASDA do acuvue moist dailies at a cheaper price so decided to order some to try them out as my eyes tend to get quite dry. I was then informed by ASDA that my optician wouldn't release my details as I hadn't finished my 'trial period'. I have now been wearing contact lenses for months. I'm sure he originally said it would be 3 months, but then my last visit he said it could take up to 6 months. The direct debit is going directly into his account, not a company and he charges a lot more for acuvue moist dailies even though a "student discount" is supposed to be included in the price. He's also randomly charged my for my check ups with him when I've gone in to collect lenses, charging £25 for literally a 5 minute check because "I hadn't set up a direct debit". How do I go about getting my details released? I don't want to have to pay to have another contact lens fitting elsewhere as I know the power my eyes need and have been told they're suitable for lenses. I am a student so obviously this has been costly for me and it's getting on my nerves. Would appreciate any advice. Thank you. :money:

whitelabel

Id try a free trial at specsavers, just a day or 2 usually,
then get your details from there

I did, then ordered online at tescoopticians who i found to be cheapest for toric lenses

YorksClare

Either there is a defined trial period or not, so either it is three months or six months. "Up to" does not cut the mustard! The point of the trial period is for YOU to be happy and comfortable with YOUR contact lenses in YOUR eyes. Not for him to guarantee himself a certain amount of business, unless I have seriously misunderstood what this contract was about. Are you sure? Was it documented? Is it a financial agreement or a contact lens trial?

You should have a copy of your prescription - it is a legal requirement that you have a copy because when he tested your eyes and you paid for it, you legally own a copy of the results. I know this from 30 years of experience! Tell him so. Let him know that you know your rights and are willing to demand them until you get them. Do not worry if you are not 100% sure of every letter of the law - you know enough already to get what you need to go to ASDA.

As to charging you a consultation when you collect your lenses: Pardon? That's rubbish. I have NEVER had this happen and I have worn glasses since I was 4, and had contacts for a year. (Like you I got problems with dry eyes, and at the time toric technology was not as good as it will be now). Fitting the lenses or glasses is as you say the work of a few minutes and not a consultation.

It sounds as if it was a ploy to get you to fill out a DD agreement, which looks as if it might be difficult given the person you have to deal with. I would search this site about how to cancel DDs properly.

If this person gets his trade through the student union, perhaps you ought to go to them and explain the nonsense you are having to put up with, and see if they can either help you, or prevent him troubling others in the same way. Good luck!

SGE1

What a con artist. You are legally entitled to a copy of your prescription!

Cancel your direct debit yourself - you should be able to do so via your online banking.

tidus

Paying a DD direct to this person sounds very dodgy. Why is its not going through the business? Sounds like tax evasion to me.... I'd cut your losses and start again elsewhere, its not that hard to get a free trial if you look around.

Regards Cl specifications, you should recieve a specification when fitting is completed. Unfortunately there are no definite rules regarding how long this should take. Our professional guidelines state that it should "not normally" take longer than 3 months, but its basically down to the Optometrist.

I normally issue them after a 3 month check for a new wearer, straight away for an experienced wearer when little has changed, or after about 1 month in an experienced wearer when we've changed something (new lens type, for example).

mttylad

Simply go to the customer services dept and complain.

Many do and the optical dept are forced to accept the ruling of management etc (who know nothing about the situation but always go with the customer.

bod1467

It sounds more like this is an independent optician and not part of a large company. As such the optician IS the management and customer services.