Specsavers

newfoundglory

Today, I had a contact lens check at my local Specsavers.

I have never, ever, in the last 3 years been charged for a contact lens check. The reason for this: I always buy lenses. I pay for an actual eye test every year (or two).

This is a very simple business arrangement, which clearly works well for both sides. You check the lenses for free, and I will buy said lenses.

And then, we reach today. The guy in my local branch (who might be one of the managers or owners), appears to lack the necessary business acumen to grasp this simple concept. He's a bit odd, and i've encountered him before.

He demands £20 for the check! "you don't have a direct debit set up, sorry" in some sort of weird italian/spanish kinda accent [specsavers offer free contact lens checks only to those who have a direct debit on record, apparently]

And worse: the thing which !!!!!! me off was the fact there was a board right outside advertising eye tests for only £10!!!

Well, Specsavers, if you are reading this the first lesson of business: the customer is always right. I'm sure you must train the members of your franchise this key information. If you don't look after your customers, they won't look after you.

I regularly order the most expensive daily disposable lenses available - a 12 month supply is over £450, and that doesn't even include money spent on glasses.

I dont want to setup a direct debit - I will pay how I choose and at a time I choose and if thats not convenient for you then perhaps now might be a good time to review your business model.

Its completely put me off going back - and naturally I won't be - as I was already aware that the lenses are cheaper online from another outlet.

So, Specsavers, enjoy the extra £20 on me... I hope it was worth it :rotfl:

Sheldon_Cooper

newfoundglory wrote: »

And worse: the thing which !!!!!! me off was the fact there was a board right outside advertising eye tests for only £10!!!

Tesco are offering free eye tests at the moment.

somethingcorporate

Unfortunately the Consumer Rights board will show you that the customer is not always right, they are frequently wrong. They are, however, still the customer and should be treated with respect.

That doesn't mean they are right though!

Your situation is stupid though, I cannot believe they are so petty. I guess they are just "encouraging" you to use a method of payment that they prefer. We do it in our company, we find those that pay by DD are far less likely to default so there is a logic to it but to apply it in this situation is bonkers.

newfoundglory

Sheldon_Cooper wrote: »

Tesco are offering free eye tests at the moment.

A contact lens check is a bit different - they won't actually sell you lenses without this "compulsory" check, and therefore the logic is sort of flawed. If they can't facilitate the "ticks in the right boxes" so I can actually buy lenses from them, then I simply won't buy any lenses from them. And i'll start ordering my glasses online as well.

Its no wonder high street businesses are going bust... absolutely no sympathy from me...

Jules22

newfoundglory wrote: »

A contact lens check is a bit different - they won't actually sell you lenses without this "compulsory" check, and therefore the logic is sort of flawed. If they can't facilitate the "ticks in the right boxes" so I can actually buy lenses from them, then I simply won't buy any lenses from them. And i'll start ordering my glasses online as well.

Its no wonder high street businesses are going bust... absolutely no sympathy from me...

Fortunately Opticians have to stay within the LAW.
If you dont have your aftercares then they legally cannot sell contact lenses to you.

So its up to YOU to keep up to date!