Boots Opticians or Specsavers ?

talkalot

I recently had my eyes tested at a small independent Opticians. The outcome was that I needed a new pair of glasses. Now I ware glasses all the time so their quality and fit is very important to me. However I have a 16 month old baby so cost is now a big factor for me.
The small Opticians wanted over £300.00 for new frames and lenses_pale_ . This was a no no so I decided to hunt round. The two other Opticians in my town are Boots and Specsavers. Boots wanted £205.00 for the same glasses whilst Specsavers wanted £165.00 for the same thing.
Now whilst at first glance the Specsavers glasses look a bargain I have not used them before and the thought (rightly or wrongly) cheap and nasty springs to mind. Has anyone any experience of either Optician good or bad ? Is cheapness the best or a false economy when it comes to your eyes ?

alana171

All my glasses and contact lenses are from Specsavers and their service is fantastic!

pmduk

I've never had a problem with Specsavers. Ask your friends who they use as standards can vary hugely between branches, even when they're part of the same chain.

Itsgottabedone

I used to go to Boots, but the branch I went to organised things so that I'd wait for the initial "healthy eye" tests (puff of air in the eye, red/green lights etc) then back to the waiting room till the optician was ready to see me and do the "which lenses do you need" testing. The waits were sometimes longer than the testing, and I decided I had better things to do with my time. Went to Specsavers where the wait is minimal and the optician does all the testing at one time - have been with them for several years now. Agree with the suggestion that you ask friends locally.

Katiehound

In the past have been to independent optician & Dolland & Aitchison (now in partnership with Boots.)
These last few years have been to Specsavers. Thought their eye examination each time was excellent. Last test was only a couple of months ago- I can't cope with the puff of air business (injured eyes) but the optician showed me the photos of optic nerve and said they looked fine, no need for that test.
I seem to get through spec cases very fast- no problem. They tighten glasses, clean them and hand over yet another case with a smile!!

stationaryace

OP do you have special requirements for your lenses? additional treatments? I'm just wondering as even £165 is quite high if cost is an issue. Most places have cheaper frames, and BOGOFs could be useful in case someone decides to snatch the nice new shiny frame off your nose --> I've been told I did this a lot

Personally I have been using Specsavers for ages and never had a problem with the quality. However our local store is in the middle of a refit so I went to Boots myself this time and found a pair which fit just right.

Yorkie1

I've always gone to Specsavers because their prices are so much more competitive than all other high street opticians, I've found.

As for frames, I avoid the designer ones (tend not to suit me) and go for the ones which have the flexible hinges. It's the thinner lenses and coatings which adds to the cost.

MeeNorr

I've recently been to Specsavers having used an independent optician for the last few years but having moved going there is no longer practical.

I won't be rushing back to Specsavers, I did find they have a wide range of frames at different prices (the staff member was suggesting to me pairs of £129 frames which even after telling him were beyond my budget was still telling me they'd look good on me) and the eye test lasted less no more than 5 minutes. I had to read 1 line of the eye chart on the machine (well I couldn't read it actually) and he said my eyes hadn't changed.

If I were you I'd go back to the original opticians and say £300 is well beyond your budget do they do any cheaper ones or can they do some kind of deal.

shelly

I have been using Specsavers for my eye tests for quite a few years now, as has my husband and never had any problems.
I take my prescription away and buy my specs online for under £30, that includes coatings etc.
I know that's not for everyone though, buying specs online. My parents complain about the cost of specs but won't buy them online.

pollypenny

I've used both Boots and Specsavers with no problem. Standards can vary between individual branches, as they are franchises.

My local Specsavers is great; I feel as looked after as I did my my private practice before the optician retired.

One time I remarked that a pair were the worse glasses I'd ever had and was given 10% off the next pair.