Opticians who rip off the NHS

georginga

Have you ever wondered why Tescos Opticians and similar outfits offer such silly prices on their products.

Most people assume its purely down to buying power but the truth is much more unfair.
The truth is that we, the taxpayers, are subsidising their bargain prices which then draw customers into the main supermarket and spend thousands.

Obviously they do indeed having buying power on their side which enables them to undercut independent competitors in every department, but they also have a hidden income.

When i worked with them they charged nothing for a private eye examination...yet they charged the NHS over 20 a pop for kids, over 60s, and those on benefits.
This just isn't right.

Another point: supermarket opticians departments hardly make a profit...

In addition to their low prices, the working conditions are so terrible they have to pay a premium to the opticians to work for them, in fact several places have a high staff turnover and rely on locum cover which is higher fees still. Factor in the insurance and other overheads and they barely break even.
The only reason they have opticians is to entice you in to the supermarket.

I was told the amount a typical customer spends in the main store over the course of a year, let alone lifetime, more than makes up for any loss made in the opticians.

IE THEY USE THE NHS FEE TO SUBSIDISE LOW SPECTACLE PRICES WHICH THEN ATTRACTS NEW CUSTOMERS INTO THE MAIN SUPERMARKET AND REAP THE REWARDS IN THE YEARS THAT FOLLOW

This is sooooo wrong in an age where the NHS is barely coping, where people are losing out on lifesaving treatments.

How can you help redress the balance and stop Tescos and co ripping off the NHS?

Even if you insist on using tesco, refuse to sign the NHS form (if you are so entitled), and instead demand you get the sight test free like everyone else.

Alchemilla

It isnt just Tesco. A well known saving chain threatened me with debt collectors for not signing the form when my child had had the eye test at the hospital.

MrsBartolozzi

georginga wrote: »

Have you ever wondered why Tescos Opticians and similar outfits offer such silly prices on their products.

Most people assume its purely down to buying power but the truth is much more unfair.
The truth is that we, the taxpayers, are subsidising their bargain prices which then draw customers into the main supermarket and spend thousands.

Obviously they do indeed having buying power on their side which enables them to undercut independent competitors in every department, but they also have a hidden income.

When i worked with them they charged nothing for a private eye examination...yet they charged the NHS over 20 a pop for kids, over 60s, and those on benefits.
This just isn't right.

Another point: supermarket opticians departments hardly make a profit...

In addition to their low prices, the working conditions are so terrible they have to pay a premium to the opticians to work for them, in fact several places have a high staff turnover and rely on locum cover which is higher fees still. Factor in the insurance and other overheads and they barely break even.
The only reason they have opticians is to entice you in to the supermarket.

I was told the amount a typical customer spends in the main store over the course of a year, let alone lifetime, more than makes up for any loss made in the opticians.

IE THEY USE THE NHS FEE TO SUBSIDISE LOW SPECTACLE PRICES WHICH THEN ATTRACTS NEW CUSTOMERS INTO THE MAIN SUPERMARKET AND REAP THE REWARDS IN THE YEARS THAT FOLLOW

This is sooooo wrong in an age where the NHS is barely coping, where people are losing out on lifesaving treatments.

How can you help redress the balance and stop Tescos and co ripping off the NHS?

Even if you insist on using tesco, refuse to sign the NHS form (if you are so entitled), and instead demand you get the sight test free like everyone else.

So it would be ok if they charged the children, people on benefits etc £20 for instance?
You're not making any sense. If people on benefits/children are entitled to free tests then it's only right to claim the money from the NHS when a test is performed, no?
Otherwise state exactly why it's not correct to do so.

Working conditions - how does this relate to getting money from NHS? You are mixing arguments and therefore diluting them.
The argument of NHS subsidising cheap specs is unfounded, and you give no reasoning behind this.

Tesco buy in bulk and can therefore buy more cheaply. This is a fact of life. Online specs providers use your own prescription (and so are getting £0 from NHS), and yet can provide specs for a few ££ - you only have to look at the MSE guide to cheap specs. This shows that getting "subsidies" from the NHS has nothing to do with providing specs at a cheap price.

I'm not sure what your real gripe is but it seems to be more than you're posting here.

forgotmyname

MrsBartolozzi wrote: »

I'm not sure what your real gripe is but it seems to be more than you're posting here.

Must have been festering for 2 years+ Last post about overpriced glasses in 2010 also.

ohreally

georginga wrote: »

When i worked with them

Why didn't you raise your concerns at the time then?

shortcrust

I don't think 20 quid is a lot for the NHS to pay for an eye test. All opticians get paid for NHS work and always have done. It's up to tesco what they do with the money and I can't see how using it to subsidise non NHS customers is in any way 'wrong'. It's a business!