Tennyson Optical Barnsley free eye test offer is a lie.

If_it_can_go_wrong

I rang them the other day to book an appointment for me and my wife and kids. I was told on the phone that the eye tests are £15 each but we could knock this off any glasses we bought.

In the back of my mind I remembered that when they opened last year they were offering free eye tests but thought this offer must have been finished.

I've just been past and they have a big sign saying "Free eye tests at Tennyson Optical" so I rang them and enquired. As soon as I mentioned the sign, the lady's attitude on the phone became angry. She said , and I quote her exact words, " we did run a free eye test promotion but it was terribly abused. I have a doctor to pay". I assume she meant optician but was so angry she was getting her words mixed.

The free eye test sign is obviously false and she's very defensive about it, so I just cancelled my appointment and will go elsewhere.

George_Michael

Is this the one?

Pollycat

If_it_can_go_wrong wrote: »

I rang them the other day to book an appointment for me and my wife and kids. I was told on the phone that the eye tests are £15 each but we could knock this off any glasses we bought.

In the back of my mind I remembered that when they opened last year they were offering free eye tests but thought this offer must have been finished.

I've just been past and they have a big sign saying "Free eye tests at Tennyson Optical" so I rang them and enquired. As soon as I mentioned the sign, the lady's attitude on the phone became angry. She said , and I quote her exact words, " we did run a free eye test promotion but it was terribly abused. I have a doctor to pay". I assume she meant optician but was so angry she was getting her words mixed.

The free eye test sign is obviously false and she's very defensive about it, so I just cancelled my appointment and will go elsewhere.

Does the sign have something in small print saying "if you purchase glasses from us"?

That would tie in with what you were told on the phone.

Did you intend to have your eyes tested by Tennyson Optical then go elsewhere for your glasses?

If there are no conditions attached to the free offer, I would report them for misleading advertising (from Trading Standards website):

How to complain

Unfortunately we cannot help with your individual complaints - that's the job of Citizens Advice Consumer Advice line and your local authority trading standards service.
To report a complaint call the helpline on 03454 04 05 06*
Or you can report your complain online at www.adviceguide.org.uk

If_it_can_go_wrong

That's the one GM. Though I don't know if the sign is still in the window, it was a sign at the the end of the street I saw. I pointed this out to her thinking they might remove or change it, but she seemed to think there was nothing wrong with having a sign saying "free eye test" when none exists.

Pollycat

If_it_can_go_wrong wrote: »

That's the one GM. Though I don't know if the sign is still in the window, it was a sign at the the end of the street I saw. I pointed this out to her thinking they might remove or change it, but she seemed to think there was nothing wrong with having a sign saying "free eye test" when none exists.

Then you should ensure that she (and her employers) are educated that yes, there is something wrong with misleading advertising by reporting them to TS via CAB.