Not happy with specsavers purchase... what now?

cts_casemod

I recently ordered a new frame and glasses on specsavers, after having paid for an eye test check.

I found it a bit odd that the lenses included with the frame dont come with any sort of treatment (scratches, lights, etc) and they ask an extra of £40 for each pair of glasses to upgrade.

I went to my local asda and explained the situation and was told they sell designer glasses for £99 (a pair) including lenses with scratch resistant and anti reflex coatings as standard, which turns out to be about half of what I paid.

Anyone on similar situation and if so would it be reasonable to ask for the extras to be included, rather than paid separately?

FBaby

Specsaver are a con. All the money goes into their very expensive advertising campaigns. Indeed, Asda (who doesn't advertise at all to save on costs) offer the same glasses, for 1/2 the price when everything is included. The only thing that is extra is if you want them to go darker with the light and even that is cheaper.

I have been with Asda for many years, gone through about 5 pairs of glasses and always been satisfied. The only issue is their reduce choice. I need teenage size glasses but need them to look professional. There are very few models that I can choose from.

To answer your questions, no, you can't ask Specsavers to include the extras in the price as that is not their policy. What you can do is see if you can return them and get your money back and then take your prescription to Asda (they accept any prescriptions).

teddysmum

You can't ask Specsavers to give you anything free, as their prices are quite clear and you agreed to them by purchasing. After all,you can't go to Tesco and ask for a refund as Aldi's tomatoes are cheaper than those you bought from Tesco.


I think Asda were one of the first to offer all inclusive 'extras' though some of these are subject to need (as opposed to desire) and many,like Specsavers,do charge for them.

Sharon87

Specsavers charge for the extras because they always have a 2 for 1 offer on frames. They just subsidise that offer with charging for extra bits.

FBaby

Sharon87 wrote: »

Specsavers charge for the extras because they always have a 2 for 1 offer on frames. They just subsidise that offer with charging for extra bits.

Asda do two pairs for £99 (or did last year) with everything included, so still significantly cheaper.

I couldn't believe when I picked a £99 pair at Specs and by the time she add the extra, the glasses came at £300+, the most expensive part being getting the thinnest possible lens. I told them they should be ashamed of themselves as I know that the lens cost them no more than it does Asda, ie. 3 times less (this was confirmed by my friend who is a optometrist). That is how they make profit, mainly deceiving the customer who has no clue.

oystercatcher

Am really interested by this discussion . Do Asda do decent varifocals ?
I found Spec's quite expensive with my last prescription and not terribly helpful.

pmduk

FBaby wrote: »

Asda do two pairs for £99 (or did last year) with everything included, so still significantly cheaper.

They still do.

antrobus

cts_casemod wrote: »

... I went to my local asda and explained the situation and was told they sell designer glasses for £99 (a pair) including lenses with scratch resistant and anti reflex coatings as standard, which turns out to be about half of what I paid...

ASDA's premium designer range are a £100 (2 for £159), their plain designer range are £70 (2 for £99). They also have a value range that are £40 and even they come with scratch resistant and anti reflective coatings as standard.

On the basis that I can't quite see what there is to design about spectacle frames, apart from where to put the logo, I got the value ones, and they're fine.

oystercatcher wrote: »

Am really interested by this discussion . Do Asda do decent varifocals ? ...

They do say that the price of all their glasses do include 'advance varifocal lenses' "if required". Don't know how decent they are.

jackomdj

I have Asda varifocals. I have not had any issues.

[Deleted User]

Unfortunately, I think it's well advertised that extras like coatings etc will have an additional cost but, regardless of that, I would never use Specsavers again.


I've had my fair share of eye tests and pairs of glasses over 20 years of wearing them and I'd say Specsavers are the worst opticians I've encountered. First they got my actual prescription wrong twice, then managed to get the prescription right but fitted the wrong one. They then refused to refund me - when I said I felt having to have my lenses changed four times and having three eye tests was ridiculous - because by the time we'd got to that point it was past 28 days from the first test. Terrible customer service. On a previous occasion they also refused to swap my nose pads to the softer ones, which Vision Express and Tesco have always done without complaint and free of charge and refused to replace a broken screw free of charge even though I bought the glasses there.
I stick with Vision Express for my eye tests as I find them to be the most thorough but would be willing to just shop around until I find frames I like once I got my prescription. I always get it printed out after the eye test and never feel obliged to buy frames where I get my eye test done.

tanya2014

Specsavers are terrible!!!!
I have been a customer and also worked for them so I see both sides.
They totally con the customer and do not even get me started on the hearing aids!!!
Vision Express are brilliant. Never tried Asda but Tesco are pretty good too.