Opticians 25 September 2017 at 6:07PM in Campaigns corner 15 replies 16.3K views

MariaJP

I found myself pressurised and manoeuvred into buying 3 new frames that I did Not want or need.
I had 3 good quality one-year old frames (including an expensive designer one), which I wanted reglazed with new prescription. I was told emphatically, as a universal fact, that it would be cheaper to discard last year's frames and buy new ones. This was the dispensing optician's considered "professional" opinion. What a waste, not to mention environment! I was quoted £126.00 each for reglazing my 3 frames (total cost £378.00). I later found this not to be true, as other opticians did agree that reglazing my existing 3 frames is a cheaper and better option. I know I could have taken the prescription and shopped around. But this is not a point - an optician is a healthcare professional bound by a code of conduct and should act with integrity, not like an avaricious and unscrupulous trader. Given this malpractice, I am not surprised that many people whose medical condition necessitates a regular eye test do not have this done and suffer. "Trust me, I am an optician" no longer holds true for me. No joy with GOC - they seem to condone this conduct. Profit rules!

IAmWales

Why would you take financial advice from an optician?

Sounds like buyers remorse.

(Oh my days, you've been moaning about this for a year!)

pogofish

And Your campaign is just what exactly..?

esuhl

I'm always shocked when I see two shops selling exactly the same thing for different prices. It's almost like shops are deliberately trying to maximise their profits. Totally unscrupulous!

If only every shop was a member of a price-fixing cartel... Then you could be sure that everyone else would be paying the same high price as you.

JJ_Egan

<<If only every shop was a member of a price-fixing cartel... Then you could be sure that everyone else would be paying the same high price as you.>

Its in Joe ( man of steel ) Corbyns to do list .

Enterprise_1701C

An optician is out to make money, they do not run the business to benefit other people, it may well have been their opinion that it was cheaper to get new glasses, but you did not have to buy from there, and there is quite a few online companies that will reglaze your glasses for a very good price.

Learn the lesson and take someone with you next time to remind you of what you decided.

MariaJP

“Trust me, I am a Registered Healthcare Professional” ?? True, or, False?

ManofLeisure_2

MariaJP wrote: »

“Trust me, I am a Registered Healthcare Professional” ?? True, or, False?

Wrong forum I'm afraid :cool:

Oldbiggles

Many years ago ‘Which magazine’ launched a campaign against the exceedingly high prices that opticians were charging for frames that cost a few pence to produce. They also highlighted the fact that there were cheaper frames that the opticians failed to tell their customers about.
Unfortunately, the opticians not only ignored this criticism but continued with their money grubbing ways and introduced so called ‘designer’ frames for those who were easily led to believe that they looked better.
For some reason, ‘Which’ failed to follow up on this campaign and until something is done about it; opticians will continue to rip off the public.


:cool:

robin58

Oldbiggles wrote: »

Many years ago ‘Which magazine’ launched a campaign against the exceedingly high prices that opticians were charging for frames that cost a few pence to produce. They also highlighted the fact that there were cheaper frames that the opticians failed to tell their customers about.
Unfortunately, the opticians not only ignored this criticism but continued with their money grubbing ways and introduced so called ‘designer’ frames for those who were easily led to believe that they looked better.
For some reason, ‘Which’ failed to follow up on this campaign and until something is done about it; opticians will continue to rip off the public.


:cool:

Which? recently did another article on who owns what in frames, lenses and dispensing opticians.

It was frighting.

One company of frames basically did most of the cheap frames up to designer frames.

Another did most of the lenses.

And a third the dispensing.

Urvasi

I recently used a company to get my frames reglazed cost £40 and was done within a week. Excellent service and I would recommend them to anyone who wants to avoid being ripped off by opticians trying to charge for new frames search for ciliary blue and you will find them - excellent.