Specsaver Perscription Glasses, can I return to the store?

Guss

Having gone to Specsavers I made an appointment to buy 2 pairs of glasses both occupational lenses i.e. they allow the wearer to see both close up and a bit further away, for me that means reading and computer work. This is my first time using these types of glasses and I was really looking forward to getting them and have had them just under two weeks. What I found is getting used to these means having to turn your head a lot more to focus as the whole lens is no longer devoted to just one prescription. The problem occurs as I spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen, I've got a triple monitor (23in screens) setup and this means lots of head movement as even areas of a single screen will be out of focus with my occupational lens and this means lots of extra little head movements and I just find it unworkable. So I've decided to go back to single prescription glasses which I can get anywhere for a fraction of the cost. So I'm hoping I can simply return them as for me it's been an expensive mistake.

On the Specsavers site they say....

Can I return products if I am not happy with them?
Yes, we want you to be completely happy with your purchase at Specsavers. If you have any concerns within 100 days of the date of purchase, we will put it right. No quibble, no fuss.

On the face of it that sounds great but looking a bit closer I'm wondering what "put it right" means as I'd like a full refund and it doesn't sound like that's what I'd get.

They also say....

Prescription glasses/ sunglasses can be returned to any Specsavers store or to the address provided by Customer Service. If you return the products you are obliged to comply with the requirements of the Returns Policy. You must return all the products in the re-sealable packaging provided with them.

So I'm wondering am I expecting too much by expecting a full refund.

The_Fat_Controller

I expect they will change your glasses for two pairs of single prescription glasses.
Unless they have made a mistake with the occupational lenses I doubt if you will get a full refund.
When I first moved to varifocal lenses it took me a week or two to get used to them, you just need to let your brain adapt.

IvanOpinion

I delayed switching to varifocals for many years but in the end I was sick of having to carry 2 pairs of glasses or not having the right glasses with me.  In the first 2-3 weeks I struggled with them, there was a lot of head turning and the fuzzy periphery vision was weird.  However I persevered and have got used to them - there is no way I would go back to multiple pairs of glasses.

Like yourself I have a 3 screen set up and have no problems with it.

Manxman_in_exile

I don't use varifocal or multifocal lenses (I personally don't like them) and I'm happy to carry around three(!) pairs - reading, display/screen use, and distance.  However, my opticians think I'm crazy to do this and keep recommending multifocal, but I've never got used to them.

Having said all that, I suspect that the other posters before me are correct and that, like me, you have not given yourself enough of a chance to get used to them.  Perhaps you should persevere a bit longer.  How long is their returns window?

Couple of other points.  I use Specsavers and although some people moan about them I've never had a problem with them.  I've had re-tests done with them, their opticians are helpful and informative, and their customer services are fine.  If you don't want to persevere a bit longer, you should go back and change them.

When I had to get a pair of specs for VDU use (not distance or reading) my employer - NHS - arranged and paid for them.  Do employers not have to do this, or was it just a NHS thing?

JamoLew

Manxman_in_exile said:

I don't use varifocal or multifocal lenses (I personally don't like them) and I'm happy to carry around three(!) pairs - reading, display/screen use, and distance.  However, my opticians think I'm crazy to do this and keep recommending multifocal, but I've never got used to them.

Having said all that, I suspect that the other posters before me are correct and that, like me, you have not given yourself enough of a chance to get used to them.  Perhaps you should persevere a bit longer.  How long is their returns window?

Couple of other points.  I use Specsavers and although some people moan about them I've never had a problem with them.  I've had re-tests done with them, their opticians are helpful and informative, and their customer services are fine.  If you don't want to persevere a bit longer, you should go back and change them.

When I had to get a pair of specs for VDU use (not distance or reading) my employer - NHS - arranged and paid for them.  Do employers not have to do this, or was it just a NHS thing?

I know the specific VDU eye test has to be provided/paid for by the employer under some piece of regulation which I forget as long as certain criteria are met.

**found it
https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/eye-tests.htm

Just had some myself (last week)

I get free eye tests anyway through the contact lens scheme - but the glasses are primarily for home use (especially gaming) when not using my contacts, so I didnt feel it was appropriate to ask for an employer contribution. Plus the frames I went for weren't cheap

Guess the contribution will vary from employer to employer

Guss

Yes my employer is making a contribution towards the eye test and the glasses. It's not a large amount but it's better than nothing. I get what people are saying about giving the glasses time but having to make the kind of intentional head movements when before you could get away with using your peripheral vision to view content on my multiple screens. I'm not sure the convenience of my occupational lenses outweighs the drawbacks. 
Specsavers have been fairly good customer service wise so I don't feel I've got a bad deal so not being able to get a full refund isn't a big issue but if I revert the glasses to single prescription then I'd be looking at asking for a partial refund as I don't want to end up paying c£250 for 2 pairs of single prescription glasses.

sheramber

I know someone who didn't get on with  the glasses she got from Specsavers and she got a refund. She then went to Boots for her new ones.
Are there different qualities of occupational lenses? I have had several pairs of  varifocals but have never had to move my head from side to side. But I have aways had high quality lenses. My current ones are from Specsavers and I was shown the vision fields for each grade of lenses. The cheaper ones did  show fuzziness at the edges which the dearer ones didn't.

Guss

Well I went back and said I just didn't get on with the glasses and explained why showing them my work setup at home and happy to say they gave me a full refund no quibble. That to me is superb service from Specsavers and worth paying extra. I think many other people end up having the same experience with their progressive lenses while for others once they get used to them they stick with them. I'm wondering if something like varifocals might be a better fit for me as I just couldn't get on with the narrow band of focus I got with the occupational glasses.