Strange Specsavers Policy - Is This True?

swarden13510

I was confronted with a strange and seemingly illogical policy at Specsavers this past week and I'm trying to figure out if there's any truth to it or if the member of staff I spoke to was mistaken.

Long story short, I've worn glasses for about 10 years and always go to Specsavers. Last time, I bought a pair of prescription sunglasses. Well, I just had laser eye surgery so have 20/20 vision but I love these sunglasses so I went back to Specsavers to see if I could get the lenses replaced with the normal non-prescription lenses. 

The lady in the shop told me that, in order to "prove" that I don't need a prescription any more, I'd need an eye test (presumably at a cost). My question is... why on earth do I need to prove anything to Specsavers? I cannot fathom how I can go in and buy the same glasses off the shelf with no prescription and no questions asked but to change the lenses on the ones I own (the cost of which I was willing to pay), I need an eye test. Surely if it's my own property and I'm paying for the service and materials, I can do whatever I want with them?

I then went into a local optician and asked the same question and she was able to do it no problem, so I know it's not a legal issue. The only issue is I'd prefer to get it done at Specsavers as the local place would just put in generic lenses (the sunglasses are designer so I'd like them to match ideally).

I understand they try to upsell but I was going to pay for the new lenses anyway so I'm a bit confused. Is this an actual policy or was this one employee mistaken/being a bit sneaky?

user1977

If you want to know whether it's a general policy of Specsavers, surely it would be simplest just to contact another branch and ask the same question?

Sandtree

Sounds like a jobs worth who is thinking it'd be best to update your prescription records via a new eye test 

Ultimately as you say the glasses are yours and you are free to do what you want with them but similarly they are a business and are entitled to put whatever conditions of sale they want as long as its not discriminatory against protected characteristics (sex, religion, race etc)

Ergates

No, that doesn't make any sense.   Did you ask the lady in the shop why she wanted you to prove you didn't need prescription lenses any more?     Do Specsavers swap out lenses that don't match your prescription for free or something?

swarden13510

Ergates said:

No, that doesn't make any sense.   Did you ask the lady in the shop why she wanted you to prove you didn't need prescription lenses any more?     Do Specsavers swap out lenses that don't match your prescription for free or something?

I have absolutely no idea - I got the feeling it was definitely to do with money but just assumed they were trying to make me pay for an eye test

swarden13510

user1977 said:

If you want to know whether it's a general policy of Specsavers, surely it would be simplest just to contact another branch and ask the same question?

Yeah I think I'll try this - I just wanted to see if anyone else saw logic where I was missing it or has had a similar experience and knows the reason for the policy (if it even exists)

Sandtree

swarden13510 said:

user1977 said:

If you want to know whether it's a general policy of Specsavers, surely it would be simplest just to contact another branch and ask the same question?

Yeah I think I'll try this - I just wanted to see if anyone else saw logic where I was missing it or has had a similar experience and knows the reason for the policy (if it even exists)

The only logic, as posted above, is so they have your revised prescription on file... I think their general rule of thumb is you should always have your eyes checked by "your optician" if you notice any material change in your vision. 

I dont know if the rules have changed but several years ago when buying contact lenses online you used to have to give the details of the optician that had made the prescription and they'd contact them to confirm its correct (I then found a company that enabled you to self certify it was correct). SpecSavers concern would be that were someone to approach them asking them for your prescription the information they would be giving out is incorrect as its your pre-op state.

born_again

swarden13510 said:

I was confronted with a strange and seemingly illogical policy at Specsavers this past week and I'm trying to figure out if there's any truth to it or if the member of staff I spoke to was mistaken.

Long story short, I've worn glasses for about 10 years and always go to Specsavers. Last time, I bought a pair of prescription sunglasses. Well, I just had laser eye surgery so have 20/20 vision but I love these sunglasses so I went back to Specsavers to see if I could get the lenses replaced with the normal non-prescription lenses. 

The lady in the shop told me that, in order to "prove" that I don't need a prescription any more, I'd need an eye test (presumably at a cost). My question is... why on earth do I need to prove anything to Specsavers? I cannot fathom how I can go in and buy the same glasses off the shelf with no prescription and no questions asked but to change the lenses on the ones I own (the cost of which I was willing to pay), I need an eye test. Surely if it's my own property and I'm paying for the service and materials, I can do whatever I want with them?

I then went into a local optician and asked the same question and she was able to do it no problem, so I know it's not a legal issue. The only issue is I'd prefer to get it done at Specsavers as the local place would just put in generic lenses (the sunglasses are designer so I'd like them to match ideally).

I understand they try to upsell but I was going to pay for the new lenses anyway so I'm a bit confused. Is this an actual policy or was this one employee mistaken/being a bit sneaky?

Think of it this way. Just because you have had laser eye surgery does not mean that you do not need some form of prescription correction glasses.
So Specsavers are being careful to ensure that you are getting the correct prescription for you eyes. If they fitted non corrective lenses & you said you had a problem seeing through them, they would be at fault.

I would have thought that after surgery they would have checked your eyesight & given you your prescription or how else would you know you have perfect vision?

Having new lenses fitted into a old frame carries a risk. As it is very easy to break a frame while changing lenses. This will be at your risk.

You do realise that Specsaver still use exactly the same lenses as a local optician.

TBH if you feel that you do not need your eyes checking. Forget going to a optician for sunglasses. Just go to supermarket/cheap shop & buy a pair from there. Just as good & a lot cheaper 👍Designer frames are exactly the same as non designer, only with a badge on them & a increased price to the customer, but not the outlet selling them 🤣

user1977

Or just tell them they're for wearing when you have contacts in...

swarden13510

born_again said:

swarden13510 said:

I was confronted with a strange and seemingly illogical policy at Specsavers this past week and I'm trying to figure out if there's any truth to it or if the member of staff I spoke to was mistaken.

Long story short, I've worn glasses for about 10 years and always go to Specsavers. Last time, I bought a pair of prescription sunglasses. Well, I just had laser eye surgery so have 20/20 vision but I love these sunglasses so I went back to Specsavers to see if I could get the lenses replaced with the normal non-prescription lenses. 

The lady in the shop told me that, in order to "prove" that I don't need a prescription any more, I'd need an eye test (presumably at a cost). My question is... why on earth do I need to prove anything to Specsavers? I cannot fathom how I can go in and buy the same glasses off the shelf with no prescription and no questions asked but to change the lenses on the ones I own (the cost of which I was willing to pay), I need an eye test. Surely if it's my own property and I'm paying for the service and materials, I can do whatever I want with them?

I then went into a local optician and asked the same question and she was able to do it no problem, so I know it's not a legal issue. The only issue is I'd prefer to get it done at Specsavers as the local place would just put in generic lenses (the sunglasses are designer so I'd like them to match ideally).

I understand they try to upsell but I was going to pay for the new lenses anyway so I'm a bit confused. Is this an actual policy or was this one employee mistaken/being a bit sneaky?

Think of it this way. Just because you have had laser eye surgery does not mean that you do not need some form of prescription correction glasses.
So Specsavers are being careful to ensure that you are getting the correct prescription for you eyes. If they fitted non corrective lenses & you said you had a problem seeing through them, they would be at fault.

I would have thought that after surgery they would have checked your eyesight & given you your prescription or how else would you know you have perfect vision?

Having new lenses fitted into a old frame carries a risk. As it is very easy to break a frame while changing lenses. This will be at your risk.

You do realise that Specsaver still use exactly the same lenses as a local optician.

TBH if you feel that you do not need your eyes checking. Forget going to a optician for sunglasses. Just go to supermarket/cheap shop & buy a pair from there. Just as good & a lot cheaper 👍Designer frames are exactly the same as non designer, only with a badge on them & a increased price to the customer, but not the outlet selling them 🤣

Ok, but isn't that my call to make? I mean, if I wanted to go into Specsavers and buy a pair of normal non-prescription sunglasses when I was short sighted, that was my prerogative, right? So why are they policing this now?

Yes, and I said this when I went to the Specsavers shop. I had a post-op eye test in Optical Express the day after my surgery and I was told my vision is now 20/20 -- therefore I was not given a prescription card as I don't need one.

I appreciate the risk and cost -- this was nothing to do with the issue.

I've literally had several eye tests in the past few weeks over the course of my laser treatment so no I don't feel like I need yet another eye test. I already have existing glasses and would rather not be wasteful and buy cheap glasses and throw those ones out. In my experience the cheaper versions are not  exactly the same. I've had the ones I'm referencing for several years now, whereas I find any cheap ones don't tend to last that long.

p00hsticks

user1977 said:

If you want to know whether it's a general policy of Specsavers, surely it would be simplest just to contact another branch and ask the same question?

Specsavers operates its branches as 'joint venture partnerships' (a bit like franchises) so it's perfectly possible that different branches may take differnt views on the subject

https://www.pointfranchise.co.uk/articles/specsavers-franchise-is-it-a-franchise-business-5829/