Can an Optician refuse you an Eye Test?

carda

I went for my eye test at Specsavers a few days ago and when it was finished, said I didn't want to buy frames. The optician asked where I had got the glasses I was wearing and on being told I had bought them online he then suggested that in future I go elsewhere for my eye test. Now I thought you could go to any opticians and not be under any obligation to buy frames from them, seems that is not the case with Specsavers.
Anyone else come across this ?

Horace

Its the same with visionexpress - try and find an independent optician and then he/she doesnt mind if you take your prescription and buy glasses elsewhere.

I never trust visionexpress nor specsavers becaue their choice of frames is somewhat limited plus they cannot make glasses for me because my prescription is too complicated.

Noctu

Never had that problem at my local Specsavers.. I'd complain to the Head Office if I were you.

nedmundo

It cuts both ways. Patients have every right to go where they wish for an eye examination and take their prescription elsewhere. Opticians, being a private operative also have every right to choose which patients they see.

Only once they have agreed to see you (i.e. you have made an appointment) are they obliged to see you.

Penny_Watcher

Noctu wrote: »

Never had that problem at my local Specsavers.. I'd complain to the Head Office if I were you.

I have an idea (but I may be wrong) that Specsavers are a franchise. I say this because DD1 lives in London and needed to pick up her monthly contact lenses whilst she was on holiday with us. Specsavers told her it wasn't possible as each branch were independent of each other.



*She might have just got one of their assistants on a bad day who just coudn't be bothered to do the paper work.*

cyclonebri1

Penny_Watcher wrote: »

I have an idea (but I may be wrong) that Specsavers are a franchise. I say this because DD1 lives in London and needed to pick up her monthly contact lenses whilst she was on holiday with us. Specsavers told her it wasn't possible as each branch were independent of each other.



*She might have just got one of their assistants on a bad day who just coudn't be bothered to do the paper work.*

You're right, we have a friend that has 2 of these in Derbyshire, they are franchised.
PS You would not beleive, well you probably might, how little they pay for the frames,:mad:

wishiwasarichgirl

yes you are within your rights to have an eyetest without purchasing spectacles, but the optician is also within their rights to refuse to see you again.

Most will not do this unless they have a very large patient base and don't mind losing you, your family and friends as customers

The reality is that most opticians run a business as well as a health care service, and patients who never purchase glasses are not profitable (in fact, most places are actually working at a loss to see them). Unless a practice is charging in excess of £30-£40 for an eye test, then they need to sell glasses to stay in business.

And yes, as others have said, each Specsavers is an individual company run by the directors in the store in partnership with Specsavers optical group. Any complaints sent to "head office" are just bounced straight back to the directors of the store in question. And as it was undoubtedly the director who told you he no longer required your business there really is not much point writing a letter.

wishiwasarichgirl

Horace wrote: »

Its the same with visionexpress - try and find an independent optician and then he/she doesnt mind if you take your prescription and buy glasses elsewhere.

I never trust visionexpress nor specsavers becaue their choice of frames is somewhat limited plus they cannot make glasses for me because my prescription is too complicated.

Not always true about the independents, we have one nearby who refuses to give prescriptions to patients if they want to take them elsewhere (this is illegal by the way, they must give you a copy after your sight test).

Of course, every practice is different. Same with the "high street" stores like SS, VE, D&A and Boots, there are good ones and bad ones. All depends on the directors & employees.

Sammz

I just get my test then try on a few pairs of specs and say I'll go back with a friend who will give me an honest opinion on whether they suit or not. Then order online

wishiwasarichgirl

Sammz wrote: »

I just get my test then try on a few pairs of specs and say I'll go back with a friend who will give me an honest opinion on whether they suit or not. Then order online

Opticians are wise to this one too. They only have to look back through your records to see if you have purchased any glasses from them.

As I mentioned though, most will not refuse to see you again, as they do not want to risk losing any "associated business" (for all they know your whole family & best mate might spend hundreds on glasses from them every year or two )

sillyvixen

the cost of an eyetest (chairtime with the optician) is actually more than the charge you (get less for nhs tests or people with free vouchers) and this cost is offset by the costs of frames and lenses in a average practice there is also loss from people with a stable prescription or no prescription as well as those who go and buy from other outlets. the problem in this situation is that the optical practice lost out on your test - as specsavers are one of the cheaper retailers they have less contingency plan for this situation. whether or not the ethics of them asking you not to have come back is right or wrong the fact remains they have tested you at a financial loss!!! cheap internet glasses are cheap as they have no professional qualified staff to pay as well as no showroom costs and this keeps the price down - unfortunatly the consumers who buy from the optical practices are going to have to pay more because they are essentually part funding tests for you and others who choose to purchase elsewhere!