Don't Let Opticians Rip You Off....

[finn17]

I had my eyes tested yesterday at Boots The Chemist and the right eye has improved meaning I need a new pair of glasses.

Now, I thought the test was extremely thorough and lasted for over half an hour. However, immediately after the test I was sat down and immediately subjected to a fairly hard-sell trying to part me from my cash. The assistant showed me a pair of frames, almost identical to my own and started to tell me that the frames would cost £279 plus lenses, plus coatings, anti-scratch/anti-reflection etc, etc. I told her I had been off sick for a couple of months and would not be in a position to replace my specs until I went back to work. She had no problems with this and cheerfully said she'd "see me in a few weeks" and looked at me as if she expected me to leave. I then asked for my prescription and she looked at me as if I'd asked for a blow-job.. She clearly knew she had no option however and huffed and puffed whilst she wrote it out.

Last night I visited http://www.optical4less.com/ and bought an almost identical pair of specs from them (they are certainly identical to the ones I am currently wearing as I have been using these guys for years) and with the anti-reflection/anti-scratch coatings etc I was charged the princely sum of £38.15 including shipping from Hong Kong.

Don't let opticians rip you off.....

 

[Inithra]

The last time I went to an Opticians was...almost a year ago. I went to Tesco, had a regular eyetest and then a Contact Lens test. Went ahead and choose some contacts, was told they would be about £13 a month, and a test pair would be ready in a week or two. In the mean time, I bought the cheapest frames they had for £10, as I needed a new pair of glasses after my last pair got broken froma kick to the face during a Kuk Sool Won lesson - hence the need for contacts!
A week later, I got a call to collect my new glasses, and while there was told the lenses would be there in a day or two. Four months later, I called to ask where they were (Christmas at work was reeaally busy, and I had forgotten about them) and they had arrived, I hadn't been called, and they had been thrown away.
I still have that £10 pair of glasses now, haven't had any problems with them at all. Did get some contacts online for martial arts, but no way was I going to go back to Tesco. Will use them for glasses however, very pleased with those
TLDR: Tesco have very reasonable prices on glasses, don't bother for contact lenses.

 

[supervike]

Stick it to the man! (now with 20/20 vision)

 

[freakinacage]

But how is the fitting? I struggle with glasses as I have a slim face so normal glasses make me look like a child in adults frames!!

 

[finn17]

But how is the fitting? I struggle with glasses as I have a slim face so normal glasses make me look like a child in adults frames!!

You can specify the size of your bonce...

Go for the rimless/hingeless ones...with small lenses they'd be fine as there is is only the earpieces and bridge piece to their construction and so wouldn't dwarf anyone's boatrace

 

[RuneBrush]

Must admit that I always go to a specific Optician's as they've dealt with my grandparent's, parents and me and my sibling's eyes, get given my prescription as a matter of course (which I will then loose for 3 or 4 years). My sister tends to go to the likes of Boots for frames when they've a deal on. Keep meaning to look into contacts as I have slightly dodgy sinuses and find that wearing glasses play them up as the day progresses. Always been nervous as I have extremely sensitive eyes.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Don't Let Opticians Rip You Off.... I thought the test was extremely thorough and lasted for over half an hour.

Yep a good eye test shouldn't be anything less than that.
Recent eye test I got at Specsavers took 5 minutes and I was told there was no change, but I should consider changing to varifocal lenses.....(Yeah right!)
Went for a second opinion test got the full 30 minutes and was told Minor change, long sighted (When did that happen always though I was short sighted) and Varifocals would be of no benefit. Bi-focals may be needed "down the road" for general use, but stick to the readers for close work. (Turned out the optician was a Wargamer as well so understood my needs)
Result, 2 frames and lens sets £60.

 

[Avelorn]

I'm getting old. I'll probably have to buy myself a pair of glasses soon. I'm thinking of doing a full "make-over" at the same time so no one recognizes me! Thinking of growing a beard and shaving my head! My hair's getting thin anyway.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

I'm getting old. I'll probably have to buy myself a pair of glasses soon. I'm thinking of doing a full "make-over" at the same time so no one recognizes me! Thinking of growing a beard and shaving my head! My hair's getting thin anyway.

Oih, that look is already taken, do a comb over, totaly retro

 

[Avelorn]

I'm thinking something like this.

View attachment 9234

 

[alextheartist]

Its the pink shoes that really make that image...

 

[Shawn R. L.]

I had a good experience with an optician. He told me he could get me some glasses for about 180$ but the cheap reading glasses would do just fine. I appreciated his honesty.