“Do not use the home testing service, Despite the advertising it's operated by an outside contractor and, based on my experience, not very good.
They conducted the test in my cramped front room using the contents of a rucksack and billed me £503 for a pair of varifocals. The glasses arrived by post, no visit to fit or check them (apparently they don't do that) and they proved not only useless to use around the house but in some aspects unsafe. When I complained the contractor sent someone who took the glasses away and promised a full refund but have now refused to do that. I used Specsavers in the past with no problems but this service is an expensive disappointment that should be avoided.”
“I’d give zero but that is not an option.
My latest experience has been absolutely shocking. I have been a loyal customer of specsavers for many years and as a family we have spent thousands of pounds there.
I was called for a repeat eye test. The initial experience on the day was disjointed and poor with the eye test itself and communication. I ordered new glasses at this time.
When I collected my new glasses a couple of weeks later they initially seemed ok so I left wearing them. As the day progressed I felt very disoriented and developed a headache. I tried them numerous times but each day I would develop a debilitating headache which would only go after I had taken them off. When I revisited the store I was advised by a dispensing optician that a retest was advised and that due to the issues I was experiencing the lenses may be a problem as they were larger than what I was used to.
The retest showed that the initial test wasn’t quite right. With the help of the dispensing optician I chose new frames and ordered a replacement pair, paying an additional fee.
When I collected the second pair, they initially felt ok but as I wore them they were slipping off repeatedly so I went back and a member of staff adjusted them. I was unaware of what he was doing initially, but it transpired that instead of the usual heating of the arms to readjust them, he cut them off. When he first put them back on me they felt snug but not too bad so off I went. By the time I got home they had left very painful red marks and indentations both on my nose and behind my ears. I persevered with them but could not manage more than an hour of wear before they were too painful to wear and it took a long time for the red marks and indentations to fade.
I again returned to store and it was identified that they were too tight. They offered to pop the lenses out and put them in the frames from the shop floor to replace the ones that had been ruined by the other staff member. Again I agreed to try that as it was what was being recommended as the best option for me. I still experienced feelings of seasickness when wearing them and noticed that I got a big reflection in the lense of anything behind me in the car when driving. This was obviously quite disconcerting and I didn’t feel safe driving in them. I again returned to the store and was advised that the focal point was correct and they were made as per the prescription but that the shape was slightly different to my old glasses so they heated them and tried to match my existing frames as much as possible. They checked the fit and agreed that the arms were much longer and not really suited to my head but made some adjustments and I was asked to give them another chance. I did, I tried again, I still can’t wear them due to the fit not being comfortable and the reflections making them unsafe to drive. I still get the seasickness feeling from them after wearing for more than an hour. I’m not sure why there are so many issues with them but they are unwearable.
Today I returned again. The dispensing optician I saw previously was not there so I saw another staff member instead. Apparently as it is now over 100 days since the initial eye test, I can not have a refund. Despite the fact that I’ve been back and fore so many times, advising them of the problems. Despite the fact I was willing to try a display pair after they ruined the ones I paid for. Despite the fact they are not just unwearable and unfit for purpose but dangerous for driving, as it’s taken so long and I’ve been so patient with them it’s now too late.
The best they could offer was to take my existing frames and put new lenses in those, but as those frames aren’t available any more I’d be without them for a couple of weeks while they did this. I was offered to keep the ones that I can’t wear while it was being done but as they are unwearable that isn’t a valid option.
I’ve now spent weeks of travelling back and fore and to try to resolve the problem, not to mention the cost of the frames and lenses and am left with nothing but disappointment.
One thing is for certain I will never use specsavers again and nor will any member of my family. It was very clever to keep sending me off with tweaks and adjustments to try until it was too late and they could refuse the refund. I feel totally conned and defrauded.”
“My husband got new glasses in January which he couldn’t use. Despite going back several times over the months and having the lenses changed he had no use from the glasses. The problem was finally fixed with a cataract operation. And now have had to pay for new glasses. The person who did his eye test was great. The people at the front of shop are purely sales people who are only interested in having you pay as much as possible for glasses. Definitely wouldn’t recommend spec savers”
“On the 02/06/2025 I was at Specsavers Ladysmith where I was assisted by a gentlemen and two African ladies . The reception was very welcoming and their service was much appreciated.”
“I was very happy with their customer service. I got the deal of 2 pair for $199, with 2 new frames for another$100. It turned out after I got the glasses they were not what I wanted. I got all my $$ back no worries. Excellent service and I will go to them again.”
“Today I went into Specsavers and Hana very kindly repaired my glasses for free. The hinge was broken.
It was a very positive experience and I am very grateful,
Thank you
Sarah Palmer.”
“Specsavers Braintree were fantastic on my recent visit. I was concerned about a change in my vision but after thorough tests my mind was put to rest by Nicole who explained in minute detail what was going on. Superb service. Also by George & Jayden.”
“Was very pleased with the service I received in the Stanmore Specsavers, very helpful helping me choose frames ,and when I went to pick up new glasses,seen straight away very good service again,very helpful,store was bright and clean,very spacious,was very pleased”
“Very very disappointed. I have worn glasses since being a teenager so I know when eye tests are done correctly. This is my first experience of Specsaver home visit. No continuity, two people came to test, a different person to choose (sell) glasses and a third to check they fit (they don’t). A complete waste of money. I feel angry, no duty of care shown. Do not use them.”
“I went in for an eye test. Everything went well until I started to choose my frames. I was advised to get two pairs of varifocals made for the price of one. But when she priced one pair up, it came to a ridiculous amount. It was going to cost me around £280 - £320 for two pairs! Also they have six types of varifocals, which is just milking it, and they don't tell you which type of varifocals will benefit you..! So I declined politely, and took my prescription to another optician, where today, I paid just £120 for two pairs of varifocals glasses. I will receive them in two weeks time and I'm looking forward to it.”
“Excellent staff. Anika at Specsavers Hackney sorted out the issues with my glasses and frame quickly & efficiently. Very cheerful and knowledgeable, I found Anika very focused and customer friendly.”
“Got some drop and was was priced at 7.99 . But was told they are 12 .99 . So paid the higher price . Seems like there is a lot of up selling as well . .”
“Fantastic service from start to finish at Spec Savers Harborne. After a bad experience at a rival, I've converted. Amazing value, great choice of frames, but most importantly, the staff are brilliant.”
“My mum has just had a visit from Tony ( I think) Specsaver home visits, about her reading glasses. He was really lovely he had lots of patience and helped her understand what she needed.”
“I purchased my spectacles from their stores for many years with good service. Now being house bound I decided to use their at home eye tests. 2 people came and performed the test and I selected my new glasses. 10 days later they delivered them to my home. The service was excellent.”
“I had a very positive experience at the Specsavers I ordered my glasses from . The optician that helped me was polite and helpful . Turn around time was 10 days: Overall I am very pleased with my glasses”
