“From experience some of the most unhelpful idiots work for this company. Very long time waiting on phone and not very helpful once you get a hold of someone. Avoid like the plague.”
“Complaint about Specsavers Portslade
I don't usually like to post about bad service but having just experienced the service at Specsavers Portslade I feel strongly enough to to warn others of what I consider to be deceptive practice. I have just sent this complaint to the Specsavers customers services.
"I wish to complain about what I can only consider as being an attempt to deceive me into purchasing un-required reading glasses.
Having undertaken an eye test I was then directed to choose new reading glasses which I presumed was because there had been a significant change from my previous ones purchased at the same store approximately three years ago which would be on record.
Having chosen the glasses and then handed a printed form I noticed that it was specifically marked as being "An unchanged prescription was issued"
I then queried this and it was confirmed that there was no change at all from my current reading glasses.
I must absolutely emphasize that at no time was I informed that the reason why I was directed to choose new reading glasses was because of a change of prescription.
I must also absolutely emphasize that I at no time was I informed that I did not need to have a change of my existing glasses due to a change in my vision.
I consider that I was mislead into being directed to purchase additional reading glasses which I did not need. In fact I felt totally deceived.
Can you explain to me the Specsavers policy in this deceptive method of directing customers to unnecessary purchase glasses.
I await your reply before taking this matter further.
Andrew Peters"
So this is just a warning that if you are automatically directed to purchase new replacement glasses then ask if the reason for this is a change in vision. If not then it is up to you to make the purchase but not via being mislead.”
“I just picked up my new glasses yesterday29 June and took back one set that where giving way at the seals round the side only to be told by some young assistant thats how they are meant to be utter nonsense I will never go back to them again so thats £408 pound down the drain so don't go near the Galashiels branch in my view”
“I am sure i wasconned by the optician. I am short sighted but i can see close up really well as i use normally computer, phone , books and read small print without problems. He handed me a card with different size writing and asked me which one i could read. Bear in mind i was still wearing the phoropter and unware that there must have been lenses in because to my surprise i could only read the middle one. He told me that i needed reading glasses. Once the phoropter was put away i took the card and of course i could read even the very small print. He didnt justify himself and told me that i will need reading glasses because i am 50. Also my prescriptions was just a fraction better but still told me that i needed to buy new glasses and make sure to have anti glare (i told him i dont even drive). I felt conned and will never return.”
“Expensive .....
Was there 2 weeks ago paid in advance £305 - then chatted to my sister who paid £59 for her's at her local optician's.
Also was not allowed to use the bathroom while there.
Unhappy :-(”
“After using Specsavers for years, I rang up to ask for a copy of my prescription over email/post/verbally as I had a laser eye surgery consulation that had been booked for weeks and paid for. Was bluntly told I wasn't allowed to access my OWN prescription over the phone or via email, despite being prepared to answer security questions and any other GDPR related queries, unless I was prepared to come in store personally or have a clinician ring up. For individuals who work full time, live a considerable distance away and can't readily visit Specsavers at the drop of a hat, it seems a ridiculous GDPR rule. I might also add there's a subject access data request on the website with an option to request 'my latest eye sight report' - doesn't make much sense, and considering I'm entitled to my own medical records it's an extremely bizarre policy. Website needs updating with GDPR policies if this is truly the case and staff need training on why it's their policy rather than simply "we can't". Had to cancel my laser eye consultation and will be changing opticians”
“Specsavers Bridlington
My friend and myself have used Specsavers for years, on this occasion we made appointments had eye tests a choose our glasses at a cost of £235.
We were given a further appointment each for the final fitting and collection.
On turning up on time we were handed a paper bag at the door and told we could not enter the shop ?, on asking about the fitting and checking we were both told to go home and should we not be satisfied with them to ring up and make a further appointments.
We were both left feeling empty and robbed of a level service we had both come to expect.
It appears that once you have handed over your money that’s where there level of care comes to an end.”
“The staff are rude and unhelpful in the bury Lancashire branch the glasses were shoddy and uncomfortable when I got them would never go to a spec saver store again avoid these con artists”
“To whom it may concern,
I am currently watching Rishi Sunak the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer being interviewed on the GB News Channel.
I understand that you have "pulled" your advertising from this new channel due to pressure from certain minority groups.
This channel employs many ex BBC and ITV journalists and people of different nationalities and colour, gives an all round political view favoring neither the left or right of British politics.
My question to you is if this new channel is so abhorrent to you and,( in your view?) the great British public why is the Chancellor currently being interviewed on the channel and why is your company being so negatively discussed in the UK House of Commons and the British Press?
I believe that your decision will lead to a decline in your UK sales as I, for one, will not buy any of your products while this boycott is in place”
“I had to call them more than 2 weeks after the eye test for the glasses. When i did call at 4pm, they said that they were going to text me to collect. Sadly, I did not believe them when they said they were very busy. When I go to their store there are hardly any customers there.”
“First time I ever need glasses.
I attended Brunswick SC Specsavers and paid for a OCT scan on the 9 May (6 weeks ago) and I still don't have the results yet. I have been to the shop 2 more times and nobody really help handing my scan results which I paid for.
I have given my email address 3 times and nobody replies.
The Lady who serviced me charged me £35 for a UC Superclean service which I didn't request nor she offered. When I paid and got my receipt I asked about the charged she said it was my prescription glasses which ended being a lie, I was scammed literally.
I want my £45 pounds back now.”
“I have been a customer a Specsavers Oxford since 2019. This evening, I went in to order contact lenses, only to be told that they could not take the order because it was 2 years since my last eye test. They're my eyes and I know I do not need a new prescription!! I told the man who "helped" me because I only had one pair left at home. He was totally unwilling to make a plan. "The rules are the rules according to him" and Specsavers have one less customer. I WILL NEVER BUY FROM THEM AGAIN!!!! Their understanding of customer service is appalling!!!”
“I bought a set JCB varifocals safety glass for work that were 370 pounds and three weeks old the left lens started go milky and the +015 marking is both lens stared to become more and more when I returned the specsavers Poole I was not made very welcome at No point was I asked my name she took the glasses cleaned and was off to the back when she returned I was the numbers in the lens are manufacturers marking and that I had ruined the lens on the left when cleaning my glasses the only help specsavers had to offer was I buy a new set of lens at my cost. I declined the offer and walked out. Since and a new eye test and only need single vision glasses and I am well with in the legal driving range without glasses and will receive my new safety glass in a couple of days I feel like I have been taken for an absolute ride”
“First time I use this shop. I paid for a scan one month ago and I have not my results yet (they were supposed to be ready in one week). I have given my email twice but they are incompetent enough not to send the info.
They are scammers and charged me £35 for a service I didn't request telling me is the "lens graduation". It turned to be something for kids UC.”
“Should NOT have gone to Specsavers! After being advised by two professionals to get an urgent appointment I tried to contact my optician (Newcastle-u-Lyme) but to no avail. I decided to go in person and was abruptly told there were none and they no longer offer a triage service - they told me to go to Boots! I was also told I should have called, and when I showed proof of 35 attempts, they did not want to know. Boots hadn’t any appointments available, but went out if there way to find an optician in the near vicinity. So thank you to Boots! I certainly won’t be going to Specsavers again!”
“DON’T GO TO SPECSAVERS!! I bought variefocal glasses from Windsor Specsavers 15 months ago, cost over £200, today arm broke off, My wife took them back and was told they were irrepairable and we’d have to buy new frames and of course new lenses as the present lens wouldn’t fit. The lady who delivered these glad tidings apparently didn’t even bother to leave her desk (empty shop so not under pressure) and appeared pretty disinterested, said it was the manufacturers’ fault - why are they using shoddy manufacturers? I see that Specsavers has a 2.19 rating out of 5, that says it all. I’m seething, sadly I doubt they’ll be bothered, plenty more innocent customers out there.”
“My experience is with the Coventry Domiciliary branch of Specsavers. I arranged a home eye test with them back in February. The optician who came out was very good, as was the lady who helped me choose my glasses and that's the only reason I've given them one star! I purchased two pairs of glasses which cost me £400.
When the glasses arrived, they both needed adjustments so I contacted Specsavers to arrange for someone to come out and do this. They are SO difficult to get hold of - it's very rare that someone actually answers the phone so you have to leave a message and wait for them to get back to you. They were quick enough to do this when I was a new customer who would be spending money but they have no concept of after care or customer service at all when that money has been spent. Someone did eventually come out to me - about 3 weeks after I made the initial call. My sunglasses were easily adjusted but the other pair had to be sent away to be changed. I was told they would be marked as urgent but it took several weeks and many phone calls from me before I got them back. After 3 weeks, the new glasses were proving so uncomfortable I had to make another call to Specsavers only to be told that the person who does adjustments only goes out once a week and it would depend when they were next in my area when I would actually see them. Two weeks on I'm still waiting with glasses that make me sore. Today, fed up of waiting, I rang Specsavers again and asked to speak to the Manager. I was told they would ring me back but, surprise, surprise they haven't! If I had my time again I'd avoid Specsavers completely.”
“Its high time that opticians and opthalmology were completely separated from the high street business of retail sales of fashion glasses.
The Opticians should bill customers for the eye test and then by law provide them with the full prescription. Where the customer chooses to buy glasses that fit the prescription should be of no concern or Interest to the Opticians.
The existing system is nothing more than a high pressure hard sell conflict of interest.
As a result many people are put off having regular eye test because of the hard sell tactics to force them to buy expensive spectacles on the spot.
Specsavers in my opinion and from my experience are the worst of the bunch. They have high school children doing the eye tests to a formulaic process. You will be lucky if you even see a qualified opthalmologist.
They move the customer like cattle through a process which ends up at the retail dales till where the customer must then suffer the hard sell tactics which is is not dissimilar to that of buying a timeshare.
This is highly inappropriate in the health industry and the government needs to drastically reform this industry.”
