Opticians.

No problems with the Boston branch. They`re always friendly and efficient, and tell us if we don`t need new glasses yet.

I have bought glasses online from two companies with no problems at all, and I have a complicated prescription, which needs varifocals and high index, as well as high astigmatism. Even with all of that they have been fine - and definitely cheaper.

ruby not something that I can exactly put my finger on, just feel that I'm being encouraged to spend more than I would like!

feetle didn't realise you were in Egham, I know it well!

I've just bought 3 pairs from Glassesdirect.com, in the sale, for a total of £75. The service is great and fast.
I use them around the house and wear my solid gold varifocals (well, they cost enough to be gold) when I go out.

What I like about Boots is you get points and their frames don"t seem any dearer than Specsavers!

Sorry - that link s www.spex4less.com - when will there ever be an Edit facility on this forum?

Armed with my (free) prescription from Boots (they having taken over the optician in Egham) I buy very successfully from www.spx4less.com - I'm very happy with their goods and their service.

I have worn glasses and later contact lenses since I was 7 years old. I used Boots for years but after seeing a succession of different opticians with each appointment, and feeling my prescription was never quite right, I switched to a small independent optician two years ago and have never looked back. My optician is so thorough - I had four or five appointments at the beginning before we got my contact lens prescription quite right and he didn't charge me a penny until then. I can now see distance (with help) better than I have for years, I have had advice about my general eye health and possible lens replacement surgery in the future (but only if absolutely necessary) and every appointment is a pleasure. Best of all, my optician carries a limited range of frames and is not at all pushy - quite happy for me to look elsewhere for frames and either have them made up elsewhere or bring them to him. I would never go back to any of the big chains.

My husband and I used Vision Express from the time we needed to wear glasses. I started going to Specsavers after I found the choice of frames at Vision Express wasn't very good. Specsavers are brilliant. We have had repairs done for no charge and also my mum had glasses repaired for free which she didn't buy from them. Excellent customer service. I would recommend them.

We used Boots once after years of using our local independent optician. We found Boots pushy and the frames poor quality and have now gone back to our local one! I worry that soon there will be no option but to use a multiple which would mot he good, in my opinion.

What is wrong with your branch Phoenix?

I have always found the staff in our branch good but today he was a bit annoying but it was busy so he could have been having a bad day. I've bought glasses before though but the lenses always seem distorted and so I haven't worn them, hence a waste of money. I'm still wearing a pair from the stone ages but according to optician I need a different prescription now.

I have got better in my short sightedness which the optician was concerned about and told me to get checked up for diabetes asap. I did this and went to my local chemist and had a test done. It was fine so that made me wonder if the prescription was right seeing that I have had trouble with all the other lenses they have put in my glasses. I have the prescription and am going to check with another optician tomorrow, see what they say.

I went with my six year old granddaughter and her mother as her mother had never bought specs before. Optical Express were really good, but did not have the sort of frames she wanted.
We went to Boots, and they realised that none of their frames were small enough for grand daughter, after trying some on. Then we went to Specsavers. We were told to look at the frames and let them know if there were any we wanted. No advice at all, which we could have done with for a six year old. So we went back to Optical Express, as we knew they had frames that would fit, even though they were not Peppa Pig!

I have used Specsavers for years and I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Maybe it will vary from branch to branch, like the NHS or our chosen dentist but I have never felt 'pushed' into anything .

Must admit to having some doubts about my local Specsavers.

Our local Specsavers is brilliant. In fact they virtually discourage you from spending out for new frames/lenses unless they're really necessary.

Me too,Eloethan.

As soon as someone gets "pushy" I go somewhere else and don't go back.

I've never had a problem with Specsavers. They've always been completely honest as to whether I actually need a change of prescription, and they don't push you to buy your specs from them - although of course they do offer to 'help you choose' while you're waiting for your appointment!

I think it depends on the branch. I am between two towns and there are 2 specsavers I could go to. Neither is particularly pushy, but one is particularly laid back. I once went back with a new pair of glasses and said I thought they were a bad fit - the woman agreed instantly without further discussion and and helped me to find another pair.

But - I did find the hearing person a pain - pushy and casual about answering my questions.