Felt very rushed at the Optitions (well known branch)

Sounds familiar. I was told to stop asking questions during my eye test!
That was by the qualified optician. The sales staff were very nice and helpful afterwards. However, despite all the adverts regarding price, somehow the glasses always seem to cost double the price. Maybe I shouldn't have gone to Specsavers oops that optician?!

No way - my last eye test (Free) took nearly an hour including glaucoma testing, retinal imaging, a very lengthy and meticulous eye examination, detailed testing with the letters and a general discussion about eye health, photochromic lenses etc.
The optician I go to is an independent one and well known locally for their excellent care.
I think you have grounds for complaint.

I have been going to a "one man band" for the last 30+ years. He takes time and I am frequently in the room for over an hour. He often runs late but I do not mind because I know I get superb service. I do not believe in going to the well known opticians because they have to follow a strict timetable.

I would never go to that particular optician again ( the one jane10 crossed out). It took them several attempts to get my prescription right. I had to go back three or four times. I go to Tesco now. They have got Vision Express there. Much better.

Definitely complain. And have another eye test to be sure.

Yes my mum (as she has eye problems) goes to an independant one, she like you is often in for well over half an hour)

The only reason I dont go to the independant ones is, their glasses are so expensive and I just cannot afford £100s of £s.

Ive never had a problem with these optitions, used them for as long as I can remember. But this is the very worst eye test I have had, I am just putting a few pointers on paper and going to ring them up.

You can have an eye test somewhere else and then go to Sp- to buy the glasses. Just ask for your prescription only.

Yes will prob end up doing that, but bit miffed at having to dole out around £20 . Extra expense on my glasses, also apparently because my prescription hasn't changed I don't rec any help/voucher towards any new glasses(both distance and reading) even though I have working tax credit. We shall see

Before you do anything I think you should complain because that is not how a professional optician works. Is she qualified?

I've never had anything but excellent service from Sp*******s. Our local branch are always very busy. The last eye test I had there was very thorough, and the optician took care to answer all my questions.
I think you have cause to complain.

I presume so! its the well known branch (someone has mentioned it further up the thread)
I'm a poor one at complaining but I wear my glasses all the time so they need to be right, cant be faffing around. ok hear goes..!'

Mini yes I too have always had good service from them, thats why I am a bit taken aback..it was so very rushed, no pleasantries etc no hello.. it was just "take a seat" etc etc never mad eye contact once (sorry for the pun)!

Eyes are important bikergran. Think I’d have a test elsewhere and then compare the outcomes. You’re worth it .

I don’t see why you should pay again Bilergran if you’re not happy( and I wouldn’t have been either) go back and ask to be retested by another optician or go to a different branch . They won’t want you to be unhappy I’m sure.

I had a bad time with B---- a well-known chemist. The test seemed ok except they didn't have as much high tech equipment as V. Ex where I'd been before, but they made me some glasses which I just couldn't see with. I took them back 3 times and they implied I was lying and that I could see through them. It was totally ridiculous. Something was wrong with the prescription.

Eventually they very grudgingly gave me a refund, "as a gesture of goodwill" and I returned to V.Ex where I have always had good service.

bikergran

If I were you, I would definitely go back and say that you are not happy.

If you can't see as well as you used to be able to with the same glasses, either the prescription has changed or there is an underlying eye condition, such as macular degeneration or cataracts, and from the short time you were given, I doubt if those possibilities were properly dealt with.

Either way, you need to go back and insist on another test.

I had trouble with Boots that other optician as well once. The lenses were lined up wrong with my pupils so I really couldn't see. However, they fixed them eventually. I suppose it's really down to individuals within these corporate businesses.

I have always had excellent service from 'should have gone to Sp. ...' so much so I have complimented them their courtesy, painstaking exams , helpful attitude. I don't know if it makes any difference which branch you go to. I had poor service from the optician at the well known chemist too.

I go to a highly qualified man at a local optician. He is qualified to refer people for cataract operations and check them afterwards whereas the opticians at our Asda can not.

I am naughty. I go to the local optician, get a prescription and take it to Asda. I could probably just manage with Poundland readers but fall over if I try to walk in them so buy cheap varifocals.

I know that my optician would go out of business if I took my prescription elsewhere. He is struggling financially because he does spend a lot of time with each patient.

He diagnosed my macular so I will be ever grateful for that.

It's slightly risky anyway, having the test at one place then buying the glasses at another.
If you find that you can't see as well as you should with the new glasses, both places are going to try to insist that the other is at fault, resulting in a lot of hassle, whereas when both are done at the same place, there should never be any problem sorting this type of problem.

With the optician jane didn't mention. I too felt as if I was on a conveyor belt.
With the opticians at the well-known High St chemist, I was comfortable, given time to ask questions and had a very thorough test. Exemplary service including spotting an issue at a test a year or two after cataract surgery with immediate reference back to hospital opthalmology dept.

That is very true Mamacaz. Perhaps only buy a second pair, if you want that, at a different place

I use an independent and have never felt rushed, although I did comment to the receptionist that I thought he had the hump about something. She just said he can be a moody git and apart from that I think he's excellent. I order my prescription contacts from him and then get them on line and specs I get for peanuts online too.

I haven't been rushed that badly but I would suggest taking your custom elsewhere.
DH once said that at a well-known High Street chemist he felt like he 'was a unit to be processed' rather then a human being.