• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Vision Express

GrahamE said:
I wasn't going to post this, but was urged to because surely this is illegal?

I went into Vision Express opticians looking for a new pair of glasses (first time I'd been to a Vision Express), and the staff were really keen to sell their current offer. I said I needed a new eye-test before I bought anything and the girl said of course, and went to see if I could be fitted in. Yes, she said - we can fit you in, in 20 to 30 minutes and the cost was £25.

So I explained I was diabetic, and actually didn't pay for eye-tests, this then suddenly seemed to be 'a problem' and she went away to 'speak to the manager' and came back and suddenly (yes, you guessed it) I now couldn't be 'fitted in' anymore and unbelievably she said "it takes too long to deal with diabetics" !!! She also bizarrely asked me about what 'eye drops' I used? I told her I don't take eye-drops and didn't know what she was talking about...

Suffice to say, a real lack of knowledge for an opticians, and terrible attitude towards diabetics. Very bad service indeed.

So I left and went straight to John Lewis, and had an eye-test immediately with no problems whatsoever (and also bought glasses there instead).

I emailed Vision Express customer services but (yes, you guessed again) they NEVER replied. Unbelievable

:eek:(
Click to expand...
Unless you had an up to date prescription you wouldn't have been sold new glasses anyway.
Even though if on medication you are entitled to free eye tests the optician doesn't do them for free the NHS pays the fee, so VE wouldn't have been out of pocket.
People with diabetes quite often have a longer apt than non diabetics so if the optician had an apt booked with another customer which would have clashed with your extended test I can not see what your problem is.

Perhaps the receptionist worded things wrongly so you misunderstood what she actually meant?
 
mrspuddleduck said:
I would post this on their Facebook page. You will be amazed how quickly they respond!! Sue xxx
Click to expand...

Twitter is the place to get fast responses from companies/organisations in my. Complained on twitter about my local hospital when I was in for Arthritis Treatment last week, quaoting their twitter feed name, had first response within 3 minutes and had teh Matron down to personally hear my complaint within 15 minutes. Remedial action over my complaints (treatment in no-clinical area of hosptial) were being implemented within days (as reported back from a friend also in for treatment a couple of days later)
 
They probably thought you meant the diabetic eye screening, that's why they said about the eye drops and that they didn't have enough time....
 
I am a customer of Vision Express and have been told by them that I only need to have my eyes tested every two years because I also go for my NHS Retinopathy test every year, a van comes round to one of the local surgeries for the day.
 
Your ailments Eddie pale mine into insignificance, But life is still good hopefully for both of us. I've never had a problem with eye testing and have only ever received prompt and courteous service. The response from vision Express shows that they are a concerned provider and someone maywell get their knuckles rapped.
 
I use VE and have always been impressed by the service I received, I haven't had any official hospital checks for any diabetic issues, feet, eyes, general medical as it seems it is everyone else's job to check referrals, 3 times now my GP has referred me with no joy, if it wasn't for the diabetic eye test VE have done then i would have been in trouble.
 
Slightly off topic but I was told at specsavers that I could have a free NHS test before my 12 months was up (I think it was about 10mths) as I thought there had been a significant change in my vision and I needed a new prescription - I assume that is true everywhere so don't delay if you are having problems.
 
I shall give VE very wide birth and will my missus
 
babsy2 said:
I shall give VE very wide birth and will my missus
Click to expand...
As quite a few have said it is unusual for VE to give such bad service. I think when the OP said he was diabetic they thought he wanted a Retinopathy test which can only be carried out by named opticians, with a set appointment time as it does take time for this test to be done. VE once noticed a problem with my eye, told me it ws pointless to give new glasses and referred me direct to the eye clinic at my local hospital. I have used them many times and never had a problem, one dissatisfied customer does not make a bad optician
 
GrahamE said:
I wasn't going to post this, but was urged to because surely this is illegal?

I went into Vision Express opticians looking for a new pair of glasses (first time I'd been to a Vision Express), and the staff were really keen to sell their current offer. I said I needed a new eye-test before I bought anything and the girl said of course, and went to see if I could be fitted in. Yes, she said - we can fit you in, in 20 to 30 minutes and the cost was £25.

So I explained I was diabetic, and actually didn't pay for eye-tests, this then suddenly seemed to be 'a problem' and she went away to 'speak to the manager' and came back and suddenly (yes, you guessed it) I now couldn't be 'fitted in' anymore and unbelievably she said "it takes too long to deal with diabetics" !!! She also bizarrely asked me about what 'eye drops' I used? I told her I don't take eye-drops and didn't know what she was talking about...

Suffice to say, a real lack of knowledge for an opticians, and terrible attitude towards diabetics. Very bad service indeed.

So I left and went straight to John Lewis, and had an eye-test immediately with no problems whatsoever (and also bought glasses there instead).

I emailed Vision Express customer services but (yes, you guessed again) they NEVER replied. Unbelievable

I visited the Workington branch of vision express,told them I was a diabetic type 1 didn't have to pay for the eye test got vari=focal glasses had to only pay £ 5 for the frames I wanted got first class service. the lady who dealled with me was Romanian. on my 2nd visit when my specs were ready first class friendly service.
Click to expand...
 
I will never use vision express again .. Had lots of problems with them in the past ..
I use specs savers get a great eye test each year .. Free ..

For me vision express were about money making , not care of eyes of which they have a duty of care when having an eye test ..
For me it was sales, profit , and general attitude ..
But not saying all staff and management will be the same ...

So I get a yearly eye test with specs save and my hospital one ..
 
I use spec savers as does my missus we're very happy with them and I go to Bristol Eye Hosp once a year
 
Back
Top