Specsavers Ireland: sneaky upselling

Birneybau

My father got 2 pairs of glasses in Specsavers GPO Arcade today, €497. Insisted on him taking a second pair as "They were free". Little did he know, nor was it made known to him that the lenses on his unwanted "free pair" cost €174. Disgusting way to treat a 74 year old man. I'm due an eye test and have always used Specsavers, over the years I have spent in excess of €1,500. Not any more.

Fann Linn

Birneybau wrote: »

My father got 2 pairs of glasses in Specsavers GPO Arcade today, €497. Insisted on him taking a second pair as "They were free". Little did he know, nor was it made known to him that the lenses on his unwanted "free pair" cost €174. Disgusting way to treat a 74 year old man. I'm due an eye test and have always used Specsavers, over the years I have spent in excess of €1,500. Not any more.

Very dear alright considering you can now claim back on PRSI contributions up to £82 also on optical services. When this budget measure was introduced i said to the other half that the price of specs would go up. Looking at what your father was charged it appears as if they are.

L1011

A 74 year old is unlikely to qualify for PRSI but they may easily have a medical card.

I have given up on chain opticians, the franchise ones are often worse than the centrally owned ones but they are all solely about upselling and target-hitting at this stage. Unfortunately its not that easy for many people to use online ones and the smaller ones can often be even dearer even if they are more customer focused.

Fann Linn

L1011 wrote: »

A 74 year old is unlikely to qualify for PRSI but they may easily have a medical card.

I have given up on chain opticians, the franchise ones are often worse than the centrally owned ones but they are all solely about upselling and target-hitting at this stage. Unfortunately its not that easy for many people to use online ones and the smaller ones can often be even dearer even if they are more customer focused.

I understand that a 74 year old probably won't qualify, but I was making the point that, whenever a subsidy or grant or benefit is offered here in Ireland the corresponding price on the plus side for the retailer more than likely increases by the same amount. Let's call it Fann Linn's Theorem but it does apply to most Govt initiatives☺

madmaggie

There are a number of different deals and combinations and exclusions, it's hard to get your head around it. I presume OP father, being over 70 has a medical card. The basic glasses should be free, but it's all the add ons that drive up the cost. I have a medical card, earlier in the year I picked out my frames online, and resisted the upselling. I got my driving and reading glasses free. Granted they're not fancy, but more than adequate. Some people might need anti glare, scratch coating, etc. My glasses are the basics, but that's all I need.

millie35

I would ring them and complain as your Father was told they were free which obviously was not the case.

Birneybau

Folks, o.p. here.

The issue is that the assistant insisted (say that three times fast) that his second pair were FREE, so he thought he was getting a free spare pair (that he didn't want but hey, they were free) without informing him that the lenses in his FREE pair cost €174.

They literally said "Sure, you might as well". I'm dropping in tomorrow.

Birneybau

millie35 wrote: »

I would ring them and complain as your Father was told they were free which obviously was not the case.

Thanks for getting what I meant.

madmaggie

I don't blame you for being annoyed, who wouldn't say yes to that. I hope you get a good outcome.

njs030

I'd ring the manager and complain very seriously that your father was told the pair was free and as they weren't free they will be returned for a refund (if he wants that).

They can't scam elderly people like that by confusing them into misunderstanding.

Second Yellow

notjustsweet wrote: »

I'd ring the manager and complain very seriously that your father was told the pair was free and as they weren't free they will be returned for a refund (if he wants that).

They can't scam elderly people like that by confusing them into misunderstanding.

I would do this. They probably won't want the hassle of you telling everyone you know if they don't back down.

Birneybau

They backed down after I Tweeted and Facebooked them. My father had to ring them himself. He's taking 1 pair of glasses and having €24 in cash returned to him, he had only paid half the €497 as he had no idea the bill would go that high. Glad of the result. I shan't be using them again myself though.

Postgrad10

They are notorious for that. You might as well get the second pair, and the pressure you get put under when you give them your older frames to put the new prescription. Oh you need a change from those ones, these others suit you so much better. I don't go in without a friend anymore. And the second pair are never really free. It just means the first pair were double the price they should have been. And don't dare insult them by saying you don't need a free hearing test !

Cerco

L1011 wrote: »

A 74 year old is unlikely to qualify for PRSI but they may easily have a medical card.

What makes you think a 74 yr old would not qualify for PRSI?
I would think the vast majority do and would be able to claim optical and dental benefit.
On the main issue, I think the second pair would be free for non varifocal or bifocal however they do not explain this at all in my experience. I imagine the sales staff are on commission and imho are not “up front” with additional charges on second pair.

Postgrad10

Postgrad10 wrote: »

They are notorious for that. You might as well get the second pair, and the pressure you get put under when you give them your older frames to put the new prescription. Oh you need a change from those ones, these others suit you so much better. I don't go in without a friend anymore. And the second pair are never really free. It just means the first pair were double the price they should have been. And don't dare insult them by saying you don't need a free hearing test !

What did you say??

bee06

They tried that with me the last time I was in. Oh you can get a second pair for free or even better a pair of sunglasses for 50 Euro. I pointed out that I’d still have to pay 130 Euro for the ultra thin lenses because my eyesight is so bad. Oh, you could get the sunglasses without prescription lenses as well for 50 Euro they said ... erm what good are sunglasses if I can’t see anything I said (I don’t wear contacts). Of course that started off a whole contacts upsell. If you don’t know your stuff in there you can get seriously taken for a ride.

laylag

They are absolute chancers with this "free" pair. I am -6.50 in both eyes do have to get ultra thin lenses which cost at least 150....then they try to talk you into the second pair to get you to pay again for thin lenses!!
Last time I played them at their own game and told them I would forgo by "free" frames and could they give me that amount off the lenses of the one pair I wanted! Ended up just laying for one pair and got a big discount off the lenses. But I had been burned by them before to the tune of about 600.....they are terrible and you have to have your wits about you agreeing to anything in there.

splinter65

Birneybau wrote: »

Folks, o.p. here.

The issue is that the assistant insisted (say that three times fast) that his second pair were FREE, so he thought he was getting a free spare pair (that he didn't want but hey, they were free) without informing him that the lenses in his FREE pair cost €174.

They literally said "Sure, you might as well". I'm dropping in tomorrow.

I assume you father has a medical card.
If so, he is entitled to free new glasses every 2 years.
However, the frames for the free glasses are limited, if you want nice/designer frames you will have to pay for them.
If you think he has been subject to suspect selling by a member of staff in Specsavers then you and he need to go in there and see the manager to discuss it.
You can escalate your complaint from there.

splinter65

L1011 wrote: »

A 74 year old is unlikely to qualify for PRSI but they may easily have a medical card.

I have given up on chain opticians, the franchise ones are often worse than the centrally owned ones but they are all solely about upselling and target-hitting at this stage. Unfortunately its not that easy for many people to use online ones and the smaller ones can often be even dearer even if they are more customer focused.

Here’s the 411 on Treatment Benefit
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/disability_and_illness/treatment_benefit_scheme.html

billyhead

Why don't you all use the same frames when you need to change your lenses. I have the same frames the last 8 years and if my eyesight worsens just get new lenses placed into the frames even though I am always encouraged to get new frames by the merchandiser. To Reglaze your frames and get anti glare lenses only costs around €90 compared to about €200 for new frames and lenses.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

billyhead wrote: »

Why don't you all use the same frames when you need to change your lenses. I have the same frames the last 8 years and if my eyesight worsens just get new lenses placed into the frames even though I am always encouraged to get new frames by the merchandiser. To Reglaze your frames and get anti glare lenses only costs around €90 compared to about €200 for new frames and lenses.

In my case, I change glasses because the frames are in need of replacement, the prescription rarely changes, but the frames become tattered after a few years.

bee06

billyhead wrote: »

Why don't you all use the same frames when you need to change your lenses. I have the same frames the last 8 years and if my eyesight worsens just get new lenses placed into the frames even though I am always encouraged to get new frames by the merchandiser. To Reglaze your frames and get anti glare lenses only costs around €90 compared to about €200 for new frames and lenses.

Well I can’t see without my glasses so a week without them isn’t an option. Plus, I like getting new glasses. It’s like getting a new haircut or something.

delta_bravo

I am around -10 on both eyes so requires the maximum reduction. Always gone to Specsavers. I have gotten the 2nd pair free before I just ask them not to do any thinning on the 2nd pair.

The last time I got them I didn't need the 2nd pair so they offered money off to forego the free pair.

It sounds like the assistant was underhand here but my experience with them has been very good generally.

Postgrad10

Deleted User wrote: »

Postgrad10 wrote: »

They are notorious for that. You might as well get the second pair, and the pressure you get put under when you give them your older frames to put the new prescription. Oh you need a change from those ones, these others suit you so much better. I don't go in without a friend anymore. And the second pair are never really free. It just means the first pair were double the price they should have been. And don't dare insult them by saying you don't need a free hearing test !

What did you say??

Told them quite ademently that I had just had a private health check up in the mater which included my eyes and ears and I didn't have time. The assistant was so cross with me. I think they must have a quota to fill.

Birneybau

splinter65 wrote: »

Birneybau wrote: »

Folks, o.p. here.

The issue is that the assistant insisted (say that three times fast) that his second pair were FREE, so he thought he was getting a free spare pair (that he didn't want but hey, they were free) without informing him that the lenses in his FREE pair cost €174.

They literally said "Sure, you might as well". I'm dropping in tomorrow.

I assume you father has a medical card.
If so, he is entitled to free new glasses every 2 years.
However, the frames for the free glasses are limited, if you want nice/designer frames you will have to pay for them.
If you think he has been subject to suspect selling by a member of staff in Specsavers then you and he need to go in there and see the manager to discuss it.
You can escalate your complaint from there.

Guess you missed the post where I spoke about the results we got.

stimpson

Glasses in this country are a scam. I use zennioptical.com. My last order were titanium memory frames with extra thin lenses and anti glare/anti scratch/oil and fingerprint resistant coating. Came with 3 pairs of clip on shades. $91 including postage. Quality is excellent.

vicwatson

How easy is it just to get a script in specsavers or is better to go to an independent one? I wanna get a script and buy glasses on line but not into awkwardness at specsavers when I just want an eye test and script

splinter65

Birneybau wrote: »

Guess you missed the post where I spoke about the results we got.

But he was entitled to a free pair of glasses if he has (I assume) a medical card. I’ve no idea how he ended up paying anything at all for his new pair

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

splinter65 wrote: »

But he was entitled to a free pair of glasses if he has (I assume) a medical card. I’ve no idea how he ended up paying anything at all for his new pair

Only very basic frames. The Department will only pay €42 towards the overall cost of the spectacles and you pay the balance.

Floody Boreland

Don't want to use specsavers but do they have better technology than independents to detect diseases of the eye?

L1011

Floody Boreland wrote: »

Don't want to use specsavers but do they have better technology than independents to detect diseases of the eye?

Unlikely.

daheff

I'm sorry....but how do people end up leaving the shop not knowing how much is being charged?

Why are Specsavers performing work that has not been agreed (both price and activity) beforehand?

Are people signing off on unknown costs for glasses before they go to pay for them?

Birneybau

I'm not going to engage with people that haven't read the thread from hereon in. The situation was made clear through the posts I made.

uck51js9zml2yt

Floody Boreland wrote: »

Don't want to use specsavers but do they have better technology than independents to detect diseases of the eye?

I got referred by specsavers to a place in Fairview as SS couldn't test for something.
This place has specialists and follow up on me every 6-12 months.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Floody Boreland wrote: »

Don't want to use specsavers but do they have better technology than independents to detect diseases of the eye?

In my experience it's quite the opposite. The independent I go to here is far superior.

Tenigate

Specsavers are very bad for upselling.. ultra-thin lenses and anti-glare tint on the first pair and the free pair.. and your €180 "all in" becomes more like €500.

I've met a few people who left specsavers feeling a little ripped off and annoyed with themselves for not saying "no" to the final price.

The tactic is as follows. The chirpy sales woman casually mentions "i noticed the optician recommended...." maybe adding "its an extra 45 for the anti-glare but as you'll be wearing your glasses for xyz we'd definitely recommend it." (And the cost is per pair of glasses)

Many customers weren't expecting the hard sell and it's only when everything's agreed that they find out the total price and feel confused or think it would be inappropriate to ask why it costs so much.

uck51js9zml2yt

I just use SS for the eyetest and then order online from the UK.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Purple Mountain

I go to a smaller chain of opticians and their up sell is just as bad.
I was berated for not getting some tint on the lenses to make them cosmetically more appealing! I was very firm with my fupp off refusal.

PLL

They're terrible. Tried to tell me I needed glasses because I have large pupils and I'm very sensitive to light. Luckily, I discovered before buying them that they had no actual prescription +/- lens in them and were effectively sunglasses. Also, tried to get me 'another pair for free'.

My daughter was written a prescription after an eye test at school, her glasses were free (a happy surprise). They still tried to get me to buy for a spare pair because she was bound to break the first pair "all kids break their first pair of glasses" so I was told. Happy to report her first and only pair are doing great.

Gangsters.

splinter65

Madilynn Enough Speckle wrote: »

Only very basic frames. The Department will only pay €42 towards the overall cost of the spectacles and you pay the balance.

That’s true. My 83 year old mother got her new glasses last week no cost to her, the most basic frames and they are perfectly serviceable for the 2 years they are intended to last. I’m mystified as to how this elderly gentleman ended up spending so much on his.

madmaggie

Madilynn Enough Speckle wrote: »

Only very basic frames. The Department will only pay €42 towards the overall cost of the spectacles and you pay the balance.

Some of the medical card frames are not great, very dated. I was told one time that I should go for the kids range, as I have small features. I checked out the kids offers online, picked the frames and got two pairs plus my eye test free with the medical card. They did try to upsell me the contact lenses, but nothing doing. You really need to do your homework before going in there. I went in with all the stuff printed off, so they couldn't bamboozle me with the sales pitch. I've fallen for that in the past. :mad:

Nekarsulm

The more "designer" branded frames really drive up the price.
I got tested, a pair of Quicksilver frames, and ultra thin glass lenses (prescription is something like -7 in the left and -11 in the right) for 285. Refused tints. I never get plastic lens as they scratch so easily.
The chosen frames added something like 70 euro to the price.

My last pair, in an independent opticians were nearly 500 euro!
Never again will I go there, which is why I went go Spec Savers this time.

vicwatson

Francisco Better Rancher wrote: »

I just use SS for the eyetest and then order online from the UK.

Any probs with just doing this? any awkwardness about it?

dudara

@splinter65 - you’ve made your point. You can leave it alone now please

dudara

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

paddyref

Francisco Better Rancher wrote:

I just use SS for the eyetest and then order online from the UK.

That's brilliant, could you pm me where you sourced your glasses please...test due soon,thanks.

Doodah7

Francisco Better Rancher wrote: »

I just use SS for the eyetest and then order online from the UK.

On this, I was looking at speckyfoureyes. They have a pair of Timberland frames that are £95 and the identical pair in SS is €189. Adding thinned lenses would be €264 in Specsavers and £154 or c. €175 online.

Has anyone used speckfoureyes?

uck51js9zml2yt

vicwatson wrote: »

Any probs with just doing this? any awkwardness about it?

I just ask the optician for a copy of my prescription when the test is complete.
If they ask am I getting glasses today, I just saw not yet.

QueenRizla

I do this as well, just go to SS for the test and then upload it online and buy glasses for a fraction from China. Just remember to try to get your PD (pupillary distance), this won't be in your script. I was able to read it from the notes. Easier than measuring it yourself.
Glasses are so cheap online that it is insane to use SS. I use Zenni, it is a reliable site and the glasses are super quality. You can actually upload your picture and 'try on' different styles to decide what you like. I have the prescription on my account and every so often order a new style for a few dollars when they have a sale.

bk

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I just say to them, that I'll come back in a few days with the other half to try on glasses, that she would kill me if I bought without her input. Keeps it positive and they just give you your prescription then.

Of course legally you are entitled to it, so don't let them give you the run around, but I think it is better to approach it positively.