4 ms·

For what it is worth in the UK in a lot of high-street opticians they will sometimes try the hard-sell after the exam too. They also recommend that you get it

For what it is worth in the UK in a lot of high-street opticians they will sometimes try the hard-sell after the exam too. They also recommend that you get it checked every 12 to 24 months as well (at least they suggest that to me). After the exam ends its somtimes "Let me hand you over to <person> who will take you through the options" and the next thing you know they are trying to make you look at £350 frames, suggesting exotic coatings to the lenses etc. You're legally entitled to the results of your exam - you are not obliged to buy from them. The exam itself however is usually free so I guess the psychology of it is you feel like you need to get glasses from them since you got the free eye exam from them. Personally I usually just say "I am in a bit of a rush - I'll come back at the weekend with my partner to help my choose". We both know I'll never do that :-) There are places where you can order your glasses + lenses online though. Enter prescription and so long as it looks "normal" (i.e. did you enter it right) there are no questions asked. I've had pairs of glasses that have lasted for several years of use that cost £6.99 (no typo: six ninety-nine) including delivery. (from goggles4u if you are wondering - no connection, just a satisfied customer)

Sharlin 7y ago
Around here (Finland) the exam is (almost always) complimentary if you also buy glasses or contacts. Otherwise, they charge you something around 25 € for the exam.
valdiorn 7y ago
I go to specsavers, and I've never had anything other than an awesome experience there. Sure, they do lightly pressure you into buying a new pair (definitely far from a bad experience, though), but if you do, the test is free (otherwise it's about 20 pounds I think). Also, the coatings are actually very good, I have coated and uncoated glasses, and the coat is definitely worth the money. My mom came over last christmas. In my home county, glasses are very expensive and getting an opticians appointment can take months. She walked into Specsavers on a Monday, and by Thursday she had two new pairs of glasses, all for under 300 pounds. Just the appointment would have cost that much back home. After she talked about the experience with our family, I've been getting a steady stream of relatives coming over for a visit, just to buy glasses.
C1sc0cat 7y ago
Its 15 quid or so and if you wear glasses a lot having the anti reflection etc does make sense - if your just using occasionally not so much.
theriddlr 7y ago
In the UK: To get the free trial contact lenses, the optician (who wore a white coat!) did my eye test and kept increasing the power until my prescription qualified as legally blind, despite me saying I have astigmatism. I never came back to collect the contact lenses obviously. Went to my usual optometrist when I was back home in Malaysia 6 months later and surprise, surprise my prescription has not changed for the past 2 years!

Sharlin 7y ago

Around here (Finland) the exam is (almost always) complimentary if you also buy glasses or contacts. Otherwise, they charge you something around 25 € for the exam.

valdiorn 7y ago

I go to specsavers, and I've never had anything other than an awesome experience there. Sure, they do lightly pressure you into buying a new pair (definitely far from a bad experience, though), but if you do, the test is free (otherwise it's about 20 pounds I think). Also, the coatings are actually very good, I have coated and uncoated glasses, and the coat is definitely worth the money. My mom came over last christmas. In my home county, glasses are very expensive and getting an opticians appointment can take months. She walked into Specsavers on a Monday, and by Thursday she had two new pairs of glasses, all for under 300 pounds. Just the appointment would have cost that much back home. After she talked about the experience with our family, I've been getting a steady stream of relatives coming over for a visit, just to buy glasses.

C1sc0cat 7y ago

Its 15 quid or so and if you wear glasses a lot having the anti reflection etc does make sense - if your just using occasionally not so much.

theriddlr 7y ago

In the UK: To get the free trial contact lenses, the optician (who wore a white coat!) did my eye test and kept increasing the power until my prescription qualified as legally blind, despite me saying I have astigmatism. I never came back to collect the contact lenses obviously. Went to my usual optometrist when I was back home in Malaysia 6 months later and surprise, surprise my prescription has not changed for the past 2 years!