Boots Opticians

[Matheous-2]

Cannot believe three separate figures I have been quoted for GP(hard) vari focal lenses. After my second test for lens prescription etc., I asked the approximate cost which the optician said 'around a hundred pounds' .....That was what I expected as my last prescription cost that from the same branch about a year ago. As their computer system had gone down - I went home and later checked by phone on the cost, hoping to return & make payment. The first figure I was quoted on this occasion was £295!!- I of course was aghast and pointed out I am on state pension. -Than on returning to the phone she could offer 40% discount bringing it down to £177 inc. insurance. I reluctantly agreed, and later had second thoughts.
How can they be so far off the mark? I have never paid more than about £120 from a small optician.
Anyone one had similar experiences with Boots Opticians?

[hc4361]

There are different grades of lenses with different finishes and coatings. I have just had an eye test and have a choice of lenses costing between £100 and £400

[fbg40]

My wife had a lot of trouble with Boots some years ago - I will say no more !!
FBG40

[Matheous-2]

That may be so, but I wasn't told these were any different from the last batch other than being a slightly stronger prescription.....So I don't see any justification for the price hike.

[BlueToffee]

I very often find that local, private, opticians are far more competitive than the high street chains.

I've been going to a one man band for several years now, he doesn't push me to change prescription every year, and diagnosed early onset of glaucoma too.

He has an Achilles heel though, he's a blooming Liverpool supporter!

[masma]

Didn't like Boots service at all. I got new specs from Specsavers a week ago, although I think their eye test is about the best you can get the sales department are far too pushy. I'm really disapointed with my glasses and feel I was pushed into having something I didn't want (my fault I know for not being more assertive) I'll be going back as they're not fitted well either.

[Matheous-2]

I was impressed with Boots various pieces of test apparatus though and really can't fault their eye test, but they do need to get a grip of their prices....

[york310]

Think there may be some confusion going on. OP mentioned GP varifocal which I presume means rigid gas permeable multifocal contact lenses and not spectacle varifocals.

Single vision RGP contact lenses are usually at the £120 mark so I presume varifocals would be a lot more expensive.

[ladybirder]

My Zeiss varifocal lenses cost me a fortune but once you've had them you don't want anything inferior. They are my little luxury known only to me and the readers of AB.

[york310]

Maybe they charged you incorrectly previously for the multifocal contact lenses and you paid less last time?

Why not give other opticians a call and ask how much they charge for the same lenses. You can take your contact lens prescription anywhere to buy the lenses if the prescription is in date.

[Hopkirk]

Should have gone to Specsavers

[Matheous-2]

York310- Yes these are contacts, and I am taking my prescription elsewhere.
If Boots undercharged previously, they didn't say....

[andy-hughes]

I went to Boots two years in a row, but last time, their range of frames was very poor, and their sales staff were indifferent.

I had my test, one pair of 'all the time' specs and two pairs of readers from them, and they were excellent in all areas.

Will not be returning to Boots.

[Baldric]

After getting a 'price-check' from Boots I've used Specsavers for last 4 years, also OH has moved to them from a Private Optician, they look after us very well at a reasonable cost.

[hc4361]

ladybirder, I those lenses the ones that are smudge, dirt, water resistant and don't fog up?

[ChillDoubt]

Go here and save yourself a small fortune. I've used them 3 times, the quality and service is unsurpassed:

http://www.reglazemyglasses.com

[DrFilth]

i have had glasses from boots never again

[hc4361]

ChillDoubt, my glasses are very expensive and I wear them all the time I'm awake. I can't do without my glasses at all so reglazing isn't an option for me.

What I can't find on that site is how much they charge to return the frames if you don't like their quote.
Also, they claim not to be liable if they break the frames. That is very bad policy.

[ChillDoubt]

hc, if you need your glasses every waking hour then you need a second pair anyway, in the event of a breakage/loss, surely? Why not post a cheap(ish) pair of frames to them? I sent a pair of Animal frames to them that I got from eBay for £10 and had them turned into prescription sunglasses for next to nothing (£19 I believe).
I've had Nike, Ray Ban and Oakley frames reglazed with them, never had a hitch and had the glasses back within 6 days.

If you don't like their quote they just send your frames back to you, free of charge.

Bar that, keep shopping around yourself, you won't get them much cheaper than the site I mentioned!

[york310]

Sorry but I forgot to add..

What has the state pension have to do with purchasing private goods.

Are you entitled to nhs exemptions such as pension credit which can be used towards the cost?

I got the retail price of multifocal RGP lenses from a colleague today. They said £240 on average

[boxtops]

I agree with ladybirder. My varifocal specs are on my nose every waking minute - I wouldn't compromise the quality but they did cost me a huge amount of money - yes, hc, and photosensitive with it!