... Being a student and on a budget I decided not to get my glasses from them, however, and to try somewhere cheaper, hence by visit to Vision Express.
When I walked into my branch, I felt I’d make the right choice. The atmosphere was more that of Primark than Selfridges – cluttered shelves, ... Read review
Advantages: Cheap frames, quick service Disadvantages: Pot luck as to which server - and service - you get
...cheaper, hence by visit to Vision Express.
When I walked into my branch, I felt I’d make the right choice. The atmosphere was more that of Primark than Selfridges – cluttered shelves, lots of browsers, a noise level about the muted whispers I’ve preciously encountered in opticians. The selection of frames on offer seemed varied and pleasing, and the sign on the wall telling me I could have my glasses made up in an hour clinched the ... ...no rush to return to Vision Express to have them tighten it. It would have been a good idea for me to do so, however, as the inevitable happened and a month and a half later the leg took a dive one day and disappeared into the rocky landscape that is some NHS hospitals’ carparks. I lived with my one legged frames for a while until a parental visit resulted in me being told in no uncertain terms to get it fixed. My mother is a glasses wearer of some ... more
Around this time last year, acutely aware that soon I would be graduating, earning some money and no longer be eligible for free eye tests / discounted glassed on the NHS, I thought I would make the most of it, and get my eyes checked. The test, at my local D&A branch showed my eyes had worsened slightly, and new glasses could be beneficial. Being a student and on a budget I decided not to get my glasses from them, however, and to try somewhere cheaper, hence by visit to Vision Express.
When I walked into my branch, I felt I’d make the right choice. The atmosphere was more that of Primark than Selfridges – cluttered shelves, lots of browsers, a noise level about the muted whispers I’ve preciously encountered in opticians. The selection of frames on offer seemed varied and pleasing, and the sign on the wall telling me I could have my glasses made up in an hour clinched the deal. I started picking off frames, trying to balance them on my face and admiring myself in one of their many mirrors until I found a pair that suited me. That completed, I checked the price, found them to be reasonable, and found a sales girl to ask about getting them made up. She seemed fairly competent if a little off hand, so I handed over my prescription and the frames, paid the calculated figure and agreed a time for me to return.
An hour later I returned to find them ready and waiting for me. I tried them on, discovered I could see better with them than without (always a good indicator that they’ve put in the correct lenses) and left. I wasn’t offered a fitting of adjustment of any kind as I had had previously, but assumed this was the price you paid for, well, paying a reduced price. A week or so later I realised they were uncomfortably too large and took them back but was met with blank stares when I requested they be fitted to my smaller-than-a-large-person’s face, so left and presented myself at the nearby branch of one of their competitors’ where luckily they didn’t realise they had not been the ones to supply me with the frames in the first place, and promptly spend almost 15 minutes trying to get them to sit perfectly on my face. Hurray for living in a country where opticians are paid a reasonable wage and service like that does not require a tip.
Several months later the screw in one of my glasses’ legs became loose, but remembering the service I had previously received, I was in no rush to return to Vision Express to have them tighten it. It would have been a good idea for me to do so, however, as the inevitable happened and a month and a half later the leg took a dive one day and disappeared into the rocky landscape that is some NHS hospitals’ carparks. I lived with my one legged frames for a while until a parental visit resulted in me being told in no uncertain terms to get it fixed. My mother is a glasses wearer of some 40 odd years standing, so I thought she might be a useful ally in my trip back to the store. On returning, we were told that such a ‘fault’ was not covered by their guarantee but that they could order me a spare leg. We almost accepted this offer until, having taken all the contact details from us, the girl serving us said she wouldn’t be able to give us a cost for the repair in the foreseeable future as they would have to order in some frames but it would be “about 1/3 of the original frame cost”. Not wanting to pay much since the glasses had only been cheap in the first place, we declined this offer, and I visited another local branch to see if they had them in stock. They didn’t, but quoted me a price for a leg which was significantly above the original quote. In my desperation I again turned to other opticians, who unfortunately could not replace the leg from their stock, but who also mentioned that if it had been one of their frames, they would have completed the repair for free given the young age of the frames (about 8 months by this point).
The saga was not over, however. The Vision Express website is a very useful thing, as it includes the following page:
which, among other things, includes promises of a guarantee of total satisfaction in every store, perfect satisfaction with the comfort and appearance of your glasses and complimentary minor repairs and servicing. With this as my ammunition, I fired off a letter to their head office, stating that I felt these were misleading promises as they had, at least in my case, not been fulfilled.
Less than a fortnight later I received an extremely apologetic if strangely presented note (it was written on a compliments slip) promising me a new pair of glasses of my choosing from my local branch. When I went in they were well versed on the situation and were able to quote me a price limit for my new frames which was actually quite a bit more than my original ones had cost, these frames no longer being on offer. I selected some, re-presented my prescription and went off to shop for a while. When I returned I was served by someone else, but he had no questions about that fact that my receipt showed these glasses as being free. He fitted them properly, going off at one point to saw off the ends to help them sit better, and could not have been more efficient. As I was leaving, the original girl who had handled the situation also came over to check everything was alright. Glassy. A situation that could have put me off ever buying from them again turned itself around completely, and I would now choose them again in the future. Having a company who not only apologize for their errors but who also make significant attempts to make amends more than makes up for the original cock-up in my mind.
Vision Express are a national chain who have branches on every high street. Their website can help you locate your nearest one. Their plus points are:
^ a wide range of children’s, men’s, ladies’ and unisex frames in a good range of prices, from free with NHS vouchers (clearly marked) to over a hundred for the designed ranges
^ branded glasses for both children and adults – if you so desire you can get Harry Potter ones for the kids, Morgan and Cosmopolitan ones for you, and Adidas ones for anyone
^ good service if you get the right person (and in their defence, the person who originally served me last year is no longer employed by the branch from what I can tell). This weekend I saw several staff explaining the merits of different frames and lens types
^ all glasses available within an hour, or delivered free to the address of your choice
^ eye tests available at your convenience….or free
^ a choice of contacts and prescription sunglasses – I just don’t buy these which is why they don’t feature much in my writing
Minus points include:
^ large glasses in some styles – I now have children’s ones, and they still had to lop off large pieces of leg to get them to sit neatly
^ no immediate help in selecting frames – you can ask for advice, but when you walk in you’re often on your own when it comes to picking out a pair
^ busy stores meaning you may have to wait to be seen – in contrast, in the D&A and Specsavers also in my local shopping centre, staff are waiting to pounce the minute you walk through the door
^ no (evident) computer modelling of frame styles to fit your face shape that other chains offer
Was I originally put off? Yes. On several occasions they delivered customer service that was neither courteous nor helpful. Will I give them a second chance? Yes. They redeemed themselves so promptly and superbly that at their prices I would be silly not to. Use them with reassurance, just make sure you quote their own PR garble back at them if you ever need to complain.
Advantages: modern,up to date eye exam and care, excellent customer service, great with kids Disadvantages: need to prebook exam usually, buying your glasses costs more than mail order
...giving me no distortion of vision until I was 5 years old, at which time I suffered a sudden devastating change to my vision. I caught the chicken pox, and was duly kept in a darkened room without TV so as to not strain the eye muscles, as advised by the doctor, but unfortunately, it was no use. The virus migrated to the nerves in my eyes and spread, causing damage that resulted in my vision going from 20/20 to 20/40 in just 10 days (I had just had ... ...so my parents used Pearl Vision Center as the high quality chain can be found in nearly every city in America. At 14 I had had enough of wearing just glasses, and my parents were persuaded to let me be evaluated for contact lenses. I was deemed suitable, and I continued using Pearl for my visual care needs until moving to the UK 10 years ago after my marriage. Casting about for a similar sort of establishment, one name kept appearing in people’s ...
Shroud 16.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Vision Express (Shop)
Advantages: Make you feel special and ensure you are happy with your eyewear. Disadvantages: More expensive than some other high street opticians.
...have been a customer with Vision Express for many years now, probably more than 10, and I think I know a fair amount about their service and their standards. I am a contact lens wearer which means I visit regularly both for sight tests every 2 years and for contact lens check ups annually. The store where I live in Chelmsford is bright and airy, and every time I have been there I have found it to be welcoming and friendly, and also extremely professional. ... ...you come out with perfect vision with your new glasses, as I never feel I am giving them a consistent story! Choosing the right style of glasses in my branch is always made so much more achievable as the staff in there really go out of their way to help. Last time I needed updated glasses, and as I have a small face I can't wear many styles at all. I was assisted by an extremely helpful assistant who was so patient with me, and explained that the ...
Violet1278 15.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Vision Express (Shop)
Advantages: Child and special needs friendly staff | Glasses ready in about an hour Disadvantages: Waiting area a little small
...opticians on my travels was Vision Express, and to be honest I wasn't holding out much hope, but to my surprise after the receptionist (or sales advisor as they prefer to be called) had a quick word with the optometrist she came back to say that he could be seen that very afternoon. Within three hours my son had had his eyes examined, been measured up and was wearing his very first pair of glasses. This service impressed me so much that I ended up ... ...What I like about Vision Express though, is the fact that you don't usually need to make an appointment. Very often I will be passing and realise that the child with me is due an eye-test, so I just pop in and ask if there are any slots available. This method does usually mean a short wait, but I've never failed to get seen the same day.
---The reception---
When you arrive for your appointment (or ask for a same day eye-test) you will be shown ...
sandemp 24.05.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Vision Express (Shop)
Advantages: Very fast efficient service. Disadvantages: none so far
...opticians but find only the Vision Express shop open.
Entering the brightly illuminated shop I am greeted by a young lady who on enquiring what I require, takes me through the shop to another young lady who asks me to complete a form. Now I have to tell her that I cannot see to fill in the form. No problem says she, come with me and I will fill it in for you. Two minutes later and it is complete, coffee she asks and a brimming cup is thrust into ... ...to see to you and she was gone.
Moments later yet another lady takes me into another room where I am soon seated in front off some sort of optical instrument. Rest your chin on the bar of the machine she says and look at the image within the machine while I take pictures of your eyes, then it is turn and do the same in an adjacent machine, this one apparently testing the pressure within my eyes. This one causes me to blink as it feels as if something ...
Bigbaz 01.01.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Vision Express (Shop)
Advantages: Excellent service Disadvantages: dazzling store interiors!
Vision Express stores can be found in most places. Store interiors have recently been changed and are now very white and clinical looking. The place looks very bright and, to be honest, if I worked there I think I’d be going home with a headache every night! I’m surprised the staff don’t wear sun glasses all day long! However, it’s not so bad when you just pay a quick visit to have an eye test, choose some glasses or arrange ... ...thorough. They check your vision initially to get a rough idea of your prescription by using a machine where you look down a runway….all clever stuff! Then they start with the letters chart and establish from there the prescription you need….you know how it goes!
GLASSES
I haven’t actually bought glasses from Vision Express. They have a large range of frames ranging from designer to budget but all seem to be priced higher than ...
JoMerrington 01.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Vision Express (Shop)
Value for money
Layout & presentation
Selection & range
Quality
Staff knowledge
Waiting / queues
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