About Our Unique Frame Numbers

Why "Showrooming" in our optical store, then buying glasses online isn't such a good idea !
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This may not be such a good idea as it first may seem.
Read on and benefit from our experience over the last few years before you get caught out and your out of pocket or regretting your purchase online.

Having dealt with customers needs in the optical industry for over 33 years using all our experience, skills and knowledge as a glasses dispensary, We are very aware of what is to be done to make a great pair of glasses. We've seen many times what can go wrong without the right service and advice to hand. Mistakes can be costly and in our opinion face to face consultation when buying these precise medical products is always better.
 
We've seen over the last few years an unfair and resource costly (to the business) trend towards what is now notoriously known in the industry as "showrooming".
The industry has been impacted by this behaviour and many Opticians and high street glasses suppliers have been forced to take action to stop this occurring resulting in limited or no service, or at the other end of the scale complete consultations that take time and don't allow the handling of products, model number taking and a ban on photographs in-store. The habit is often obvious to the Optician and staff who are trained to spot and discourage this costly to the store behaviour in a subtle manner. 
This behaviour is usually quite evident when a "customer" calls into store, tries the desired spectacle frame or frame styles on for fit and comfort etc and often knowing the brand, frame or model number they are looking for, then to make their excuses and leaves to make the purchase online. The main and most important thing for this type of purchase is price and nothing more, until its to late. We often have people who have bought glasses online with no subsequent service, fitting or maintenance of their eyewear, who call into our store for free service. Most opticians now don't offer to give service unless the products are purchased from them in the first place because the customers buying decision in the first instance has impacted there own businesses profitability. Before the internet, Opticians in the high street would usually oblige in the hope of future business, but since the internet took their profitability, they are rarely happy to oblige.
So, perhaps an online purchase appears to be a cheaper option initially, is it really?
 
Let us share some examples of our experiences over the last few years. Perhaps looking through our eyes, you might think more carefully at what's on offer in the high street and hopefully with us in-store, compared to a risky online purchase.

Problems Buying Glasses Online
When buying prescription glasses at a distance online, it's always going to be difficult to ensure lens measurements and lens accuracy is maintained. If measurements are not accurate then your glasses won't be either, effecting clear vision, causing headaches and even problematic eye strain. Buying glasses online are exempt from long distance selling regulations and don't online businesses often refuse a refund on bespoke lenses or products which you'll find in the small print, not on the big headline claims about refunds on there website.
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Optician won't give lens fitting measurements as this doesn't form part of the eye test procedure so you can bet they won't take the responsibility for providing these measurements as they are at risk of becoming liable for the accuracy of your online glasses. Online purchases also don't take into account how you prefer to wear your glasses and the relevant adjustments of lens fitting needed in the equation.For example, the RX tilt of the frame panel which often need to be adjusted for correct vision, The BVD back vertex distance which is the gap between your eye and the back of the lens when fitted to the frame which needs a separate measurement which many Vari-focals require. Remember, if these measurements aren't accurate, in terms of widths and heights, tilts and back vertex distances, then you can have a range of problems, from poor vision, to an awful headache.
 
No Advice

This is a big problem because often the frame style is very relevant to the end result, the cosmetic look of the finished glasses or lenses and the suitability of the glasses. You are not expected to be the expert it's a job for the professionals.
Choosing the wrong frame style and size or lenses best suited an go undetected ,until it's to late and you have the glasses made and supplied.

No one to easily return too!
There is no one on hand in person to talk to you and discuss ways of addressing any problems later or ways of improving your wearing experience. Often, a simple refit of the glasses and a tilt of the front panel is all that may be required, but on more complex lenses, stronger prescriptions, and vari-focal glasses, the problems may be more serious and harder if not impossible to fix. We see many cases where the customer has had no joy resolving a problem, despite the guarantees made by the internet seller in the first instance, and then no aftercare from the testing optician afterwards in fixing the problem. Old Fashioned face to face service is always the best.
 
Fitting
You will need new glasses fitting professionally on one or more occasions. This is very important as glasses need to be comfortable to be worn all day every day. When you buy your glasses on the high street, you can insure that they are fitted well. You may notice that they may fit and look differently once your prescription is fitted, and you will need them professionally refitted. Don't buy into the old "online sellers" claims that "for a small fee, high street opticians will fit your glasses", they won't.
Correctly fitted glasses give better vision, and can be the difference in you being satisfied, seeing well, or not. This will make your whole wearing experience a pleasure and money well spent.
From time to time you may need the glasses adjusting again and these are all services given free by the high street seller over the lifetime of the glasses which isn't offered by the online purchase only business model.
 
 
Guarantee
We have seen cases where the glasses have never arrived after payment is made, or have taken many weeks to arrive, only to be damaged on arrival.
Reading the small print in detail, we have noticed many get outs, and non refunds for bespoke made parts of your order. Online sellers haven't got to face you.
 
Old Styles
Many glasses and lenses found online, especially designer glasses are old and often discontinued models without replacement parts.

Fake
Fake and defective sunglasses that can damage your eyes and that don't meet CE European standards of manufacture for safety, ghost goods that don't exist, or the good old, " We will try and source the glasses when you have paid us upfront in full first, although our 14 day promises to deliver may take 3 months or never at all". It all seems such a gamble that's not worth the risk.
 
We recommend you stay safe, try the glasses on in-store and make your purchase there in safety and in the knowledge your glasses are authentic, made correctly and all service is included with genuine back up, and guarantee. Surely, the high street purchase is worth perhaps that bit extra and you are helping keeping it there for the future, what would it be like without us !