I take no pleasure in writing a negative review about this company as I went to this optician due to a recommendation. The behaviour towards me was so aggressive and unwarranted I feel that this review is necessary. The purpose of my visit was on behalf of a close relative who is ill and unable to visit an optician, and it was my intention to ask a couple of questions for my relation about NHS optical vouchers. I approached a receptionist who began by asking “can I help you?” They said this without ever raising their head to see whom they were talking to. This did not give a good impression from the start The questions that I put to the receptionist were answered by a disembodied voice from somewhere behind a partition. After I had addressed a couple of questions towards the partition, an employee stepped out from behind the partition and put a face to the voice. I found this situation most unprofessional. This was not what I had expected due to the glowing recommendation of a friend. I asked a question about the NHS optical voucher scheme which was answered satisfactorily, but it was my next question which caused the difference of opinion between us. I asked if it was possible to get an NHS optical voucher towards the cost of Varifocal lenses, to which they answered no. I had an email in my pocket from an NHS advisor which clearly stated that optical vouchers were available towards Varifocal lenses and I showed it to them. The employee appeared embarrassed and said that under certain conditions Varifocal vouchers were issued. I then made a remark that “either the vouchers were available or they weren’t” to which I was quite sharply told to change my attitude. I said that I merely needed the correct information for my relative, and I did not consider pointing out that my information differed to what I had just been told constituted a bad attitude. At this point someone appeared from the back of the shop and said to me “I have overheard the whole conversation and I want you out of the shop”. This was in spite of my protestations that I had only intended to get a definitive answer. I left the shop feeling that I had been treated very harshly when I was only asking for clarity.
Original Comment Report...