I used to be a customer of Optical Express (or whoever they were before they closed down 3 years ago) and I thought they were great, so I was a bit peed off when they closed down but decided to try their main competitor instead.
Three years later and they have got a regular customer in me now!
Just had me sight tested again and there's a slight change in my left eye and I was dreading how much it was going to set me back - £25 just for the sight test left me with £75 for new frames and the (really strong unfortunately) lenses... I was thinking it'd set me back several hundred minimum so wasn't looking forward to it.
£27 later and I've had my vision tested, new frames and lenses included!
Total awesomesauce!
They'll call or text me when me glasses are ready, which the optician said would be under 2 weeks which is a lot faster than their competitor was too (almost a month between the test and getting the new lenses sorted) so I is a happy, relieved bunny right now!
The NHS paid 30p (not a typo) because the lenses are so strong too!
They are very thorough right from the start so don't expect to be out in 10 minutes, especially if it's your first appointment with them 'cos it'll be half an hour minimum but it's so worth it!
Just the frames alone were going to set me back £85 and add to that the £25 for the test and that's over £100 without the new lenses so I've paid just over the test price and got new frames and lenses for free!
This sight thing is expensive when it doesn't work, but to be able to put almost £75 back into my account is so worth it when it means I can see!
