Hi all,
I recently made a pair of specs with Spectacle Hut, and I would like to express my total displeasure with the service and quality of their products.
I popped into SH on 15/01/07 to try out some frames, and was pleasantly served by 2 service staff (1 female sales staff, and a male optometrist)
I was pleasantly surprised by the male optometrist in particular - he was pleasant, had strong product knowledge of the various product offerings (i.e. lenses) available, and was patient in allowing me to try on many frames. There was a particular pair that I was interested in, but I had decided to look around before committing.
Before leaving, I had requested for a quote ($240 for the frame with Essilor's Airwear polycarbonate lenses with Crizal coating, $300 with Nikon 1.67 Aspherical) - and he had not ruled out the possibility of a further discount (as my sis had already made a pair of permanent contacts at $330.)
2 days later, I chanced by the Bukit Batok branch (to see if they had a wider range of frames), and I had chanced upon the same frame again. I was given a brief quote (with Essilor Airwear) at $260 - still a reasonable price, albeit the small difference.
Being wowed over by the service at the Clementi branch, I decided to patronize that branch (even though it was out of the way for me). But however, the subsequent service that I had received was something that was definitely not desired.
-----
I went back to the Clementi branch on 19/01/07, and realised that the male optometrist was not in. Instead, I was served by the optometrist on duty that day (a female). I shall not delve into writing an detailed representation on what transpired, but I will summarize the incident in point form (for your reading convenience):
I proceeded to look at the same series of frames, and sought for a quotation for the same frame with Nikon's 1.67 Aspherical, and she quoted me $240 for the lenses alone. Reasonable price.
I subsequently requested for a quote for Essilor's Airwear with Crizal, and she gave me the shockingly high quote of $400+ for the lenses alone. When told about the previous quote received ($240), she mentioned that it was impossible. Attempted to call the previous male optometrist who quoted me. Further clarification revealed that she had quoted me for Zeiss 1.67 lenses.
When questioned further, she mentioned that Zeiss was under the same parent company as Essilor, which almost knocked my socks off. :bsmilie: Online sites from here and here show that they have totally different distributors.
However, this does not discount the fact that I had specifically requested for Airwear with Crizal, not Zeiss. It was then found out that she thought I had wanted an 1.67 index lens (in which she recommended Zeiss to me) - as Airwear was only 1.6 in index. I egged her for a further discount, and she quoted $220. Agreed, and tried the lenses.
She persuaded me to get the Nikon lenses, as they were thinner (1.67) and sharper. However, she did not mention that Nikon's lenses had no impact resistance/fingerprint smudge protection until I asked her (I got to know this from the male optometrist @ Clementi and also at the Bukit Batok branch). She proceeded to "brush" it off, saying that it was OK provided that proper care was taken - but she had failed to inform me about this till I had asked.
She further persuaded me to get the Nikon, as it had UV400 protection, but she did not realise that the Essilor Airwear had UV protection as well (I informed her about this, as I was a satisfied user of Airwear previously. Product specs from here confirms this). In embarrassment, she had proceeded to check the catalogues on this, but gave no reply. I further confirmed the Essilor choice.
When it came to price, she gave me a confirmation quote of $280. I was shocked - she told me that the $220 previously agreed on was for the lenses alone, and that the total package was $280.
I was infuriated. I told her that I was quoted $240 with the lenses and frame together, and I had told her point blank that if not for the previously quoted price, I would not have come back. Asked her as to when the male optometrist would be back on duty at this branch.
She proceeded to call that guy again, and this time, she agreed at the price of $240 (with no further discount).
Felt exhausted, and agreed on the price (to prevent any further agony - on hindsight, I should have declined the offer and made it at another branch.). As far as she tried not to show it, the subsequent experience after that was rather negative.
Of top of trying to extort me, I can't believe that optometrist has such poor product information. I know that Essilor is in charge of Nikon's eyewear division, but Essilor and Zeiss? That's totally unbelievable.
--------------------------------------------
I collected my spectacles today, and at instance, I felt that the spectacles were a little ill-fitting, but however, I felt that I needed time to adjust to the new spectacles. I also felt that the glasses were slanted, but I thought it was due to improper wearing.
However, later during the night, I started to have a mild headache while wearing them, and when I reached home, I proceed to examine the glasses in greater detail.
To my greatest horror, the quality of the eyewear was absolutely unacceptable! I have attached photos of the spectacles as evidence.
1) Although it was a rimless spectacles, the frame was absolutely flimsy, and the frame itself was not symmetrical.
http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/6103/96067493hi8.jpg
2) Due to the flimsy frame, one of the lens was slanted.
3) To my utmost disgust, I realised that the mounting holes were not symmetrical and aligned!
4) Furthermore, the left-sided frame was not properly moulded, and was curved.
Never have I received such lousy customer and product service from an optician shop, and honestly speaking, I don't think I will ever step into SH again. It may not be an extremely expensive pair of spectacles, but at least give me a standard and reasonable service (not to mention a decent product).
On another note, can anyone recommend me a decent optician? Thanks.
I recently made a pair of specs with Spectacle Hut, and I would like to express my total displeasure with the service and quality of their products.
I popped into SH on 15/01/07 to try out some frames, and was pleasantly served by 2 service staff (1 female sales staff, and a male optometrist)
I was pleasantly surprised by the male optometrist in particular - he was pleasant, had strong product knowledge of the various product offerings (i.e. lenses) available, and was patient in allowing me to try on many frames. There was a particular pair that I was interested in, but I had decided to look around before committing.
Before leaving, I had requested for a quote ($240 for the frame with Essilor's Airwear polycarbonate lenses with Crizal coating, $300 with Nikon 1.67 Aspherical) - and he had not ruled out the possibility of a further discount (as my sis had already made a pair of permanent contacts at $330.)
2 days later, I chanced by the Bukit Batok branch (to see if they had a wider range of frames), and I had chanced upon the same frame again. I was given a brief quote (with Essilor Airwear) at $260 - still a reasonable price, albeit the small difference.
Being wowed over by the service at the Clementi branch, I decided to patronize that branch (even though it was out of the way for me). But however, the subsequent service that I had received was something that was definitely not desired.
-----
I went back to the Clementi branch on 19/01/07, and realised that the male optometrist was not in. Instead, I was served by the optometrist on duty that day (a female). I shall not delve into writing an detailed representation on what transpired, but I will summarize the incident in point form (for your reading convenience):
I proceeded to look at the same series of frames, and sought for a quotation for the same frame with Nikon's 1.67 Aspherical, and she quoted me $240 for the lenses alone. Reasonable price.
I subsequently requested for a quote for Essilor's Airwear with Crizal, and she gave me the shockingly high quote of $400+ for the lenses alone. When told about the previous quote received ($240), she mentioned that it was impossible. Attempted to call the previous male optometrist who quoted me. Further clarification revealed that she had quoted me for Zeiss 1.67 lenses.
When questioned further, she mentioned that Zeiss was under the same parent company as Essilor, which almost knocked my socks off. :bsmilie: Online sites from here and here show that they have totally different distributors.
However, this does not discount the fact that I had specifically requested for Airwear with Crizal, not Zeiss. It was then found out that she thought I had wanted an 1.67 index lens (in which she recommended Zeiss to me) - as Airwear was only 1.6 in index. I egged her for a further discount, and she quoted $220. Agreed, and tried the lenses.
She persuaded me to get the Nikon lenses, as they were thinner (1.67) and sharper. However, she did not mention that Nikon's lenses had no impact resistance/fingerprint smudge protection until I asked her (I got to know this from the male optometrist @ Clementi and also at the Bukit Batok branch). She proceeded to "brush" it off, saying that it was OK provided that proper care was taken - but she had failed to inform me about this till I had asked.
She further persuaded me to get the Nikon, as it had UV400 protection, but she did not realise that the Essilor Airwear had UV protection as well (I informed her about this, as I was a satisfied user of Airwear previously. Product specs from here confirms this). In embarrassment, she had proceeded to check the catalogues on this, but gave no reply. I further confirmed the Essilor choice.
When it came to price, she gave me a confirmation quote of $280. I was shocked - she told me that the $220 previously agreed on was for the lenses alone, and that the total package was $280.
I was infuriated. I told her that I was quoted $240 with the lenses and frame together, and I had told her point blank that if not for the previously quoted price, I would not have come back. Asked her as to when the male optometrist would be back on duty at this branch.
She proceeded to call that guy again, and this time, she agreed at the price of $240 (with no further discount).
Felt exhausted, and agreed on the price (to prevent any further agony - on hindsight, I should have declined the offer and made it at another branch.). As far as she tried not to show it, the subsequent experience after that was rather negative.
Of top of trying to extort me, I can't believe that optometrist has such poor product information. I know that Essilor is in charge of Nikon's eyewear division, but Essilor and Zeiss? That's totally unbelievable.
--------------------------------------------
I collected my spectacles today, and at instance, I felt that the spectacles were a little ill-fitting, but however, I felt that I needed time to adjust to the new spectacles. I also felt that the glasses were slanted, but I thought it was due to improper wearing.
However, later during the night, I started to have a mild headache while wearing them, and when I reached home, I proceed to examine the glasses in greater detail.
To my greatest horror, the quality of the eyewear was absolutely unacceptable! I have attached photos of the spectacles as evidence.
1) Although it was a rimless spectacles, the frame was absolutely flimsy, and the frame itself was not symmetrical.
http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/6103/96067493hi8.jpg
2) Due to the flimsy frame, one of the lens was slanted.
3) To my utmost disgust, I realised that the mounting holes were not symmetrical and aligned!
4) Furthermore, the left-sided frame was not properly moulded, and was curved.
Never have I received such lousy customer and product service from an optician shop, and honestly speaking, I don't think I will ever step into SH again. It may not be an extremely expensive pair of spectacles, but at least give me a standard and reasonable service (not to mention a decent product).
On another note, can anyone recommend me a decent optician? Thanks.
